Newsletter Archive

October 2023

Jim Jordan Loses Again

Another day, another failed speaker vote. Here’s what we’re watching.

Plus: Plus: A big jump in family health insurance costs

Jim Jordan Fails in Speaker Vote

Good evening. We’ve gone two weeks without a House speaker, and round after round of Republican infighting has failed to yield a path out of chaos. Here’s the latest.

Plus: Plus: US gets C+ for its retirement system

Jim Jordan Builds Momentum Ahead of Speaker Vote

Good evening! As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, President Joe Biden postponed a planned trip today to Colorado, where he had been slated to promote “Bidenomics” in Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert’s district as part of what his…

Plus: The Ohio Republican won over some key holdouts

Hardliner Jim Jordan Gets His Shot to Be Speaker

Good Friday evening. It has been 10 days since former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position, and it will be at least a couple days more — potentially even longer — until the House again has a permanent speaker as…

Plus: Plus: The tax gap grows to nearly $700 billion

Chaos Reigns as Scalise Struggles to Win Support

The White House said today that the number of Americans known to have been killed in the terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel has climbed to at least 27, and 14 remain unaccounted for, though it’s not clear how many are being held hostage…

Plus: Plus: Social Security's 2024 cost-of-living adjustment

Republicans Pick Scalise, but Speaker Fight Isn't Over Yet

Good evening! Republicans picked their nominee to be the next speaker of the House, but it’s not clear whether he can get the 217 floor votes he’ll need to win the gavel. Here’s where things stand.

Plus: Plus: Almost 9 million people have lost Medicaid coverage

Biden Calls for ‘Urgent Action’ on Israel Aid

As war rages on in Israel and Gaza, President Joe Biden and congressional leaders have pledged to provide emergency military support to Israel, but the lack of a House speaker and ongoing disarray among House Republicans are raising…

Plus: Plus: The deficit rises to $1.7 trillion in 2023

A Stunningly Strong Jobs Report

Happy Friday! As House Republicans work to figure out who they want to succeed deposed Speaker Kevin McCarthy, they briefly planned a televised Fox News forum next week with three top contenders for the job, Reps. Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan…

Plus: Plus: Biden tells Republicans to 'stop fooling around'

Shutdown Fears Are Rising ... Again

It’s been just five days since Congress averted a government shutdown by extending federal funding through November 17, but concern is already growing that the Republican revolt against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the ongoing turmoil…

Plus: Plus: Biden will build more border wall

The High Stakes in the New Speaker’s Race

Happy Wednesday. As Washington struggles to digest the unprecedented removal of a sitting Speaker of the House, candidates for the office are beginning to plot their strategies and work the phones. It may take a while before a clear winner…

Plus: Plus, a major healthcare strike

McCarthy Ousted as House Speaker in Historic Vote

The House made history Tuesday, voting to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy. We've got more on the unprecedented vote below, but it’s perhaps fitting to note that today, October 3, is also “Mean Girls” Day.

Plus: Plus, strong job numbers

Will Democrats Save Kevin McCarthy?

Happy Monday and welcome to fiscal year 2024, which started yesterday! With a government shutdown averted, at least for now, Congress has 46 days until its new November 17 deadline to figure out federal spending — time that will be used to…

Plus: And will Congress deliver more aid for Ukraine?

September 2023

Shutdown Averted

The government will not shut down tonight. After weeks of drama, the House and Senate on Saturday both passed a hastily arranged 45-day extension of federal funding, averting an interruption in government operations that was set to begin…

Plus: But we may be back in this position in 45 days.

McCarthy’s Plan Fails, All but Guaranteeing a Shutdown

An incredibly busy news day! California’s longtime Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein died at age 90, a suspect was arrested in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, record rain here in New York caused dangerous flooding and briefly allowed a sea…

Plus: Plus: Is inflation back to normal?

Lawmakers Eye Border Deal to Help Avert a Shutdown

Happy Thursday! President Joe Biden warned in a major speech today that something dangerous is happening in the country: “There’s an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs of our democracy: The MAGA movement.” Read more…

Plus: Plus: Still no recession

Shutdown Odds Soar as McCarthy Rejects Senate Plan

The 2024 Republican presidential candidates will be holding their second debate tonight — well, most of them anyway. But there’s also ongoing drama on Capitol Hill, where the odds of a shutdown keep climbing. Here’s what’s happening.

Plus: Plus: How income inequality hurt Social Security

Senate Leaders Pitch New Plan to Avoid a Shutdown

Senate leaders have a bipartisan plan to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month — but there’s no telling yet whether that their 79-page stopgap spending bill will be able to pass the House, where hard-right conservatives are…

Plus: But a shutdown remains likely

Trump Tells Republicans to ‘Shut It Down’

Happy Monday. Congress closed up shop early last week and remained closed today in observation of Yom Kippur, but the shutdown clock continues to tick ahead of a September 30 deadline. Here's what you need to know.

Plus: Plus, Moody's weighs in

What’s Next in the Shutdown Showdown

Happy Friday! Here’s what’s happening with just eight days to go before the government may have to shut down.

Plus: Plus: A plan to end shutdowns for good?

Right-Wing Rebels Hand McCarthy a Stunning Defeat

House Republican leaders sent their members home for the week Thursday after suffering another stinging defeat in the ongoing intraparty fight over spending bills. Here’s what’s happening.

Plus: Plus: Healthcare costs expected to jump