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Tag: federal government shutdown

  • Five stories defined the defined the DC-area in 2025 – WTOP News

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    1/5

    Demonstrators rally in support of federal workers outside of the Department of Health and Human Services, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in D.C.
    (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

    #1: Federal layoffs and job cuts

    Back in January, President Donald Trump tapped billionaire Elon Musk to lead what was called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The stated goal was to cut fraud, waste and abuse by downsizing the federal workforce.

    DOGE’s efforts led hundreds of thousands of federal workers to leave their jobs through layoffs, firings or the “deferred resignation” program.

    “When we look January to June, there’s been a huge drop in federal employment in the region. It’s down 4.5%,” said Tracy Hadden Loh, a fellow with the Brookings Institution.

    Loh and Terry Clower, the director of the Schar School’s Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, said there are still a lot of unknowns since detailed local third quarter labor data likely won’t be released until next month.

    “The DOGE cuts and the actions of the Trump administration have hit the region very quickly,” Clower said.

    WTOP’s Kate Ryan reports on the impact DOGE has had on the local economy.

    Read the full story here.


    Military Aviation Mishaps
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    Rescue and salvage crews pull up airplane wreckage of an American Airlines jet in the Potomac River from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Feb. 3, 2025, in Arlington, Va.
    (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

    #2: Midair crash near DCA

    The midair collision near Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29 involving an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter killed all 64 aboard the jet, and the three-person chopper crew.

    The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the crash was caused by a combination of altitude misreporting, the D.C. area’s congested airspace and communication failures. The chopper’s altimeter was underreporting the helicopter’s altitude, so the crew believed they were flying at the appropriate level, which put the chopper directly in the approach path of the jet.

    The FAA permanently banned nonessential helicopter flights in critical DCA airspace, with exceptions only for medevac, law enforcement, presidential or urgent missions.

    WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reports on how the crash changed D.C.’s airspace.

    Read the full story here on Tuesday.


    Government Shutdown
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    A sign that reads “Closed due to federal government shutdown,” is seen outside of the National Gallery of Art on the 6th day of the government shutdown, in Washington, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.
    (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

    #3: Federal government shutdown

    There have been a growing number of government shutdowns in recent years, but none has lasted longer than the one that dragged on for 43 days in the fall of 2025.

    The shutdown had a major impact, causing more than a million federal employees to work without pay, millions of Americans to lose their food assistance when SNAP benefits ran out and widespread disruptions in air travel.

    The U.S. House was also out of session during the duration of the shutdown, bringing all legislative action to a halt.

    The government shutdown, while decried by Republicans and Democrats, was used by both parties to try to achieve their policy goals — a method that usually fails.

    Democrats pressed to get subsidies extended for the Affordable Care Act that would prevent insurance premiums from soaring for millions of Americans in January.

    Ultimately, Senate Majority Leader and South Dakota Sen. John Thune agreed to a vote on extending the subsidies, which failed in the Senate.

    The subsidies are set to expire on Dec. 31, and Congress potentially faces another shutdown showdown when federal funds run out on Jan. 30.

    WTOP’s Mitchell Miller reports on how the 2025 federal government shutdown opened the doors for potentially more in the future.

    Read the full story on Wednesday.


    FBN Commanders Stadium
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    Washington Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris, from left, signs a helmet along with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after an announcement about a new home for the NFL football team on the site of the old RFK Stadium, Monday, April 28, 2025, at the National Press Club in D.C.
    (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

    #4: Washington Commanders stadium deal

    D.C. scored big this year. After months of tense negotiations, the D.C. Council voted to bring the Washington Commanders back home with a new stadium at the former RFK Stadium site.

    The first vote in August passed 9-3, and after some last-minute drama, the final vote in September sealed the deal.

    “Washington, D.C., residents are winning,” said Council member Kenyan McDuffie.

    Demolition of the old RFK Stadium is already underway, and the site will be cleared for construction by fall 2026. The new roofed stadium is expected to open in 2030, marking the largest private investment in city history.

    WTOP’s Mike Murillo reports on what to expect with the development of a new sports stadium in the nation’s capital.

    Read the full story here on Thursday.


    Trump District of Columbia
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    District of Columbia National Guard members park near the Washington Monument Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in D.C.
    (Kyle Cooper/WTOP News via AP)

    #5: Federal law enforcement surge in DC

    President Donald Trump activated hundreds of National Guard members and described a plan for federal oversight of D.C.’s police department on Aug. 11.

    While city leaders touted significant drops in violent crime before the effort, Trump said the plan would, in part, be “getting rid of the slums.” He also criticized the maintenance of city streets and parks, highlighting graffiti and potholes.

    The crime emergency ended after 30 days, after Congress declined to extend it. White House data described drops in violent crime categories.

    D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an executive order outlining the city’s path for federal collaboration after the emergency declaration ended in the fall, but signs of the surge remain. As of early December, there were over 2,700 National Guard troops assigned to patrol the city, according to data from the Joint Task Force.

    During the week of Thanksgiving, West Virginia National Guard members Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom were shot near Farragut Square. Beckstrom died in the shooting, and Wolfe was critically injured. In the days after, D.C. police teamed up with Guard members to patrol city streets.

    There’s an ongoing court battle over whether the military presence in D.C. is legal, and whether the deployment can continue. Guard members are reportedly expected to remain in D.C. through at least February.

    WTOP’s Scott Gelman reports on the August federal law enforcement surge and how the takeover of the District’s police force still echoes months later.

    Read the full story here on Friday.

    WTOP’s Ciara Wells, Kate Ryan, Neal Augenstein, Mitchell Miller, Mike Murillo and Scott Gelman contributed to this report.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Ciara Wells

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  • ‘Huge difference’: DC businesses feel impact of National Zoo’s closure — and reopening – WTOP News

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    A bakery near the National Zoo is celebrating the impending return of zoo visitors after seeing a drop in foot traffic and sales during the government shutdown.

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    National Zoo reopens, bringing relief to Cleveland Park businesses

    The District’s Cleveland Park neighborhood lives and breathes around the Smithsonian National Zoo and its pandas.

    But for the past 40-odd days, businesses around the zoo have faced a diminishing wave of customers due to the zoo’s closure during the federal government shutdown.

    In recent years, new shops along Connecticut Avenue have leaned into the panda theme, hoping to capture some of the millions of people who normally visit the D.C. zoo each year.

    One longtime neighborhood staple is Baked by Yael, a nut-free, kosher bakery that specializes in bagels and “Panda Pops.”

    “The zoo has the cute animals. They go see the animals, and then they come across the street to us. And if the zoo is closed, they’re not coming,” said Yael Krigman, the owner and president of Baked by Yael.

    She’s no stranger to navigating uncertain times. Last year, her business took a hit when D.C.’s pandas temporarily left the area.

    “We’ve been making Panda Pops throughout the entire shutdown, because everybody needs a little joy, even during a government shutdown,” Krigman added.

    Even with strong community support, the impact was clear.

    “We’ve been very lucky that we have the support of a community around us, and so we’ve definitely had some foot traffic,” Krigman said.

    But Krigman said the bakery missed out on potential business from the missing zoo visitors. Last year, about 1.6 million people checked out the National Zoo.

    “There’s a huge difference,” Krigman said. “We pay rent to be across the street from the National Zoo. When the zoo is closed, our sales go down significantly. There’s no walk-in traffic.”

    And this is not the first government shutdown her bake shop has had to weather.

    “Sadly, this is not our first government shutdown, so we are accustomed to pivoting and hustling,” Krigman said. “We stay in business no matter what the government is doing. Whether they’re at work or not, we are at work.”

    During this latest shutdown — just as in 2019 — Baked by Yael offered free meals to zookeepers and treats and bagels to federal workers.

    “We’re really happy that the government is open and that the zoo is going to be open, and that is a huge relief for all of us,” Krigman told WTOP. “But we work non-stop no matter what.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Abigail Constantino

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  • Overloaded email inboxes and other challenges face federal employees as they return to work – WTOP News

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    With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history now over, federal employees are returning to work. But, as they do so, a range of emotions are bubbling up.

    With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history now over, federal employees are returning to work. But, as they do so, a range of emotions are bubbling up.

    Some workers say they are relieved or anxious to start doing their jobs again, while others are uncertain that another shutdown could be coming in January. Some are also frustrated this partisan fight took place.

    Federal Trade Commission attorneys Sam and Maya, who asked WTOP not to use their last names, returned to the office Thursday — their first time back in more than six weeks.

    “It feels great. It feels good to be working again. It feels good to be doing the important work that we weren’t able to do for the past five to six weeks,” Maya said.

    “I think people are generally happy to be back at work and doing public service, which is why we’re all on the jobs,” Sam said.

    But the first hours back on the job were not without some mistakes.

    They said most employees weren’t notified until late Wednesday that they were expected back in the office Thursday morning. And, managers used their government emails to reach out to employees.

    “We’re not supposed to be checking our phone at all during the shutdown,” Sam said.

    “The fact that it was only communicated through work email with less than 12 hours’ notice was surprising, but everybody did come back,” Maya added.

    The two attorneys said they consider themselves fortunate because, during the shutdown, they did not experience some of the financial problems thousands of other federal workers had to go through.

    “We spent time with friends and family,” she said.

    “That’s how we survived for six weeks,” he said. “We took long walks. We’re attorneys, so we weren’t suffering completely by the lack of pay.”

    “The uncertainty is difficult for sure, but like I said, I’m glad it all worked out and then we’re back to work,” Maya said.

    But, the legislation President Donald Trump signed Wednesday only funds the government until the end of January.

    “I do think that there are some questions about the fact that we have until the end of January before this could possibly happen again,” Maya said.

    Playing catch up

    During the 43-day shutdown, federal office buildings in D.C. and around the country sat empty, but emails, voicemails and calendar invitations were still coming in.

    One federal employee said she felt fortunate not to have a completely stuffed inbox: “More like 200. But I worked through them this morning.”

    Another man said he had at least 600 emails in his inbox. Some were time sensitive and will be deleted.

    A federal employee standing outside his office said he was deemed an essential worker and kept sending emails to colleagues during the shutdown. “I probably sent emails to dozens and dozens of people who I know they were not working, but part of the process is that we’re continuing to do what we need to do,” he said.

    An FTC attorney admitted it may take a couple of days for everyone to get back into the workplace routine.

    “You haven’t paid attention to it for five weeks or so, there is a lot of recalling where you were in your work,” she said. “Pretty much back to normal. Honestly, we’re just working through.”

    Another employee, an FTC attorney, said he’s thrilled to be back at work and expects he’ll be putting in some long days to catch up.

    “Everybody is glad to be back. It’s been frustrating, having stuff pile up and not getting it done. Everybody is happy to be back at work,” he said. “You just got to go through and prioritize, figure out what’s most important to do first and work your way through the list.”

    A Housing and Urban Development employee, who joined the government two years ago after a successful career in the private sector, said she’s not sure which workforce she prefers.

    “I came from the private sector, so I don’t have any experience with this,” the woman said. “No, they just lay you off.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Dan Ronan

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  • Floridians get a preview of skyrocketing healthcare premiums as Democrats hold the line

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    Nathan Boye, a father of three from Orlando, doesn’t usually like being in the spotlight. “But I’ve been told my story matters,” he told reporters at a press conference Monday. See, Boye is currently enrolled in a health insurance plan he bought through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, like roughly 4.7 million others in Florida and upward of 24 million Americans nationwide. 

    It’s more affordable for him than employer-provided insurance, currently costing just $28 a month. As someone living with diabetes, a chronic and potentially life-threatening illness, Boye relies on health insurance that’s affordable in order to maintain access to the medications he needs to stay alive. “To be blunt,” he explained, with a shrug.

    But that could change very soon, if the ACA tax credits that are currently at the center of a federal funding showdown expire at the end of the year. Boye showed reporters a letter he received from his insurance provider Florida Blue over the weekend, warning him of upcoming changes to his health plan.

    If he keeps the same health plan that he currently pays $28 per month for, in a couple of months’ time, his monthly premium could skyrocket to more than $700, according to the letter. “I’m going to be forced to make impossible choices that, I mean, essentially means that I could survive another day,” said Boye. “No family should have to face that.”

    Nathan Boye, a father of three with diabetes, speaks at a press conference organized by Congressman Maxwell Frost on expiring ACA tax credits and the government shutdown. (Nov. 3, 2025) Credit: McKenna Schueler

    Boye spoke at a press conference organized by U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Orlando, who has for weeks called on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to summon House members back to Washington, D.C., so they can negotiate a funding agreement on healthcare like adults. 

    “We can even step away from the policy disagreement or agreement, just talk about the fact that Congress has been out of session for over 40 days. … We don’t even have to talk about blame,” said Frost, referring to the consistent finger-pointing that has taken place between Republicans and Democrats.

    Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has argued it’s in Senate Democrats’ hands to reach a deal on federal funding and allow the government to reopen. Frost believes that line of thinking “makes zero sense.”

    “Mike Johnson says the House of Representatives will not go to work until the government opens. The government will not open unless we go to work to open up the government,” Frost said. “I mean, it makes absolutely zero sense.” His far-right colleague, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, has similarly called Johnson’s failure to bring them back to work “embarrassing.”

    “I have no problem pointing fingers at everyone. And the worst thing that I, that I just can’t get over, is we’re not working right now. And I put that criticism directly on the speaker of the House,” Greene said during an appearance on ABC News program The View.

    According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan think tank, an estimated 93 percent of Americans who buy insurance through the ACA marketplace — roughly 22 million — currently benefit from these enhanced tax credits that are set to expire at the end of 2025. 

    Without those tax credits, health insurance costs for ACA plans (also known as Obamacare) are expected to go up hundreds or even thousands of dollars for low- and middle-income earners per year, just in premiums alone. The Orlando Sentinel reported over the weekend that locals like Boye are already getting “sticker shock” from health insurance renewal letters they’re receiving in the mail.

    Eric Rollings, another Orlando local who’s self-employed (and the former chair of the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District board), told reporters Monday that he faces a roughly 113 percent healthcare premium hike to his Florida Blue health plan — from $581.25 per month to $1,238.97 per month come Jan. 1. “Just six weeks ago, I joined 1.2 million people who have received a heart stent in the past year. I don’t have an option to go without insurance,” he said.

    The medication his doctor prescribes for him, a common medication for those who have gone through a heart stent procedure, is “essential,” but costs over $2,600 a month for a 180-day supply without insurance.

    “I think that this is a really insane and hurtful increase,” Rollings admitted. “And for me, for my friends that own businesses and restaurants, I want to apologize in advance, because I’m probably not going to be able to see you, at least for the time being, because I don’t know where this is going.”

    Eric Rollings, a constituent of Congressman Maxwell Frost, faces a 113% healthcare premium spike next year if ACA tax credits expire. Credit: McKenna Schueler

    The federal government shutdown that has highlighted this sharp rise in healthcare premiums began Oct. 1 and is on its way to becoming the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The ACA enhanced tax credits at stake were first established in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and reportedly spurred a significant increase in the number of people enrolled in health insurance.

    Healthcare advocates have warned that, if the tax credits do expire, an estimated 4 to 5 million Americans will lose coverage in 2026, due to unaffordability. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” enacted in July, already started “the destruction of our healthcare system,” Frost shared, referring to the millions of Americans who are expected to lose their Medicaid coverage over the next decade, plus the legislation’s anticipated impacts on nursing homes, hospitals and community health centers.

    Rising health insurance costs also come amid an ongoing affordability crisis, said State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, who also joined Frost’s press conference. 

    Smith has filed legislation for consideration by Florida lawmakers in 2026 that would cap insulin costs at $35 per month — something a growing number of states have already done — and guarantee 12 weeks of paid parental leave for state employees, if passed. Rental costs in Orange County are also up at least 30 percent since 2020, and lawmakers have filed a slew of bills that aim to address homeowners’ property insurance woes this next year, too.

    “These [ACA] subsidies have been a lifeline to these families,” said Smith. He also renewed Florida Democrats’ call for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to tap into emergency state funding to provide food assistance for Florida’s nearly 3 million SNAP recipients. 

    Benefits for the federal Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, sometimes called “food stamps,” have been frozen this month as the USDA claims that funding for the program has run out.

    And while the Trump administration has been ordered by a federal judge to tap into its own contingency funds to fund SNAP during the government shutdown, the administration has only agreed to pay up to 50 percent of benefits for households, and it’s still unclear when that will actually trickle down to Florida’s recipients.

    Local hunger relief organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank and United Against Poverty are currently scrambling to pick up the slack.

    “Under state law, [DeSantis] can declare a state of emergency on food insecurity, and he can tap into the nearly $5 billion of our state’s rainy day fund to temporarily cover the cost of SNAP benefits that are not currently available,” Smith said. DeSantis has renewed a state of emergency on immigration over a dozen times, and Smith said the governor should recognize the same urgency here, too.

    “When he renewed that state — so-called ‘state of emergency’ — he tapped into over $300 million in public money to build the Everglades detention camp that they called Alligator Alcatraz,” Smith pointed out. “Why can’t he declare a state of emergency on food insecurity to make sure that children across the state of Florida are fed?” He asked. “It is about priorities.”

    DeSantis has rejected Democrats’ calls to declare a state of emergency over the issue. However, on Monday, DeSantis did vaguely commit to mobilizing the state agriculture department to assist in food aid, without providing specifics on how that would work. 

    Florida Democrats on Tuesday, meanwhile, renewed their call for the Republican governor, pointing to the recent action taken by the Trump administration to commit half.

    “Now that the courts have ordered Washington to pay half of SNAP benefits, the governor has even less of an excuse to ignore our calls for a State of Emergency on food insecurity,” said Senate Democratic leader Lori Berman in a statement.

    “Ron DeSantis has always been more concerned with what’s going on in Washington than how he can help the people of Florida,” she added. “He should join us in being more worried about what he can actually control — keeping Florida’s families fed. Now he can do it at half the price.”

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    The debt relief initiative, made possible through funds from the Biden administration, has relieved medical debt for 302,000 people.

    Nearly 3 million people are expected to lose access to the federal food assistance program

    Florida has the fourth largest SNAP enrollment nationwide with 2.94 million relying on the assistance for food security



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    McKenna Schueler
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  • Big delays at LAX and San Diego airports amid air traffic control staffing shortage

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    Two of Southern California’s busiest airports were experiencing average flight delays of at least an hour Sunday amid air traffic control staffing shortages due to the federal government shutdown.

    The advisories from the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center said the delays were expected to persist through Sunday night.

    The issue was related to “staffing,” the advisories said. For San Diego, the advisory specified an issue with “tower staffing.”

    Delays were expected to increase to nearly 1½ hours for flights heading to LAX between 8 and 10 p.m. At San Diego International Airport, delays were expected to worsen to nearly 1 hour and 20 minutes between 9 and 10 p.m.

    The only other airport nationwide with a ground delay advisory was in New Jersey, where the situation was even worse. Departures to Newark Liberty International Airport were delayed by an average of more than 3½ hours, an advisory said. From 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern time, average delays of 4½ hours were expected.

    Since the federal government shut down on Oct. 1, the FAA has warned of disruption at airports due to staff shortages.

    Air traffic controllers are required to work unpaid when the federal government shuts down and do not obtain retroactive pay until Congress comes to an agreement on a budget.

    Airports across the nation have experienced staff shortages at their air traffic control towers since the shutdown began.

    Times staff writer Stacy Perman contributed to this report.

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    Rong-Gong Lin II

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  • ‘Everyone is doing well’: President Trump praises economy amid layoffs, potential SNAP crisis

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    ‘Everyone is doing well’: President Trump praises economy amid layoffs, potential SNAP crisis

    President Trump promotes economic prosperity during his visit to Japan, while layoffs and a federal shutdown threaten millions back in the U.S.

    Updated: 3:03 PM PDT Oct 28, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ


    White House Correspondent

    President Donald Trump is promoting Japanese companies investing $550 billion in the United States while visiting the East Asian country. The president said the funds would be “at my direction” as part of a trade framework secured with Japan. The president also boasted about the U.S. economy, despite contrasting economic challenges.”Well, everyone in our country is now doing well. My first term, we built the greatest economy in the history of the world. We had an economy like nobody has seen before now. We’re doing it again, but this time, actually, it’s going to be much bigger, much stronger,” Trump said.The president highlighted the stock market reaching all-time highs, but economists point to other indicators that tell a different story. Amazon announced it is cutting 14,000 jobs, UPS is eliminating roughly 48,000 positions and closing more than 90 buildings as part of a turnaround plan, and Target, Ford, and GM have also announced layoffs amid slowing demand. Additionally, the federal government shutdown threatens food aid benefits for more than 40 million Americans as soon as Nov. 1, and September’s CPI data showed prices are rising again just as the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates to support the economy.”I don’t really understand the optimism to be perfectly honest, and I’m a very optimistic, very little of a ‘doomer’ person. We’ve had seven months in a row of contractions and manufacturing output. The labor market cooled to such an extent that it forced the Fed to cut rates in September,” said Jai Kedia from the Cato Institute.President Trump is preparing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the ongoing U.S.–China trade war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two countries have reached a “very successful framework” ahead of their summit, covering tariffs, rare-earth exports and large U.S. agricultural purchases.Meanwhile, 26 states and Washington, D.C., are suing the USDA, arguing the agency has contingency funds that could be used to maintain SNAP benefits during the shutdown. In a memo, the USDA stated that those funds can only be used for a natural disaster or other emergency, not to operate during a shutdown, and placed the blame on Senate Democrats, saying, “We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. Continue to hold out for the Far-Left wing of the party or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments.” The states argue the law requires the USDA to issue benefits as long as money is available.It comes after another failed vote occurred today in the Senate. A federal judge in San Francisco has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the government shutdown. This move comes as a lawsuit challenges recent job cuts in education, health, and other areas.For more coverage from the Washington News Bureau here:

    WASHINGTON —

    President Donald Trump is promoting Japanese companies investing $550 billion in the United States while visiting the East Asian country. The president said the funds would be “at my direction” as part of a trade framework secured with Japan.

    The president also boasted about the U.S. economy, despite contrasting economic challenges.

    “Well, everyone in our country is now doing well. My first term, we built the greatest economy in the history of the world. We had an economy like nobody has seen before now. We’re doing it again, but this time, actually, it’s going to be much bigger, much stronger,” Trump said.

    The president highlighted the stock market reaching all-time highs, but economists point to other indicators that tell a different story.

    Amazon announced it is cutting 14,000 jobs, UPS is eliminating roughly 48,000 positions and closing more than 90 buildings as part of a turnaround plan, and Target, Ford, and GM have also announced layoffs amid slowing demand.

    Additionally, the federal government shutdown threatens food aid benefits for more than 40 million Americans as soon as Nov. 1, and September’s CPI data showed prices are rising again just as the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates to support the economy.

    “I don’t really understand the optimism to be perfectly honest, and I’m a very optimistic, very little of a ‘doomer’ person. We’ve had seven months in a row of contractions and manufacturing output. The labor market cooled to such an extent that it forced the Fed to cut rates in September,” said Jai Kedia from the Cato Institute.

    President Trump is preparing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the ongoing U.S.–China trade war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two countries have reached a “very successful framework” ahead of their summit, covering tariffs, rare-earth exports and large U.S. agricultural purchases.

    Meanwhile, 26 states and Washington, D.C., are suing the USDA, arguing the agency has contingency funds that could be used to maintain SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

    In a memo, the USDA stated that those funds can only be used for a natural disaster or other emergency, not to operate during a shutdown, and placed the blame on Senate Democrats, saying, “We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. Continue to hold out for the Far-Left wing of the party or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments.”

    The states argue the law requires the USDA to issue benefits as long as money is available.

    It comes after another failed vote occurred today in the Senate. A federal judge in San Francisco has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the government shutdown. This move comes as a lawsuit challenges recent job cuts in education, health, and other areas.

    For more coverage from the Washington News Bureau here:

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  • Democratic-led states sue Trump administration to keep SNAP food assistance funds flowing

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    A coalition of 25 Democratic-run states sued the Trump administration Tuesday to prevent billions of dollars of cuts to federal food assistance that are set to kick in this weekend.Democratic attorneys general and governors from 25 states and Washington, D.C., claimed in the lawsuit that the Trump administration was threatening “illegal” cuts to SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program for 42 million Americans, “cannot simply suspend all benefits indefinitely, while refusing to spend funds from available appropriations for SNAP benefits for eligible households,” the lawsuit claims.The Trump administration has argued it does not have the power to use that pot of existing money — known as its contingency fund — to cover the SNAP program beyond Saturday, because of the federal government shutdown.”The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists,” officials in the Department of Agriculture wrote in a memo last week.The risk of tens of millions of Americans losing food aid has triggered intense anxiety across Washington, as the government shutdown nears the one-month mark.Top lawmakers from both parties acknowledge it would be the most significant impact of the shutdown to date, with House Speaker Mike Johnson privately warning his GOP members on a call Tuesday that the pain was about to spike for everyday Americans.Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times to block a GOP funding bill because it does not include their separate demands on extending health care subsidies. But GOP leaders have refused to negotiate on the subsidies until the government reopens, leaving both parties in a bitter stalemate with no clear way out.Democrats have been unflinching in their stance, despite the looming Saturday deadline for the food aid. They argue that President Donald Trump has sought to “weaponize” the food assistance program, intentionally choosing not to fund the aid to pressure Democrats to yield.Fight over food aidShortly after the lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told CNN that there isn’t enough contingency funding to cover SNAP benefits for November, which she said would cost about $9.2 billion.”As of today, that $9.2 billion, we don’t even have close to that in contingency funding,” Rollins said. “We’ve got to get this government open.”She added that “all it takes is a yes on a continuing resolution to keep the government going, and to send that (SNAP) money out to the states.”A so-called clean continuing resolution would extend government funding at current levels. But congressional Democrats have opposed that because Republicans haven’t agreed to negotiate on the expiring health care subsidies.The White House referred CNN to the Office of Management and Budget for comment on the lawsuit. An OMB spokesperson said in a statement that “Democrats chose to shut down the government knowing full well that SNAP would soon run out of funds. It doesn’t have to be this way, and it’s sad they are using the families who rely on it as pawns.”Democratic attorney general: ‘This is wrong’The Democratic-run states filed the lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court. Court records indicate the case was randomly assigned to District Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee who was confirmed in a bipartisan and unanimous Senate vote in 2014.Congress approved $6 billion for a “SNAP-specific contingency fund” in the spending bill that averted a shutdown in March, the lawsuit notes. The lawsuit also points out that, as recently as September, the USDA website identified these funds as part of its plan to keep the food stamp payments flowing in case of a government shutdown.North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, accused the Trump administration of using SNAP benefits “to play shutdown politics” at a news conference Tuesday announcing his support for the lawsuit.”The truth is the department has the money,” Jackson said, adding, “They are looking to ratchet up the pain in an already painful moment. This is wrong, and it’s against the law.”

    A coalition of 25 Democratic-run states sued the Trump administration Tuesday to prevent billions of dollars of cuts to federal food assistance that are set to kick in this weekend.

    Democratic attorneys general and governors from 25 states and Washington, D.C., claimed in the lawsuit that the Trump administration was threatening “illegal” cuts to SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program for 42 million Americans, “cannot simply suspend all benefits indefinitely, while refusing to spend funds from available appropriations for SNAP benefits for eligible households,” the lawsuit claims.

    The Trump administration has argued it does not have the power to use that pot of existing money — known as its contingency fund — to cover the SNAP program beyond Saturday, because of the federal government shutdown.

    “The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists,” officials in the Department of Agriculture wrote in a memo last week.

    The risk of tens of millions of Americans losing food aid has triggered intense anxiety across Washington, as the government shutdown nears the one-month mark.

    Top lawmakers from both parties acknowledge it would be the most significant impact of the shutdown to date, with House Speaker Mike Johnson privately warning his GOP members on a call Tuesday that the pain was about to spike for everyday Americans.

    Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times to block a GOP funding bill because it does not include their separate demands on extending health care subsidies. But GOP leaders have refused to negotiate on the subsidies until the government reopens, leaving both parties in a bitter stalemate with no clear way out.

    Democrats have been unflinching in their stance, despite the looming Saturday deadline for the food aid. They argue that President Donald Trump has sought to “weaponize” the food assistance program, intentionally choosing not to fund the aid to pressure Democrats to yield.

    Fight over food aid

    Shortly after the lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told CNN that there isn’t enough contingency funding to cover SNAP benefits for November, which she said would cost about $9.2 billion.

    “As of today, that $9.2 billion, we don’t even have close to that in contingency funding,” Rollins said. “We’ve got to get this government open.”

    She added that “all it takes is a yes on a continuing resolution to keep the government going, and to send that (SNAP) money out to the states.”

    A so-called clean continuing resolution would extend government funding at current levels. But congressional Democrats have opposed that because Republicans haven’t agreed to negotiate on the expiring health care subsidies.

    The White House referred CNN to the Office of Management and Budget for comment on the lawsuit. An OMB spokesperson said in a statement that “Democrats chose to shut down the government knowing full well that SNAP would soon run out of funds. It doesn’t have to be this way, and it’s sad they are using the families who rely on it as pawns.”

    Democratic attorney general: ‘This is wrong’

    The Democratic-run states filed the lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court. Court records indicate the case was randomly assigned to District Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee who was confirmed in a bipartisan and unanimous Senate vote in 2014.

    Congress approved $6 billion for a “SNAP-specific contingency fund” in the spending bill that averted a shutdown in March, the lawsuit notes. The lawsuit also points out that, as recently as September, the USDA website identified these funds as part of its plan to keep the food stamp payments flowing in case of a government shutdown.

    North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, accused the Trump administration of using SNAP benefits “to play shutdown politics” at a news conference Tuesday announcing his support for the lawsuit.

    “The truth is the department has the money,” Jackson said, adding, “They are looking to ratchet up the pain in an already painful moment. This is wrong, and it’s against the law.”

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  • Maryland Democrats hear from federal workers at Bowie town hall – WTOP News

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    Two Democratic members of Congress from Prince George’s County held a roundtable meeting Thursday in Bowie to talk about the government shutdown.

    Two Democratic members of Congress from Prince George’s County held a roundtable meeting Thursday in Bowie to talk about the government shutdown, which is now well into its third week with no end in sight.

    Maryland Reps. Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey want the Republican-controlled House to get back into session and end the long government shutdown.

    “It’s dumb and it’s wrong, and we ought to be making a deal,” said Hoyer, who has been a member of Congress since 1981 and has experienced 11 government shutdowns during his 44 years in the House of Representatives.

    “This (dispute) could be solved with one vote. And that vote would be a bill that opens up the government and continues what the current law is.”

    Hoyer pointed out that as a young member of Congress, President Ronald Reagan’s administration and Democrats in Congress experienced eight government shutdowns. The longest shutdown, in 1983, lasted three days because both sides of the political spectrum saw the urgency of making a deal and keeping the government running.

    “Shutting down the government is a policy that ought not to be pursued ever. That’s the bottom line,” Hoyer said.

    Hoyer and Ivey are sticking to the Democratic Party line that House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican leadership are to blame for the partial shutdown by not negotiating on the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies, which keep health care premiums down to a manageable level for millions of Americans.

    Hoyer said tens of thousands of Maryland residents will see their health care premiums substantially increase in the coming weeks if an agreement to restart the federal government does not include an extension of the tax credits.

    “What we’re trying to do is make sure that 20 million people don’t lose their insurance, which we believe is a humanitarian thing to do and in the best interest of all America,” he said.

    Rep. Ivey blames Republicans and Speaker Johnson for having the House in recess, and not voting, while the government remains shutdown.

    “They’ve been absent without leave. They need to get their butts back to Washington and get back to work,” Ivey told WTOP. “I think the wake-up call is coming now that the notices have gone out to the public, that their premiums are going to double and triple, and they’re starting to get on the phone now and the Republicans are starting to get an earful.”

    Effect on Maryland residents

    Officials from the state of Maryland told the Congressmen that the state has been especially hard hit since the Trump administration returned to Washington in January, because Maryland has tens of thousands of federal government workers living there.

    According to the state of Maryland, more than 150,000 residents were employed by the federal government earlier this year. The Maryland Department of Labor estimates 10%, or 15,000 people, have been laid off nationwide, with the most coming from Maryland.

    First, there were cutbacks from the Department of Government Efficiency, instituted by billionaire Elon Musk and his team. Now, there are furloughs and threats of firings from the Office of Management and Budget.

    Federal workers speak

    One man, who wished not to be identified, told WTOP that he’s been working in the federal government for over 30 years but he’s never faced instability like this.

    He said he and his colleagues are struggling with the shutdown, especially as the next scheduled federal payday is coming and this will be the first one where a complete paycheck is missed.

    “It’s disheartening being a federal employee, knowing that every few months you have to go through this pain, whether the government is going to be open, whether it’s going to be funded,” he said. “So, it’s kind of devastating, very difficult.”

    He said he pays more attention to his bills and how he can meet “the needs of our family, providing food, mortgage.”

    As the shutdown lingers, this worker said he and his colleagues want Republicans and Democrats to find a solution where the government funding is restored and the health care subsidy issue is also resolved.

    He said the sooner, the better.

    “I have, or we have, no idea. We’re looking for different resources to help me as a federal employee, looking for companies that provide food services or any type of help to federal employees. And we’re just doing the best that we can,” the man said.

    While many federal workers have weathered shutdowns before, another longtime employee says this one feels different.

    “I’ve lived through many furloughs in my military and government civilian career, and this one just feels different,” the worker told WTOP anonymously.

    The retired military veteran, now working at the Department of Health and Human Services, said 2025 has been a year of upheaval.

    “We were ordered back to the office full time. … Then a month later, we got the RIFs,” they said. “Now, we’re furloughed again. We’re not getting paid and they’re doing more RIFs. It’s just insane.”

    The worker still has their job, but is dipping into savings while paychecks don’t come in — and they worry about younger colleagues who might not have an emergency fund.

    “Back when we were very junior enlisted … it was tough, especially in the D.C. region,” they recalled.

    They said the agency is handing out letters to furloughed employees asking creditors to remain patient and show compassion toward federal workers who have bills due. But the biggest concern this time around is whether a reduction in force, or RIF, notice could come during the shutdown.

    “There’s just the question of, if this continues to go on, will I be fired, as opposed to just being furloughed and being brought back?”

    After all this, the worker said the big question for them is: Is it time to move on?

    “I’m looking at whether I really want to be part of this government anymore — I’ve dedicated 40 years of my life to it, and I’m just tired,” they said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • DC-area housing market holds steady, but risks of recession grow – WTOP News

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    A D.C.-area real estate broker said the housing market has shown resiliency during the government shutdown. But he’s concerned about the risk of a recession.

    We want to know your thoughts on the government shutdown. How are you and your family affected? Share your story — Send us a message or a voice note through the WTOP News app on Apple or Android. Click the “Feedback” button in the app’s navigation bar.

    As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, one D.C.-area real estate broker said the housing market has shown resilience — so far. But he’s concerned about how long it can hold up.

    Data from the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors shows that leading into the shutdown in late September, the D.C. area saw a spike in home sale activity.

    That bump came after a slowdown earlier this year during the initial Department of Government Efficiency job cuts.

    “D.C., for example, in September, had closed sales that were 12.4% higher than the year before, and the median price was up 13.3%,” said Corey Burr, with the Burr Group at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.

    Burr said while activity remains up, he fears that could change if the shutdown continues.

    In the weeks since the shutdown began, Burr said some of his clients who are federal workers have decided to stop looking.

    “Several who had been in the market to purchase have simply put things on ice, or they’ve decided to rent as opposed to purchase,” he said.

    Those clients are pulling out of searches over concerns about job security, he said.

    “They just don’t have the long-term confidence that their jobs are going to be steady,” he said.

    Another shutdown impact has been on clients looking to use federal loan programs, Burr said.

    “Some government loan programs are being postponed because there isn’t enough staff at the federal level to get these loans through,” he said.

    Where things could be headed with the housing market

    Going into the shutdown, higher-end properties were performing better, though some areas continue to struggle. Montgomery County, for example, saw prices rise.

    Across the region, the number of listings on the market and the number of days on the market were at their highest in the last five years.

    “And the average sold price to original listing price is the lowest in the last five years,” Burr said.

    While he noted that overall activity hasn’t been dramatically impacted yet, he warned that lawmakers not striking a deal could lead to more difficult times, not seen since 2008.

    “They’re playing with fire a little bit the longer this goes on,” Burr said. “It could be that our region could go into a recession when the rest of the national economy kind of bumps along.”

    He said for some buyers, the uncertainty has been an advantage as prices dip and more homes are made available.

    “This is the time to jump if they feel confident about their job and they fall in love with a house that suits their needs,” Burr said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Mike Murillo

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  • Orlando airport holds food drive for federal workers amid government shutdown

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    Credit: Orlando International Airport/Facebook

    As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, the agency overseeing the Orlando International Airport has organized a food and gift card donation drive for the federal customs agents, air traffic controllers, and Transportation Security Administration officers affected.

    Most of the federal government employees who have not already been furloughed due to the shutdown as of earlier this month are forced to continue showing up to work without a guarantee of pay.  A final partial paycheck went out to affected employees Oct. 10, covering work through Sept. 30.

    Federal workers who are deemed essential for government operations, including TSA officers at MCO, are approaching their first full pay period without a paycheck, one union leader told Orlando Weekly, as long as the government shutdown continues. 

    “The last pay received by officers was what many called a “half-check,” and depending on deductions, some received little or no pay at all,” said Candise Isla, executive vice president of the union representing TSA  workers, the American Federation of Government Employees Local556. “Yet, despite that, TSA officers continue to report to duty, upholding their sworn oath to protect the traveling public,” she said.

    To support affected employees — and their families — the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is accepting non-perishable food items and $10 gift cards for stores like Publix, Target, and Walmart for workers through 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.

    Isla, whose union represents hundreds of TSA officers across 11 Florida airports, said officers are already facing “difficult choices” about paying bills, buying groceries, or putting gas in their cars to get to work. Unfortunately, she added, TSA policy forbids the officers from accepting gifts directly from passengers themselves.

    “Morale is strained, but our members continue to serve out of a deep sense of duty to the mission and to the flying public,” she said.

    The federal government shutdown officially began Oct. 1 due to the failure of Republicans and Democrats in Congress to resolve disagreements concerning the federal budget. The primary issue at stake is funding for healthcare and the upcoming expiration of enhanced tax credits that, since 2021, have helped make health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace more affordable for millions of Americans. Those tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, unless Congress extends them. 

    Democrats are pushing in favor of their extension, while Republicans haven’t committed to doing so. Floridians affected could include approximately 4.7 million small business owners, independent contractors, and others who don’t receive health insurance through their employer.

    “In my Congressional district alone, 189,000 [people] will see their health care premiums go up anywhere from 50 to 300 percent,” Orlando-area U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost told a delegation of state lawmakers Tuesday morning.

     “A little bit more than double, is what people are receiving in the mail right now — not in a year right now — telling them that their health care is going to go up come January,” Frost, a Democrat, continued. “This impacts everybody: Democrats, Republicans, independents. And my ask is that folks here encourage members of Congress to encourage our leadership to send us back to work so we can reopen the government.”

    “At the end of this year, if Congress doesn’t do its job, we are going to see 25 million Americans have their healthcare costs go up anywhere from 50 to 300 percent,” the Democratic congressman said

    U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this month sent U.S. House representatives like Frost home. He argued the ball on which the shutdown’s longevity depends on — legislation approved by his conference — was in Senate Democrats’ court, not theirs. 

    “We’re on a 48-hour notice to return everybody to do work as soon as they’ll turn the lights on or do something meaningful like that,” Johnson told reporters Monday.

    Most of the 2.1 million employees who work for the federal government work outside of Washington D.C., spread out across the country. Tens of thousands of workers — employed by the Departments of Veteran Affairs, Transportation, and Homeland Security, for instance — are based in Central Florida alone. 

    Under federal law, federal employees who are furloughed or required to work without pay during a government shutdown are guaranteed back pay once the government reopens. However, the White House and Trump administration have cast doubt on that interpretation.

    “Over the past nine months, the Trump administration has been determined on traumatizing the federal workers who provide vital services to the American people. The threat to not pay federal employees is cruel, anti-worker, and illegal, and it wouldn’t be tolerated in any other workplace,” AFGE national president Everett Kelley wrote in a letter addressed to federal Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought earlier this month.

    Isla, with the TSA officers’ union, said passenger flow at MCO (one of the nation’s busiest air hubs, due to its proximity to major tourist destinations) is expected to increase in the coming weeks as the holiday season is fast approaching. This could emotionally and financially strain the TSA workforce even more, without a paycheck to at least make the trouble worthwhile if the shutdown persists.

    “As someone who’s been through four government shutdowns, I can say the stress and hardship are cumulative,” Isla said. “Each one leaves a lasting impact on the workforce and their families.”

    She’s been grateful, however, to see the community show up to support the federal workforce, including members of her union. She said TGI Friday’s has offered a free meal to federal workers with a valid I.D. and IKEA has offered a free breakfast with valid I.D. “This community support has been a bright spot in a very difficult time, and we’re deeply grateful for it.”

    Items to donate at MCO today

    Accepted items for MCO’s donation drive include items that are non-perishable, in their original packaging, and are not expired.

    Individuals can drop off those donations at MCO’s Terminal C Departures curb from 9 a.m. to 2  p.m. or the Orlando Executive Airport.

    Accepted items include:

    • Canned meals
    • Dry milk, evaporated milk, soy milk
    • Oatmeal and cereal
    • Canned meats, fish or poultry
    • Canned or dry beans
    • Canned vegetables
    • Canned or dry fruit
    • Canned soup
    • Pasta and macaroni
    • Spaghetti sauce
    • Peanut butter
    • Rice or other grains
    • Nutritional drinks
    • Toiletries (e.g. shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, tampons, etc)
    • Baby supplies (food, diapers, wipes, etc.)
    • Cleaning supplies (e.g. laundry detergent, dish soap, paper towels, etc.)
    • Pet Supplies (wet/dry food, treats, litter)

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    An official statement from the airport states that contingency plans are in place should there be a “dramatic decrease” in TSA officers showing up to work

    Some Florida Republicans said Wednesday they’ll have their pay withheld or, in some cases, donate it

    Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the state has about $500 million awaiting matching money from FEMA



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  • ‘We just couldn’t be more excited’: LOVE Act brings weddings back to DC – WTOP News

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    Love triumphed over bureaucracy in D.C., with the LOVE Act allowing couples to obtain marriage licenses during the federal government shutdown.

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    LOVE Act lets DC residents get married during shutdown

    Love was in the air Friday at the Wilson Building in D.C., thanks to the LOVE Act.

    On Oct. 7, the D.C. Council passed the Let Our Vows Endure (LOVE) Emergency Act, which gives Mayor Muriel Bowser the power to handle marriage licenses and authorize wedding officiants during the government shutdown.

    D.C. residents were able to get marriage licenses for the first time since the shutdown started at the beginning of the month.

    Elizabeth Seremet and Bruce Herriott, who met while attending American University, were one of the first couples to get their marriage license on Friday. The pair got married in the ornate mayor’s ceremonial room.

    “We have been trying to get married probably for the past month,” Seremet said. “Thanks to the LOVE Act, we are now able to get married.”

    The bride wore a white dress, and the groom sported a tartan kilt.

    “My mom and my whole family on that side are from Scotland,” Herriott said. “This is my family’s colors.”

    The newlyweds were married by Alma R. Candelaria, the deputy secretary of the District.

    “We just couldn’t be more excited, and are happy that other people have this opportunity as well,” Seremet said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • ‘We just couldn’t be more excited’: LOVE Act brings weddings back to DC – WTOP News

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    Love triumphed over bureaucracy in D.C., with the LOVE Act allowing couples to obtain marriage licenses during the federal government shutdown.

    This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.
    In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.

    LOVE Act lets DC residents get married during shutdown

    Love was in the air Friday at the Wilson Building in D.C., thanks to the LOVE Act.

    On Oct. 7, the D.C. Council passed the Let Our Vows Endure (LOVE) Emergency Act, which gives Mayor Muriel Bowser the power to handle marriage licenses and authorize wedding officiants during the government shutdown.

    D.C. residents were able to get marriage licenses for the first time since the shutdown started at the beginning of the month.

    Elizabeth Seremet and Bruce Herriott, who met while attending American University, were one of the first couples to get their marriage license on Friday. The pair got married in the ornate mayor’s ceremonial room.

    “We have been trying to get married probably for the past month,” Seremet said. “Thanks to the LOVE Act, we are now able to get married.”

    The bride wore a white dress, and the groom sported a tartan kilt.

    “My mom and my whole family on that side are from Scotland,” Herriott said. “This is my family’s colors.”

    The newlyweds were married by Alma R. Candelaria, the deputy secretary of the District.

    “We just couldn’t be more excited, and are happy that other people have this opportunity as well,” Seremet said.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • LOVE Act helps DC residents tie the knot again – WTOP News

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    Starting Tuesday, D.C. residents will finally be able to get marriage licenses in the District for the first time since the federal government shutdown.

    Romance is no longer dead in the nation’s capital, thanks to the LOVE Act. Starting Tuesday, D.C. residents will finally be able to get marriage licenses in the District for the first time since the federal government shutdown.

    The Clerk of D.C. Superior Court issues marriage licenses and arranges for a justice of the peace to officiate weddings. But thanks to the shutdown, they have been furloughed and couples haven’t been able to officially get married.

    On Oct. 7, the D.C. Council passed the Let Our Vows Endure (LOVE) Emergency Act, which gives Mayor Muriel Bowser the power to handle marriage licenses and authorize wedding officiants during the shutdown.

    This proposed solution was included in both emergency legislation and temporary legislation (effective for 225 days), according to the D.C. Council.

    This power is only for Bowser to use during the shutdown and is in effect for 90 days.

    Bowser, who was given this power during the shutdown of 2019, signed the LOVE Act of 2025 bill into law on Oct. 9.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • Rep. Maxwell Frost slams ‘out of touch’ House speaker at Healthcare Over Billionaires rally in Orlando

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    Democratic U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost joined federal employees, union representatives and local state representatives Thursday to highlight the impact of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown on Orlando’s federal workforce and what’s at stake if Republicans fail to preserve affordable healthcare costs for millions.

    “At the end of this year, if Congress doesn’t do its job, we are going to see 25 million Americans have their healthcare costs go up anywhere from 50 to 300 percent,” Frost said at a Healthcare Over Billionaires rally, flanked by a couple dozen members of the public and federal employees. 

    “When the Speaker of the House [Mike Johnson, R-LA] was asked about this, he said healthcare is an ‘extraneous issue,’” Frost pointed out, criticizing the GOP leader as “out of touch.” Johnson recently accused Democrats’ effort to hold the line on healthcare in the current fight over government funding as “trying to grab a red herring.” 

    “Maybe for a billionaire like Donald Trump, a bump in your healthcare isn’t life-changing,” Frost conceded, taking a predictable swing at the Republican president. But for a working family, he said, “That’s a matter of medicine or food. … It’s a matter of life or death.”

    The primary sticking point that led to the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 was a fight to preserve federal subsidies that have helped keep healthcare affordable for millions of Americans who purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Those tax credits, first made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, are set to expire by the end of 2025 unless Congress extends them. 

    If the subsidies do expire, monthly healthcare premiums for those ACA marketplace plans could more than double, potentially costing low- and moderate-income earners hundreds or even thousands of dollars more per year. Frost estimates this could affect 200,000 people in his Orlando-area district alone.

    KFF analysis of how changes to ACA tax credits could affect health plan enrollees. Credit: KFF

    “Republicans have chosen to shut down this government because they don’t want to do anything about healthcare and because they want more room in the federal budget to give their billionaire donors and mega-corporations a tax break,” Frost said. “And it’s disgusting.”

    Impact on the federal workforce

    Also at stake amid the shutdown is reliable paychecks for more than 1 million federal government employees across the country. That group includes thousands of people in Central Florida who work for the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Homeland Security and other critical agencies.

    “Every day that this shutdown continues, more families fall behind, more stress builds and more essential services are put at risk,” said Tatiana Finlay, a union representative for the American Federation of Government Employees Local 556, which represents TSA officers at Orlando International Airport. 

    “Federal workers don’t stop showing up,” she said, referring to federal workers who haven’t been furloughed. “But each day without pay chips away at the stability and dignity they earn.”

    Amid the shutdown, many federal government employees are forced to either work without pay, or have already been furloughed (also without pay) until Congress reaches a funding agreement that will allow the government to reopen.

    Federal employees have conventionally been guaranteed back pay once a government shutdown lifts, although a recent White House memo this week floated that, just maybe, they are not entitled to that after all.

    Speaking at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 606’s union hall in Orlando Thursday, Finlay recalled the last federal government shutdown that occurred during Trump’s first term in the White House in 2018. 

    “I remember the last one — the silence in the break rooms, the fear of opening banking apps, the exhaustion of putting on a uniform knowing no paycheck was coming,” Finlay said. “I remember co-workers carpooling because they couldn’t afford gas, and officers holding back tears because they didn’t know how to feed their kids.”

    “And yet we showed up,” said Finlay. “Because that’s what federal workers do. We serve this country even when it feels like the system is not serving us.”

    The government shutdown, she added, “isn’t just about a missing paycheck,” but priorities.

    “Federal workers don’t stop showing up, but each day without pay chips away at the stability and dignity they earn.”

    The federal workforce has already taken a hit under the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, a novel (and controversial) initiative that ordered federal agencies to drastically reduce their workforce.

    The U.S. Department of Education — a prominent target of right-wing forces — is now hanging by a thread, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been dismantled, and the Social Security Administration has reportedly already lost 20 percent of its staff since Trump took office.

    The White House on Friday also reportedly began moving forward with permanent layoffs of employees in various departments, including Homeland Security, as previously threatened by White House budget director and Project 2025 architect Russell Vought. The move has been slammed by the AFGE, the largest union of federal workers, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

    “A budget is not just a financial document. It’s a statement of values,” said Finlay. “It tells workers, families and communities whether they matter.”

    ‘Kicking the most vulnerable to the curb’

    State Reps. Anna Eskamani and Rita Harris, both Democrats, also joined Frost’s rally Thursday, highlighting the stakes of adequate government funding in a state that hasn’t expanded access to Medicaid (even though the federal government, not the state, would fund most of the expansion).

    Florida is also expected to see more low-income Floridians kicked off social welfare programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) moving forward, as a result of eligibility changes made through Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law in July.

    “We reviewed the changes here in Florida to Medicaid, to SNAP and to TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] because of the big, ugly bill, and we learned that more than 181,000 Floridians who currently have exemptions to the administrative burdens to access SNAP are no longer going to have those exemptions,” said Eskamani, who attended presentations on the topic during legislative committee meetings earlier this week. 

    “That includes our veterans, that includes foster youth, and it includes immigrants with legal status, including asylum seekers and refugees and victims of human trafficking,” she added.

    “This comes from the party that says they care about veterans, they care about our survivors of human trafficking,” Eskamani said of the GOP. “They say they care about the most vulnerable, and here they are kicking the most vulnerable to the curb.”

    Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, argue that Democrats are to blame for the government shutdown (although the majority of Americans disagree) and claim Democrats are being unreasonable in their demands.

    “They’re trying to make this about health care. It’s not. It’s about keeping Congress operating so we can get to health care. We always were going to. They’re lying to you,” Republican House Speaker Johnson told reporters on Thursday. “The health care issues were always going to be something discussed and deliberated and contemplated and debated in October and November.”

    Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried, however — who made a surprise visit to Frost’s rally Thursday night — argued that Democrats don’t trust Republicans will meaningfully return to the issue for negotiation. And they want to settle this now, not later.

    “We stand firm with our family members, and we’re asking Republicans to do their damn jobs,” Fried said.

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    It’s the latest indication that DeSantis’ dubious war with Disney is in fact over

    Art² features outdoor seating, local food vendors, craft beverages and more

    Home games will be played at Inter&Co Stadium



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  • So far ‘everyone is showing up’ to work at Orlando airport despite being unpaid during shutdown – Orlando Weekly

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    Transportation security officers at Orlando International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the nation, are continuing to show up to work so far, despite a federal government shutdown that will leave them unpaid until the government reopens — and possibly after.

    “We have an oath to protect the flying public,” said Candise Isla, a TSA officer who’s served at the Orlando International Airport for more than a decade. She’s personally worked at MCO through four government shutdowns, the last of which occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term in the White House. “We’re coming to work,” she told Orlando Weekly Monday, adding that she and her co-workers “are here” to help ensure smooth travel for passengers. 

    Orlando International Airport itself put out a statement last week reassuring passengers that the airport (known by the airport code MCO) has “developed contingency plans should there be a dramatic decrease in the number of TSA agents processing passengers.” 

    Due to its proximity to major theme parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando Studios, the airport is one of the country’s busiest, welcoming 57.2 million passengers in 2024 alone (including, yes, many excitable young children who are eager to meet their favorite Disney princess or the Mouse himself). 

    “Air travel is an essential part of the tourism sector, which helps to fuel our region; and we remain committed to the best in traveler safety and security,” the airport’s statement reads.

    Isla admitted that she expects TSA officers — who are officially employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — will eventually start feeling pressure from the lack of reliable pay. Normal operations at the airport could change if the shutdown persists. The previous one, beginning in Dec. 2018, lasted 35 days. 

    “Honestly, you might want to reach out to us next week,” she told Orlando Weekly in a phone call.

    During a government shutdown, the nation’s federal employees are either forced to work for the duration of the shutdown without pay, or are furloughed (and similarly unpaid). TSA officers and air traffic controllers, employed by the Federal Aviation Authority, are considered essential employees during a government shutdown, which means they’re expected to continue showing up to work. Although they are guaranteed* back pay once the government reopens, for the meantime, they are forced to make ends meet without.

    (*Actually, a word on that so-called guarantee: Axios published a scoop as we were finishing editing this story, detailing a new White House interpretation of the rule that guarantees back pay signed by Trump during the last government shutdown. A new memo from the Office of Management and Budget claims that the rule has been misinterpreted and does not, in fact, guarantee back pay.)

    “Rent needs to be paid, groceries need to be bought,” Isla pointed out, and boy do our readers know that making ends meet in Orlando — one of the nation’s most cost-burdened metros — isn’t easy as it is. She said, in the past, passengers would sometimes try to offer them gift cards, food or money directly at the airport — however, TSA policies generally bar officers from accepting such gifts.

    Candise Isla, a TSA officer and member of AFGE Local 556. Credit: Courtesy photo provided by Candise Isla

    “The best way the public can show appreciation is to take action where it counts: by urging lawmakers to end this shutdown,” Isla shared. Nonprofit organizations and community groups can also coordinate donations, meal programs, or other forms of hardship relief with the her union, the American Federation of Government Employees Local 556.

    Her union represents TSA officers at 10 airports, including airports in Daytona (DAB), Fort Walton Beach (VPS), Gainesville (GNV), Jacksonville (JAX), Lakeland (LAL), Panama City (ECP), Pensacola (PNS), Tallahassee (TLH), Tampa (TPA), St. Augustine (SGJ), St. Petersburg (PIE) and Orlando (MCO).

    As executive vice president of her union local, Isla said the safety of millions of passengers “depends on TSA officers being fully staffed, fully focused, and fully supported.”

    The federal government shutdown — now more than a week long— has largely resulted from disagreement between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over healthcare funding, including federal subsidies that help offset the cost of insurance premiums for a significant millions of Americans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. 

    Democrats want to protect and extend the subsidies, benefitting low- and moderate-income Americans, while Republicans are in favor of allowing them to expire at the end of the year. That’s despite how popular extending them is even among Republican and MAGA members of the public, according to recent polling.

    If the subsidies do expire, health policy advocates warn that insurance premiums for U.S. adults who previously qualified for them could see their monthly premiums more than double — potentially costing them hundreds or even thousands of dollars more per year just to remain insured.

    “23.4 million Americans will see a HUGE Obamacare spike on November 1st. In #FL9, we have the 2ND HIGHEST Obamacare enrollment in the nation, with over 271k constituents,” U.S. Rep Darren Soto, a Democrat from Kissimmee, wrote in a Monday post on X. “@HouseDemocrats are prepared to negotiate, protect healthcare, & reopen the government for the American people.”

    Republicans, however, are blaming Democrats for the shutdown, arguing they’re being unreasonable in their demands. House speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, argued Monday, “There’s nothing for us to negotiate” and said “the ball is in the court of the Senate Democrats.”

    The Florida AFL-CIO, the state’s largest federation of labor unions, is similarly asking its 1.3 million union members, retirees and their families to contact their members of Congress and demand that Republicans “step away from extremist Trump and negotiate for the American people.”

    So far, USA Today reports that impacts on air travel nationally appear to be minimal so far, although the New York Times reported Monday that smaller airports in rural communities could see interruptions soon due to a loss of funding for a program known as the Essential Air Service.

    However, airline data tracker FlightAware reported more than 1,400 delayed flights and more than 240 cancellations in the U.S. by 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday. And on Monday, Time magazine says, more than 40% of all flights were delayed out of Orlando International Airport.

    U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday also told reporters that government officials are noticing a “slight tick-up” in air traffic controllers calling in sick. Their jobs are notoriously stressful, with 10-hour work days, and a shortage of them (as they’re asked to work without pay) could pressure Congress into agreeing to a funding deal, as it did in at the tail end of the last government shutdown in 2019.

    The Orlando International Airport, meanwhile, is encouraging passengers to use the FlyMCO website or Orlando MCO app to see current information and receive updates on the status of airport operations.

    If you are a federal worker in Florida who has been furloughed or is currently working without pay, we want to hear from you. Reach out to us by email at news@orlandoweekly.com to share your story.

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    Uthmeier’s letter of support is the latest turn of legal events involving January Littlejohn, now a banner for parental rights in GOP Circles

    The announcement comes amid a heightened focus on the position from Florida’s DOGE officials and state CFO Blaise Ingoglia

    The case alleges she she presented a certificate to a student that said he was the most likely to ‘become a dictator’



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  • Government shutdown dooms thousands of Central Floridians to work unpaid – Orlando Weekly

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    Tens of thousands of federal employees in Florida are either working without pay or have been furloughed as the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 continues, sparking affordability concerns from advocates.

    According to the Florida AFL-CIO, the state’s largest federation of labor unions, there are nearly 100,000 federal employees in Florida who aren’t getting a paycheck during the shutdown, including Floridians employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, TSA officers at Florida airports, and thousands of civilian employees in the U.S. military, among other agencies. An additional 750,000 federal employees across the country, meanwhile, have been furloughed — or essentially locked out of their job.

    “Once again, we are told our work is ‘essential,’ but our livelihoods are treated as expendable,” said Candise Isla, a TSA officer and member of the American Federal of Government Employees union who’s worked at Orlando International Airport for more than a decade. Isla, a member of AFGE Local 556, said she’s worked at MCO through four government shutdowns since 2013, and admits, “each one takes a heavier toll on officers like me and our families.”

    “During a shutdown, TSA officers are required to keep reporting for duty. We keep checkpoints running, screen bags, and ensure flights are safe, all while paychecks are withheld,” she explained. Although federal government workers are entitled by law to backpay once a funding agreement is reached, in the meantime, those who are furloughed or are instructed to continue work as usual are left unpaid.

    “The truth is, missing even a single paycheck is devastating. Many TSA officers live paycheck to paycheck,” Isla pointed out. “Rent, childcare, and grocery bills don’t pause just because Congress can’t agree. After a while, some officers will struggle to afford gas to get to the airport, while others will start relying on food banks or second jobs just to get by.”

    Rachel Villand, who serves as co-chair of the Veterans and Military Family Council of the Democratic National Committee, said she’s concerned that with the U.S. House in recess until next Monday, “it is very likely that military members will not receive their mid-month pay, which is critical.”

    “Friends of mine, as well as contacts I have, [say] there’s a mad scramble to figure out what to do, how they’re going to get money, and so they’re having to rely on aid organizations — which I think is a tragedy for our all volunteer forces in the greatest and most capable military in the world,” Villand shared in a virtual press conference Monday, organized by the Florida Democratic Party. “This is just a shame.”

    The federal government shutdown has largely resulted from disagreement between Republicans and Democrats in U.S. Congress over funding for healthcare programs. 

    This includes federal subsidies that help offset the cost of insurance premiums for a significant number of Americans — including an estimated 2 million or so Floridians — who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. 

    Those enhanced health insurance tax credits, first made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 under the Biden administration, are set to expire by the end of 2025 unless Congress extends them. If the subsidies do expire, health policy advocates warn that insurance premiums for those who previously qualified for them could see their monthly premiums more than double — potentially costing low- and moderate-income earners hundreds or even thousands of dollars more per year.

    “The fact that the Republicans are playing games with the healthcare of tens of millions of Americans shows what their priorities are,” said Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried, who joined the press call Monday. 

    “The fact that the Republicans are playing games with the healthcare of tens of millions of Americans shows what their priorities are.”

    Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried

    Although some Republicans and Democrats in Congress have pushed for a short-term deal to end the shutdown, and return to renegotiate at a later date, Fried is skeptical of the idea. “We can’t trust that come December, they’re going to come back to the table,” she said. “We’ve got to take an opportunity to renegotiate the situation.”

    Most Democrats in the U.S. Senate have rejected efforts to reach a short-term deal, according to CNN, as they work to force Republicans — who currently have majority control over both the House and Senate — to agree to extend the ACA health insurance subsidies. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, meanwhile sent House members home this week, arguing Monday, “There’s nothing for us to negotiate” and “the ball is in the court of the Senate Democrats.”

    Recent national polling found that 78 percent of the public say they want Congress to extend the ACA tax credits ahead of their expiration, including 59 percent of Republicans and 57 of self-identified “Make America Great Again” supporters polled. A greater share of adults polled said President Donald Trump or Republicans (39 percent and 37 percent, respectively) would deserve the blame for the failure of Congress to extend the subsidies, compared to 22 percent of adults who said Democrats deserve the blame.

    U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost, representing Orlando, told Politico his office estimates roughly 200,000 people in his district alone will pay more for health insurance coverage unless Congress intervenes to extend the subsidies. 

    Meanwhile, federal workers — 80 percent of whom live and work outside of Washington, D.C. — are facing a broader threat of mass firings if the shutdown continues. While furloughing employees during a shutdown is typical, permanent firings are not. 

    “We now have the White House saying they’re going to do mass firings — they’re not going to honor the law, they’re not going to honor [union] contracts,” Florida AFL-CIO political director Rich Templin told Orlando Weekly. “So this is a lot more uncertain for folks than it’s ever been,” he added, when asked to compare this shutdown to previous ones. “We’ve never had a White House just say, I’m going to break the law.”

    Labor unions representing government employees, including the AFGE and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, have filed a lawsuit over the Trump administration’s threats to fire federal workers, and filed a temporary restraining order over the weekend.

    “We’re facing a health care crisis with millions of Americans about to see their health insurance payments skyrocket, and instead of working across the aisle to solve it, the administration is threatening to use its orchestrated shutdown as an excuse to fire federal workers who perform critical services that Americans rely on,” said AFSCME president Lee Saunders in a statement.

    “The threatened mass firings are unlawful. Public service work is vital to our communities, and we will do everything in our power to defend it.” 

    According to Axios, the Social Security administration has already lost 20 percent of its staff in 2025 since the Trump administration took over. Even before that, in 2023, Social Security was already at its lowest staffing level in 25 years, according to the AFGE, despite steady increases in the number of people relying on Social Security benefits. 

    Under Trump — who has explicitly admitted aims to target “Democrat agencies” — at least 150,000 federal workers have already left the federal government voluntarily, amid low morale and uncertain job security, choosing to accept an earlier buyout offer from the Trump administration. That’s in addition to job cuts advanced by the Trump administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” an initiative initially led by tech billionaire Elon Musk.

    The New York Times estimates that one in eight federal workers — equal to approximately 300,000 employees — will have left the government by the end of December.

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    The case alleges she she presented a certificate to a student that said he was the most likely to ‘become a dictator’

    The lawsuit said she was fired after reposting on her Instagram account a post from an account called ‘@whalefact’

    Epic Universe has updated its operational procedures and signage to ‘reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements’



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  • Trump is freezing billions in funding for a Chicago train project because of ‘race-based contracting’ | Fortune

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    President Donald Trump’s administration will withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, the White House budget director said Friday, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas during the government shutdown.

    The pause affects a long-awaited plan to extend the city’s Red Line train. The money was “put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting,” budget director Russ Vought wrote on social media.

    Vought made a similar announcement earlier this week involving New York, where he said $18 billion for infrastructure would be paused, including funding for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River.

    Trump, a Republican, has embraced Vought’s tactics. On Thursday night, he posted a video depicting him as the reaper, wearing a hood and holding a scythe.

    Losing the money would be a significant setback for Chicago’s transportation plans. The Red Line extension is slated to add four train stops on the city’s South Side, improving access for disadvantaged communities.

    In addition, a broader modernization project for the Red and Purple lines, which Vought said was also being targeted, is intended to upgrade stations and remove a bottleneck where different lines intersect.

    In New York’s case, Trump’s Transportation Department said it had been reviewing whether any “unconstitutional practices” were occurring in the two massive infrastructure projects but that the government shutdown, which began Wednesday, had forced it to furlough the staffers conducting the review.

    The suspension of funds for the Hudson River tunnel project and a Second Avenue subway line extension is likely meant to target Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, whom the White House is blaming for the impasse. The New York senator said the funding freeze would harm commuters.

    “Obstructing these projects is stupid and counterproductive because they create tens of thousands of great jobs and are essential for a strong regional and national economy,” Schumer said on X.

    ___

    This story has been corrected to show $18 billion, not $18 million, was held in New York.

    Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh. CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business. Apply for an invitation.

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  • President Donald Trump cancels $583 million in energy projects for Illinois, one of many blue states affected

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    Amid a funding stalemate in Congress and a federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump’s planned termination of nearly $8 billion for energy projects primarily in states that didn’t vote for him includes $583 million in cuts for projects in Illinois.

    Among those set to lose tens of millions of dollars in anticipated funding are power giant Exelon, the University of Illinois, the nonprofit Gas Technology Institute, which is based in Des Plaines, and a handful of other entities in Illinois, according to congressional Democrats who released the full list when Trump’s Energy Department and Office of Management and Budget did not.

    The director of the OMB, Russell Vought, made the announcement shortly after Congress forced the federal government into a shutdown. On social media, he called the funds that were targeted to be cut “Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda,” suggesting the choices in funding cuts were highly political.

    U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, said in a statement that the cuts aim to eliminate 33 awards in Illinois, totaling more than $673 million, but that $90 million of that amount had already been spent. That translates to a loss of approximately $583 million.

    The money was slated for transportation electrification, solar energy, “green” buildings and a range of other energy initiatives, according to a document released by Duckworth’s office.

    In her statement, Duckworth said she thought “there is no legal justification whatsoever” for the funding cuts.

    “Unsurprisingly for anyone familiar with how Trump operates, the more than 300 projects cancelled are overwhelmingly in states that did not vote for him in the 2024 election,” Duckworth said. “This abrupt cancellation not only jeopardizes local and regional economic growth but also sends a concerning message to researchers, entrepreneurs, unions and communities nationwide who rely on the federal government to act in good faith and in the national interest.”

    The U.S. Department of Energy said on X that it chopped the hundreds of obligated awards nationwide “following a thorough, individualized financial review.”

    These “projects did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs, were not economically viable, and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars,” the department said.

    Recipients can appeal the decision, the department said. Energy Department officials did not respond to a request for additional details.

    Since Trump entered office in January, his administration has targeted spending on environmentally friendly projects and called such efforts a “scam.” He called climate change a “con job” during a recent speech at the United Nations. At several points he has also clawed back money, attempted mass firings and ended programs in a push to cut costs, breaking norms and angering Democrats and organizations that rely on consistent federal funding.

    Before Congress failed to approve a funding plan to keep the federal government operating, Trump threatened that he’d use the shutdown to punish political enemies, which would include Illinois, a state that has resoundingly rejected his three bids for the presidency.

    The hardest hit in Illinois this week appeared to be the nonprofit GTI, which was set to have more than $400 million in awards terminated, according to the list from Duckworth. Those awards were intended for carbon capture technology projects and the study of methane emissions, among other initiatives, the document said.

    The awards also included more than $30 million for carbon capture and other projects at the University of Illinois, as well as $100 million for Exelon and $50 million for its subsidiary, Commonwealth Edison, for electric grid modernization in Illinois, according to Duckworth’s list.

    Some other recipients of smaller terminated awards in Illinois included Cook County, the American Lung Association and Northwestern University. One project for hydrogen use in heavy machinery by construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar was slated to occur in Chillicothe, in Peoria County, which is part of Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood’s district, while the rest are affiliated with Democratic districts, according to a list from House Appropriations Committee Democrats.

    One top-ranking Illinois Senate member, who is active on energy-related issues at the state Capitol, said what the Trump administration is doing “is a mistake.”

    “If you’re an advocate of domestic energy production, which the administration claims to be, this would be the last thing you would be doing,” said Democratic state Sen. Bill Cunningham of Chicago. “This is cutting off domestic energy production.”

    The Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner contributed.

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  • US federal government shutdown: Live fact-checks, updates

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    The United States federal government shut down in the early morning of Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass funding for federal programs and services. 

    Republicans are seeking a bill to temporarily extend federal spending at current levels without any add-ons. Democrats are pushing to extend expiring subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans. Democrats have also said they want to reverse Medicaid cuts that President Donald Trump signed into law this summer.

    Trump and his administration — which has already defied norms on executive power — likely will seek to exert more power during the shutdown, including potentially laying off federal workers. 

    PolitiFact is live fact-checking the shutdown, including rhetoric from both sides of the aisle. Send fact-check suggestions to [email protected]. 

    Live fact-checks, updates from the 2025 federal government shutdown

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  • Biden to meet with top Hill leaders with partial government shutdown only four days away

    Biden to meet with top Hill leaders with partial government shutdown only four days away

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    President Joe Biden is set to convene the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday, a high-stakes meeting with a partial government shutdown just four days away and still no clear path to avert it on Capitol Hill.

    The meeting also comes as the White House ratchets up pressure on lawmakers to pass additional funding to Ukraine. The Senate passed a bill with aid for Ukraine and Israel earlier this month, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he does not plan to bring the bill to the floor, and a significant number of GOP House members oppose further aid to Ukraine.

    The top four congressional leaders include Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

    From left, House Majority Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

    In a floor speech Monday, Schumer pressed House Republican leadership to “resist basing our choices on what people like Donald Trump want Congress to do” and pass critical funding bills before a partial government shutdown or a collapse in Ukraine in its war against Russia.

    McConnell warned Monday that a partial shutdown would be “harmful to the country” and argued that it is “entirely avoidable” if the House and the Senate can work together.

    Senators returned to Washington, DC, on Monday, but the House won’t be back until Wednesday, leaving little time ahead of a fast-approaching Friday deadline.

    Lawmakers had hoped to release the text of a bipartisan spending deal Sunday evening, but the bill has yet to be unveiled and high-level disagreements over policy issues remain as Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, is under immense pressure from his right flank to fight for conservative wins.

    Congress is confronting a pair of shutdown deadlines – on March 1 and March 8 – after lawmakers passed a short-term funding bill in January. At the end of the day Friday, funding will expire for a series of key government agencies if lawmakers do not act.

    In the House, Johnson has little room to maneuver with a historically narrow majority and an increasingly combative right flank.

    House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

    House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

    Getty Images/Reuters via CNN Newsource

    Hardline conservatives have revolted over the chamber’s passage of earlier stopgap funding bills and over a topline deal the speaker struck with Schumer to set spending close to $1.66 trillion overall.

    Johnson won the gavel after conservatives ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a historic vote last year, raising the question of whether the Louisiana Republican may at some point face a similar threat against his speakership.

    Funding extends through March 1 for a series of government agencies, including the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Food and Drug Administration and other priorities such as military construction.

    An additional set of government agencies and programs are funded through March 8, including the departments of Justice, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, State, Education, Interior, and Health and Human Services, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the legislative branch.

    CNN’s Kristin Wilson, Morgan Rimmer and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.

    The-CNN-Wire & 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

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