House approves spending bill to avoid government shutdown
Democrats and Republicans in the House voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill to keep the government open until Friday, March 14. The bill passed just hours before the government was set to shut down.
Notably, the bill –– known as a continuing resolution –– did not maintain the debt ceiling suspension, something President-elect Donald Trump advocated for. However, it did include language from the annual Farm Bill as well as disaster relief aid.
Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., delivered a holiday-themed pitch on the House floor before the vote.
“‘Twas five days before Christmas and all through this House, not a lawmaker was resting, not even their spouse. The [continuing resolution] stalled, the debates full of heat, while a shutdown shadow loomed over our streets. My friends, it’s time to fund our defense and aid for our farms and disaster relief to protect our very own citizens from harm,” Alford said.
The House has revised the bill multiple times over the last few days. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., did not move the first version forward after it received extensive public criticism on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from Elon Musk and the president-elect.
A second version, released Thursday, Dec. 19, would have raised the debt ceiling, but it fell short despite Trump and Musk’s backing. Thirty-eight House Republicans joined Democrats in voting against that bill.
Democrats mostly supported the bill but criticized Musk, accusing him of sabotaging and complicating the process.
“At the behest of the world’s richest man who no one voted for, the Congress has been thrown into pandemonium,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said.
“It leads you to the question of; who is in charge? I thought that there was a Republican majority in this body. Not a President Musk majority,” DeLauro added.
The final version of the bill also removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, as well as research into other diseases, including Down syndrome, and options to treat and detect sickle cell disease, breast cancer and cervical cancer.
A separate bill for pediatric cancer research that passed in the House last March is still awaiting a vote, but Senate Democrats have not brought it up. Republicans have said they support that bill and believe the Senate should approve it there, as opposed to making it part of the continuing resolution.
In the hours following the passage of the continuing resolution, the Senate voted unanimously to approve the bill the House passed last March. That legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk.
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.
House defies Trump and Musk, votes against bill to avoid government shutdown
The House of Representatives rejected a bill on Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government open. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight on 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, with 38 House Republicans joining 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, who voted against the bill, said while addressing his fellow Republicans.
Roy added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday on 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 President-elect 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 have 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 also removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, research into diseases such as Down syndrome, and options to treat and detect sickle cell disease, as well as breast and cervical cancer.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill that would 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.
Musk or Trump? Media divided over who killed the gov’t spending bill
The initial government spending package aimed at preventing a government shutdown failed late Wednesday, Dec. 18. The 1,500-page bill was scrapped as lawmakers began to reassess their options.
The collapse of the spending bill prompted a mix of explanations from news outlets.
Left-leaning media outlets
Left-leaning outlets largely pointed to Elon Musk as the driving force behind its failure.
MSNBC: “‘Unelected President Musk’: Elon posts 70 times trashing GOP bill, Trump caves.”
Daily Beast: “Democrats Troll ‘Vice President’ Trump as Musk Calls the Shots.”
NBC News: “Elon Musk leads charge to kill spending bill meant to avert government shutdown.”
Right-leaning media outlets
Meanwhile, right-leaning outlets suggested both Musk and President-elect Donald Trump played significant roles in a broader revolt within the Republican Party.
The New York Post: “Bloated federal funding bill is scrapped after Trump-boosted revolt, Rep. Scalise confirms.”
Fox News: “House GOP leaders scramble for Plan B after Trump, Musk lead conservative fury against spending bill.”
Washington Examiner: “Scalise confirms spending deal is ‘dead’ after mass GOP revolt.”
Musk made his opposition clear, posting more than 100 times on X by the end of Wednesday. The bill had been under pressure as lawmakers raced against a 72-hour deadline to bring it to a vote.
That effort came to an abrupt halt after Vice President-elect JD Vance met behind closed doors with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., for roughly an hour.
Musk wasn’t the only one publicly opposing the spending package. Trump and Vance released a joint statement urging Republicans to reject the bill.
Trump also posted his opposition on Truth Social. Both Musk and Trump both posted online that any Republican who voted for the package should be voted out of office when their term is up.
Vivek Ramaswamy, who will partner with Musk in leading Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), also opposed the bill. Ramaswamy said he read the entire 1,500 pages overnight on Tuesday, Dec. 17, before criticizing it on Wednesday morning.
Prominent House Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas and Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., joined the growing list of GOP lawmakers who opposed the bill.
They argued it was too bloated during a time when Republicans had vowed to prioritize reducing government waste, particularly under Trump’s second term.
Musk’s involvement in DOGE has given him a powerful voice in the political sphere, a voice the Republican Party, including Trump, have embraced.
As the shadow Pres-Elect, Elon Musk is now calling the shots for House Rs on government funding while Trump hides in Mar-a-Lago behind his handlers.
It increasingly seems like we’re in for 4 years of an unelected oligarch running the country by pulling on his puppet’s strings. https://t.co/bVaMuxUPW0
However, some Democrats have criticized Musk’s influence. New York Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman posted on X, calling Musk the “shadow president-elect” for the Republican Party. Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders accused Republicans of being more beholden to Musk than to the American people.
Johnson defended the bill when he introduced it. He told Fox News, that reducing government waste would have to wait until the new Congress in January 2025.
He called the situation an “impossible position” and argued that passing the bill was necessary to prevent a shutdown. However, by late Wednesday, Johnson was back at the drawing board.
Johnson’s initial support for the bill sparked questions within his own party about whether he was the right leader for the House.
Trump weighed in on this as well, stating that as long as Johnson “acts decisively and tough” and “eliminates traps set by Democrats,” he would “easily remain Speaker.”
Republicans reject Speaker Johnson’s bill to avoid government shutdown
Republicans rejected House Speaker Mike Johnson’s, R-La., bipartisan plan to avoid a government shutdown. With three days until the funding deadline, Johnson needs a new solution that earns the support of President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump and House Republicans criticized Johnson’s deal, released Tuesday, Dec. 17, for its concessions to Democrats, including an extension to the debt ceiling suspension.
Shortly after the bill’s release, Elon Musk repeatedly posted on X –– the social media company he owns –– criticizing the bill. He and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy are leading Trump’s charge to make large-scale cuts to government spending under the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
After the bill collapsed, Musk posted, “Your elected representatives have heard you and now the terrible bill is dead.”
In a joint statement, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance said, “If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF.”
Republicans control the House, and Democrats control the Senate.
The bill needs a two-thirds majority in the House because Johnson is moving to speed up its passage.
However, the swearing-in of a new Congress in January adds to the complexity of Johnson’s situation. Johnson will have a narrower majority and will need the support of nearly every House Republican to remain speaker when the new Congress convenes and elects one next month.
Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has already said he will vote against Johnson.
Most federal operations will shut down if Congress can’t reach a deal by 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. However, with the weekend, most services will not be fully affected until Monday, Dec. 23.
A shutdown would close everything from national parks to government-operated museums and historic sites. It would also delay applications for things like government benefits or new passports.
The shutdown does not affect things like mail delivery. Essential services like border patrol and airport security will not close, but their staff will not be paid until after a shutdown ends.
In a reversal, House panel votes to release report on Matt Gaetz
The public may soon find out what’s in the House Ethics Committee report about former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. In a rare reversal, the committee secretly voted earlier this month to publicly release it.
This comes after the committee voted in November to keep it under wraps. The report outlines the findings of an investigation looking into allegations including drug use, sexual misconduct involving a minor and campaign finance violations.
Gaetz has long denied any misconduct, calling the investigation a political “witch hunt.” He responded on X, saying the Department of Justice investigated the allegations and never charged him with a crime.
He said his 30s were an era of working hard and playing hard, adding his previous behavior was “embarrassing though not criminal.” Gaetz also denied ever having sexual contact with a minor.
The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes.
I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me.
Then, the very “witnesses” DOJ deemed not-credible were…
Gaetz resigned from Congress last month after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to be attorney general. He ultimately withdrew his name from consideration.
He has since said he will not return to Congress for the next term and instead will launch a new show on the pro-Trump One America News Network in January.
The ethics committee has not commented on its decision.
The report will likely be released after Friday, Dec. 20, when the chamber is scheduled to finish its business for the year and head home for the holidays.
Congressional leaders unveil a stopgap bill to fund the government until March. And a mega-merger between Nissan and Honda might be revving up. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
Congressional leaders unveil stopgap government funding bill
With just days left to prevent a shutdown, Congress unveiled a stopgap bill to keep the government funded into March. It’ll be down to the wire with the Dec. 20 deadline, as House leaders are supposed to wait 72 hours before bringing proposed legislation to the floor for a vote. This practice allows lawmakers time to review the bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday, Dec. 17, that he believes in adhering to the 72-hour rule, but with the deadline approaching so quickly that might not be feasible.
This new stopgap bill includes more than $100 billion in disaster aid, a one-year extension to the farm bill, $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers, a bill to renew expiring health care programs and a measure to restrict U.S. investments in China.
Right now, the government is funded through Friday by a different stopgap measure approved by lawmakers in September.
I am particularly proud that this bill advances some of my key priorities including strong proposals to help the United States out-compete the Chinese Communist Party. pic.twitter.com/k73axXhUl0
In a statement last night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s “pleased these negotiations led to a bipartisan government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, while also securing Democratic priorities like millions for child care, workforce training and job placement, assistance for the key bridge rebuild, additional disaster relief funding and more.”
If approved, this new stopgap bill would keep the government open through March 14, after the GOP has gained control of both the House and Senate.
Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as an act of terrorism
In a press conference Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the shooting outside a Manhattan hotel a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.”
Mangione faces 11 counts, including two second-degree murder charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
Mangione, who remains in a Pennsylvania prison, is set for two hearings on Thursday, Dec. 19. One for charges he faces in the Keystone State and another hearing for his extradition to New York.
Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said officers responded to reports of shots fired at around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and found a vehicle lying on its side in flames. McCullough said it appears the car was involved in an incident that caused it to crash and catch on fire but did not say how that was related to the shooting.
“We know that there are some additional scenes that we’re investigating right now where other gunfire took place throughout the neighborhood,” McCullough said. “And that was evidenced by the multiple calls for service from the neighbors who were calling 911 about the gunshots in the community.”
McCullough said the incident was “intentional and targeted.” No arrests have been made in connection with this case.
Madison school shooting motive appears to be ‘combination of factors’: Police
Wisconsin authorities provided more information on Tuesday about the shooting inside a Christian school classroom that left three dead: a teacher, a student and the 15-year-old suspect.
In a press conference, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the motive appears to be “a combination of factors.” Barnes added investigators are speaking with other students to see if bullying was one of those factors.
“Some have asked if people were specifically targeted,” Barnes said. “Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger.”
Barnes said investigators are looking into the suspect’s social activity. Police identified the suspect as Natalie Rupnow and asked anyone who knew her to contact them.
Police said Rupnow opened fire Monday morning, Dec. 16, during a study hall full of students from multiple grade levels at Abundant Life Christian School. She struck several people before shooting herself. Six others were injured in the shooting and two remain in critical condition.
Nissan shares surge amid rumors of merger with Honda
Shares for Nissan surged following reports of potential merger talks with Honda. Both automotive giants released a statement to media confirming the whispers of a possible “business integration,” but not confirming any decisions set in stone yet.
The two have already collaborated on electric vehicles and battery technology, but the companies could benefit from deepening ties as both have seen challenges this year.
Nissan and Honda have seen dwindling sales in China, the world’s largest car market. Additionally, both automakers are navigating a slow shift to the electric vehicle market amid growing competition.
Talks of the potential merger saw Nissan shares notch their best day in more than 40 years with a 24% surge, though Honda saw a dip.
Some reports suggested the two will sign “a memorandum of understanding” on the potential deal soon. Mitsubishi is said to be a potential third player in the mix.
Tom Cruise receives Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award
Nearly 40 years after he first starred as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the film “Top Gun,” actor Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor on Tuesday.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said during the ceremony. “I know in life something that is very true to me is that is to lead is to serve, and I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women. I see that in you, and you understand that. And I appreciate everyone’s dedication. And it’s a true honor to represent them. And I’m just very proud.”
The Navy said the 62-year-old actor’s efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for its “highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”
As for what’s next for Cruise, his film “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” is set to be released in theaters in May.
Congress has a big to-do list before it leaves for holidays
Government funding runs out Friday, Dec. 20, at midnight and there’s still no bill on the table for lawmakers to consider. Congress is going to have to pass a continuing resolution into 2025 to prevent a government shutdown.
However, once lawmakers leave at the end of the week, they’re not scheduled to return to Washington for the rest of 2024.
The temporary funding measure will last until mid-March. That means Republicans will have a trifecta in Washington when government funding for 2025 is finalized.
Congress is also on track to approve the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bill lawmakers pass every year to fund the Defense Department. This year’s NDAA has an $895.2 billion price tag. It includes measures Democrats fought against, including a restriction on new diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as a ban on the Pentagon’s health insurance plan from covering gender dysphoria treatments for minors.
Democrats argued the provisions are unnecessary because, as commander-in-chief, President-elect Donald Trump wouldn’t allow those types of programs anyway.
Despite the controversial measures, 80 Democrats voted for the legislation when it passed the House. It’s unclear how many will vote for it in the Senate, but the legislation expected to get well over the 60 votesneeded for approval.
Finally, Congress needs to approve the Farm Bill, which sets food and farm policy for five years. The previous version expired in September. Just like government funding, lawmakers appear on track to provide a temporary remedy that lasts until 2025, when they’ll come up with a permanent solution.
The Farm Bill impacts everyone. There are products grown in America that cost more to produce than they can be sold for, so farmers rely on assistance from the government to make up for the losses. Without that help, it will impact the availability and price of those products.
SNAP food benefits for lower-income families are also approved within the Farm Bill, so that’s where lawmakers will make an increase in payments to help offset inflationary cost increases.
House passes bill to create anti-communism education for high schoolers
The House overwhelmingly passed a bill to create a civic education program to teach high schoolers around the country about the dangers of communism. The Crucial Communism Teaching Act was approved 327-62.
“Sadly polls show today that 1 in 5 millennials and 1 in 3 members of Gen Z have a positive viewpoint of communism. Wow,” Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said. “That data is troubling, and solutions start with ensuring an accurate education.”
The bill’s main purpose is to help ensure students learn and understand three things:
The bill’s supporters include Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., who is the daughter of Cuban exiles.
“America’s youth has been brainwashed by the media and academia over the last thirty years to believe that communism is good. What a travesty, what a horror. Ask my parents and my community if that is true,” Salazar said.
Lawmakers who raised concern about the bill said it was too narrowly tailored and leaves out information about other dangerous ideologies.
“If we truly want to educate students about the dangers of extremism, we should be teaching them about all forms,” Rep. Robert Scott, D-Va., said. “Not just communism but how about fascism and other ideologies which have sought to strip people of their rights and freedoms.”
The bill has not passed the Senate, and this late in the year, it’s unlikely to get a vote. But Republicans will have majorities in both chambers next year, so expect the bill’s sponsors to bring it up again.
Members of Congress received more than 700 threats last month
In the last month there have been more than 700 threats against members of Congress and 50 swatting incidents, according to the chief of the Capitol Police. Chief Tom Manger made the comments during a hearing regarding recent improvements to security at the Capitol, but he said his department still needs more resources as it deals with more than 8,000 threats per year.
As an example, he drew attention to the officers who work on congressional leadership protection details, which he described as “woefully understaffed.”
“We provide the protection at the level it needs to be. But you do that through officers working double shifts and averaging 50 hours of overtime every pay period,” Manger said.
Swatting is a false call to police designed to elicit a major response to a nonexistent emergency.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has been the target of at least nine swatting incidents. Last weekend, an anonymous person with a Russian IP address told her hometown police department that they planted a bomb in her mailbox. An innocent bystander was killed in a car accident during the police response.
“Political violence is unacceptable and I think we have serious issues with it. I’ll also say this, you know, we don’t have enough police officers,” Greene said. “I really hope that that can change as soon as possible. I’d love to see police officers make more money. I’d love to see them have more resources.”
The Rome Police Department's Assistant Chief of Police received an email containing a bomb threat directed towards me.
I’m so grateful to every member of the Rome Police Department for your swift and professional response in ensuring my safety. pic.twitter.com/JfJBSLBNIz
Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., has been living with threats for much of his life. His father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, received what was at the time a record number of threats when he ran for president in 1984 and 1988.
“This isn’t anything new to me. It’s nothing that you get comfortable with when you’re putting on your tie in the morning wondering if this is your last day,” Jackson said. “But you pick your head up and you leave out the house with no fear. And I just wouldn’t wish this on other persons that would be fearful, have trepidation and not seek to serve because of potential violence on their families.”
Manger said improvements have been made to his ability to protect the Capitol and lawmakers. For instance, he now has the authority to call the National Guard. He also has mutual aid agreements with local departments to protect lawmakers at home, and can reimburse the departments for their efforts.
But he needs more. For instance, he wants to double the number of officers who protect leadership from 250 to 500.
“Not only can we provide protection for the leadership 24/7, but when we have people that have threats against them that require us to stand up temporary details, we can do that,” Manger said. “Because right now, when we do it, we’re robbing Peter to pay Paul. We’re yanking somebody off another detail to stand up a detail to help someone for a temporary threat situation.”
The department has two resource intensive events in the near future, the certification of the election on Jan. 6 and the inauguration on Jan. 20.
