The House will reconvene Wednesday for the first time in 54 days to vote on ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, now in its 43rd day. The Senate passed a bipartisan funding deal Monday night, 60–40, to reopen the government through January 2026 and ensure back pay for furloughed workers. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the agreement, saying the “long national nightmare” is … Continue reading House expected to vote today on ending record-long government shutdown

During the government shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly opposed Republicans while privately urging moderate Democrats not to give in before November. Some moderates were ready to reopen the government two weeks into the shutdown, but Schumer persuaded them to wait until the start of ACA open enrollment. He also signaled to his caucus that he likely would oppose a bipartisan deal pushed by … Continue reading Schumer privately fought to extend government shutdown

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) publicly reaffirmed his support for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday, despite rising criticism from grassroots activists and some House Democrats over Schumer’s inability to prevent a group of Senate Democrats from advancing a deal to reopen the government. Jeffries emphasized that Schumer personally voted against advancing the deal and described him as leading the majority of Senate Democrats in a “valiant fight” over … Continue reading Jeffries backs Schumer despite Democrats’ shutdown fury

A Utah judge rejected a Republican-passed redistricting plan on Monday, ruling it did not comply with a 2018 voter-approved measure requiring nonpartisan redistricting standards. The rejected map had created two competitive districts but still favored Republicans. The judge instead approved a plan creating a solidly Democratic district covering Salt Lake City, giving Democrats a second potential win in Utah. The case highlights ongoing battles over … Continue reading Utah judge denies GOP-passed congressional map

President Donald Trump met Monday at the White House with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader to Washington. The meeting focused on Syria joining the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, reopening the Syrian embassy in Washington, and expanding economic cooperation, including potential American investment and plans to lift Caesar Act sanctions. Al-Sharaa and Trump also discussed integrating the Kurdish Syrian … Continue reading Trump holds first-ever White House meeting with Syrian leader

Iraq held a parliamentary election on Tuesday under tight security, with 8,703 polling stations open nationwide, though turnout was low in the early hours. Only 21.4 million of 32 million eligible voters registered, down from 24 million in 2021, and the influential Sadrist Movement boycotted the vote, keeping many supporters home, particularly in Sadr City. Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, running for a second term, … Continue reading Iraqis vote in parliamentary election marked by tight security

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has repeatedly floated the idea of recreating Gran Colombia, the early 19th-century republic that included present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, as a response to U.S. military actions targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific. Speaking in Santa Marta, Petro suggested that a regional union, akin to the European Union, with a common parliament and shared leadership, could help Latin … Continue reading Colombia President Petro floats union with Venezuela amid pentagon military buildup

A growing number of House Democrats and progressive groups are demanding that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer step down after several Senate Democrats broke ranks to vote for the bipartisan deal reopening the government. Critics argue that Schumer has failed to unite his caucus and is out of touch with the party’s base, with lawmakers such as Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Seth Moulton, Ro Khanna, and … Continue reading Schumer faces mounting Dem calls to resign as leader