Today's top stories in US news, politics, government, and world affairs:
The story of Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger has become one of the year’s most surprising and troubling political revelations. Despite being diagnosed with dementia, Granger, who has served in Congress for nearly 27 years, ran for re-election and won, all while residing in an assisted living facility in Fort Worth. Her condition was kept hidden from both her constituents and fellow lawmakers, and she had missed every vote in the House since July 2023. The public only learned of her situation thanks to investigative reporting by The Dallas Express. Granger’s decision to stay on the ballot and remain in office despite being incapacitated raises broader concerns about aging lawmakers in the U.S. Congress. High-profile cases like Senator Dianne Feinstein's prolonged tenure at 90, and Rep. David Scott's recent behavior at 79, exemplify a system where elected officials cling to power long past their ability to serve effectively. This issue is compounded by low approval ratings, gerrymandering, and campaign finance advantages that keep incumbents in office. The Granger situation highlights the need for reform, with 87% of Americans supporting term limits and 77% backing age limits for Congress. It’s time to act to protect democracy and ensure our leaders prioritize the nation over personal interests.
Just a week ago, political experts believed a government shutdown was inevitable due to the looming expiration of the debt ceiling on January 1. The debt ceiling limits how much the U.S. government can borrow to meet its financial obligations, and without a deal, the U.S. risked defaulting on its debt, which could severely impact the global economy. House Speaker Mike Johnson had negotiated a deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for a short-term solution, but it faced opposition from figures like Trump and Elon Musk, who criticized the bill for being too long and containing provisions they viewed as non-starters. Trump pushed for a larger debt ceiling extension until 2027, avoiding politically tough votes until after the 2026 elections. Ultimately, a new, shorter bill (118 pages) passed with significant support, extending the debt ceiling through March 14 and including $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural relief. The bill passed with overwhelming support: 366-34 in the House and 85-11 in the Senate, and was signed by President Biden. This averted a shutdown, ensuring federal employees would be paid, government functions would continue, and agencies remain open—though the same crisis will arise again in March.
The recent government shutdown crisis resulted in some clear winners and losers in Washington. Elon Musk emerged as a major winner, using his influence to kill the original bill negotiated by Speaker Mike Johnson, leveraging his 208 million Twitter followers to rally opposition and showing that his threat to fund challengers of Republican senators who opposed Trump was taken seriously. Musk’s influence has positioned him as one of the most powerful non-elected figures in Washington, even sparking discussions about him potentially becoming Speaker of the House. Another winner was House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who kept his caucus unified and delivered all 196 Democratic votes for the final bill, securing key Democratic priorities and flexing significant power despite being in the minority. Jeffries' steady leadership is positioning him as a potential Speaker of the House in 2027. On the losing side, Speaker Mike Johnson may have suffered the most, as his bill was undermined by Musk, and he faced 34 Republican defections on the final vote—an embarrassing outcome for his leadership. Johnson’s prospects of holding onto the Speaker’s gavel are in jeopardy, with potential replacements emerging. President-Elect Donald Trump also emerged as a loser, as his support for the bill was contradicted by Republican defections, weakening his influence over the party. Finally, President Joe Biden struggled to assert leadership in the crisis, overshadowed by Trump and Musk, reinforcing his status as a weak, lame-duck president. The fallout from this crisis will have significant implications as the new Congress and Trump’s presidency begin in January 2025.
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