White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren’t entitled to back pay – that’s the core issue here, isn’t it? It boils down to the administration’s stance on compensating federal employees who are forced to take unpaid leave during a government shutdown. It seems the memo is laying out a position that contradicts what many might expect, and what a prior law might have indicated. The crux of the matter is whether these workers, who are essentially mandated to stop working without pay, will eventually receive the compensation they would have earned had the government remained open.
The reactions to this potential development are understandably strong.… Continue reading
On Monday evening, the air traffic control tower at Burbank Airport was unmanned due to the increasing number of air traffic controllers calling out sick amidst the government shutdown. The FAA anticipates the tower will be without controllers until 10 p.m., with Southern California TRACON taking over air traffic duties remotely. Although officials hope for minimal impact, delays and cancellations are expected as the shutdown continues, potentially leading to staffing shortages and longer security lines. This situation mirrors the 2018-2019 shutdown, where similar issues occurred, and could worsen as unpaid workers face financial strain.
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Louisiana Republican, Johnson, asserted that Republicans are the primary party focused on improving healthcare, working tirelessly to find solutions. Johnson believes a significant portion of President Trump’s recent budget bill will address healthcare concerns. He further stated the need for improved quality and increased access to care, anticipating active debate and the development of new ideas on the issue within the coming months.
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In the midst of the government shutdown, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries challenged Speaker Mike Johnson to a prime-time debate on the House floor. Jeffries’s offer came after Republicans refused to negotiate a bipartisan agreement, a stance Jeffries attributed to the GOP’s refusal to provide healthcare to everyday Americans. However, Johnson dismissed the invitation as performative politics, arguing that the House had already debated the issue and that the Senate now held the ball. Despite the disagreement, both parties acknowledged the need for a resolution to prevent premium increases on the insurance marketplace.
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Initial polling reveals a majority of Americans blame Donald Trump and Republicans for the government shutdown, as opposed to Democrats. The Washington Post poll indicated 47% of adults blame Trump and the Republicans, while 30% blame the Democrats. Despite the President’s assertion that Republicans are “winning” and blaming Democrats for the impasse, federal workers are beginning to feel the shutdown’s effects. The White House has threatened mass layoffs if the Democrats do not resolve the ongoing stalemate.
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Recent national polls reveal a significant shift in blame for the government shutdown, with President Trump and the GOP facing more criticism than Democrats. This shift is evidenced by a substantial blame gap, as indicated by polling analysis. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s visible frustration during a media briefing underscores the administration’s struggle to defend its arguments. According to political analyst Amanda Marcotte, the failure of Trump-GOP talking points, coupled with Democrats’ firm stance, highlights growing divisions within the Trump coalition.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene Criticizes Senate Republicans for Government Shutdown
It seems rather surprising, but here we are: Marjorie Taylor Greene is taking aim at Senate Republicans for the government shutdown, or at least, their approach to it. But don’t get the wrong idea; it’s not exactly the kind of criticism you might expect. She’s not arguing for compromise or highlighting the detrimental impacts of a shutdown on essential services. Instead, her beef is with their lack of decisive action, specifically, not using the “nuclear option” to bulldoze the funding bill through. This whole situation really highlights the complexities of the political landscape.… Continue reading
House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed accusations that the government shutdown is being used to deflect scrutiny of Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Johnson stated the shutdown is solely due to Democratic senators voting to keep the government closed. The speaker was responding to concerns about the release of Epstein-related documents, which could be impacted by the House not being in session. Ultimately, Johnson insisted the shutdown is unrelated to the Epstein case.
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A petition demanding the suspension or reduction of congressional salaries during the government shutdown has gained significant traction, with over 97,000 signatures. The petition argues that lawmakers should not receive pay or benefits while the government is closed, proposing a daily salary reduction. This movement arises due to the fact that while essential workers are working without pay, members of Congress continue to receive their salaries. Several members of Congress from both parties have also supported similar measures, although the likelihood of these changes succeeding is slim.
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As a government shutdown leaves over 750,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay, President Trump was observed at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. This comes amidst a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over funding issues. Critics have raised concerns that the administration may leverage the shutdown to cut back the federal bureaucracy, especially since this is not the first time Trump has engaged in leisure activities during moments of national crisis. With a total of 64 days spent golfing since his inauguration in January, it has reportedly cost taxpayers $89.6 million.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker