Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will not vote on a bill to ensure military members get paid during the government shutdown, as he believes the necessary actions have already been taken. Johnson's decision is part of a strategy to put pressure on Democrats during the shutdown. A related bill, supported by many lawmakers, aims to ensure military pay but hasn't moved forward.
Key Facts
Speaker Mike Johnson decided against voting on a bill for military pay during the shutdown.
Military members could miss their October 15 paycheck if there is no action from Congress.
The bill to secure military pay includes support from both parties and covers all branches of the armed forces.
Active-duty troops are expected to keep working without immediate pay but will receive back pay once the government reopens.
Virginia Rep. Jen Kiggans is pushing for the military pay bill to be addressed quickly.
The House has not been voting since September 19, with Johnson saying their responsibilities are already completed.
Similar measures to ensure military pay during shutdowns were passed by Congress in 2013 and 2019.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune mentioned the bill might not be necessary, suggesting previous actions should suffice.
Many tourists visiting Washington, D.C., are disappointed because several popular attractions are closed due to a federal government shutdown. The shutdown has gone on for over a week, affecting federal workers and visitors hoping to explore the capital.
Key Facts
The federal government shutdown has closed several D.C. attractions.
Popular sites like the National Gallery of Art and the Washington Monument are shut.
The closure is due to funding and staffing issues caused by the shutdown.
The main disagreement is over health care subsidies between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders.
Visitors from both the U.S. and other countries have expressed their frustration.
If the shutdown continues, the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo may also close.
Washington, D.C., had a record 27.2 million visitors in 2024, but the shutdown may affect future tourism.
The U.S. Treasury Department plans to issue a special coin featuring President Donald Trump's profile for the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. This decision has led to controversy because a law from 1866 reportedly prohibits living people from appearing on U.S. currency. The issue may ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Key Facts
The U.S. Treasury Department plans to issue a coin for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The coin will feature the profile of President Donald Trump.
There is a controversy due to an 1866 law that bans living people from being on U.S. currency.
The Trump administration argues it has legal authority under the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020.
Critics point to historical protocol as no living president has been on U.S. currency.
There is ongoing discussion, and the final decision could be made by the Supreme Court.
The debate highlights differing interpretations of currency laws and presidential representation.
Malaria has returned to the United States after two decades, with ten cases reported between May and December 2023 in Florida, Texas, Maryland, and Arkansas. The outbreaks were linked to warmer temperatures and increased mosquito breeding, but all cases were quickly contained.
Key Facts
Malaria cases emerged in the U.S. for the first time in 20 years.
Ten people were infected in Florida, Texas, Maryland, and Arkansas in 2023.
The infections were from local mosquito bites, not international travel.
Two different malaria species were identified: Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum.
Warmer temperatures and more standing water from heavy rains helped mosquitoes breed.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed 2023 as the warmest year on record globally.
Strong mosquito control efforts previously kept malaria at bay in the U.S.
Health experts warn of higher future risks in warm, humid areas with mosquito habitats.
A specific type of breast cancer, invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), is becoming more common among women in the U.S. ILC has different characteristics from other breast cancers and may lead to worse outcomes, highlighting the need for better detection and treatment strategies. The American Cancer Society report shows that ILC cases are increasing faster than other breast cancer types.
Key Facts
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) starts in the milk-producing glands of the breast.
An estimated 33,600 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with ILC this year.
ILC incidence rates grew by 2.8% per year from 2012 to 2021.
ILC accounts for just over 10% of all breast cancer cases.
Survival rates for ILC beyond seven years are lower than for the more common invasive ductal carcinoma.
Asian American and Pacific Islander women saw a 4.4% annual increase in ILC incidence rates from 2012 to 2021.
White women have the highest incidence rates of ILC, followed by Black women.
Delayed detection and resistance to therapy can worsen the prognosis of ILC.
Two people, an instructor and a student, were rescued by helicopter after their plane crashed in the Everglades. They were taken out of the swampy area by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue without any reported injuries. Authorities do not yet know the cause of the crash, and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.
Key Facts
A plane crash occurred in the Everglades involving two people: an instructor and a student.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue used a helicopter to airlift the two individuals to safety.
The terrain in the Everglades is swampy and unstable, making a helicopter rescue necessary.
No injuries were reported from the crash.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation into the crash.
Two Democratic Senators, Adam Schiff and Tim Kaine, want the Senate to vote on limiting President Trump's power to carry out military actions. This follows U.S. military strikes on suspected drug traffickers' boats from Venezuela. They argue that Congress has not approved these actions, and there is not enough proof for the attacks.
Key Facts
U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and Tim Kaine are pushing for a Senate vote to limit President Trump's military actions.
The push for the vote comes after U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan boats suspected of smuggling drugs.
Schiff and Kaine claim the White House has not shown evidence to justify the attacks.
The strikes have resulted in 21 deaths, but the identities of those killed have not been disclosed.
Venezuelan officials say some of the people killed were not members of criminal gangs.
The Trump administration claims the strikes are legal, seeing drug traffickers as military threats.
Congressional Democrats have asked the Trump administration for legal explanations but have not received a response.
The planned Senate vote faces uncertainty, with limited Republican support, although Senator Rand Paul is in favor of war powers limits.
President Donald Trump has asked for the arrest of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. He claims they are not protecting federal immigration officers from protests in Chicago. The city and state have filed a lawsuit to stop National Guard troops from being deployed there.
Key Facts
President Trump wants Illinois officials arrested, accusing them of not protecting federal officers in Chicago.
Chicago's mayor and Illinois's governor are both Democrats and oppose Trump's immigration actions.
National Guard troops have been sent to Chicago and other cities as part of Trump's efforts to control crime.
Chicago and Illinois have sued to stop these troop deployments, with a hearing scheduled.
Trump has mentioned using the Insurrection Act to support immigration enforcement if courts block his actions.
Protests in Chicago have led to violence, with reports of law enforcement firing on a woman allegedly involved in ramming vehicles.
Trump plans to discuss actions against Antifa during a roundtable meeting.
A young boy in Florida went to the hospital after being bitten by a wild otter. At the hospital, the doctor searched the internet for information on otters before treating the boy who received a series of rabies shots. The boy has since recovered fully.
Key Facts
A 4-year-old boy in Florida was bitten by a wild otter while fishing with his family.
The family went to the emergency room for medical help.
The doctor used the internet to look up information about otters.
The family consulted an on-call specialist for advice because local wildlife experts were unavailable.
The boy received rabies shots as a precaution since otters can carry rabies.
The injections were painful, but necessary as part of the treatment.
Follow-up rabies shots were given over the next few weeks.
The boy has since recovered and returned to the fishing spot without incident.
Category: us
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that furloughed federal workers should receive back pay once the government reopens. This is in line with traditional practices and statutory laws. President Trump indicated that some workers might not be reimbursed, challenging the usual policy.
Key Facts
Mike Johnson is the House Speaker.
Johnson said furloughed federal workers should get back pay.
This back pay aligns with both traditional practices and statutory laws.
President Donald Trump suggested some workers might not receive back pay.
Typically, federal workers are reimbursed after a shutdown.
About 750,000 federal workers are affected by the current situation.
Johnson accused Chuck Schumer of causing issues for federal workers.
President Trump suggested jailing Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for not protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. This follows a lawsuit by Illinois and Chicago against Trump's decision to send federal troops to the city. The deployment involves Illinois National Guard members and is part of a broader operation to detain undocumented immigrants.
Key Facts
President Trump called for the arrest of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Trump criticizes these leaders for allegedly not protecting ICE officers.
There is no evidence or formal accusation of crime against Pritzker or Johnson.
Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit against Trump's deployment of federal troops in the city.
The deployment is part of "Operation Midway Blitz" targeting undocumented immigrants in Chicago.
300 Illinois National Guard members were authorized by Trump to assist in Chicago.
Illinois Governor Pritzker denies the federal troops are needed, opposing the portrayal of Chicago as a "war zone."
The deployment of troops has led to chaotic and sometimes violent confrontations in the city.
Arizona Senate Democrats Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego had a disagreement with House Speaker Mike Johnson in the Capitol over the delay in swearing-in Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Johnson linked the delay to the ongoing government shutdown, while Gallego questioned if it was related to the release of Epstein files. Johnson denied any connection to Epstein.
Key Facts
Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are Arizona Senate Democrats.
They confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol.
The issue was about not swearing-in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva.
Johnson said Grijalva would be sworn-in after the government shutdown ends.
Gallego questioned if there was a link to the Epstein files.
Johnson denied any connection to Epstein, calling the idea "absurd."
Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson is challenging Rep. Steve Cohen in a primary election. Pearson is supported by progressive groups that aim to replace long-term Democratic incumbents with younger, more liberal candidates. Pearson rose to national attention after being expelled and then reinstated to the Tennessee legislature due to his involvement in a protest.
Key Facts
Justin Pearson is running against Rep. Steve Cohen in a primary for a Tennessee congressional seat.
Pearson gained national recognition after his expulsion from the Tennessee legislature, where he was later reinstated.
He is supported by Justice Democrats, a group known for backing progressive candidates.
Justice Democrats have previously helped elect members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Rep. Cohen is 76 years old and has been in Congress for 20 years.
Pearson believes there is a need for new leadership and perspectives in politics.
Cohen has faced criticism from some for his support of Israel and left the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Pearson's campaign for Congress is also supported by David Hogg's political group, which plans to invest $1 million in his race.
Union leaders representing federal workers asked Congress to end the government shutdown. They criticized both political parties and President Trump for the situation. The union leaders warned that government employees might not get back pay.
Key Facts
Union leaders want Congress to find a solution to stop the government shutdown.
Leaders from the American Federation of Government Employees and other labor groups took part in this call.
Union President Everett Kelley emphasized that workers should not have to choose between their jobs and providing for their families.
Union leaders criticized both political parties and President Trump over the ongoing shutdown.
They accused President Trump of using federal workers as "political pawns."
There is a concern that federal workers might not receive back pay for the shutdown period.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has decided not to hold a separate vote to ensure military members are paid during the ongoing government shutdown. He emphasized that the House has already passed a temporary funding bill to prevent the shutdown, and now it's up to the Senate to act.
Key Facts
Mike Johnson is the Speaker of the House.
He rejected the idea of a separate vote to pay military service members during the shutdown.
The government shutdown could cause military members to miss paychecks.
The House passed a bill to keep the government running until November 21.
The House's stopgap spending bill aimed to fund various workers, including military and federal employees.
The next decision depends on the Senate's response to the House bill.
The article mentions that updates will follow as the situation develops.
A judge named Michael Nachmanoff is presiding over a case where the U.S. Justice Department is prosecuting former FBI Director James Comey. President Trump has made public comments about the judge and the case, which has attracted attention because of its political context.
Key Facts
Michael Nachmanoff is a judge in a federal courthouse in northern Virginia.
He used to be a public defender before becoming a judge.
He was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021.
He is overseeing the Justice Department's case against James Comey, the former FBI Director.
A Virginia grand jury indicted Comey on charges including obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
President Trump publicly criticized Comey and Judge Nachmanoff following the indictment.
The case has received attention due to its political implications.
James Comey, the former FBI Director, is set to appear in a Virginia court for charges brought by President Trump's Department of Justice. He's charged with making false statements to Congress and obstructing an investigation related to the Russia collusion probe. President Trump has publicly pressured his team to pursue legal action against Comey.
Key Facts
James Comey is the former Director of the FBI.
Comey is appearing in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.
He faces charges related to making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation.
The charges stem from testimony given to Congress in 2020.
President Trump has been vocal about wanting legal action against Comey.
A judge appointed by President Biden, Michael S. Nachmanoff, will oversee the case.
Comey denies the charges and intends to plead not guilty.
President Trump replaced the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia shortly before Comey was indicted.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported a chef named Sergio Garcia, who had lived in the United States for 36 years. Garcia, who had no criminal record except for a decades-old deportation order, was arrested in Texas and quickly deported to Mexico. His case highlights ongoing concerns about deportations under President Trump's administration, which has prioritized removing undocumented immigrants.
Key Facts
Sergio Garcia was deported after living in the U.S. for 36 years.
He originally came to the U.S. in 1989 and overstayed his visa.
Garcia had a decades-old deportation order but no other criminal record.
ICE arrested him at his food truck in Texas and deported him within a day.
Garcia's case is part of a broader effort by President Trump to increase deportations.
Garcia and his wife tried to become U.S. citizens for 25 years.
After deportation, Garcia was unable to contact his family for 36 days.
His wife reunited with him in Mexico, while their four children stayed in the U.S.
National Guard troops are stationed outside Chicago, and they might soon be in Memphis. This is part of President Donald Trump’s approach to handling crime in large cities, regardless of local leaders' opinions.
Key Facts
National Guard troops are placed outside Chicago.
The Trump administration considers sending troops to Memphis by Friday.
President Trump is implementing a strong policy to address big-city crime.
Some Democratic leaders oppose the presence of these troops.
The exact mission of the troops near Chicago is not specified.
Last month, there was a significant immigration enforcement action in Chicago.
Protests have occurred near an immigration building in Broadview, Illinois.
President Trump has criticized Chicago's crime rates, although reports show decreases in crime, including murders.
A U.S. citizen named Dariana Fajardo was briefly detained by Border Patrol agents in Waukegan, Illinois, leading to the involvement of Mayor Sam Cunningham. Fajardo was accused of blocking law enforcement and found with a firearm, but was later released without charges. Mayor Cunningham intervened to help calm the situation and secure Fajardo's car.
Key Facts
Dariana Fajardo, a U.S. citizen, was detained by Border Patrol agents in Waukegan, Illinois.
The incident was captured on video near Waukegan City Hall.
Fajardo was accused of impeding federal law enforcement and had a firearm.
Mayor Sam Cunningham stepped in to help calm the situation and secure her car.
The incident highlights increased scrutiny of immigration enforcement under President Trump's policies.
Waukegan is about 36 miles from Chicago, an area with heightened federal law enforcement presence.
Fajardo was released from custody and not charged, though she may still face charges.
The city is involved in discussions about immigration enforcement and the impact on local communities.
