US House bill OKs Trump talks with Denmark over Greenland purchase
President-elect Donald Trump’s allies in Congress are working to deliver on his vow to make Greenland part of the United States. Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced a bill on Monday, Jan. 13, to allow Trump to enter into talks with Denmark over purchasing the arctic island on his first day in office.
The bill, titled the “Make Greenland Great Again Act,” would allow Trump to enter into negotiations with the Danish government, just after noon on Inauguration Day.
The bill would give Congress the ability to block any agreement within 60 days, but it would need a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to do so.
Danish officials have repeatedly said the island is not for sale, but are reportedly open to more dialogue with the United States on an increased military presence in the region, which is vital to European and North American national security.
Some residents of the autonomous Danish island also say that it is not for sale, and told The New York Times that they do not want to become Americans, citing fears they will lose benefits such as “free education, free health care and free medicine.”
Democratic leaders in Congress have also dismissed Trump’s desires to acquire Greenland, and the bill would almost certainly need bipartisan support to pass.
Additionally, Trump would not be the first president to try to buy Greenland. In the 1860s, President Andrew Johnson considered buying the island, and decades later President Harry Truman secretly offered Denmark $100 million in gold to swap the island for parts of Alaska.
Mike Johnson reelected speaker after convincing holdouts
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., was reelected speaker of the House Friday, Jan. 3, after he convinced multiple holdouts to change their votes. Johnson received 218 votes, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., received 215.
Before Friday, there were multiple Republicans who said they either would not support Johnson or were keeping their options open.
Members proposed deals that would help Johnson reclaim the gavel like appointing conservative Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, as chairman of the rules committee.
Johnson made clear that was not in the cards.
“I don’t make deals with anyone, there’s no quid pro quo here,” Johnson told reporters. “I don’t do anything in exchange for a vote other than commit to make this institution work as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
Johnson did however convince Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., to vote for him, with a list of commitments that was a near mirror image to the list of demands she released earlier in the week, which she said were requirements to earn her support.
Create a group of independent experts to work with the Department of Government Efficiency and congressional committees on spending reform.
Task the working group with reviewing government audits and create a report for public release.
Request House Committees perform authorizations and appropriations reviews to expose “irresponsible or illegal practices” within government agencies.
Republicans were eager to elect a speaker before Monday, Jan. 6, when Congress is scheduled to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory. Had they not elected a speaker, they would not have been allowed to move forward with the certification.
Thank you, President Trump!
Today is a new day in America.
Congressional Republicans must stay united to quickly deliver President Trump’s America First agenda.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Trump says he supports abolishing the debt ceiling
President-elect Donald Trump said he supports abolishing the debt ceiling, which the federal government is on track to reach in January. During an interview with NBC News, Trump said getting rid of the federal government’s borrowing limit would be the smartest thing Congress could do.
“The Democrats have said they want to get rid of it. If they want to get rid of it, I would lead the charge,” Trump told NBC.
NBC reported that Trump suggested the debt ceiling, or the maximum amount of money the government can borrow to pay its bills, is meaningless.
“It doesn’t mean anything, except psychologically,” Trump said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did not reveal what he thinks of Trump’s proposal.
“The debt limit issue and discussion is premature at best,” Jeffries told reporters.
“I just think it’s common sense, it’s reasonable and it’s rational that we spend less next year than we spend this year. Every household would do this,” McCarthy said at the time.
Fiscal hawks oppose raising the debt ceiling because they don’t believe the government should continue outspending its revenue. The reality is every time Congress needs to give the Treasury Department approval to borrow more money, it does.
“I’m with President Trump. I do think that the debt limit is this fake sort of a deadline that we’ve never allowed to lapse. One hundred seven years, we’ve never defaulted on the debt. The only thing we have done is continue to increase the debt,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said.
“There’s some Republicans who never voted to raise the debt limit and never will. So that’s just a reality,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said. “So you have to get Democrats where you lose Republicans.”
Even if the government hits the borrowing limit in January, the Treasury can use fancy accounting to keep paying the bills for many months before it defaults.
Gingrich: GOP shouldn’t fear gov’t shutdown, next election is 2 years away
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that Republicans should not fear a government shutdown as the deadline to pass a funding bill quickly approaches. In a post on X, Gingrich said the next election is two years away and that Republicans won a majority despite two shutdowns in 1995.
President Trump and Republicans should not be afraid of a government shutdown. The next election is two years away . We had two shutdowns in 1995 and became the first reelected house gop majority since 1928. It may take shock therapy for schumer and democrats to learn President…
“Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025. The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS.”
A statement from President Donald J. Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance:
The most foolish and inept thing ever done by Congressional Republicans was allowing our country to hit the debt ceiling in 2025. It was a mistake and is now something that must be addressed.…
There are Republicans on Capitol Hill who believe it’s better to do nothing rather than something that is perceived as flawed.
“If we didn’t do anything, that would be a good thing, as you know, because Americans are pretty resilient, and they figure out a way to maintain,” Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Straight Arrow News. “But as far as I wish we could just stop some spending.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said she supports a government shutdown.
“I’m all in,” Green said in response to Gingrich. “The government can shut down all the way until Jan 20th as far as I’m concerned.”
Democrats said if the government shuts down, it’s Republicans’ fault.
“This reckless Republican driven shutdown can be avoided if House Republicans will simply do what is right for the American people and stick with the bipartisan agreement that they themselves negotiated,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters.
One of the key sticking points is disaster relief aid. Congress needs to approve the funds to rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, in addition to other natural disasters. If there’s a clean continuing resolution, meaning the government is funded at its current levels without any add-ons, that would preclude disaster relief. Money for storm victims would have to be approved separately.
Speaker Johnson says restroom use in Capitol must line up with biological sex
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is enforcing a new policy requiring public bathroom use on the House side of the Capitol to line up with biological sex and not gender identity. The new rule comes as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, Delaware Democratic Representative-elect Sarah McBride, prepares to be sworn in on Jan. 3.
During the week of Nov. 17, South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to bar transgender women from using female bathrooms and other gender-specific places in the Capitol, such as locker rooms.
“I want to make sure that no men are in women’s private spaces and it doesn’t end here… this shouldn’t be going on, on any federal property,” Mace said. “If you’re a school or an institution that gets government funding this kind of thing should be banned. I think it’s sick, it’s twisted.”
Mace said the bill is intended to “absolutely” target McBride.
“A man is a man and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman,” Johnson said.
Johnson also noted every House member’s office has its own private bathroom and that unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.
Under House rules, the speaker has general control of facilities in the chamber, giving Johnson the authority to issue the policy surrounding bathrooms.
Rep. McBride responded in a statement that said in part, “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will follow the rules outlined by Speaker Johnson even if I disagree with them.”
I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. pic.twitter.com/bCuv7pIZBY
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accused Republicans of bullying McBride.
“This is what we’re doing? This is the lesson that you’ve drawn from the election in November?” Jeffries said. “This is your priority, that you want to bully a member of Congress, as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so all of us can work together.”
It’s not clear now exactly how the policy will be enforced.
House passes continuing resolution as Congress works to fund government
The House overwhelmingly approved (341-82) a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the government through Dec. 20. The extraordinary bipartisanship was both political and necessary. Neither party’s leadership wanted a shutdown a month before the election, and because it was considered under suspension of the normal rules, it needed a two-thirds majority to pass, not a simple majority.
This bill will fund the government at its current levels and provide an extra $231 million to the Secret Service for protecting presidential candidates.
Democrats took credit for the plan.
“House Democrats have now avoided a reckless Republican government shutdown on five different occasions to make sure that we meet the needs of the American people and keep the government open,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.
This is Chuck Schumer’s fault,” Johnson told reporters. “We did our work, we passed 12 appropriations bills through the committee process in record time, we put them on the floor, almost 73% of federal funding has been passed through the House. We sent it all over to the Senate and they’ve done nothing.”
Republicans originally wanted a continuing resolution that funded the government through March of next year and included a measure requiring Americans to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote. That failed, so they had no choice but to put the clean CR on the floor.
“We loathe CRs as much as anyone but this is the situation that Senate Democrat leadership put us in,” Johnson said. “It would be political malpractice to shut the government down.”
But if Johnson lost this round, he’s putting his foot down for the Dec. 20 deadline.
“There won’t be a Christmas omnibus,” Johnson said.
An omnibus is a massive bill that funds the entirety of the federal government. They can be thousands of pages, the omnibus proposed in 2022 was more than 4,000. They are used when Congress can’t fund the government through standard procedure. Congress is supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills per year, each of which fund a specific function within the government.
Straight Arrow News asked Rep. Mark Molinaro, R-N.Y. to explain why Republicans oppose an omnibus.
“The average American wants us to be clear that we’re not creating these massive bills that have so many disparate parts,” Molinaro explained. “Christmas trees, right, with ornaments attached to them. Instead of being able to consider a single focus appropriation bill, we’re forced into voting for this big, massive thing that has plenty of ugly parts that folks don’t want us to have to endorse.”
Now the House CR is off to the Senate. The chamber will have to approve it exactly as is because the House is leaving Washington for the entire month of October, and if the Senate makes any changes the House will have to reapprove it.
Government shutdown is 2 weeks away. No deal in sight.
Congress is back to square one on government spending after Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., pulled a dead-on-arrival bill that would have kept the government open for six months, but also included non-spending related measures that Democrats found unacceptable. Without action, the government will shutdown Oct. 1.
“We’re just forgoing our duty, our sworn constitutional duty, really,” Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said. “It’s the one thing is to pass a budget, and we haven’t done it in 30 years.”
Here are the key disagreements preventing a deal.
Lawmakers have not agreed on how long a continuing resolution should last. A continuing resolution, or CR, temporarily keeps the government open at current levels while lawmakers work on a deal for the full fiscal year.
Johnson wanted a six month extension which would mean the next Congress and next president would handle it. Democrats want a three month extension, which would require the final deal to be approved before the end of this calendar year, during a lame-duck session.
“We are simply asking traditional Republicans to partner with House Democrats in a bipartisan way to find the common ground necessary to avoid a Donald Trump-inspired, extreme MAGA Republican shutdown,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.
Jeffries is trying to brand it a MAGA shutdown because Trump called for one on Truth Social if Republicans don’t get their way.
“If Republicans in the House, and Senate, don’t get absolute assurances on Election Security, THEY SHOULD, IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, GO FORWARD WITH A CONTINUING RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET,” Trump posted. “THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO “STUFF” VOTER REGISTRATIONS WITH ILLEGAL ALIENS. DON’T LET IT HAPPEN – CLOSE IT DOWN!!!”
Democrats want to keep non-spending related measures out of the bill. Republicans included the Save Act, which would require Americans to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote.
“When you start tacking on brand new bills, brand new pieces of legislation, onto what already exists, of course you’re going to start running into a problem,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said.
“I would say that we should probably do a CR and then reevaluate in probably January time frame,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said. “So I think that that would probably be the best solution, but only with the condition that Save Act is attached. If it’s not, no go.”
Luna thinks an omnibus bill is likely later this year. That’s one giant package that contains all spending, rather than breaking them up by subject or category. To get to that, Congress needs a CR this month.
“The speaker’s probably going to have to do what he did last time and the time before that, and what McCarthy did, which is work with the Democrats, who are the adults in the room, to keep the government open,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said.
The House has just nine work days left and the Senate has 11 days until government funding expires. On that same day, Congress is scheduled to leave Washington for the entire month of October so members can campaign.
Congress awards Gold Medal to 13 troops killed in Kabul bombing
Congress posthumously bestowed its highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, on 13 American troops killed in the Kabul airport bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. The ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda brought together lawmakers and grieving families, transcending partisan divides to pay tribute to these fallen soldiers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., hosted the ceremony. He was joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who emphasized the exceptional character and sacrifice of the fallen service members. Johnson offered an apology to the families of the 13 fallen service members.
“Our nation owes a profound debt of gratitude to these service members and those here today who were with them in Kabul,” Johnson said. “We also owe them something deeper, and that is, an apology. The families who are here, I know many of you have yet to hear these words so I will say them, we are sorry. The United States government should have done everything to protect our troops.”
The House Foreign Affairs Committee released a new 350-page report, led by Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, that criticized the Biden administration’s management of the withdrawal.
The White House rejected the report. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday, Sept. 9, that the report came two years after the committee’s first report. He noted that “this one says little or nothing new” about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Gold Star families gathered outside the Capitol, demanding accountability from leadership involved in the operation.
Democrats, including Rep. Gregory Meeks, expressed concern over attempts to politicize the withdrawal and argue that the report minimizes the role of former President Trump.
Congress will leave DC for October. Can it avoid a government shutdown?
Sept. 30 is a very important day in Washington, D.C., for two reasons: it is when Congress is set to leave for the entire month of October so lawmakers can campaign, and it is also the deadline to approve government funding. The new federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1, so the government will shut down if Congress does not pass a spending bill by then.
Lawmakers have three weeks to make this happen, and they are not off to a great start.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., wants the House to vote on a continuing resolution that would fund the government until March 28, 2025. That kicks the can down the road for six months, after a new Congress and president are sworn in.
The vote is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11, but it appears dead on arrival.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, N.Y., called the proposal extreme and unacceptable.
“Last spring, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act, reached negotiated funding levels for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and agreed not to include partisan policy changes in any appropriations legislation,” Jeffires wrote in a letter to his colleagues. “Despite the existence of a previously agreed upon spending framework, extreme MAGA Republicans have decided to abandon their commitment to the American people in order to enact Trump’s Project 2025 agenda.”
Senate Democrats also oppose Johnson’s bill.
“Avoiding a government shutdown requires bipartisanship, not a bill drawn up by one party,” they said in a statement. “Speaker Johnson is making the same mistake as former Speaker McCarthy did a year ago, by wasting precious time catering to the hard MAGA right.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described the negative impacts of a continuing resolution on the military.
“A six-month CR would set us significantly behind in meeting our pacing challenge highlighted in our National Defense Strategy – the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” Austin wrote in a statement. “The PRC is the only global competitor with both the intent and capability to change the international order. The PRC does not operate under CRs.”
Democrats want a three-month spending bill that deals with measures including the upcoming debt ceiling deadline on Jan. 1.
So what does Johnson’s proposal do?
It funds the government mostly at current levels through March.
It provides an extra $12 billion for the VA and $2 billion for building Virginia Class submarines.
It includes a provision that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Because Democrats and Republicans are so far apart, if past is prologue, Congress will likely approve a clean CR that keeps everything exactly as it is now, at the last minute.
