House Democrats to vote to end government shutdown
As of Thursday, “representatives approved two measures that would reopen government agencies that have been closed for nearly two weeks over a budget impasse,” according to the New York Times. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there would not be a vote for funding President Trump’s border wall. Representative Nancy Pelosi called financing the wall “an immorality”. Many government agencies were closed due to the shutdown, including TSA. According to the New York Times, 150 TSA employees took sick leave on Dec. 28 to as a “coordinated protest”. Union officials stated that some workers were seeking temporary jobs dues to unpaid wages.
Ex-marine charged as spy by Russian government
Marine Corps veteran Paul Whelan has been accused of spying in Russia. Whelan was detained by the Russian government on Dec. 28 to exchange him for Maria Butina, a Russian foreign agent who acted to influence N.R.A. officials and Republicans, according to the New York Times. At the time, Whelan was carrying British, Irish and Canadian Passports.
Nancy Pelosi elected as Speaker of the House for the second time
On Thursday Jan. 3, California Representative Nancy Pelosi was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives. According to the New York Times, Pelosi “pledge to run a ‘unifying’ Congress that would bridge partisan divides and heal rifts in a polarized country.” Pelosi started her new term as Speaker by calling for indictments on President Trump.
