How Democrats are trying to bust Republican lies about healthcare for undocumented immigrants

At the centre of the government shutdown is the issue of healthcare for Americans being stripped by Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

Leading up to the government shutdown on Wednesday, congressional Republicans and Donald Trump have repeated misleading claims that Democrats were trying to pass a resolution that would provide “free healthcare for illegals”. It’s become a well-rehearsed refrain fueling GOP lawmakers as government funding lapsed this week.

At the White House on Wedne...

Trump to meet with Project 2025 architect on cutting ‘Democrat agencies’ amid government shutdown – live

Trump touts meeting with Russ Vought ‘of Project 2025 fame’ to determine where cuts can be made as the federal government remains shut for second day

In his interview this morning with CNBC Scott Bessent also said that he could “guarantee” Republicans will not meet Democratic leaders’ demands to extend Obamacare subsidies as a way to end the government shutdown.

Democrats are negotiating “like terrorists”, the treasury secretary claimed, adding: “They want to say, ‘This is what we have to have, and if we don’t get it, we’re going to close down the government.’”

President Trump, in the first nine months now, has been unstoppable. They’ve tried to stop him in the courts, they tried to stop him in the press, and now they’re trying to stop him with the shutdown.

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What does a government shutdown mean and why is this year’s threat more serious?

The US government has shut down because Congress couldn’t reach a funding agreement. Here’s what to know about what happens next

  • US government shutdown – live updates

Much of the federal government officially began to shut down on Wednesday, after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement before the midnight deadline. The shutdown will have a wide range of effects on government services and potentially the US economy.

Republicans put forward a stopgap...

Why healthcare spending was at the center of the US government shutdown battle

Democrats said they won’t vote for legislation unless Republicans reversed Medicaid cuts and extended subsidies

  • US government shutdown – live updates

The federal government shut down on Wednesday in part, due to a battle between Democrats and Republicans over healthcare spending.

Democrats had said that they would not vote for legislation to keep the government open unless Donald Trump and Republicans, who hold the majority in Congress, agreed to reverse...

First Thing: Trump and Netanyahu tell Hamas to accept Gaza peace plan or face consequences

The Israeli PM threatens to ‘finish the job’ if Hamas does not agree. Plus, do AI ‘actors’ pose an existential threat to their human counterparts?

Good morning.

President Donald Trump and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, have given Hamas an ultimatum, warning the militant group to accept their 20-point peace plan or face the consequences.

What does the plan call for? A ceasefire, a swap of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament and a transitional government led by an international body.

Head to our live blog for the latest updates.

What healthcare provisions are Democrats demanding? An extension of subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans, which expire at the end of the year, and a reversal of Medicaid cuts.

How would a shutdown be received? 45% of voters would blame congressional Republicans for a shutdown, while 32% would blame Democrats, according to polling from Morning Consult.

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Tensions expected as Trump meets with top Democrats and Republicans in effort to avoid shutdown

Trump and Republicans are unfazed at prospect of shutdown, and talks with Democrats are anticipated to be confrontational

  • US politics – latest updates

Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for a crunch White House meeting with Donald Trump in an 11th-hour bid to avert a potentially damaging federal government shutdown.

Monday’s gathering is aimed at reaching an agreement over funding the government and largely hinges on Democrat demands for an extensi...

‘It’s harsh. I mean, brutal’: Trump bill to cause most harm to America’s poorest

President embraces Robin-Hood-in-reverse policies to benefit wealthiest and hurt those earning under $50,000

Last November, Donald Trump made a solemn vow to all Americans: “Every citizen, I will fight for you, your family and your future every single day.” Eight months later, Trump is vigorously backing many policies that will mean pain for millions.

Trump has pushed to enact the Republican budget bill, which would make significant cuts to Medicaid, Obamacare, and food assistance, and would do the greatest damage to those Americans struggling hardest to make ends meet – the 30% of the US population that lives in households earning under $50,000 a year.

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Mayors sue over Trump’s efforts to restrict Obamacare signups

Democratic mayors challenge new rules that give millions of people less time to enroll in coverage

New Trump administration rules that give millions of people a shorter timeframe to sign up for the Affordable Care Act’s health care coverage are facing a legal challenge from Democratic mayors around the country.

The rules, rolled out last month, reverse a Biden-era effort to expand access to the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance, commonly called “Obamacare” or the ACA. The previous Democratic administration expanded the enrollment window for the coverage, which led to record enrollment.

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US supreme court ruling sets stage for more politicized science under RFK Jr

Experts call decision that found health secretary has power to convene key panel ‘classic good news, bad news’

A US supreme court decision affirming the constitutionality of Obamacare sets the stage for more politicized science in the future, health law experts said about the court’s decision.

The court’s majority opinion in Kennedy v Braidwood Management found that an expert panel – the preventive services taskforce – convened under the Affordable Care Act is under the direct oversight of the health secretary.

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US supreme court ruling sets stage for more politicized science under RFK Jr

Experts call decision that found health secretary has power to convene key panel ‘classic good news, bad news’

A US supreme court decision affirming the constitutionality of Obamacare sets the stage for more politicized science in the future, health law experts said about the court’s decision.

The court’s majority opinion in Kennedy v Braidwood Management found that an expert panel – the preventive services taskforce – convened under the Affordable Care Act is under the direct oversight of the health secretary.

Continue reading...