Oct 22 USDA reopening some offices during government shutdown to give farmers access to $3 billion in aid By Josh Funk, Associated Press The Agriculture Department will reopen about 2,100 county offices all across the country Thursday despite the ongoing government shutdown to help farmers and ranchers get access to $3 billion of aid from existing programs. Continue reading
Oct 22 WATCH: Sen. Merkley stages marathon overnight speech to protest Trump during shutdown By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Merkley spoke for more than 22 hours — from 6:21 p.m. Tuesday to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday — pausing for lengthy questions from other Democratic senators. Authoritarianism is not around the corner, Merkley said as he wrapped up his speech,… Continue reading
Oct 21 Most Americans are concerned about rising health care costs, AP-NORC poll finds By Ali Swenson, Linley Sanders, Associated Press Federal policies have left millions of people at risk of skyrocketing health insurance premiums or of losing their health insurance altogether. Continue reading
Oct 21 WATCH: ‘We will not be extorted’ in ending shutdown, Trump says at Senate Republican luncheon By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Seung Min Kim, Associated Press While President Donald Trump said the shutdown must come to an end — and suggested maybe Smithsonian museums could reopen — he signaled no compromise with Democrats over the expiring health care funds. Continue reading
Oct 21 Senate Republicans head to the White House in a show of unity as the shutdown enters its 4th week By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press GOP Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming tells Fox News Channel the message during lunch Tuesday will be, "Republicans are united."… Continue reading
Oct 16 Health care subsidies are at the heart of the shutdown fight. Here’s who loses if they expire By Ali Swenson, Associated Press Millions of Americans with Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance will face higher costs next year if Congress doesn't extend enhanced premium tax credits that have made the plans more affordable. Continue reading
Oct 16 WATCH: Holding out for health care, Senate Democrats reject government funding bill for 10th time By Stephen Groves, Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Senate Democrats are rejecting for the 10th time a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government. They are insisting they won’t back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits. Continue reading
Oct 15 Watch 8:04 Federal workers describe how the shutdown is upending their jobs and daily lives By Lisa Desjardins, Matt Loffman, Kyle Midura The government shutdown has far-reaching effects for federal workers. Hundreds of thousands have been furloughed and many others are working without a paycheck. Some may be out of work permanently after the Trump administration announced plans for mass layoffs. We… Continue watching
Oct 15 Watch 8:16 Democratic and GOP strategists on the political fallout of the government shutdown By Geoff Bennett, Jonah Anderson It's Day 15 of the federal government shutdown, one of the longest lapses in funding in U.S. history. To discuss the politics of the shutdown, Geoff Bennett spoke with Democratic strategist Faiz Shakir and Republican strategist Doug Heye. Continue watching
Oct 15 McMahon says shutdown shows Education Department isn’t needed By Associated Press Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the federal shutdown offers evidence that her agency is “unnecessary.”… Continue reading