Democrats fume as Mike Johnson cancels third week of votes. It seems like the recurring theme here is a mounting frustration, a sense of incredulity, and frankly, a lot of anger emanating from Democrats and concerned citizens as House Speaker Mike Johnson continues to postpone votes. This isn’t just about delaying a single piece of legislation; it’s about the systematic shutdown of the legislative process, week after week. The implication is a deliberate obstruction of government business.
The most immediate point of contention seems to be the repeated cancellation of votes, particularly the vote to swear in a new Democratic congresswoman.… Continue reading
Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the House will not reconvene until the government shutdown ends, intending to pressure Senate Democrats to support the GOP-led stopgap spending bill. Johnson canceled previously scheduled House votes and announced the cancellation of the upcoming Tuesday session, with further cancellations expected. This decision has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders, who are demanding negotiations for a bipartisan spending bill. Johnson denies these actions are politically motivated, citing the need for lawmakers to assist constituents during the shutdown.
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During a C-SPAN call, a Republican voiced profound disappointment in her party, specifically criticizing the Speaker for not reconvening the House to address the government shutdown, fearing her children’s essential medication would be jeopardized. The Speaker, in response, deflected blame onto Democrats. Another caller, a Democrat, criticized the shutdown and addressed concerns about the deployment of troops within the United States, framing the situation as an internal conflict.
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The US Army is receiving a donation of approximately $1 million from the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) to cover travel and lodging expenses for senior leaders attending a professional development conference in Washington, DC. This donation allows senior leaders to attend the annual Association of the US Army conference, which the government shutdown had jeopardized due to a lack of funds for travel and per diems. AUSA typically provides funds to the Army for this conference, but the recent donation appears to be in addition to their standard contribution. The conference will bring together Army leaders, defense industry executives, and foreign military representatives, and includes the Leader Solarium event for battalion commanders and sergeants major.
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A recent survey investigated user experiences with online video advertisements, revealing several common frustrations. Many respondents reported issues with slow loading times, including instances where the video content failed to load altogether. Furthermore, the study highlighted problems such as frozen or incomplete ads and instances where video playback did not commence after the advertisement. Additional complaints included excessively loud ad audio and other unspecified technical glitches hindering the viewing experience.
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During a government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego urged Johnson to swear in an Arizona congresswoman-elect, but Johnson refused, linking the swearing-in to the end of the shutdown. Gallego accused Johnson of preventing the congresswoman from forcing a vote on releasing the Epstein files. The congresswoman-elect’s vote is seen as crucial in potentially forcing the release of these files.
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The Independent is dedicated to providing on-the-ground reporting and analysis on critical issues. Recently, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene broke with party leadership, appearing on CNN to discuss the government shutdown and the need to address the Affordable Care Act’s expiring tax credits. Greene criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, advocating for a fix to prevent premium increases and suggesting the Senate consider removing the filibuster. Additionally, Greene addressed a disagreement with Senator Ted Cruz regarding death threats. This demonstrates a shifting dynamic within the Republican party and the importance of unbiased news coverage.
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In a recent interview, a former ambassador asserted that Donald Trump’s willingness to wield power garnered him credibility in the Middle East. This approach, distinct from previous administrations, involved assertive actions that were perceived as decisive. The ambassador explained that this willingness to act, regardless of potential criticism, resonated with leaders in the region. Ultimately, this created a different dynamic in the area, separating him from other leaders.
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The recent U.S. government shutdown has reportedly delayed the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva, Arizona’s newly elected representative, which Democrats allege is a political maneuver. Grijalva’s confirmation is anticipated to trigger a political scandal, as she is expected to be the crucial 218th signer of a petition seeking the release of federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which may contain compromising information about former President Donald Trump. Her colleagues believe Republicans are using the shutdown to stall her arrival at the Capitol, ultimately delaying the release of said files. Once sworn in, Grijalva plans to sign the petition and begin representing her constituents.
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Speaker Mike Johnson raised concerns regarding back pay for furloughed federal workers, citing a new White House memo challenging the long-standing practice of automatically compensating them after a government shutdown. The memo suggests Congress must explicitly approve back pay, a departure from the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which was previously interpreted to guarantee reimbursement. This shift has sparked controversy, with Democrats criticizing the move, while some Republicans express uncertainty. The uncertainty surrounding back pay adds tension to the ongoing budget standoff, with an estimated 750,000 federal workers facing an uncertain future.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker