Washington Today

On Day Three of the federal government shutdown, the Senate votes for a fourth time on the same Republican and Democratic proposals and again each fails to reach the 60 votes required to pass; President Donald Trump posts a video depicting OMB Russell Vought as the Grim Reaper as the president considers widespread layoffs of federal workers now on furlough with the government shutdown; Director Vought announces on X over $2 billion in federal funding for transit projects in Chicago is being suspended due to concerns about 'race-based contracting'; Labor Department jobs report for September that would have come out today did not because of the government shutdown; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he directed, on President Donald Trump's orders, a lethal strike against a drug smuggling boat off the coast of Venezuela that the Secretary says was "affiliated with Designated Terrorist Organizations", and that four people onboard were killed; President Trump says Hamas has agreed to the peace plan with Israel and he and the Israeli Prime Minister presented, after President Trump sets a deadline for Hamas or , 'all hell' will 'break out'; Senate Republicans block a Democratic request to extend a cybersecurity law that expired with the end of the fiscal year on Wednesday that provides legal protections for critical infrastructure like electrical grids, transportation, and communications to share cyber intelligence with the federal government and each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Day Two of the federal government shutdown and zero chance it will be settled today, with the Senate not conducting votes because of the Jewish holiday. Republicans and Democrats are again trading accusations over which party is at fault for the impasse, and debate over health care continues, including the Republican accusation that Democrats want to provide care for illegal immigrants; President Donald Trump posts that he is meeting with OMB Director Russell Vought to see which "Democrat Agencies" might be cut. President says the "Radical Left Democrats" gave him an "unprecedented opportunity" with the government shutdown; Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) talks about how the federal government shutdown is affecting the people of his state; Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) and Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA) on the government shutdown's impact on the many federal workers in their districts; Israel intercepts an international aid flotilla heading to Gaza; we remember conservationist Jane Goodall, best known for her work with chimpanzees, who has died at age 91. We will hear her from a 2020 appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, from C-SPAN's video library. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Day one of the federal government shutdown, with hundreds of thousands of federal workers on furlough, White House preparing for layoffs, some government services suspended and both parties blaming the other. We will hear from the Vice President JD Vance, Congressional leaders, and some rank-and-file Members of Congress explaining the situation to their constituents; Health care is one of the key issues in the shutdown. Democrats say Republicans are refusing to extend help to keep millions from seeing insurance costs skyrocket. Republicans say Democrats want to give health care to illegal immigrants. We will talk to Newsweek Politics Reporter Daniel Gooding about his 'fact check' article (20); Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) talks about help his state is providing to those hurt by the federal government shutdown; Trump Administration says $18 billion for two big infrastructure projects in New York, for a commuter train tunnel under the Hudson River and Second Avenue subway line, is being withheld to investigate what the Transportation Department calls “discriminatory, unconstitutional contracting processes” involving Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI); a nominee for a seat on the National Labor Relations Board who is currently chief labor counsel for Boeing gets tough questions at a Senate confirmation hearing by a Republican Senator about a Boeing union contract dispute; Federalist Society preview of the Supreme Court case challenging President Donald Trump authority to impose global reciprocal tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal government shutdown is looking like it is going to happen with President Donald Trump and Republicans and Democrats in Congress sticking to their positions about what must be included and not included in a funding extension, and no compromise agreement in sight that can get the needed 60 votes in the Senate to pass; President Trump and Pfizer CEO announce a deal to sell Pfizer prescription drugs at lower prices to Medicaid patients; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump tell hundreds of senior U.S. military officials meeting at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia there will now be “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness and “woke” culture in the military is over. President Trump also says he wants the military to use U.S. crime-ridden cities as training grounds; A Senate hearing on the Quiet Skies airline passenger screening program and allegations of weaponization by the Biden Administration, with people put on terrorist watch lists for political reasons and not because of any real threat to public safety; British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool that Great Britain faces a "battle for the soul of the country" against the rise of the populist far right represented by UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), along with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) all meet at the White House to try to reach a deal to keep the federal government open past Tuesday night. President Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce a plan to end the war in Gaza. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield (D) sues the federal government to stop President Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Portland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a discussion with former Democratic Congressmen Tim Roemer – and Republican Congressman Charles Boustany from the non-profit group Issue One -- on efforts to reduce political polarization in the U.S. Then, Former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler discusses the Jimmy Kimmel controversy and the role the agency plays in what stations can broadcast on U.S. airwaves. Finally, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses the administration's new policy approach on vaccine policy and autism research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Congress is out of session, and President Donald Trump spent the day in New York at the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Washington Today look at some of the major stories this past week, including: *Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted for lying to Congress. President Trump says it is justice and not revenge against a political opponent. *Deadly shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas leads to more bipartisan calls for an end to politically-inspired violence. *Chances grow for a federal government will shut down with Republicans and Democrats seemingly far apart on a funding deal. *FDA warns that using pain reliever acetaminophen in Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of autism. President Trump goes further, saying 'don't take Tylenol if you are pregnant.' *United Nations General Assembly meets to hear speeches from President Trump and other world leaders. Today, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, but not before a mass walkout of delegates in protest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

White House prepares for widespread layoffs of federal workers at government agencies if there is a government shutdown starting October 1st, the new fiscal year. We will hear from the House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, President Donald Trump, and talk with Reuters congressional reporter Bo Erickson (10); President Trump signs a deal to facilitate the sale of TikTok from a Chinese-based company to a group of American investors; Texas law enforcement says the 29 year old who open fired at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, killing one person, wounding two more, wrote a note that said “hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror”; Turkey's President visits the White House Oval Office. President Trump calls on Turkey to stop buying Russian oil. The two also talk about Turkey buying U.S. F-35 fighter planes; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas tells the UN General Assembly that Hamas would not be part of governing a future Palestine state; Actor Matt Damon speaks the Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York City about his non-profit's work to bring clean water to as many people as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A gunman kills two detainees at an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas in what the FBI Director Kash Patel says looks like a politically motivated attack. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) says of this, and other recent attacks, "This violence is wrong and needs to stop"; ABC late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returns to the airwaves after being suspended over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's murder, and his monologue gets tens of millions of online views; former President Bill Clinton talks about the importance of freedom of speech and freedom of the press at Clinton Global Initiative Conference and warns partisan disagreements have become so deep they are threatening the country as a whole; Adelita Grijalva (D) wins a special election for the U.S. House seat in Arizona held by her late father until his death earlier this year; Ben Carson, former HUD Secretary, takes a job as National Nutrition Adviser in the Trump Administration; NASA astronauts going to the moon in early 2026 talk about their mission; presidents of Ukraine and Iran speak at the United Nations General Assembly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening the 80th session of the United Nations on his “America First” agenda, criticizing the UN for being ineffective at preventing or stopping wars and Europe for his immigration policies; President also meets in New York City with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and in a post said Ukraine should be able to win the war against Russia and get all its land back; President Trump cancels a meeting with the House and Senate Democratic leaders to discuss federal government funding, a week before the deadline to prevent a shutdown, amid a standoff over the Democrats' insistence of including health care funding provisions; Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tells a Chamber of Commerce in Rhode Island there is no risk-free path in deciding interest rate policy to balance lowering inflation and increasing job growth; "107 Days", the memoir from former Vice President Kamala Harris, 2024 dem presidential nominee, goes on sale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump joins federal health officials to announce that pain reliever acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, used by pregnant women, is linked to rising cases of autism, and that the drug Leucovorin is a potential treatment for autism; Disney says late night host Jimmy Kimmel is returning to the air on ABC, less than a week after his show was suspended over Kimmel's comments on the Trump Administration reaction to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; White House says President Trump has every right to voice his frustration that his political opponents who brought criminal charges against him, including NY Attorney General Letitia James, have not yet been charged with crimes themselves; leaders of France & Great Britain announce recognition of Palestine as an independent country as they criticize how Israel has conducted the war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel's Ambassador to the UN calls the recognition 'theater' 'detached from reality'; new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks at the UN Security Council for the first time, condemning Russia for sending its fighter planes over Estonian airspace; NASA announces the newest class of astronaut candidates who could one day fly on missions to the moon and Mars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a conversation on how Americans are viewing the economy right now with Heather Long - Washington Post columnist and chief economist for Navy Federal Credit Union. Then, we speak with National Constitution Center President & CEO Jeffrey Rosen about the history and significance of Constitution Day – commemorated earlier this week -- and the role the founding document continues to play in current political debates. Finally, former Centers for Disease Control & Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden discusses the Trump administration's approach to vaccines – and public health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate fails to pass two versions of a government funding extension to avoid a shutdown At the end of the month: a Republican one that the House passed today that funds the government for another 7 weeks, and a Democratic one that does that but also extends Obamacare insurance subsidies; House passes a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot and killed, and condemn all political violence, but about half the House Democrats vote no & present or skip the vote, pointing to Kirk's political positions; In the investigation of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, House Oversight Committee hears from Alex Acosta, former U.S. Attorney for South Florida, who negotiated a plea deal with Epstein in 2008; A federal vaccine advisory panel votes to tighten requirements for the coronavirus vaccine, make changes to the MMRV vaccine guidelines and postpone action on Hepatitis B. We will talk about it with New York Times Science and global health reporter Apoorva Mandavilli (35); Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at the Pentagon's National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the final day of his state visit to Great Britain. The two announce what they call a "U.K.-U.S. Tech Prosperity Deal" and answer questions at a news conference about the wars in Ukraine & Gaza. We hear from the leaders and talk about the state visit with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles (13); President Trump praises ABC's suspension of late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, at the prodding of the FCC Chair, for the host's comments about Republicans' reaction to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Democrats are saying this is the latest example of the president stifling dissent; House debates a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, and condemn political violence of all stripes; Washington, DC's Mayor, Council Chair and Attorney General testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee about crime in the DC and the effect of President Trump's federalization of the DC police and surge of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops; Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announces that, for the first time, an organization that distributes donated organs has been decertified for unsafe practices, administrative errors and underperformance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal Reserve announces an interest rate cut of a quarter percentage point, lowering borrowing costs for the first time since December. Newest Fed Governor Stephen Miran, who has taken a leave of absence from his job as chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, votes for a bigger cut of 0.5%; U.S. House begins work on the federal government funding extension to prevent a shutdown at the end of the month, debating and voting a resolution to set the rules for House floor debate on the funding measure itself; Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Susan Monarez tells the Senate Health Committee that she was fired by Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for refusing to provide "blanket approval" for changes to vaccine recommendation not supported by science. She says, "Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology"; President Donald Trump & First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed for their state visit to Great Britain by the King & Queen with a carriage ride on the grounds of Windsor Castle, a military parade, RAF flyover, a chapel choir, and a lavish banquet; FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about the Epstein files and politically-inspired violence; Former President Barack Obama discusses the current political climate after the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee about accusations the agency is being politicized, whether all the Epstein files will be released and his handling of the investigation into the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; Utah County's Attorney General says the suspect in the Kirk shooting is being charged with aggravated murder, with an aggravating factor that Kirk was targeted for his political beliefs, and the state will pursue the death penalty; Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), who was targeted for his views, calls on all political violence to be condemned; U.S. House to vote on an additional $30 million for additional security for members of Congress and $28 million for Supreme Court Justices; House Republicans present a 7-week temporary federal government spending bill to prevent a shutdown at the end of the month, but Democrats are opposing it because it does not make changes they are seeking to healthcare programs; House takes up a bill to allow 14 year old defendants in Washington, DC charged with violent crimes to be tried as adults; President Donald Trump flies to Great Britain for a state visit; reaction to Israel's ground assault on Gaza City; actor and activist Robert Redford has died. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump announces he’s sending the National Guard into Memphis, Tennessee to combat crime; Vice President JD Vance host the late Charlie Kirk's daily radio show; talks continue in Congress to keep the government open and funded past the end of the month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First – we chat with Punchbowl News congressional reporter Max Cohen about the prospects for a potential government shutdown in a few short weeks – and the political and policy obstacles to a potential deal. Then: Vaccine expert Dr. Paul Offit discusses his recent removal from the FDA vaccine advisory committee – and his concerns about Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's leadership at HHS. Finally: a conversation with Republican Mike Bost of Illinois - Chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee-- on this week's 9/11 anniversary, veterans' issues, and the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) announces the arrest in the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk of 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson of Utah; President Donald Trump says he will send National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, the next city he is targeting with federal resources to reduce crime; former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre gives a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee in its investigation of former President Biden's mental fitness while in office; The Hill's health care reporter Nathaniel Weixel on President Trump's Executive Order signed this week targeting pharmaceutical drug TV ads (30); NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Alexus Grynkevich launch "Eastern Sentry," a boost in military assets on the Eastern front in response to Russian drones flying into Polish airspace this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBI releases photos of a person of interest in the shooting death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and asks the public for help in identifying him. FBI also gives an update on the evidence recovered so far, including the suspected firearm used; President Donald Trump announces he will award Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom; House & Senate Democratic Leaders are asked about President Trump blaming the shooting on the 'radical left'; solemn ceremonies on this 24th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero in New York City, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; Gen. Christopher Mahoney, Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chair nominee, is asked at his Senate confirmation hearing about handling a potential order from President Trump to deploy more U.S. troops to more U.S. cities to fight crime; Senate Republicans unilaterally change the rules to make it easier to confirm President Trump's nominees; bipartisan group of Senators introduce a bill to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism over its kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children; Herschel Walker, former professional football star & Republican nominee for U.S. Senator, testifies at his Senate hearing as nominee for U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices