A historic shutdown is over. It leaves no winners and much frustration
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The longest government shutdown in history has come to an end, with almost no one happy with the final result.
Kevin Freking, The Associated Press
While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Kevin Freking, The Associated Press.
A historic shutdown is nearly over. It leaves no winners and much frustration
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The longest government shutdown in history could conclude as soon as today, Day 43, with almost no one happy with the final result.
Trump administration won't tap contingency fund to keep food aid flowing, memo says
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Trump administration is rejecting the idea of using roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep food aid flowing into November amid the government shutdown, according to a Department of Agriculture memo that surfaced Friday. States temporarily covering the cost of benefits next month will not be reimbursed, the memo says.
Pressure points ahead could bring a quicker end to the shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The first week is the easy one. The pressure to resolve the federal shutdown will gradually build as the shutdown enters its second week -- and as government workers miss paychecks and important programs run out of money.
Will the government shutdown affect next year's election? Recent history provides clues
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Political leaders in Washington are spending considerable energy blaming the other party for what could be an extended government shutdown, and that effort includes shaping the narrative for next year's elections.
What happens now that a government shutdown is underway
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington is bracing for what could be a prolonged federal shutdown after lawmakers deadlocked and missed the deadline for funding the government.
What will happen if there's a government shutdown at day's end
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington is just hours away from yet another federal government shutdown, with prospects looking rather bleak for a last-minute compromise in Congress to avoid federal closures beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
What we know about how a government shutdown would unfold
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The threat of a government shutdown has become a recurring event in Washington, though most of the time lawmakers and the president are able to head it off. This time, however, prospects for a last-minute compromise look rather bleak.
Senate rejects competing bills to fund government, increasing risk of shutdown on Oct. 1
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate rejected competing measures on Friday to fund federal agencies for a few weeks when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1, increasing prospects for a partial government shutdown on that date.
House passes a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown, but prospects in the Senate look dim
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House on Friday passed a short-term spending bill to extend government funding for seven weeks and avoid a partial government shutdown on Oct. 1, but prospects looked dimmer in the Senate, where the two parties show no signs of budging on the matter.
House voting on funding patch as parties trade blame for potential shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican and Democratic lawmakers show no signs of budging as the House takes up a bill Friday to avert a partial government shutdown in less than two weeks.
August recess can't hide tensions ahead for Congress on spending and Trump nominations
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lawmakers have left Washington for the annual August recess, but a few weeks of relative quiet on the U.S. Capitol grounds can't mask the partisan tensions that are brewing on government funding and President Donald Trump's nominees. It could make for a momentous September.
Trump signs bill to cancel $9 billion in foreign aid, public broadcasting funding
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump signed a bill Thursday canceling about $9 billion that had been approved for public broadcasting and foreign aid as Republicans look to lock in cuts to programs targeted by the White House's Department of Government Efficiency.
Budget office says Trump's tax law will add $3.4 trillion to deficits, leave 10 million uninsured
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's tax and spending law will add $3.4 trillion to federal deficits through 2034, the Congressional Budget Office reported Monday, a slight increase in the projection that takes into account the final tweaks that Republicans made before getting the legislation over the finish line.
Senate votes to move ahead with Trump's request for $9 billion in spending cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans on Tuesday advanced President Donald Trump's request to cancel some $9 billion in previously approved spending, overcoming concerns about what the rescissions could mean for impoverished people around the globe and for public radio and television stations in their home states.
Republicans look to tweak Trump's request for $9.4 billion in spending cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans worked Tuesday to slightly scale back President Donald Trump's request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved spending as they tried to build momentum for the package before a key test vote.
Republicans are considering changes to Trump's request for $9.4 billion in spending cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans were exploring changes Tuesday to President Donald Trump's request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved spending targeted by his Department of Government Efficiency, signaling potential difficulties ahead of an important test vote.
Republicans hit major setback in their effort to ease regulations on gun silencers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican efforts to loosen regulations on gun silencers and short-barreled rifles and shotguns have been dealt a big setback with the Senate parliamentarian advising that the proposal would need to clear a 60-vote threshold if included in their big tax and immigration bill.
Senators challenge Trump's proposed cuts to foreign aid and public media in contentious hearing
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Senate panel challenged on a bipartisan basis the merits of cancelling billions of dollars in spending for foreign aid and public media as part of a contentious hearing Wednesday examining the White House's request for the cuts.
What is the CBO? A look at the small office inflaming debate over Trump's tax bill
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A small government office with some 275 employees has found itself caught in the political crossfire as Congress debates President Donald Trump's "one big beautiful bill."
Now that they've passed a budget plan, the hard part begins for Republicans
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans narrowly got their budget plan over the finish line. Now comes the hard part.
Republican-led House passes bill to limit nationwide orders from federal district judges
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House passed legislation Wednesday mostly along party lines that limits the authority of federal district judges to issue nationwide orders, as Republicans react to several court rulings against the Trump administration.
Senate works to avert partial government shutdown ahead of midnight deadline
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate finds itself on Friday in a familiar position, working to avoid a partial government shutdown with just hours to spare as Democrats confront two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting a funding lapse ensue.
House Republicans unveil bill to avoid shutdown and they're daring Democrats to oppose it
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Saturday that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, pushing ahead with a go-it-alone strategy that seems certain to spark a major confrontation with Democrats over the contours of government spending.
Republicans try to go it alone on government funding as shutdown deadline nears
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans are looking to do what, for them, is almost unheard of --- approving government funding on their terms with little help from Democrats.
The House censures Democratic Rep. Al Green for disrupting Trump's joint address to Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House on Thursday voted to censure an unrepentant Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, for disrupting President Donald Trump's address to Congress.
Texas Rep. Al Green unrepentant as he faces censure vote in House for disrupting Trump speech
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House is expected to vote on censuring an unrepentant Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, on Thursday for his outburst during President Donald Trump's address to Congress.
Republicans are pursuing separate paths to get Trump's priorities through Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Majority Leader John Thune teed up a vote this week on a budget plan that sets the stage for a massive boost in defense and border security spending, and leaves a looming tax cut fight for later this year.
Spending bill talks bog down after Trump's efforts to slash government
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Before President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress can enact much of their legislative agenda, they have to deal with some unfinished business -- completing work on the current budget year's spending bills. It's a task that by all accounts is not going well.
Senate approves 235th judge of Biden's term, beating Trump's tally
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden secured the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency Friday, an accomplishment that exceeds his predecessor's total by one after Democrats put extra emphasis on the federal courts following Donald Trump's far-reaching first term, when he filled three seats on the Supreme Court.
Senate set to approve 235th judge of Biden's term, beating Trump's tally
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden is expected to secure the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency as soon as Friday, an accomplishment that exceeds his predecessor's total by one after Democrats put extra emphasis on the federal courts following Donald Trump's far-reaching first term when he filled three seats to the Supreme Court.
Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional leaders have unveiled a stopgap spending bill that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural disasters.
Congress nears funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional leaders are nearing the unveiling of a spending agreement that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and other natural disasters.
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
WASHINGTON (AP) -- What was once a bipartisan effort to expand by 66 the number of federal district judgeships across the country passed the House of Representatives on Thursday, though prospects for becoming law are murky after Republicans opted to bring the measure to the floor only after President-elect Donald Trump had won a second term.
House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military.
House voting on $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors
WASHINGTON (AP) -- National defense would see a 1% increase in spending this fiscal year under a Pentagon policy bill that also gives a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military.
Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans teed up a vote this week on bipartisan legislation to gradually expand by 66 the number of federal judgeships across the country. Democrats, though, are having second thoughts now that President-elect Donald Trump has won a second term.
Democrats strike deal to get more Biden judges confirmed before Congress adjourns
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate won't hold votes on four of President Joe Biden's appellate court nominees as part of a deal with Republicans to allow for speedier consideration of other judicial nominations and bring Biden within striking distance of the 234 total judicial confirmations that occurred during President-elect Donald Trump's first term.
FEMA administrator says she supports investigation of alleged Trump bias in relief efforts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told lawmakers Tuesday she has encouraged the agency's inspector general to review whether an employee was acting alone when directing workers helping hurricane victims not to go to homes with yards signs supporting President-elect Donald Trump
Lawmakers prepare for final lame-duck sprint before making way for next Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Keeping the federal government open. Providing more disaster aid. Passing a defense policy bill. And for Senate Democrats, confirming more judges.
Together they've been in office more than 70 years. Now their races could help swing House control
WASHINGTON (AP) -- One is the longest-serving woman in congressional history. The other is dean of the Republican delegation from California and the chairman of a subcommittee responsible for Pentagon spending. Together, they have more than seven decades of experience serving in Congress.
House Democrats in close races try to show they hear voter concerns about immigration
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In some of the closest House races in the country, Democratic candidates are leaning into an issue that Republicans have made a centerpiece of their efforts to expand their majority -- immigration.
Speaker Johnson lays out agenda for Republicans as they fight to hold House majority
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Speaker Mike Johnson laid out on Tuesday a policy agenda should Republicans take the majority next year that extends the tax cuts approved when Donald Trump was president, reduces the size of the federal workforce and gives parents more choice on where they can send their children to school.
Senate Democrats are making a late push in red-leaning states as they try to hold majority
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats looking to preserve their Senate majority in the face of a difficult election cycle announced Thursday they were making a "multi-million dollar investment" in television advertising in Texas and Florida races with the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee saying he's "very confident there's going to be more coming."
Congress passes temporary bill to avoid shutdown as lawmakers punt spending decisions to December
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress on Wednesday passed a temporary measure that keeps government agencies funded into December, avoiding a shutdown for now while punting final spending decisions until after the Nov. 5 election.
House passes temporary bill to avoid shutdown as lawmakers punt spending decisions to December
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House has passed a temporary measure that would keep federal agencies funded when the new fiscal year begins next Tuesday while punting final spending decisions for the next budget year until after the Nov. 5 election.
Spending deal averts a possible federal shutdown and funds the government into December
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional leaders announced an agreement Sunday on a short-term spending bill that will fund federal agencies for about three months, averting a possible partial government shutdown when the new budget year begins Oct. 1 and pushing final decisions until after the November election.
House rejects temporary funding bill to avoid government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House on Wednesday rejected Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal that would have linked temporary funding for the federal government with a mandate that states require proof of citizenship when people register to vote.
House rejects government funding bill linked to proof of citizenship for new voters
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House on Wednesday rejected Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal that would have linked temporary funding for the federal government with a mandate that states require proof of citizenship when people register to vote.
House speaker takes another crack at spending bill linked to proof of citizenship for new voters
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House is scheduled to vote Wednesday evening on Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal that links the funding of the federal government for the new budget year with a mandate that states require proof of citizenship when people register to vote.
Speaker Johnson takes another crack at spending bill linked to proof of citizenship for new voters
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House is scheduled to vote Wednesday on Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal that links the funding of the federal government for the new budget year with a mandate that states require proof of citizenship when people register to vote.
Speaker Johnson postpones vote on a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Speaker Mike Johnson postponed a vote Wednesday on a temporary spending bill that would keep federal agencies and programs funded for six months as opposition from both parties thwarted his first attempt at avoiding a partial government shutdown in three weeks.
Speaker Johnson calls off a vote on a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Speaker Mike Johnson pulled a vote Wednesday on a temporary spending bill that would keep federal agencies and programs funded for six months as it became increasingly clear the measure lacked the support to pass as a potential partial government shutdown looms.
Speaker Johnson pulls a vote on a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Speaker Mike Johnson pulled a vote Wednesday on a temporary spending bill that would keep federal agencies and programs funded for six months when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1.
Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on funding bill with proof of citizenship mandate despite dim prospects
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed Tuesday to press ahead with requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration as part of a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, though the measure appeared likely to be voted down.
Hakeem Jeffries rejects GOP spending bill as 'unserious and unacceptable'
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Calling it "unserious and unacceptable," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries rejected on Monday a proposal from Speaker Mike Johnson that links continued government funding for six months with a measure to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
Hakeem Jeffries rejects GOP funding bill as 'unserious and unacceptable'
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Calling it "unserious and unacceptable," Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries rejected on Monday a proposal from Speaker Mike Johnson that links continued government funding for six months with a measure to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
House Republicans push to link government funding to a citizenship check for new voters
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson is heeding the demands of the more conservative wing of his Republican conference and has teed up a vote this week on a bill that would keep the federal government funded for six more months and require states to obtain proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering a...
House Republican unveil bill to avoid shutdown. Senate Democrats say they're wasting precious time
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans unveiled on Friday their legislation to avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of the month and fund the government into late March, when a new president and Congress would make the final decision on agency spending and priorities for fiscal year 2025.
These six House races are ones to watch in this year's election
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Resources are pouring into the few truly competitive congressional races expected to help determine the balance of power in Washington next year.