Speaker Mike Johnson is delaying the swearing-in of Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva until Democrats agree to end the government shutdown. A leadership aide stated this is due to the chamber’s legislative session. Johnson previously swore in other Republican representatives during pro forma sessions, but has not done so for Grijalva. Grijalva’s potential role in forcing a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files has fueled speculation for the delay, which Johnson denies is related.
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Despite winning a special election in Arizona last month, Adelita Grijalva has yet to be sworn into Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled votes and is only holding short “pro forma” sessions. Grijalva believes the delay is due to her being the deciding vote on a petition to release the Epstein files, a concern echoed by Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. This has resulted in a shutdown of the government as Republicans allegedly try to stop the Epstein files from being released.
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In a recent revision of a shutdown guidance document, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) removed references to the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which guarantees backpay for federal workers during a government shutdown. The 2019 law, enacted to address uncertainties faced by federal employees, ensured both furloughed and excepted workers would receive retroactive pay. This change comes as senior administration officials are reportedly developing guidance suggesting furloughed workers are not entitled to backpay. However, the original law, signed by then-President Trump, explicitly stated its application to any lapse in appropriations starting after December 22, 2018, leading to criticism from lawmakers and union leaders.
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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
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood