News Wrap: McCarthy faces GOP criticism after funding deal averts shutdown

John Yang:

Good evening. I'm John Yang. A day after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy narrowly averted a government shutdown by engineering passage of a short term spending bill, a leading McCarthy critic says he'll try to remove him from the speaker's chair. After a hectic and chaotic day in the House late last night, the Senate overwhelmingly approved the 45-day spending bill, sending it to President Biden, who signed it shortly before the midnight deadline.

It was McCarthy's surprising turn to Democrats for votes that made it possible, but hardline House Republicans say that broke promises McCarthy made in January to become speaker. McCarthy critic Matt Gaetz of Florida appeared on CNN's State of the Union.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) Florida: I think we need to rip off the Band Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy.

John Yang:

McCarthy says he's confident he'll survive, but that also may require votes from Democrats. Congress now has 45 days to try to pass full year spending bills. A big issue will be aid to Ukraine, which President Biden wants, many House Republicans oppose and the stopgap bill left out.

Today also marks the end of two pandemic era safety nets, federal funding for childcare program stops, and after a three year moratorium, student loan repayments resume.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin returned to regular season action today for the first time since a near death experience earlier this year. Hamlin was on the kickoff return unit to open the game with the Miami Dolphins in January. Hamlin's heart stopped while making a routine tackle in a game in Cincinnati.

And another milestone for America's longest living president Jimmy Carter turns 99 today. He celebrated in Plains, Georgia, with Rosalynn, his wife of 77 years, and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Mr. Carter entered hospice care in February. And we'd like to wish him a very happy birthday as well.

Still to come on PBS News Weekend, who identifies as Hispanic and who says they're Latino? And the story of a Mexican American journalist and activist who devoted her life to fighting racism and discrimination.