House Speaker Mike Johnson's strategy to prevent a government shutdown is encountering significant obstacles, as reported by Axios.
Johnson's proposed two-step continuing resolution, designed to extend government funding, is meeting resistance from both sides of the political aisle, putting his leadership to the test early in his tenure as Speaker.
The plan, which aims to fund some government agencies until January 19 and others until February 2, is struggling to gain traction in both the House and the Senate. With the November 17 deadline for a potential government shutdown looming, Johnson finds himself in a precarious position as he attempts to navigate the complex political landscape.
Johnson's proposed continuing resolution has failed to garner widespread support, with both Democrats and conservative Republicans expressing concerns. The two-step approach, intended as a compromise solution, has instead become a point of contention among lawmakers.
Democrats have voiced their opposition to the split funding dates, arguing that it complicates the budget process and potentially sets the stage for future conflicts. On the other hand, conservative Republicans, particularly members of the House Freedom Caucus, are pushing for more substantial spending cuts and policy changes as conditions for their support.
The lack of consensus has left Johnson struggling to secure the necessary votes in the House, where his slim majority leaves little room for dissent within his own party. This internal division is compounding the challenge of passing a funding measure that can also gain approval in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
The prospects for Johnson's plan in the Senate appear even more daunting. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has publicly criticized the proposal, stating:
Speaker Johnson's proposed ladder CR is a recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdowns – full stop.
This strong opposition from Senate leadership suggests that even if Johnson manages to pass his measure in the House, it faces an uphill battle in the upper chamber. The divergence between the two houses of Congress further complicates efforts to reach a timely agreement on government funding.
Johnson's ability to navigate these challenges is being closely watched, as it represents a critical test of his leadership skills. Having recently assumed the role of Speaker following the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, Johnson is under pressure to demonstrate his capacity to build consensus and effectively govern.
In an attempt to salvage his plan and win over conservative support, Johnson is considering allowing amendment votes on the continuing resolution. This strategy aims to address some of the concerns raised by members of the House Freedom Caucus and other conservative Republicans who are demanding more aggressive measures to reduce government spending.
However, this approach carries its own risks. While it may help secure additional Republican votes, it could further alienate Democrats and make Senate passage even more unlikely. Johnson must carefully balance these competing interests to find a viable path forward.
The ongoing debate reflects broader disagreements within Congress about government spending priorities and fiscal policy. These long-standing issues have repeatedly brought the government to the brink of shutdown in recent years, highlighting the challenges of reaching bipartisan agreements on budget matters.
House Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to avoid a government shutdown through a two-step continuing resolution is facing significant challenges. The proposal has met opposition from both Democrats and conservative Republicans, making it difficult to secure passage in the House. Additionally, the plan faces strong resistance in the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has criticized it as a "recipe for more Republican chaos." With the November 17 deadline approaching, Johnson's leadership is being tested as he seeks to navigate these complex political dynamics and prevent a government shutdown.
The Senate is set to swear in George Helmy as the successor to former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., on Monday.
According to Fox News, Helmy, who previously served as chief of staff for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, will complete the remainder of Menendez's term, which concludes on January 3.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for approximately 5 p.m. ET. Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray, D-Wash., will administer the oath of office to Helmy, as Vice President Kamala Harris, who typically presides over such proceedings as president of the Senate, will be absent.
Menendez resigned on August 20 following his conviction on charges of accepting bribes for corrupt acts, including acting as an agent of the Egyptian government. His departure created a vacancy that Governor Murphy has chosen to fill with Helmy, a seasoned political operative.
Helmy's tenure in the Senate will be brief, as the seat is up for election on November 5. The Democratic nominee for the position is U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, who is considered a strong contender in the traditionally Democratic-leaning state. Kim will face Republican Curtis Bashaw in the general election.
Despite his ongoing legal troubles, Menendez has filed to run as an independent candidate for re-election, adding an unexpected element to the race.
George Helmy brings a wealth of experience to his new role in the Senate. He served as Governor Murphy's chief of staff for over four years, demonstrating his ability to navigate complex political landscapes. Prior to his appointment, Helmy was employed as an executive and head of external affairs for RWJBarnabas Health.
His political resume also includes a stint as state director for Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. This experience will likely prove valuable as Helmy prepares to work alongside Booker in the Senate for the remainder of the 118th Congress.
Governor Murphy's decision to appoint Helmy instead of Rep. Kim to the vacated seat has raised some eyebrows. Some speculate that appointing Kim could have provided him with an advantage in the upcoming election.
Recent legal developments have added new dimensions to the Menendez case. Fred Daibes, a New Jersey real estate developer who was convicted alongside Menendez, has pleaded guilty to a separate bank fraud charge. The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that Daibes entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Newark last week.
The charge against Daibes stems from false statements he made concerning a 2008 loan while serving as chairman and CEO of Mariner's Bank. The severity of the charges is reflected in the potential penalties, which include a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.
Daibes, Menendez, and businessman Wael Hanna were convicted in July on bribery charges related to a scheme involving the former senator. Prosecutors alleged that Menendez accepted cash, gold bars, and a car in exchange for his influence. Another businessman, Jose Uribe, has already pleaded guilty, while the legal teams for Menendez, Hana, and Daibes are planning to appeal the convictions.
The Senate is preparing to swear in George Helmy as the replacement for convicted former Sen. Bob Menendez. Helmy, a former chief of staff to New Jersey's governor, will serve until January 3. The seat will be contested in the November 5 election, with Rep. Andy Kim as the Democratic nominee. Menendez resigned following his conviction on bribery charges, and recent legal developments include a guilty plea from a co-defendant on separate fraud charges.
Former President Donald Trump took aim at his own legal team during a press conference in New York City on Friday, expressing dissatisfaction with their handling of the case involving writer E. Jean Carroll.
Trump voiced his frustration with his attorneys after a hearing related to a potential retrial in the case, questioning their strategies and criticizing key decisions, as Newsweek reports.
During the event, Trump made several remarks critical of his attorneys, claiming they mishandled his defense against Carroll's accusations. In 2023, a jury found Trump guilty of sexual abuse, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. He spent much of the press conference venting his disappointment and addressing aspects of the case that he felt were inadequately handled by his legal team.
The press conference, which was initially billed as part of Trump's campaign for the 2024 election, quickly turned into a platform for the former president to air his grievances regarding his legal battles. Trump called out his attorneys for not pushing back hard enough in the case, referencing specific evidence he believed should have been highlighted.
One point of contention involved a dress that Carroll claimed to have worn during the alleged incident. Trump said the dress contained an unknown man’s DNA, yet his attorneys did not submit his DNA for testing. He expressed frustration over this decision, suggesting that it could have played a significant role in his defense.
Trump also attacked the judiciary system, accusing the judges of bias. He pointed out that the jury pool in the trial came from a predominantly Democratic area, with only 4 percent of the jurors identifying as Republican. This, Trump argued, made it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
During the event, Trump invited his attorney, Will Scharf, to speak. Scharf described Carroll's allegations as "utterly implausible" and claimed that there was no corroborating evidence to support her story. He emphasized that the case was essentially a "he said-she said" situation, and questioned how Trump could be held accountable without more substantial proof.
Trump himself continued to denounce Carroll’s accusations. At one point, he criticized a former lawyer from his team for not allowing him to attend key parts of the first trial. Trump maintained that he had no involvement with Carroll and suggested that his absence at the trial played a role in the outcome. “So, I didn’t show up, and I was found guilty for something I did not do,” Trump said during the press conference, reiterating his claim that he had never had any interaction with Carroll. He went further, dismissing her completely by stating, “I would not want to be involved with her.”
Beyond his criticism of how the Carroll case was handled, Trump voiced frustration with other legal teams working on his behalf. He complained that his attorneys were not acting aggressively enough in his other legal battles, including the cases related to the Capitol unrest and the handling of classified documents. Trump framed these legal challenges as politically motivated, referring to them as part of a broader "witch hunt" against him. He argued that political forces were using these cases as a means to interfere with his bid for the White House in 2024.
The press conference, which began with a focus on the legal hearing, soon expanded to include Trump's attacks on various witnesses and individuals involved in the cases against him. He repeatedly asserted that the judicial system was biased and unfairly targeting him.
In addition to the $5 million awarded to Carroll in 2023, Trump’s comments during the press conference could reignite further legal consequences. Carroll had previously filed a defamation suit over Trump's public remarks, and in early 2024, she was awarded an additional $83.3 million in damages.
Despite these financial penalties, Trump continued to criticize Carroll openly during the press conference, potentially risking another round of legal repercussions. He dismissed her claims outright, continuing to attack her character and the legitimacy of her accusations.
Trump’s remarks did little to address the specifics of his defense strategy moving forward. Instead, they painted a picture of a frustrated defendant who believes the system is rigged against him, and that his legal teams have not done enough to protect him.
In a surprising twist, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called on his supporters to vote for Donald Trump in every state, even those in which he mounted a strong campaign of his own.
The former independent presidential candidate reversed his previous guidance, now encouraging his base to back Trump as a means to fulfill the goals of his campaign, as Just the News reports.
RFK, Jr., who previously ran for president as an independent, has shocked political observers by urging his supporters across the country to cast their ballots for Trump. This marks a significant change from his earlier position, which allowed supporters in non-competitive states to still vote for him.
In a fundraising email sent Thursday, Kennedy issued a direct plea, urging his followers to back Trump, regardless of where they live. "No matter what state you live in, I urge you to vote for Donald Trump," Kennedy wrote. He explained his rationale, stating that this was "the only way we can get me and everything I stand for into Washington D.C."
Kennedy had initially planned to remove his name from the ballot in just 10 key swing states. This decision was originally framed as a strategic move, aimed at preventing his candidacy from splitting the vote in battleground regions. The goal was to avoid hindering Trump’s path to the White House by siphoning votes from Republican-leaning constituencies in competitive races.
However, Kennedy has since expanded this plan. His latest decision includes removing his name from the ballot in several more states, including deep-red areas such as South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. This expansion signals an even deeper commitment to the strategy of consolidating support for Trump across the nation.
These traditionally Republican states are not typically seen as battlegrounds in presidential races, but Kennedy’s withdrawal from their ballots suggests an effort to further eliminate the possibility of divided votes that could hurt Trump’s campaign.
Before this shift, Kennedy had maintained a nuanced position. He had suggested that his supporters in key battleground states could cast their ballots for Trump while leaving room for voters in uncompetitive regions to continue supporting him. This approach allowed him to maintain a presence in the race without directly impacting the larger dynamics between Trump and the Democratic nominee.
The new message, however, eliminates this ambiguity. Kennedy now asks his base to support Trump outright in every state, signaling a complete alignment with Trump’s candidacy in the final stretch of the election cycle.
His decision reflects a clear pivot in his political calculations, driven by a desire to influence the national outcome in a way that aligns with his broader policy goals. Kennedy emphasized that the move is not about abandoning his own campaign, but rather ensuring that his political vision is represented in Washington through Trump's potential presidency.
Kennedy's Thursday fundraising email emphasized this newfound urgency. By urging his supporters to rally behind Trump, Kennedy linked his vision to that of Trump’s campaign, arguing that the Republican candidate represents the best vehicle for advancing the issues his own campaign championed.
"The reason is that is the only way we can get me and everything I stand for into Washington D.C.," Kennedy wrote, making it clear that his endorsement of Trump is based on shared objectives. His supporters, particularly those who resonated with his anti-establishment rhetoric, are now being directed to place their hopes for change in Trump's hands.
This call to action was designed to mobilize Kennedy’s base, ensuring that their political energy is redirected toward Trump’s candidacy. It represents a final step in Kennedy’s transformation from an independent contender to a vocal Trump supporter.
Former First Lady Melania Trump has announced her upcoming memoir, titled "Melania," which she says will provide readers with "the truth" about her experiences.
In a promotional video released on Thursday, Mrs. Trump described the book as a "deeply personal and reflective journey," addressing what she considers "misrepresentation" during her time in the public eye.
According to The New York Post, the memoir is set for release on October 8, 2024, less than a month before the upcoming presidential election. Mrs. Trump, who has often been portrayed as a private individual thrust into the spotlight, emphasized her desire to clarify facts and share her perspective. The 54-year-old former model, born in what is now Slovenia, married Donald Trump in 2005 and found herself navigating the complex world of American politics during her husband's presidency.
Melania Trump, born in present-day Slovenia, worked as a fashion model before marrying Donald Trump in 2005. Her tenure as First Lady has been marked by scrutiny, with the public often speculating about her role in the White House.
She maintained a lower profile compared to previous First Ladies, appearing at some high-profile events while missing others. This inconsistency led to rumors and gossip about her involvement and interest in political affairs.
Melania has faced various controversies throughout her time in the public eye, many stemming from leaks and disclosures by former aides. These incidents have further contributed to what she describes as a skewed narrative of her time as First Lady.
The upcoming memoir will provide her version of events that have led to her portrayal in the media. One of the most infamous moments occurred when Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former advisor, recorded and leaked a conversation in which Melania expressed frustration over her duties related to White House Christmas decorations.
In that recording, Melania Trump was overheard complaining about working “my ass off” on Christmas arrangements, questioning why it was necessary. Her words sparked public outrage, especially given her role in organizing traditional holiday events. Another controversy involved Stephanie Grisham, a former White House press secretary, who revealed a text exchange with Melania during the January 6 Capitol riot. When asked if she would issue a statement condemning the violence, Melania reportedly replied simply, “No.”
As Donald Trump prepares to run for president once again, facing off against Vice President Kamala Harris in November, Melania’s memoir release comes at a strategically significant time. The book’s October 8 launch date places it just weeks before the election, potentially drawing renewed attention to the former First Lady.
Melania has made it clear that this memoir is a personal project, stating that it has been a reflective journey for her. The book is available for preorder at $40, with signed copies priced at $75. While she has generally avoided the political limelight, her proximity to Donald Trump’s political career has often thrust her into public discussions. Her memoir may provide an opportunity to set the record straight on these matters.
In her public comments, Melania expressed the importance of sharing her truth, noting that as a private person, she feels a responsibility to correct false impressions. This project will give readers an in-depth look at her life from her own perspective.
Melania’s time in the White House was marked by moments of both public service and personal controversy, with her reserved nature often fueling public curiosity. She has now taken control of her narrative with this memoir.
Melania Trump’s memoir, “Melania,” will be available on October 8, just weeks before her husband’s crucial face-off with Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Former President Donald Trump has announced that his youngest son, Barron Trump, will be attending New York University's Stern School of Business.
The news was revealed in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Online, where the proud father shared details about Barron's college choice and future plans.
Barron, who recently turned 18 and graduated from Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida, in May, was reportedly accepted to numerous colleges. However, he ultimately chose NYU's prestigious Stern School of Business, known for its highly selective undergraduate program.
Donald Trump expressed his enthusiasm for Barron's decision, praising his son's intelligence and the quality of the chosen institution. He stated:
He's a very smart guy, and he'll be going to Stern, the business school, which is a great school at N.Y.U.
The former president also mentioned that Barron had considered following in his father's footsteps by attending the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. However, Barron ultimately opted for NYU, with Trump citing the school's high quality and his son's preference for the institution.
NYU's Stern School of Business is renowned for its rigorous academic program and competitive admission process. With an acceptance rate of approximately 5%, it is one of the most selective undergraduate business programs in the country. The school boasts notable alumni, including former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and Home Depot co-founder Kenneth Langone.
Trump revealed that Barron plans to continue playing soccer while in college, a sport he has been passionate about for years. The young Trump has previously played for one of DC United's youth teams, showcasing his dedication to the sport.
As the first boy to grow up in the White House since John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1963, Barron Trump has lived through numerous public events and scrutiny. His mother, Melania Trump, has been known to be highly protective of her son, shielding him from the media spotlight as much as possible during his father's presidency.
The move to NYU will mark a significant transition for Barron as he steps into a more independent role as a college student. The campus's proximity to Trump Tower in Manhattan, where Barron spent much of his childhood before his father became president, may provide a sense of familiarity during this new chapter of his life.
In the same interview, Donald Trump shared insights into Barron's involvement in his current presidential campaign. The former president highlighted his son's understanding of social media and influencer culture, describing him as a crucial link to younger voters.
Trump explained how Barron has helped connect the campaign with popular Gen Z influencers and podcasters, mentioning:
He knows so much about it. Adin Ross, you know, I mean, I do some people that I wasn't so familiar with, different generation. He knows every one of them. And we've had tremendous success.
This revelation sheds light on the evolving roles within the Trump family and how they are adapting to reach new audiences in the digital age.
Barron Trump's decision to attend NYU's Stern School of Business marks a significant milestone in his academic journey. The former president's pride in his son's achievements and the insights into Barron's role in the campaign provide a glimpse into the family's dynamics. As Barron transitions from life in the White House to college, his choice of NYU reflects both his academic ambitions and his connection to New York City.