Senate passes critical funding package to end historic GOVT shutdown: What you need to know
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Senate passed HR 5371 tiled, “Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026,” on November 10 with a 60-40 vote, and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration on Wednesday, November 12. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history could end Wednesday if […]
Trump targets ‘Fat Cat’ insurers, wants to redirect billions in ACA subsidies directly to Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C.—One major issue of contention in the current government shutdown debate is over ACA exchange subsidies—premium tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025. Democrat lawmakers are pushing for a one-year or longer extension of these enhanced subsidies to maintain affordability for millions of enrollees, while Republican lawmakers are proposing to redirect […]
Seattle’s SEATAC airport one of 40 airports nationally to reduce flights amid gov. shut down
SEATAC—Seattle/Tacoma International airport (SEATAC), Washington State’s largest airport, is just one of 40 airports nationally to receive a 10% reduction in flights this Friday, November 7, amid the ongoing government shutdown. The announcement came on Wednesday, November 5, by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy who cited air traffic control safety concerns as the reason. Wednesday […]
Lawmakers point fingers over government shutdown while blue-collar people suffer
WASHINGTON D.C.—At 35 days and counting, the current government shutdown now ties the record for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Both Democrats and Republicans are placing the blame across the aisles claiming the opposite side is responsible for federal workers not being paid and millions of Americans left without food assistance, heat, and […]
DelBene: Trump, GOP holding emergency SNAP funds over politics
Earlier this year, Marysville resident Gail Nigro was experiencing health problems and needed some extra assistance to keep food on the table and pay her health care bills. She signed up for Washington’s Basic Food program, the name we give to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to help her buy groceries. Gail is […]
Unemployment claims roll in from laid-off feds in Washington state
[WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD]—More than 1,600 federal workers in Washington state have filed for unemployment benefits since the government shutdown began at the start of October. Of the 1,625 claims the state Employment Security Department had received by Tuesday, 411 had been paid. The rest were pending. The state’s goal is no more than 21 days […]
Larsen Op-Ed: Republicans in Congress are doubling down on a health care crisis of their own making
At a time when families are already struggling with high prices and a weak job market, Republicans in Congress are doubling down on a health care crisis of their own making. Deep Medicaid cuts, major changes to Medicare coverage, and the pending expiration of essential health care tax credits are creating immense uncertainty in the […]
Government shutdown looming; what could this mean for Washington?
WASHINGTON D.C.—A government shutdown could occur on Saturday, December 21 unless Democrats and Republicans agree to a new federal spending bill that requires Congressional approval by Friday, December 20, just before midnight. The government’s current federal spending bill is set to expire on December 21 at midnight unless. Congressional leaders presented a stopgap measure Thursday […]
McCarthy ousted, Pelosi evicted, what’s next in that game of congressional musical chairs
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 3, 2023—Representative Matt Gaetz (FL-01) led a revolt that successfully ousted fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) as Speaker of the House. This is the first time in U.S. history that a speaker has been removed in a no-confidence vote. “Kevin McCarthy couldn’t keep his word,” Representative Gaetz told reporters outside of the […]
