Key takeaways: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of California Sen. Dianne…
Posts published in “Politics”
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips has stepped down from his role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, signaling his potential candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. Phillips, a three-term congressman from Minnesota, will remain a member of the Democratic Caucus, and praised the work of his colleagues in a statement. His exit from the Democratic leadership role has sparked speculation about his potential candidacy, and could have a major impact on the 2024 race.
Connecticut is set to enact a comprehensive gun control measure on Sunday, limiting the sale of handguns to three per person in a thirty day period and banning open carrying of firearms. The law has been met with legal challenges, but gun control advocates hope it will reduce gun violence in the state. Mixed reactions from gun rights and gun control advocates remain, as the long-term effects of the law remain to be seen.
President Joe Biden has reassured allies of continued U.S. financial support for Ukraine, despite a short-term funding package that dropped assistance for the country. Congress passed a bill to keep the government funded until November 21, giving them more time to negotiate a longer-term solution. Biden urged Congress to act quickly to ensure the continued flow of American aid to Ukraine.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has announced his intention to file a motion to vacate the speakership of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) this week, citing McCarthy's lack of trustworthiness. The bill passed Saturday night did not include new funding for Ukraine, and McCarthy has said that those wanting more funding for Ukraine will have to give in on border security funding. This motion, if successful, would be a major shake-up in the House of Representatives, and it is unclear how it will be received by other members of Congress.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy put forward a resolution to extend government funding for 45 days, which was passed with the help of Democrats. This move was met with opposition from far-right Republicans, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, who threatened to oust McCarthy from his leadership position. Despite the challenge, McCarthy remained confident that he would survive, and the government was saved from a shutdown.
Congress has passed a stopgap bill to keep federal agencies funded and workers at their desks through mid-November, with 209 Democrats and 126 Republicans in support. The bill includes $6 billion in aid to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian invaders, but House Republicans have agreed to give up their demands and not provide new aid. This is seen as a victory for the Trump administration, but is also a cause for concern as it may encourage Russian aggression.
President Joe Biden signed a bill to fund the government just hours before the government was set to enter a technical shutdown, avoiding a shutdown and providing disaster relief funding. Members of both parties expressed relief, but the bill is likely to only delay, not resolve, future fights.