Marc Short, a former advisor to President Trump, discussed the ongoing federal government shutdown with Geoff Bennett. They talked about the political effects and potential solutions for ending the shutdown.
Key Facts
The federal government is currently experiencing a shutdown.
Geoff Bennett spoke with Marc Short about the situation.
Marc Short was previously the White House Director of Legislative Affairs.
Short worked with President Trump's team during a past 35-day shutdown.
The previous shutdown mentioned was the longest in U.S. history.
They discussed political impacts and ways to address the current situation.
Some Republican lawmakers are expressing concerns about House Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to keep the House of Representatives out of session during the government shutdown. Despite this dissent, Speaker Johnson claims the majority of House Republicans support his strategy. The House has not been in session since September 19, and Johnson insists they will not reconvene until the Senate acts on a funding measure.
Key Facts
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing criticism from some Republican members about his strategy during the government shutdown.
Representative Dan Crenshaw questioned the decision to remain on recess and how the House can compensate for lost time.
Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kevin Kiley also voiced concerns about being out of session.
The House has not conducted any voting since September 19.
Speaker Johnson has stated that the House has already done its part by passing a stopgap funding measure.
The dissenters represent a small fraction of House Republicans, according to Johnson.
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole supported Johnson, saying the House has acted appropriately.
Johnson will only call back lawmakers once the Senate takes action on a funding resolution.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is examining former President Biden's use of an autopen—a device that mechanically replicates a signature—for pardons, following a report from the House Oversight Committee. The report suggested any pardons signed by autopen without Biden's written approval might be invalid, a stance not supported by constitutional experts. Legal experts mention that previous presidents, including President Trump, have used autopens, questioning the grounds of the claims.
Key Facts
Attorney General Pam Bondi is reviewing Biden's autopen-signed pardons after a congressional report questioned their validity.
The House Oversight Committee report argues that autopen-signed pardons without Biden's written approval are void.
Legal experts say the claims about autopen use not being constitutional lack support.
The Justice Department in 2005 stated a president could direct someone else to affix their signature after approval.
President Trump and other presidents have used autopen devices for signing documents.
Near the end of his term, Biden pardoned family members and commuted sentences for drug offenses and reduced death row sentences.
Democrats argue that there is no evidence showing the autopen was used without Biden's knowledge.
House Speaker Mike Johnson falsely claimed no other presidents used an autopen, despite evidence of previous use by President Obama and mentions by President Trump.
A hairstylist named Lynn from Missouri claims she is $40,000 in debt due to President Donald Trump’s return to office, citing economic policies and inflation. Financial expert Caleb Hammer disagrees, suggesting her financial issues are more related to personal decisions and high interest rates rather than presidential policies. Recent polls indicate inflation and the economy are major concerns for Americans, with many disapproving of Trump's handling of these issues.
Key Facts
Lynn, a hairstylist, says her debt is due to the economic changes since President Trump returned.
Caleb Hammer, who runs a podcast, disagrees, blaming her debt on personal financial choices.
Hammer mentions high interest rates are impacting people more than specific policies.
Lynn believes people are spending less on hair appointments and more on essentials.
Polls show that many Americans are concerned about inflation and the economy.
A YouGov/Economist poll shows 23% of people worry most about inflation.
57% of poll respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy.
Flight delays are increasing in the United States because of an ongoing government shutdown that has left air traffic controllers unpaid. This situation has added stress to already understaffed controllers, causing more of them to call in sick. The shutdown is also complicating hiring efforts to address a shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers.
Key Facts
Air traffic controllers have not received their paychecks due to the government shutdown.
More flight delays are happening as controllers, who are already understaffed, call out sick.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricts flights when there aren't enough controllers, leading to delays.
Los Angeles International Airport had to stop flights for nearly two hours recently.
Financial stress is forcing some controllers to work second jobs or worry about basic expenses like medicine.
Controllers have assembled at airports to push for an end to the shutdown.
The shortage of air traffic controllers is approximately 3,000, impacting safety and operations.
Some students have left the air traffic controller academy due to the uncertainty in pay, affecting future staffing levels.
A new study from Mass General Brigham shows that stillbirths in the United States are increasing. The study reported that more than one in 150 births end in stillbirth, with higher rates in low-income areas and among Black families. Researchers emphasize the need for better understanding and prevention of stillbirths.
Key Facts
The study covered pregnancies in the U.S. from 2016 to 2022.
Over one in 150 births ended in stillbirth, which is higher than the previous national average of 1 in 175.
Low-income areas had a higher stillbirth rate of one in 112.
Areas with more Black families had a stillbirth rate of one in 95.
Over 70% of stillbirths happened in pregnancies with known risk factors.
About 27.7% of stillbirths occurred with no known risk factors.
Researchers call for more studies to improve stillbirth prediction and prevention.
Nearly 21,000 families experience a stillbirth in the U.S. each year.
Vice President JD Vance said that U.S. military troops are expected to get paid at the end of the week despite the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown is causing problems nationwide as federal workers miss paychecks and food assistance runs out.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance believes U.S. troops will be paid soon.
The Trump administration is dealing with a government shutdown that affects many services.
The shutdown has led to concerns about food assistance running out and airport delays.
Republicans are trying to gather enough Senate Democratic votes to reopen the government.
A Senate vote to end the shutdown failed for the 13th time.
The American Federation of Government Employees called for an immediate end to the shutdown.
The union president, Everett Kelley, asked Congress to finalize a funding bill quickly.
A federal judge in San Francisco has stopped the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the government shutdown. The judge issued an order that will remain until a lawsuit about the terminations is resolved.
Key Facts
A federal judge in San Francisco made the ruling on Tuesday.
The ruling stops the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the shutdown.
The judge believes the labor unions' claims may succeed in court.
The injunction will last until the related lawsuit is settled.
The judge is U.S. District Judge Susan Illston.
Susan Illston was appointed by President Bill Clinton.
The Trump administration is making significant leadership changes within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Nearly half of ICE's field office directors are being reassigned to meet arrest and deportation goals. These changes involve replacing ICE leaders with officials from other parts of the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is reorganizing ICE leadership to enhance immigration enforcement.
Around half of ICE's field office directors are being replaced.
Leaders from Border Patrol are stepping into these ICE roles.
Changes are reported to occur in cities like Portland, Denver, and Los Angeles.
There are 25 ICE field offices in the U.S., with up to a dozen expected to change leadership.
The leadership reshuffle aims to increase arrests and broaden enforcement strategies.
ICE officials state that leadership is united in its enforcement goals.
The administration's goal is to increase arrests of undocumented individuals, focusing on those with criminal records.
A 65-year-old Florida man, Norman Mearle Grim Jr., is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection for raping and killing his neighbor Cynthia Campbell in 1998. The execution will take place at Florida State Prison and marks the 15th such execution in Florida in 2025, setting a new state record for executions in a single year.
Key Facts
Norman Mearle Grim Jr., aged 65, committed the crime in 1998.
He was convicted of sexual battery and first-degree murder.
The execution is scheduled for Tuesday at Florida State Prison.
The method of execution is lethal injection.
This will be Florida's 15th execution in 2025.
The executions in 2025 have set a new record for the state.
The article discusses why liberals, people of color, and LGBTQ Americans are increasingly buying guns. This rise in gun purchases among these groups is linked to concerns about feeling unsafe and seeking self-defense.
Key Facts
Gun ownership is rising among liberals, people of color, and LGBTQ Americans.
This trend has grown since President Trump's election.
Some people feel the country is becoming more unstable.
Gun groups that focus on progressive and diverse communities have noticed more interest.
New York City small business owners face challenges with rising rents and a tough business environment. They are watching the upcoming mayoral election closely, focusing on candidate Zohran Mamdani's plans to help them with policies like reducing fines and fees. However, concerns remain as current proposals don't fully address rising commercial rents.
Key Facts
Small business owners in Brooklyn are struggling with high rents and operational disruptions.
Early voting has started for New York City's mayoral election.
Zohran Mamdani is a key candidate focusing on affordability, proposing benefits like rent freezes for apartments.
Mamdani plans to cut fines and fees for small businesses.
Rising commercial rents lack protections, worrying business owners.
Opponent Andrew Cuomo's plan includes public-private partnerships, which some blame for increasing rents.
Mamdani explores ways to stabilize commercial rents, referencing examples from other states.
The former mayor's policies contributed to the current high rent situation.
Mike Johnson criticized Democratic senators for the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted 28 days. He pointed out that Democrats have support from a federal workers union urging them to reopen the government. Democrats want Republicans to agree to keep health care subsidies to help manage rising insurance costs.
Key Facts
The government shutdown is in its 28th day, making it the second longest shutdown.
Mike Johnson is asking Democrats to end the shutdown.
Johnson mentioned that the largest federal workers union supports reopening the government.
Democrats are pushing for the continuation of health care subsidies.
Rising insurance premiums are a concern for millions of Americans.
Johnson has not called the House into session during the shutdown.
A judge has instructed a top Border Patrol official, Greg Bovino, to meet with her daily regarding immigration enforcement actions in the Chicago area. The order follows complaints about excessive force during immigration sweeps that have led to over 1,800 arrests since September. The judge is particularly concerned about reports that agents recently used tear gas during these operations.
Key Facts
A judge ordered Greg Bovino, a U.S. Border Patrol official, to meet her every evening to discuss immigration actions in Chicago.
Since September, immigration sweeps in Chicago have resulted in more than 1,800 arrests.
Complaints have been made about the use of excessive force, including tear gas, by immigration agents.
There was an incident where tear gas was reportedly used during a children's Halloween parade.
The judge wants to ensure agents enforce the law without violating constitutional rights.
The judge ordered Bovino to submit all reports of force used by agents starting from September 2.
Agents are now required to wear body cameras due to concerns about their methods.
The judge banned certain riot control techniques and imposed a deadline for obtaining and training with body cameras.
The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, claiming they misled pregnant women about the safety of Tylenol. The suit argues that acetaminophen might increase the risk of autism and other disorders but notes the claims are not proven. Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue plan to defend themselves, stating that acetaminophen is safe and widely used.
Key Facts
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue.
The lawsuit claims Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen, might increase autism risk in children when used during pregnancy.
Paxton says the companies hid these risks and misled consumers about Tylenol's safety.
Acetaminophen is a popular pain reliever used by over 100 million Americans each year.
Some studies suggest a possible link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism, but many studies do not support this.
Johnson & Johnson transferred its consumer health products, including Tylenol, to a new company, Kenvue.
Kenvue states acetaminophen is safe and plans to defend against the claims.
The lawsuit seeks $10,000 per violation and asks the court to require the companies to destroy certain marketing materials.
The USDA has accused Senate Democrats of voting against funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during a government shutdown. The funding bill that would support SNAP benefits passed the House but is stalled in the Senate. Both parties blame each other for the lack of SNAP funding as a consequence of the ongoing government shutdown.
Key Facts
The USDA claims Senate Democrats voted 12 times against a bill to fund SNAP.
The government has been shut down for nearly a month due to disagreements on a funding bill.
The funding bill cleared the House but is stuck in the Senate, which needs 60 votes to pass it.
Democrats oppose the bill because it doesn't address expiring health care subsidies from the Affordable Care Act.
SNAP benefits may be delayed starting November 1 due to funding issues.
Only two Democratic Senators, Catherine Cortez-Masto and John Fetterman, voted for the funding bill.
Democrats and Republicans blame each other for the potential delay in SNAP benefits.
A lawsuit by 25 states claims the USDA has contingency funds for SNAP that are not being used.
An ongoing federal government shutdown is affecting food aid programs like SNAP, which helps 42 million people. NPR is asking people who use these benefits to share their experiences and any changes they are making due to this situation.
Key Facts
The federal government shutdown is causing concern over the distribution of SNAP benefits.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.
About 42 million people in the U.S. rely on SNAP for food assistance.
NPR is collecting personal stories from SNAP recipients about the impacts of the shutdown.
People can indicate if they are willing to be contacted by NPR for further stories.
NPR emphasizes consent before using personal information shared in their stories.
Voters in Maine and Texas are considering changes to their voting laws in upcoming elections. In Maine, a proposal seeks to require voter ID and restrict absentee voting, while Texas voters are deciding on a constitutional change to clarify that non-citizens cannot vote. Both measures come amidst ongoing discussions on election security and voter fraud.
Key Facts
Maine and Texas will vote on election-related initiatives on November 4.
Maine's proposal, Question 1, would require voter ID, limit absentee voting, and reduce drop boxes.
Texas is considering a constitutional amendment to ensure only citizens can vote.
Nearly half of Maine's voters used absentee voting in the 2024 presidential election.
Republican and Democratic groups in Maine are campaigning for and against the voter ID proposal.
Maine's governor, Janet Mills, opposes the proposed voting changes.
The initiative in Maine is supported by a conservative group, while an opposing group has raised significant funds to block it.
In Texas, there is strong support from Republican leaders for the citizenship voting requirement.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the makers of Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson, and Kenvue. He claims they hid possible risks of the drug related to brain development in children. Kenvue and health experts say there is no proof linking Tylenol to autism.
Key Facts
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Tylenol makers Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue.
The lawsuit claims the companies hid potential risks of Tylenol related to autism in children.
President Donald Trump recently talked about an unproven link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism.
Kenvue, the current manufacturer of Tylenol, states there is no credible evidence linking it to autism.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports using Tylenol during pregnancy when needed.
The FDA acknowledged no established link between Tylenol and autism but advised caution.
The lawsuit aims to have the companies stop marketing Tylenol as safe for pregnant women.
A previous similar lawsuit by parents against Tylenol makers was dismissed by a federal judge.
The U.S. government shutdown is causing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to run out of funds by November 1, leaving millions of Americans without food assistance. States are now working to figure out temporary solutions, and some states are taking legal action against the federal government to resolve the situation.
Key Facts
SNAP, also known as food stamps, is the largest U.S. program to fight hunger, helping almost 42 million people.
The funding for SNAP will stop on November 1 due to a government shutdown.
Most people using SNAP are elderly, families with children, and those with disabilities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has told states to pause November benefits due to lack of funds.
A group of Democratic state leaders is suing the federal government to prevent the suspension of food benefits.
Alabama and Alaska are among states affected; Alabama will process new applications but not issue benefits, while Alaskans will not get November benefits unless the shutdown ends.
The USDA says it cannot use emergency funds for SNAP during this shutdown, as those are reserved for natural disasters.
