Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing calls to step aside as Democratic leader after eight senators broke from the party to vote with Republicans to overcome a key hurdle to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Representatives Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib and Mike Levin were among those calling on Schumer to step aside, claiming he failed to unify party members to keep fighting for extensions to Affordable Care Act subsidies.
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?” Khanna asked.
Seven Democrats and one independent senator voted with Republicans Sunday evening to clear a key procedural hurdle for a final vote on the proposed funding bill, which would continue funding the government through January. If the Senate and House pass the bill, it would head to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries backed Schumer Monday morning, affirmatively responding when asked if Schumer should remain in his position and was an effective leader.
But other lawmakers seemed unsure of Schumer’s position, with Senator Mark Kelly declining to outright support him.
Read MoreKey Points
- Mike Johnson tells House members to prepare to return to Washington
- California Rep. says Democrats should ‘move on’ from Schumer
- Markets rally in relief over possible deal to end deadlock
- Trump threatens air traffic controllers who stopped working during shutdown
- Senator Angus King argues ‘standing up to Trump didn’t work’
Daughter of Democratic senator running for Congress blasts deal her mom brokered to end the shutdown
22:19 , Eric GarciaThis will make for an awkward Thanksgiving. The daughter of one of the top Democratic senators who brokered the deal to end the government shutdown blasted the deal.
Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, is running for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district. The elder Shaheen, a former governor of the state who is retiring at the end of 2026, was one of a handful of Democrats who brokered a deal to end the government shutdown.
But the younger Shaheen criticized it, saying she could not support it because House Speaker Mike Johnson did not guarantee a vote on extending Covid-era tax credits for the Affordable Care Act's health insurance marketplace.
"We both need to end the shutdown and extend ACA tax credits. Otherwise no deal," Stefany Shaheen said. Stefany Shaheen is running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Chris Pappas, who is running for her mother's seat.
But Jeanne Shaheen, 78, dodged when asked about her daughter's announcement.
"My daughter's very independent, that's why she's going to be such a great congresswoman," she told The Independent. "And she knows a lot about the health care system, because she's been working in it for over 20 years. Her daughter's a type one diabetic, and she started a health care company."
The deal sparked outrage across the spectrum of Democrats, ranging from moderates like Pappas to progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Mike Johnson believes the 'long national nightmare' will come to an end soon
22:09 , Rachel DobkinHouse Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN’s Jake Tapper Monday evening that he believes the “long national nightmare” of the ongoing government shutdown will come to an end soon.
Johnson said he believes the Senate will vote to approve a funding bill to open the federal government.
“The long national nightmare is almost coming to an end now,” he said.
Senate votes to advance government shutdown could occur tonight
21:50 , Ariana BaioSenators could be voting on an agreement that would allow them to expedite a proposed temporary funding bill to end the government shutdown.
Republican Senator Rand Paul, who has threatened to hold out on his vote in order to strip the proposal of a provision that targets hemp regulations, is also expected to receive a vote on his amendment.
Watch: Sergio Gor sworn in as US Ambassador to India
21:47 , Ariana BaioFederal judge extends ruling preventing government from taking back SNAP funds
21:35 , Alex WoodwardIn the SNAP case brought by Democratic officials from 25 states, Judge Indira Talwani is extending her order that blocks USDA from trying to claw back SNAP funds that were already on their way to states late last week.
“I think there is no reason for me not to keep in place my stay of the order directing the agencies to take steps to return the funds that were issued,” said Talwani, accusing the Trump administration of playing “vindictive games with the states.”
She may issue another order hammering the administration on this.
Trump says Marjorie Taylor Greene has ‘lost her way’
21:14 , Ariana BaioThe president lamented his once-extremely loyal ally, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has become more critical of Republicans' agenda, has “lost her way.”
"I don't know what happened to Marjorie,” Trump said when asked how he felt about her recent critics.
“She's a nice woman, but I don't know what happened. She's lost her way, I think,” Trump said.
Greene claims she remains aligned with the president on his “America First” agenda but recently voiced concern about Trump turning his focus to solving worldwide conflicts and tariffing the U.S.’s trading partners.
The president justified his focus by claiming his deals with other countries and focus on other conflicts helped the U.S.
Trump says he will abide by shutdown plan that will reverse mass firings
21:02 , Ariana BaioIn the Oval Office Monday, President Trump said he would abide by the proposed government shutdown deal that will reverse his mass firing of federal workers.
President Trump on if he approves of deal to re-open the government: "I would say so."
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 10, 2025
Q: "That deal does reverse the mass firings your administration put through during the shutdown...will you abide by that if this passes?"
Trump: "I will be. I'll abide by the deal." pic.twitter.com/ngiBfPNXDq
California Rep. says Democrats should ‘move on’ from Schumer
20:35 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Rep. Mike Levin of California called on Democrats to “move on” from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, after seven Democratic senators and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats voted with Republicans.
“Chuck Schumer has not met this moment and Senate Democrats would be wise to move on from his leadership,” Levin wrote.
Chuck Schumer has not met this moment and Senate Democrats would be wise to move on from his leadership.
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevin) November 10, 2025
Republican Rand Paul holds out for hemp
20:18 , Ariana BaioRepublican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky could hold up a final vote on the proposed temporary spending bill that will end the government shutdown, unless Republicans agree to remove language in the bill that targets hemp.
A provision of the proposed bill seeks to prevent the unregulated sale of hemp-based products, which are currently permitted by sold at gas stations or convenience stores. Paul says the provision is “unrelated” to the spending bill and would hurt Kentucky hemp farmers, so he’s filed an amendment to remove it.
“There is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentucky’s hemp farmers and small businesses. Standing up for Kentucky jobs is part of my job. I just filed an amendment to strike the provision,” Paul wrote on X.
Paul’s holdout could mean it could take longer to end the government shutdown. All 100 senators must agree to speed up the process of legislative procedural votes to expedite the process. Paul’s objection could push back timelines for several days.
Paul said he is “not delaying this bill” by asking for a simple vote on his amendment.
“The timing is already fixed under Senate procedure. But there is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentucky’s hemp farmers and small businesses. Standing up for Kentucky jobs is part of my job.”
American Airlines says nearly 250,000 customers were impacted by flight reductions
19:55 , Ariana BaioAmerican Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer said nearly 250,000 customers experienced flight disruptions over the weekend due to the FAA reducing the number of flights to account for air traffic controller shortages.
Nearly 1,400 AA flights were canceled and flights were delayed a total of 57,000 minutes.
“This is simply unacceptable and everyone deserves better,” COO David Seymour said in a statement.
“Our air traffic controllers deserve to be paid and our airline needs to be able to operate at a level of predictability and dependability that no major airline was able to provide the flying public this weekend,” Seymour wrote.
Seymour apologized for the impact of the shutdown and thanked AA workers for keeping operations going.
Watch: Inside the BBC Trump speech furore that prompted dramatic resignations of bosses
19:30 , Ariana BaioSenator Mark Kelly does not voice outright support for Schumer
19:00 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona did not offer a resounding endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Monday when asked if he would continue supporting him to lead the Democratic Party.
"Chuck Schumer and the leadership of the Senate are dealing with an incredibly complex situation, you know it's hard to find a way out,” Kelly told MSNBC when asked if he would support Schumer leading Democrats moving forward.
Four state attorneys general stand firm against administration fighting SNAP funding
18:43 , Ariana BaioThe attorney generals from California, New York, Minnesota and New Jersey said SNAP recipients in their states are facing real threats of going hungry as a result of the federal government fighting courts to fully fund the program in November.
“Every American should be outraged by the billionaire sitting in the White House would go to such extreme lengths and spend this much energy to prevent hungry Americans from getting food,” California AG Rob Bonta said in a press conference Monday.
The Trump administration has asked states to undo funding to the program in November and warned they could face consequences if they used state funds for SNAP.
New York AG Letitia James spoke to the real impact on New Yorkers during a joint press conference that some grocery stores were refusing to accept SNAP EBT cards in their stores and families have expressed concern about feeding their children. She called the administration’s efforts “callous cruelty.”
EXCLUSIVE: The hidden message in Trump’s pardon of Rudy Giuliani that could have ripple effects
18:10 , Andrew FeinbergPresident Donald Trump’s decision to offer presidential pardons to disgraced former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and 76 other people involved in the failed effort to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden is not as black and white as it might seem.
The move, sources tell The Independent, goes beyond merely protecting Trump loyalists from the federal government — to covertly pressure state courts, where the president has no power to issue pardons, into tossing out charges against some who still face prosecutions locally.
Read more here:
The hidden message in Trump’s pardon of Rudy Giuliani that could have ripple effects
Democrats condemn Trump for threatening air traffic controllers
17:50 , Ariana BaioSeveral high-profile Democrats condemned President Donald Trump after he threatened air traffic controllers with ‘docked’ pay who took time off during the government shutdown.
“In the midst of a 40+ day Republican shutdown with major flight delays and being short 3,000 air traffic controllers, our INSANE President is ENCOURAGING ATCs to quit heading into the holiday season. Trump is taking a wrecking ball to our air safety infrastructure.” Senator Patty Murray of Washington said.
“The President wouldn't last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything they've been through - and the way this administration has treated them from Day One - he has no business shitting on them now,” former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
The President wouldn't last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything they've been through - and the way this administration has treated them from Day One - he has no business shitting on them now. https://t.co/JLi1J26dSC
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) November 10, 2025
How fast will airports and flight schedules get back to normal after government shutdown ends?
17:30 , Katie HawkinsonTravel delays and disruptions are piling up this week as the Federal Aviation Administration cuts flights at major airports and air traffic controllers go without pay because of the federal shutdown.
The FAA announced last week that airlines at 40 major airports must cut 4 percent of their flights starting Friday. That requirement could rise to 6 percent by Tuesday, and 10 percent by Friday.
Read more from Katie Hawkinson:
How fast will air travel get back to normal after government shutdown ends?
Jeffries says Schumer should keep his job
17:19 , Ariana BaioHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries agreed that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is an effective leader who should keep his job.
During his press conference Monday, Jeffries was asked if he thought his Senate counterpart should remain in his position after seven Democrats and one independent senator voted with Republicans to overcome a key hurdle to reopen the government.
“Yes and yes” Jeffries responded to a reporter when asked if Schumer was an effective leader who should keep his job.
Several progressive political groups have blamed Schumer for failing to keep Democrats on the same page about holding out on healthcare provisions for the temporary funding bill.
“Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats over the last seven weeks have waged a valiant fight on behalf of the American people, and I'm not going to explain what a handful of Senate Democrats have decided to do,” Jeffries added
Johnson hopes to vote on continuing resolution by Wednessday
16:56 , Ariana BaioOn a call with House Republicans, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said he hopes to vote on a continuing resolution by Wednesday, according to reports.
That quick turnaround means the Senate needs to pass the proposed temporary funding bill by Monday evening.
Trump says he will use tariff revenue to 'pay down national debt'
16:25 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump said Monday he would use tariff revenue to “pay down” the national debt after awarding middle and low-income citizens $2,000.
On Truth Social, the president said he would first give $2,000 as a dividend to people who are in low or middle-class tax brackets – a repeated claim he has made recently.
Despite Trump’s claim, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there are no formal plans to give a tariff revenue payment to Americans. Instead, he suggested it could come in the form of one of Trump’s other economic proposals, such as no taxing on tips, overtime or Social Security payments.
But the president has continued to push his claim forward and said Monday he would use any leftover money from the $2,000 payments to pay down the national debt.
So far, the US has collected around $195 billion from tariffs imposed on foreign countries.
Trump threatens air traffic controllers who stopped working during shutdown
16:09 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump said he was “NOT HAPPY” with air traffic controllers who took time off or complained during the government shutdown and threatened to “substantially ‘docked’” those.
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’ For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday.
Trump condemned air traffic controllers who took time off or complained despite knowing at some point they would be paid.
“You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind!” Trump wrote.
The president said he would be recommending bonuses of “$10,000 per person” to those who continued to show up to work.
Nick Daniels, the president of the National Air Traffic Controller Association, highlighted how stressful air traffic controllers have been recently, having received no pay for more than a month of service, ensuring the skies are safe.
Air traffic controllers famously have extremely taxing jobs that require laser focus at all hours. Due to their status as national safety personnel, they are required to show up for work regardless of pay during a shutdown. Some have had to take second jobs in order to feed their families over the last month.
Shutdown hits rich Americans after FAA bans most private flights from landing at nation’s busiest airports
15:45 , Rhian LubinFlight restrictions stemming from the government shutdown are now impacting Americans who rely on private jets, as the Federal Aviation Administration has “effectively prohibited” business travel at some of the busiest airports in the country.
Last week, the agency cut air traffic at 40 airports across the U.S. by 10 percent and, as of Sunday, more than 2,000 commercial flights had been canceled, with a further 7,000 delayed.
Read more here:
Shutdown sees FAA ban most private jets from landing at nation’s busiest airports
Mike Johnson tells House members to prepare to return to Washington
15:25 , Ariana BaioSpeaker of the House Mike Johnson said he is prepared to call the House of Representatives back into session as soon as the Senate passes a temporary funding proposal that will allow the government to reopen.
In a short press briefing Monday, Johnson warned his colleagues to begin making plans to return to Washington, D.C., amid a turbulent moment for air travel, when 10 percent of flights are being cut due to staffing shortages.
“I’m saying that by way of reminder. I’m stating the obvious to all my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats in the House - you need to begin right now returning to the Hill,” Johnson said.
As soon as the Senate passes the continuing resolution, the House will vote on it as well.
Johnson has kept lawmakers from doing any work in D.C. during the longest government shutdown in history by sending them home. The House does not have to be out of session during a shutdown.
Supreme Court will not take up case seeking to overturn same-sex marriage
15:21 , Ariana BaioThe Supreme Court rejected a request to take up a case from a woman seeking to overturn the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) that awarded marriage rights to same-sex couples.
The case, Ermold v. Davis, was brought by Kim Davis, a county clerk who refused to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple on the claim that it violated her religion. After the couple sued, Davis was held liable for damages based on violating their Constitutional rights. Her initial appeal to an appellate court, as well as her appeal to the Supreme Court, was denied.
Supreme Court takes swift action on Kim Davis bid to overturn same-sex marriage
Group representing airlines issues support for Senate
15:15 , Ariana BaioAirlines for America, a trade association that represents major North American airlines, released a statement praising Senate lawmakers for passing the filibuster hurdle that will begin steps toward reopening the government.
“On behalf of every American traveler and shipper, Airlines for America is grateful that the Senate is considering a bipartisan agreement to reopen the federal government and pay the essential air traffic controllers, TSA and CBP officers for the essential work they do every day,” the group said.
At a time of record air travel and increased reliance on cargo shipments, it is more important than ever to ensure that our nation’s airspace is safe, reliable and open. Now that the continuing resolution (CR)/minibus package has been offered, we strongly encourage the Senate to pass it swiftly and send it to the House with urgency.”
According to FlightAware, around 1,875 flights have been canceled today. Approximately 12,318 have been delayed.
What’s going on with SNAP?
14:50 , Ariana BaioFunding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as food stamps, is still in limbo, as more than 41 million Americans who rely on the program fear they will not be able to feed themselves or their families.
Although lawmakers are inching closer to reopening the government, a final temporary funding bill has not been passed in the House, leaving the funding of SNAP in the hands of the courts for now.
Over the weekend, the Trump administration’s fight over funding SNAP made its way back to federal court, where a judge denied the administration’s latest request to only partially fund the program, rather than fund it fully.
However, that ruling may remain paused as the Supreme Court reviews the case.
The Supreme Court temporarily paused a ruling from taking effect while reviewing the administration’s request to partially fund the country’s largest anti-hunger poverty program. The administration has until 4 p.m. ET today to file briefs in the case.
Trump threatens legal action against BBC News
14:20 , Ariana BaioThe BBC confirmed on Monday morning that it had received a letter from President Donald Trump threatening legal action for airing an edited version of Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, which cut out his calls for demonstrators to protest peacefully before attacking the Capitol.
The head of the BBC, as well as a company executive, chose to resign following criticisms of the edited speech in the Panorama program.
BBC Chair Samir Shah has apologized for the documentary editing.
Senator Angus King argues ‘standing up to Trump didn’t work’
14:00 , Ariana BaioSenator Angus King of Maine justified his decision to vote with Republicans and pass a temporary funding bill to reopen the government by claiming Democrats’ strategy to stand up to President Donald Trump “didn’t work.”
"Standing up to Donald Trump didn't work; it actually gave him more power,” King told MSNBC Monday morning.
The Maine senator cited Trump’s recent cuts toward SNAP, or food stamps, as well as the decision to pay immigration enforcement officers rather than air traffic controllers or other government employees.
Although King is an independent, he caucuses with Democrats. He was one of the eight senators to break from the party and side with Republicans.
“There were two goals, both of which I support. One was standing up to Donald Trump. The other was getting some resolution on the [Affordable Care Act] premium tax credit issue. The problem was the shutdown wasn’t accomplishing either goals and there was zero likelihood that it was going to.”
Rep. Ro Khanna calls for Chuck Schumer to step down
13:45 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Representative Ro Khanna of California called on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down after several Democratic senators broke with their party to side with Republicans on a temporary funding bill.
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” Khanna wrote on X Sunday evening.
“If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”
Schumer said he does not support the recently passed continuing resolution because it fails to address key healthcare provisions that Democrats had been fighting for.
Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) November 10, 2025
Who are the eight Democrats who voted to reopen the government?
13:15 , Joe SommerladThe group that broke with Chuck Schumer said in their joint statement last night that the Republicans’ “flat refusal” to budge on any of their party’s proposals had led them to back what they believe to be the “best possible offer we could secure.”
Here’s Owen Scott with a look at the eight senators at odds with their party over how best to end the shutdown.
Who are the eight Democrats who voted to reopen the government?
Democrats rage after eight cross the aisle and join Republicans in vote to end shutdown: ‘Senseless surrender’
12:55 , Joe SommerladHouse Democrats and progressive activists are fuming over the proposed deal a handful of breakaway Senate Democrats brokered with Republicans to end the government shutdown, The Independent has learned.
According to a section-by-section breakdown of the agreement, the deal brokered by a handful of moderates and Senate Republicans would reopen the government until January 2026, ensure backpay for federal workers who did not receive a check and undo the reductions in force that the Trump administration put in place during the shutdown.
But it would not address a key plank for Democratic leaders who have opposed a stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution — an extension of Covid-era enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace.
“We’re three weeks out from the largest protest in American history, less than one week out from a stunningly successful election nationwide,” activist Leah Greenberg told The Independent via text message, making reference to the “No Kings” rallies across the country.
“What on Earth does the base have to do to convince Dems they need to fight?”
Eric Garcia has more.
Democrats rage after vote to end shutdown: ‘Senseless surrender’
Trump attends another extravagant party at Mar-a-Lago as thousands, including government employees, hit food banks
12:35 , Joe SommerladThe president invited further unwanted comparisons with Marie Antoinette over the weekend as he held another lavish party at his Florida home, following up on his recent Halloween Great Gatsby bash, this time serving a three-course menu of beef filet, truffle dauphinoise, pan-seared scallops and a trio of desserts including “Trump chocolate cake.”
Around the same time Friday, the Trump administration was allowed to continue only partially funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after an order from the Supreme Court blocked the decision of a lower court that had required the government to fully fund SNAP, otherwise known as food stamps.
Mike Bedigan has more.
Trump attends another extravagant party at Mar-a-Lago during shutdown
Truth Social: Trump promises $2,000 payments to most Americans during Sunday morning posting spree
12:15 , Joe SommerladThe president promised to pay U.S. citizens two grand each as he touted his tariff plan during a chaotic Sunday morning Truth Social posting spree.
As part of a multi-post outpouring touting tariffs and mocking his enemies, Trump promised: “A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone.”
It’s not immediately clear when that payment would come or who qualifies as “high income,” with Trump offering no other details about the payment.
People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS! We are now the Richest, Most Respected Country In the World, With Almost No Inflation, and A Record Stock Market Price. 401k's are Highest EVER. We are taking in Trillions of Dollars and will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37…
— Unofficial Trump on X (@trump_repost) November 9, 2025
Watch: Trump booed at Commanders game
11:55 , Joe SommerladThis was the response the president attracted at the NFL game yesterday afternoon, suggesting he may have misjudged the mood by claiming that grocery prices “are coming way down,” which may not chime with shoppers’ experiences in stores.
Trump met with mixed response as he attends NFL game during shutdown and claims ‘prices are coming way down’
11:35 , Joe SommerladThe president attended the Washington Commanders-Detroit Lions game Sunday where he bragged about his own short-lived football career and the state of the nation under his leadership amid the longest government shutdown in history.
Graig Graziosi reports.
Trump met with mixed response as he attends NFL game during record shutdown
Moderate Democrats who voted with Republicans insist deal ‘is just the beginning’ and not a capitulation
11:15 , Joe SommerladThe eight members of the Democratic Caucus who broke with their colleagues to support the GOP’s continuing resolution delivered a press conference last night defending their actions, which appear to be at odds with their own party leadership’s position.
“This fight tonight is… It’s just the beginning,” insisted Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto.
“This is the beginning to show and fight for Americans across the country… I expect Republicans to be at the table in the next few weeks. I expect the White House to be at the table.
“And if they do choose not to come to the table, they can own the disastrous premium increases that will continue to rise.”
Asked by a reporter, “What do you say to your colleagues who say this isn’t a fight, this is a capitulation?,” New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen said: “We have a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date…”
The journalist countered: “There is no guarantee that this will become law.”
“There was never a guarantee that it would be become law,” Shaheen answered, more than a little defensively.
Her fellow New Hampshire Sen., Maggie Hassan, was more confident, declaring: “With the government reopening shortly, Republicans now finally have to come to the table.
“Or make no mistake, Americans will remember who stood in the way.”
Trump issues pardons for Rudy Giuliani, Sydney Powell and others involved in 2020 fake elector scheme
10:55 , Joe SommerladIn non-shutdown news, the White House announced late last night that the president had issued pardons for members of his 2020 campaign legal team – including ex-NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani, Kenneth Chesebro and Sydney Powell AKA “The Kraken” – for their involvement in the so-called fake electors plot in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
John Bowden has the story.
Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and over 75 others involved in fake elector scheme
In pics: Senators emerge from chamber after possible breakthrough deal
10:35 , Joe SommerladSenators John Thune, Chuck Schumer, Tim Kaine, Rick Scott and Elizabeth Warren, respectively, speak to the media after emerging from the chamber last night.
While Kaine crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans in the name of pragmatism, Schumer and Warren did not.
Democrats vow to fight on as deal heads to House
10:15 , Joe SommerladRepublican congressional leaders John Thune and Mike Johnson have been silent on social media since last night’s deal broke (Speaker Johnson was watching the Washington Commanders with Trump yesterday).
Their Democratic counterparts, however, have been pretty vocal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took to X to post a video explaining why he was voting against the GOP’s latest proposal and followed it up with this message of defiance:
“Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis. For the millions who will lose coverage, for people with cancer who won’t get the care they need, for working families who can’t afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare, we will keep fighting.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has meanwhile issued the following statement, likewise making clear his intention to oppose the new agreement in the lower chamber:
“House Democrats have consistently maintained that bipartisan legislation that funds the government must also decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis.
“For seven weeks, Democrats in the House and Senate have waged a valiant fight on behalf of the American people.
“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As a result of the Republican refusal to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, tens of millions of everyday Americans are going to see their costs skyrocket. Many will not be able to afford a doctor when they or their children need one.
“America is far too expensive. We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation.
“Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created in our country and the American people know it.”
Markets rally in relief over possible shutdown deal
10:00 , Joe SommerladGlobal stock markets rallied on Monday morning over optimism that an end to the historic U.S. government shutdown could finally be in sight.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 1.2 percent in early trading, with major bourses and almost all sectors in a better place, CNBC reports.
The U.K.’s FTSE index was 0.7 percent up, Germany’s DAX rose 1.5 percent, France’s CAC 40 saw a 1.1 percent uptick and Italy’s FTSE MIB added 1.5 percent in value.
The Senate breakthrough also helped push Nasdaq futures into a 1.27 percent rise while S&P 500 futures climbed 0.74 percent, according to Reuters.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 1.36 percent and Japan’s Nikkei advanced 1.33 percent.
In China, the CSI300 blue-chip index overturned early losses to post trade 0.3 percent higher while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.5 percent.
“A possible end to the longest running U.S. shutdown is a positive for markets,” Prashant Newnaha, senior Asia-Pacific rates strategist at TD Securities, told the newswire.
“Our expectation is that the next step is for a House vote on Wednesday, with the government set to reopen this Friday.”
All eyes will be on the New York Stock Exchange when it opens later this morning.
Is the U.S. government shutdown finally over?
09:45 , Joe SommerladNot yet, is the short answer to that.
Although Sunday’s developments were highly positive, the path ahead remains unclear given the lack of involvement from either the White House or the GOP leadership in the House of Representatives.
That said, administration officials, who had flatly refused to negotiate with Democrats throughout the shutdown, are reportedly on board with the new deal. Trump himself seemed buoyed by the news and has had plenty of success in the past persuading House Speaker Mike Johnson to see things his way.
Johnson has yet to give a clear sign that the deal has his backing but Senate Majority Leader John Thune told a reporter Sunday: “I am confident that if we move to open the government, the House will do likewise.”
Among the Democratic caucus, Sens. Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Angus King and Tim Kaine all voted for the continuing resolution but 39 of their colleagues in the chamber declined.
It remains to be seen whether there will be an equivalent difference of opinion in the House, where Democrats are reportedly unhappy with the emerging framework of the deal, given that it doesn’t guarantee the passage of Obamacare subsidies.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries seemed to confirm that on NBC’s Meet the Press yesterday. “I don’t think that the House Democratic Caucus is prepared to support a promise, a wing and a prayer from folks who have been devastating the healthcare of the American people for years,” he said.
Many in the lower chamber worry that giving the appearance of backing down, in the wake of last Tuesday’s election triumphs, will infuriate many Democratic voters and supercharge primary campaigns against their members next year.
Senators take step toward ending historic government shutdown
09:30 , Joe SommerladThe president was speaking last night after lawmakers in the Senate struck a deal that saw eight of the chamber’s moderate Democrats cross the aisle in a 60-40 vote that cleared its filibuster threshold. The development puts the resolution on schedule for a vote Monday or early this week.
The agreement backed by the breakaway Democrats and their Republican counterparts would extend government funding through the end of January and allow further negotiations to take place on a range of issues, including subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans.
John Bowden reports.
Senators take step toward ending historic government shutdown
Donald Trump says end of shutdown is in sight
09:16 , Joe SommerladPresident Donald Trump has said an agreement to end the government shutdown could finally be in sight after 41 days of federal workers going unpaid and public services being cut to the bone.
“We’ll never agree to give any substantial money, or any money, to prisoners, illegals who come into our country. And I think the Democrats understand that,” Trump said as he returned to the White House late Sunday.
“And it looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending. You’ll know very soon.”
The deadlock, which began on October 1, is already the longest in American history, surpassing the 35-day impasse from late 2018 to early 2019 in his first term.
Good morning
08:46 , Joe SommerladHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the U.S. government shutdown, which could finally be about to come to an end after senators agreed a short-term funding deal late Sunday.