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Trump Just ‘Backed Democrats Into a CORNER’ with Proposal Against Obamacare
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Trump Just ‘Backed Democrats Into a CORNER’ with Proposal Against Obamacare

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President Donald Trump unveiled a proposal on Friday to redirect hundreds of billions of dollars in Affordable Care Act subsidy payments away from insurance companies and send them directly to American citizens.

The announcement came amid tense negotiations in Washington over government funding, as Democrats attempted to tie a new spending bill to an extension of Obamacare subsidies.

The proposal, revealed in a Truth Social post early Friday morning, signaled a major policy shift that could reshape how healthcare funds are distributed.

“I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over,” President Trump wrote.

He added, “In other words, take from the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies, give it to the people, and terminate, per Dollar spent, the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World, ObamaCare. Unrelated, we must still terminate the Filibuster!”

The statement followed days of negotiations in Congress over a continuing resolution to reopen the federal government.

Senate Democrats had pushed for a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies as part of their proposal, arguing that the temporary tax credits were essential to maintaining affordability in health insurance markets.

Republicans opposed the measure, calling it an unnecessary expansion of spending unrelated to the funding bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the Democrats’ offer as “a reasonable offer that reopens the government, deals with health care affordability and begins a process of negotiating reforms.”

However, Republicans in the Senate quickly rejected the proposal.

Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) dismissed the idea, saying, “The Obamacare extension is the negotiation.”

The stalemate left the government partially closed heading into the weekend, with each party blaming the other for the impasse.

President Trump’s announcement appeared to shift the momentum in the talks. By proposing to redirect Obamacare funds directly to individuals rather than insurers, Trump positioned the plan as a direct benefit to consumers while challenging Democrats’ defense of insurance company subsidies.

Within hours of the post, several Republican lawmakers expressed support.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) said he would introduce legislation to put the president’s plan into action. “Totally agree, @POTUS! I’m writing the bill right now,” Scott wrote on X.

“We must stop taxpayer money from going to insurance companies and instead give it directly to Americans in HSA-style accounts and let them buy the health care they want. This will increase competition & drive down costs.”

The proposal comes as both parties continue to debate the future of the Affordable Care Act and federal health care spending.

Democrats have argued that subsidy extensions are necessary to prevent premium increases for millions of Americans, while Republicans have maintained that the current system wastes taxpayer funds by funneling them through private insurance providers.

Aides close to the negotiations said Trump’s announcement caught Senate Democrats off guard.

The administration’s shift from insurance subsidies to direct payments introduced a new dynamic into the ongoing talks, one that could alter both the budget debate and the broader conversation over health care reform.

While the White House has not yet released detailed legislative language, sources familiar with the discussions said the plan could mirror health savings account-style models that allow individuals to manage their own funds for medical expenses.

Lawmakers expect debate on the measure to begin once Congress resumes full sessions next week.

For now, government funding discussions remain at an impasse, but President Trump’s latest proposal has injected new urgency — and controversy — into the fight over the future of federal health care spending.

Pressure Builds as Americans Pay the Price for Washington’s Gridlock
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Pressure Builds as Americans Pay the Price for Washington’s Gridlock

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The government shutdown has entered its 40th day, and both Republicans and Democrats are facing growing pressure from voters, federal workers, and key industries as negotiations remain stalled in Congress.

With air travel disruptions mounting and federal employees missing multiple paychecks, lawmakers from both parties are bracing for political fallout in the weeks ahead.

If the shutdown continues into mid-November, consequences could extend beyond economic strain.

Federal workers are already without pay, food assistance programs such as SNAP are at risk of disruption, and flight delays across major U.S. airports are increasing ahead of the Thanksgiving travel season.

While both sides are exchanging blame, the latest standoff centers on healthcare subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act.

Republican leaders argue that the subsidies drive up costs and funnel taxpayer dollars to insurance companies, while Democrats insist they are vital to helping Americans manage higher premiums.

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told Fox News that the subsidies are “pumping money to insurance companies” and benefit a “select group” of about 24 million people — roughly 7 percent of the U.S. population.

GOP lawmakers have maintained that the broader issue lies with Obamacare itself, not the temporary funding measure.

The current impasse has turned the shutdown into another debate over the healthcare law enacted under President Obama in 2010.

Despite numerous Republican efforts to repeal or reform the law over the years, it remains intact, and Democrats have continued to tie government funding to healthcare policy.

Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, have stated that healthcare discussions can resume once the government reopens.

However, many Democrats are skeptical of that assurance.

Some Democratic senators are reportedly considering joining Republicans to temporarily fund the government through January while continuing to debate healthcare separately.

Such a move could deepen divisions within the Democratic Party.

Progressive senators have voiced frustration that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats previously joined Republicans in March to avoid a shutdown.

Party leaders fear that agreeing to reopen the government without resolving the subsidy dispute could provoke backlash among liberal lawmakers and their base.

Senate Republicans are working to attract enough Democratic votes to overcome a filibuster.

Fox News reported that air traffic delays and economic pressure are among the factors pushing some Democrats toward compromise.

A procedural vote could occur as soon as Sunday evening.

The proposal under discussion would extend funding for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congress through September 30, 2026.

It remains unclear whether Senate Republicans will call for a vote without assurances that the measure can clear a filibuster.

After several failed procedural votes in recent weeks, GOP leaders are cautious about forcing another.

If the Senate does manage to advance the bill, a final vote could come early next week.

Sources indicated that some Democrats might expedite proceedings to reopen the government quickly, while others may use procedural tactics to delay progress and propose amendments tied to Obamacare provisions.

Once passed in the Senate, the legislation would move to the House, where its fate is less certain.

Moderate Democrats such as Reps. Tom Suozzi of New York, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, and Jared Golden of Maine could become key votes if some Republicans break ranks.

Golden, who voted for a previous short-term funding bill in September, has since announced his retirement.

House math remains tight.

If Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona is sworn in before a vote, the chamber would have 433 members, with 219 Republicans and 214 Democrats.

That margin allows Republicans to lose only two votes before needing Democratic support to pass the measure.

After more than five weeks of a partial shutdown, both parties face an increasingly frustrated electorate.

Democrats risk division within their ranks if they fail to secure a deal on healthcare subsidies, while Republicans could face criticism for prolonging the impasse over a policy dispute dating back more than a decade.

Regardless of how negotiations unfold in the coming days, lawmakers on both sides are confronting what many in Washington are already calling a political reckoning.

Courtroom Chaos Erupts Over Repeat Offender Raping 12-Year-Old Girl in NYC
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Courtroom Chaos Erupts Over Repeat Offender Raping 12-Year-Old Girl in NYC

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Tensions erupted in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Saturday night when relatives of a 12-year-old girl allegedly raped in a Williamsburg housing complex confronted the suspect, 27-year-old Eric McMichael, during his arraignment.

The hearing broke down into shouting as family members cursed at the accused and the judge before officers cleared the room.

“Another outburst and everyone is leaving,” Judge Orville Reynolds warned during the proceedings.

McMichael, who is homeless, faces multiple felony charges after prosecutors said he attacked the girl in the stairwell of the Cooper Houses building on Morgan Avenue near Jackson Street on Thursday night.

Prosecutors said McMichael threatened to shoot the victim if she refused to follow him.

According to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, McMichael was out on parole at the time of the alleged assault for a 2013 robbery conviction.

Prosecutors stated that McMichael approached the girl in the lobby, told her, “I need you to come with me, or I’ll shoot you,” and forced her into the stairwell before committing the attack.

Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Jordan Rossman described the incident during the arraignment.

“An eyewitness encountered them and saw the defendant with no pants on, and the complainant, who made an outcry for help,” Rossman said.

“The defendant fled. The eyewitness brought the complainant upstairs to her family’s apartment where her mother was, and the mother saw the child bleeding from her legs.”

Rossman said the child’s mother immediately contacted police and took her daughter to the hospital, where she was treated and reported to be in stable condition.

Authorities said McMichael was identified in surveillance footage recorded at a nearby laundromat.

His parole officer recognized him in the video, leading to his arrest on Friday afternoon. Prosecutors said McMichael admitted to being in the lobby of the building after his arrest.

“He admitted to being in the lobby of the building, encountering a woman, talking to her, kissing her, hugging her, grabbing her, pushing her and refusing to let her go home until somebody came and saw what happened,” Rossman told the court.

McMichael now faces a long list of charges, including four counts of first-degree rape, two counts of second-degree rape, second- and third-degree burglary as sexually motivated felonies, two counts of sexual misconduct, forcible touching, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, second- and third-degree sexual abuse, second-degree criminal trespass, and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on Thursday.

Court documents and prior reports show McMichael’s criminal history spans several years.

In October 2019, he was arrested after allegedly stealing a 29-year-old woman’s phone and raping her at knifepoint in an abandoned Staten Island building.

Police said he removed screws from a door to break into the location where the attack occurred.

McMichael pleaded guilty and was ordered to undergo mental health treatment, according to the Staten Island Advance.

In August 2023, McMichael was arrested again for allegedly pretending to have a gun while attempting to carjack a livery cab driver.

Before his most recent arrest, he had been living in a homeless shelter on Clay Street.

The case has prompted public outrage over how a repeat violent offender remained free under parole supervision.

Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing as authorities continue reviewing evidence and additional witness statements.

Thune Orders Senate to Stay Put Until Democrats End Shutdown Standoff
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Thune Orders Senate to Stay Put Until Democrats End Shutdown Standoff

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced Saturday that the Senate will remain in session until lawmakers reach an agreement to end the government shutdown, which has now entered its 40th day.

Speaking to reporters during a rare weekend session at the Capitol, Thune said senators would not be released to go home until a deal is finalized.

Despite the House passing a clean continuing resolution in September to keep the government open through November 21, the Senate has yet to take action on the measure.

The continuing resolution, or CR, passed the House with bipartisan support, but Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked it, extending what is now the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The House has not reconvened while awaiting Senate action, putting pressure on the upper chamber to resolve the stalemate.

Thune said he intends to keep senators in Washington until progress is made. “We’re not leaving town until the government is reopened,” Thune told reporters.

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have voted down the House-passed CR fifteen times, rejecting multiple attempts to advance the legislation.

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A sixteenth vote could come as early as Sunday as Republican leadership searches for new strategies to bring Democrats to the negotiating table.

Only three Democrats — Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-N.M.), and independent Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) — have joined Republicans in supporting measures to reopen the government.

Democratic leadership initiated the shutdown to press for action on healthcare subsidies connected to the so-called Affordable Care Act, a topic they view as politically advantageous heading into the 2026 midterm cycle.

The debate centers on expiring Obamacare premium subsidies originally extended under pandemic-era relief legislation.

Thune and other Republican leaders have indicated they are willing to allow a separate vote on healthcare subsidies once the government is reopened.

However, Democrats have refused to support reopening the government without a guaranteed one-year extension of those subsidies included in the funding bill.

Schumer reiterated that demand on Friday, seeking to ensure the issue remains active through next year’s elections.

Thune rejected that proposal, calling it a non-starter.

“We’re not going to keep the government closed over partisan political demands,” a Republican aide familiar with the talks said.

The impasse has left federal workers unpaid for more than a month and caused growing delays in public services.

Air traffic disruptions, delayed food assistance payments, and stalled operations across several agencies have added pressure on both parties to reach a deal.

Republicans maintain that Democrats are prolonging the shutdown for political leverage, while Democrats argue that Republicans are refusing to negotiate on critical healthcare funding.

As the standoff continues, bipartisan frustration has grown, with a handful of senators privately urging leadership to find a compromise.

Thune has scheduled a working lunch for Senate Republicans on Sunday to discuss next steps and potential procedural maneuvers to advance legislation.

If the Senate votes again on the House-passed CR, it will mark the sixteenth attempt to overcome Democratic opposition.

As the stalemate enters its sixth week, congressional staff and leadership aides say there is no clear timeline for resolution.

However, Thune made it clear that senators will not be allowed to leave Washington until the funding impasse is broken and the government fully reopens.

Biden Handler’s Hot Mic Moment Adds Evidence to Cognitive Decline ‘Debate’
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Biden Handler’s Hot Mic Moment Adds Evidence to Cognitive Decline ‘Debate’

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Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic Friday evening being directed by a staff member immediately after speaking at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s “Ben Nelson Gala” in Omaha.

Biden delivered remarks at the annual fundraising event, where he criticized President Donald Trump and commented on this week’s election results.

During his speech, Biden claimed that voters had sent a message to the Trump administration.

“You work for us, Mr. President!” Biden shouted from the stage.

“We don’t work for you! You work for us! Not just billionaires and millionaires!”

He continued by declaring, “This is a democracy and the fact of the matter is there are no kings in democracies.”

After finishing his remarks, Biden appeared to begin leaving the stage before being stopped by a staff member who instructed him to remain.

The exchange was captured on a live microphone and quickly circulated online.

“You’re going to stay on stage,” the staffer was heard saying as she approached him.

“I am? Oh,” Biden responded.

The staff member then directed him toward a different exit, saying, “You’re going out by the side.”

“Oh, alright,” Biden replied before being escorted away.

The moment drew attention on social media, where clips of the exchange were widely shared by reporters and commentators.

The footage appeared to show Biden momentarily confused about where to go after completing his speech, prompting immediate assistance from his handler.

Biden’s appearance at the Omaha event marked one of his few recent public outings since leaving office.

Biden has maintained a relatively limited public schedule, occasionally delivering speeches to Democratic audiences and advocacy groups.

The “Ben Nelson Gala,” named after the former Nebraska senator and governor, is a key annual event for state Democrats.

The dinner, held at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, drew elected officials, local candidates, and party activists.

Biden’s speech focused largely on themes of economic inequality and his continued criticism of President Trump’s policies.

While Biden received applause for portions of his speech, it was the post-event exchange that dominated coverage afterward.

Political observers noted that such moments have become increasingly frequent during Biden’s public appearances, often prompting renewed scrutiny of his interactions with aides and event staff.

The hot mic clip was shared by multiple media outlets following the event.

It shows Biden briefly standing near the podium before the staffer steps in to guide him.

The exchange lasted less than 10 seconds but was picked up clearly by microphones still active from the event’s live broadcast.

The Omaha appearance was part of a weekend lineup of Democratic events in the Midwest, where party leaders are preparing for upcoming state and local races.

NYC’s New Mayor Mamdani Vows to Block ICE, Defy Federal Immigration Enforcement
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NYC’s New Mayor Mamdani Vows to Block ICE, Defy Federal Immigration Enforcement

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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Friday that New York City will not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement operations once he takes office, signaling a sharp policy shift from outgoing Mayor Eric Adams.

Speaking at the annual Somos conference in Puerto Rico, Mamdani said his administration will resist any federal attempts to assist with deportation efforts ordered by President Donald Trump.

The incoming mayor vowed that city law enforcement would not take part in federal operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“My NYPD will continue to not be of assistance to ICE whenever they are trying to terrorize New Yorkers across the five boroughs,” Mamdani told NY1.

He added, “I think that it’s important to continue a separation between NYPD and ICE, and I think it’s important to bring an end to a chapter which Eric Adams said on national TV, where he opened the door to civil immigration enforcement.”

The announcement drew attention both in New York and Washington, as the federal government continues to prepare for expanded immigration enforcement measures under President Trump’s renewed border directives.

Under Mayor Adams, New York City had allowed limited cooperation between local police and federal agents in specific cases involving criminal warrants and detainers.

Adams argued that such coordination improved public safety and ensured compliance with federal law.

Mamdani, however, ran on a campaign promise to end that cooperation and strengthen New York’s designation as a sanctuary city.

Mamdani, who previously served as a state assemblyman representing western Queens, has been a vocal critic of federal immigration enforcement.

He has described ICE as “a rogue agency, one that has no interest in laws, no interest in order,” and pledged to prevent city resources from being used in deportation operations.

During his campaign, Mamdani proposed new measures to block coordination between city departments and ICE, including limiting access to municipal records and prohibiting NYPD officers from accompanying federal agents during arrests or investigations involving immigration status.

His transition team has said those policies will be among the first executive actions considered after his inauguration in January.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized Mamdani’s immigration stance.

In a post on Truth Social on November 3, Trump warned that New York City could lose significant federal funding if Mamdani carries out his plans.

“If Mamdani wins, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,” the President wrote.

Federal officials have not confirmed whether funding adjustments are under review, though the White House has maintained that sanctuary city policies undermine national immigration enforcement.

Mamdani’s position comes amid an ongoing rise in the number of illegal aliens settling in New York, with city shelters housing tens of thousands of migrants as of this month.

City agencies have warned that costs related to housing and social services have strained the municipal budget.

The mayor-elect has said that his administration will focus on “protecting New Yorkers” regardless of immigration status and that local resources should not be used “to enable deportation or intimidation.”

Mamdani is expected to formally take office in January following certification of the election results.

His administration will immediately face the challenge of balancing local sanctuary commitments with potential federal funding restrictions and enforcement directives.

Dems Again Refuse to Pay Military, Federal Workers While Pushing for More Obamacare Funding
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Dems Again Refuse to Pay Military, Federal Workers While Pushing for More Obamacare Funding

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Senate Democrats on Friday voted down a Republican-led effort to pay federal workers and military personnel while the government shutdown entered its 37th day.

The motion, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), sought to invoke cloture on legislation that would have ensured continued pay for government employees and service members despite the ongoing budget impasse.

The motion failed by a vote of 53–43, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance.

Three Democratic senators—Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Georgia’s Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock—broke with their party to vote in favor of moving the bill forward.

However, their support was not enough to overcome opposition from Senate leadership and the majority of Democrats, who argued that such measures would remove pressure to end the shutdown.

The defeat came amid renewed debate on the Senate floor over competing proposals to reopen the government.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) earlier in the day had floated a deal that would fund the government in exchange for a one-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies originally enacted during the COVID-19 era.

Republicans quickly rejected the proposal, calling it unrelated to the spending negotiations and arguing that it would add billions in new federal costs.

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) dismissed Schumer’s offer and instead introduced two separate bills aimed at holding lawmakers accountable during the shutdown.

Kennedy’s legislation would suspend paychecks for members of Congress and senators until the government reopens.

“I think we’re just going to have to get used to the fact that we’ve been in a shutdown, and we’re going to be in a shutdown for a while,” Kennedy said in a separate interview earlier this week.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) indicated after the vote that negotiations on a broader government funding measure remain at an impasse.

“It remains to be seen if something comes together for the Senate to vote on tomorrow,” Thune told reporters, according to Punchbowl News correspondent Samantha Handler.

“Fingers crossed,” he added when asked about the status of ongoing discussions over the pending appropriations package.

Following the vote, Thune adjourned the Senate until Saturday.

According to HuffPost reporter Igor Bobic, Thune also placed on the Senate calendar a new bill that would rescind unused COVID-19 relief funds from states—a move Republicans say could save billions in unspent federal dollars.

The measure could become part of a larger GOP push to reduce wasteful pandemic-era spending while continuing negotiations over government funding.

The proposal to reclaim unused COVID relief funds reflects a growing Republican effort to offset new spending by targeting unallocated or expired federal appropriations from previous years.

The issue has been a consistent point of disagreement between the parties, with Democrats opposing cuts to programs they say still serve public needs.

The current government shutdown began more than a month ago amid disagreements over long-term budget priorities, border security funding, and healthcare-related provisions.

Democrats have insisted that any deal to reopen the government must include extensions of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans have focused on spending reductions and border enforcement measures.

As the standoff continues, federal workers across multiple agencies remain furloughed or working without pay, and certain military operations face delays in compensation.

While both sides have introduced legislation aimed at mitigating the impact, none have secured enough bipartisan support to advance through Congress.

With the Senate set to reconvene on Saturday, lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations over a potential short-term continuing resolution or a broader funding package.

For now, the deadlock between Senate Democrats and Republicans shows little sign of easing, leaving the government partially shuttered for a 38th day as talks resume through the weekend.

House Democrats Caught Spreading False Video to Smear ICE Agents
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House Democrats Caught Spreading False Video to Smear ICE Agents

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The Department of Homeland Security issued a detailed rebuttal Friday after House Homeland Security Committee Democrats reposted and amplified a misleading video that misrepresented an ICE enforcement operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

The committee’s official account on X accused DHS of dishonesty, writing, “DHS will lie. They always do,” while sharing footage of the arrest.

The video, which circulated widely on social media, appeared to show a man having a medical seizure as ICE agents arrested his wife.

According to DHS officials, the footage was manipulated to create a false narrative portraying agents as abusive.

The department said the claim was untrue and that the man had faked the episode during the arrest of his wife, an Ecuadorian national wanted for a violent stabbing.

Officials also warned that the misinformation spread by lawmakers had fueled antisemitic threats and violent rhetoric targeting ICE agents.

The incident occurred Thursday when ICE officers conducted a targeted enforcement action to arrest Juliana Milena-Ojeda-Montoya, a 27-year-old Ecuadorian national.

DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said Ojeda-Montoya entered the United States illegally near Lukeville, Arizona, in 2023 and was later released into the country under Biden-Harris administration policies.

ICE officers sought her arrest following a criminal case in which she allegedly stabbed a coworker multiple times with scissors and threw a trash can at the victim in August.

McLaughlin said Ojeda-Montoya’s toddler was seated on her lap inside a vehicle during the arrest, not secured in a car seat as required by law.

When agents approached, Ojeda-Montoya refused to hand the child to her husband, identified by DHS as another illegal alien.

As agents attempted to take her into custody, the man began to shake and pretend to have a seizure, McLaughlin said.

Witnesses who gathered at the scene began shouting obscenities and threats at the officers. ICE requested assistance from the Fitchburg Police Department to maintain order.

According to a DHS press statement, individuals in the crowd yelled antisemitic slurs and violent threats, including “You probably support Israel too,” “You look like a Jew,” and “We’re going to kill you and your kids.”

DHS officials said several threats referenced the officers’ perceived religion and families.

The Fitchburg Police Department later issued a statement confirming that its officers responded to assist ICE agents in keeping the peace.

“The role of the Fitchburg Police Department in this type of situation is to keep the peace,” the department said.

“Keeping the peace includes making sure both the public as a whole as well as the federal law enforcement agents are safe.”

Medical personnel were called to assess the man who appeared to suffer the seizure, but DHS said emergency responders found no evidence of a medical crisis.

The man refused treatment and was released at the scene along with his toddler.

Ojeda-Montoya was taken into custody without injury and transported to the Cumberland County Jail in Scarborough, Maine, where she remains pending immigration removal proceedings.

DHS condemned the social media post by House Democrats as a deliberate misrepresentation of the facts and said the agency would continue to defend its officers against false accusations.

McLaughlin said spreading misinformation about targeted enforcement actions undermines public trust and puts federal agents at risk.

She emphasized that the operation was conducted lawfully and that agents followed all procedures to ensure the safety of the child and the public.

Ojeda-Montoya faces removal from the United States following her criminal case.

ICE said the enforcement action was part of ongoing efforts to locate and detain individuals who have committed violent crimes after entering the country illegally.

Senator Kennedy Hilariously Rips Chuck Schumer: ‘Stupid Should Hurt More’
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Senator Kennedy Hilariously Rips Chuck Schumer: ‘Stupid Should Hurt More’

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Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said Friday that he prayed for patience after hearing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s latest proposal to end the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 37th day.

During an appearance on Fox News’ “The Story” with Martha MacCallum, Kennedy criticized Schumer’s plan as “the dumbest thing possible that won’t work,” rejecting the Democratic leader’s push to extend certain Obamacare subsidies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schumer, speaking earlier Friday on the Senate floor, said Democrats would agree to reopen the government if Republicans supported a one-year extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.

The measure, passed temporarily during the pandemic, provided expanded subsidies for individuals purchasing health insurance through the ACA exchanges.

Republicans have resisted making the temporary expansion permanent, arguing that it drives up federal spending and benefits insurance companies more than patients.

“God, please give me patience, because if, if you give me strength, I’m going to need bail money,” Kennedy told MacCallum, drawing laughter from the host.

“What Sen. Schumer is suggesting is that we do the dumbest thing possible that won’t work. Stupid should hurt more.”

Kennedy argued that extending the subsidies would come at a high cost to taxpayers without lowering premiums.

“Sen. Schumer says we should just extend the status quo for a year. What does that mean? That means that we would have to take $35 billion of taxpayer money and give it directly to the health insurance companies without any commitment of lowering premiums,” he said.

“How is that going to reduce health care costs? How’s that going to reduce premiums?”

“The health care companies are going to take $35 billion from the taxpayers and put it into their pockets,” Kennedy continued.

“I mean, duh! I don’t know what Sen. Schumer is thinking. Earth to Chuck, I mean, Earth to Chuck. Am I going to vote for this? The short answer is no. The long answer is hell, no.”

The Louisiana senator said the shutdown is likely to continue because Democrats have repeatedly blocked Republican efforts to reopen the government.

“I think we’re just going to have to get used to the fact that we’ve been in a shutdown, we’re going to be in a shutdown for a while,” Kennedy said.

“I voted 14 times to lift the shutdown. The Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul have voted 14 times to keep the government shutdown. We’re just going to be here for a while.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune echoed Kennedy’s frustration, calling Schumer’s proposal unserious.

“They’re feeling the heat, and they know that their last proposal was unserious and unrealistic, so I guess you can characterize that as progress,” Thune told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“But I just don’t think that it gets anywhere close to what we need to do here, and they know it.”

Schumer, however, said Democrats are prepared to move quickly if Republicans agree to the extension.

“Democrats are ready to clear the way to quickly pass a government funding bill that includes health care affordability,” Schumer said in his floor speech.

“Leader Thune just needs to add a clean one-year extension of the ACA tax credits to the CR so that we can immediately address rising health care costs.”

The Democratic leader has maintained that Republicans are to blame for prolonging the shutdown.

In an interview with Punchbowl News on October 9, Schumer said, “Every day gets better for us,” as the impasse continued.

Senate Democrats have blocked the continuing resolution 14 times so far, with another vote scheduled for Friday.

The standoff marks one of the longest shutdowns in recent history, with both parties showing little sign of compromise.

Republicans have continued to push for spending cuts and policy reforms in exchange for reopening the government, while Democrats insist on keeping the enhanced subsidies and other pandemic-era measures in place for at least another year.

UPS and FedEx Ground MD-11 Fleets After Fatal Louisville Crash Kills 14
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UPS and FedEx Ground MD-11 Fleets After Fatal Louisville Crash Kills 14

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UPS and FedEx announced Friday they are grounding all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft in their fleets following a fatal crash earlier this week at UPS Worldport, the company’s global air hub in Louisville, Kentucky.

The decision comes “out of an abundance of caution,” both carriers said, citing a recommendation from the aircraft manufacturer.

The crash occurred Tuesday evening and claimed 14 lives, including three pilots aboard the MD-11 bound for Honolulu.

According to UPS, the aircraft was nearly airborne when an alarm bell sounded in the cockpit.

For the next 25 seconds, the crew struggled to control the plane as it lifted briefly off the runway before crashing and erupting in flames.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman said the left wing was on fire and missing an engine before impact.

UPS said in a statement Friday night that the grounding was a proactive measure based on advice from the manufacturer.

“We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer,” the company said.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve.”

FedEx, which operates a smaller MD-11 fleet, confirmed it would follow the same course.

“We are grounding the aircraft while conducting a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer,” the company said in an email.

MD-11 aircraft represent about 9% of the UPS fleet and roughly 4% of FedEx’s aircraft, both companies said.

Western Global Airlines is the only other U.S. cargo carrier operating the MD-11, with 16 in its fleet.

Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 12 of Western Global’s MD-11s are already in storage.

The MD-11 was designed by McDonnell Douglas before the company’s 1997 merger with Boeing.

Production of the widebody jet ended in 2000, and the model has since been phased out of passenger service.

Boeing has not publicly commented on the rationale behind the manufacturer’s recommendation to temporarily ground the planes.

Inman said investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and were analyzing data from it.

The alarm bell was recorded approximately 37 seconds after the pilots called for takeoff thrust.

“There are different types of alarms with varying meanings,” Inman said, noting that the NTSB has not yet determined the exact cause.

“We do know that the left wing was burning and that the engine on that side had detached.”

A full transcript of the cockpit recording will not be released for several months, pending completion of the investigation.

Former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti told the Associated Press that the bell likely indicated an engine fire warning.

“It occurred at a point in the takeoff where they were likely past their decision speed to abort the takeoff,” Guzzetti said.

“They were likely past their critical decision speed to remain on the runway and stop safely. They’ll need to thoroughly investigate the options the crew may or may not have had.”

Video footage from multiple angles captured the plane crashing into nearby businesses and exploding into a large fireball.

Investigators are reviewing images from phones, vehicle dashcams, and surveillance cameras to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Flight data shows the UPS MD-11 had recently undergone maintenance in San Antonio, Texas, where it was grounded for more than a month until mid-October.

Officials have not yet detailed what work was performed during that time.

UPS’s Worldport facility, which serves as the company’s primary logistics and air operations hub, employs more than 20,000 people and handles about 300 flights daily.

The hub sorts approximately 400,000 packages per hour during peak operations. Despite the crash, UPS said operations resumed late Wednesday with the company’s Next Day Air processing, also known as the “night sort.”

The NTSB, Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing are all participating in the investigation.

Officials said it could take several months to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether a mechanical failure, maintenance issue, or other factor contributed.


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