Trump backs newest Republican spending deal that would prevent a government shutdown if passed: Live
The proposed continuing resolution, championed by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson, would have kept agencies running at current funding levels through to mid-March 2025
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump celebrated a deal he claims was reached in Congress that will keep the government open and push the debt ceiling deadline back two years in a Truth Social post on Thursday. Despite his praise for the alleged deal, some reports have suggested Democrats have not agreed to anything and have been left in the dark on the agreement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s previous bipartisan deal would have kept agencies running at current funding levels through to mid-March 2025 but the president-elect and his deputy issued a statement complaining the bill does not address the nation’s statutory debt ceiling. The new deal Trump referenced reportedly includes a delay on the debt ceiling deadline.
Democrats have meanwhile mocked tech billionaire Elon Musk’s undue influence over the incoming administration, with Senator Bernie Sanders ironically praising “President Elon Musk” on X.
While Trump told Fox News Digital Johnson will “easily remain speaker” he added a caveat reiterating his earlier statement. Among the names floated as potential replacements for Johnson is Musk, with Senator Rand Paul noting the role is not limited to members of Congress.
Meanwhile, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been removed from Trump’s sprawling election interference case by Georgia’s Court of Appeals which ruled her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade was a conflict of interest.
U.S. economy grows at 3.1% pace in third quarter, an upgrade from previous estimate
The American economy grew at a healthy 3.1% annual clip from July through September, propelled by vigorous consumer spending and an uptick in exports, the government said in an upgrade to its previous estimate.
Third-quarter growth in U.S. gross domestic product — the economy’s output of goods and services — accelerated from the April-July rate of 3% and continued to look sturdy despite high interest rates, the Commerce Department said Thursday. GDP growth has now topped 2% in eight of the last nine quarters.
American voters were unimpressed by the steady growth under Democratic President Joe Biden.
Read on...
U.S. economy grows at 3.1% pace in third quarter, an upgrade from previous estimate
The American economy grew at a healthy 3.1% annual clip from July through September, propelled by vigorous consumer spending and an uptick in exports, the government said in an upgrade to its previous estimate
Marjorie Taylor Greene open to supporting Elon Musk as speaker
Firebrand Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene says she is open to supporting Elon Musk as speaker of the House — a position that does not require the holder to be a member of Congress.
Here’s what she wrote in response to Senator Rand Paul’s earlier tweet:
I’d be open to supporting @elonmusk for Speaker of the House.
DOGE can only truly be accomplished by reigning in Congress to enact real government efficiency.
The establishment needs to be shattered just like it was yesterday.
This could be the way.
Watch: ‘Billionaires are running the show here’ says Rep Becca Balint
Congresswoman Becca Balint of Vermont says Elon Musk wants a tax break in the next administration and that is why the spending deal has been nixed and the debt ceiling is now on the table: “That’s what this is about folks. It’s about a big freaking tax break for billionaires. That’s what it’s about. Don’t be confused about what’s going on.”
Defense bill clears Congress — with ban on gender care for minors buried inside it
The Senate has passed a divisive new defense spending bill that directs $895bn towards the Pentagon for the coming year, despite Democratic objections to a provision buried within it that blocks the transgender children of servicemen and women from receiving health coverage to treat gender dysphoria.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed through the House of Representatives last week and the upper chamber of Congress on Wednesday by 85 votes to 14 and will now make its way to President Joe Biden’s Resolute Desk in the Oval Office to be signed into law.
But while the NDAA includes such positive measures as pay rises for both junior and senior enlisted members and authorizes $33.5bn for new battleships, $17.5bn for military construction projects and $143bn for research, development and weapons testing, its anti-trans clause, reportedly added at the insistence of House Speaker Mike Johnson, caused disquiet.
Joe Sommerlad has the details.
Defense bill clears Congress… but also includes ban on gender care for minors
Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act, which includes clause blocking healthcare for trans children of American soldiers buried amongst its more positive provisions including pay rises and military investment
Progressive caucus chair Greg Casar suggests Trump hand Musk Oval Office or Johnson turn over gavel
New Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar of Texas was asked by CSPAN about the status of the continuing resolution ahead of Friday’s midnight deadline: “Republicans just seem to be going nuts and we’ll see what it is they decide to do to the country.”
“If Elon Musk is kind of cosplaying co-President here, I don’t know why Trump doesn’t just hand him the Oval Office, or Speaker Johnson should maybe just hand Elon Musk the gavel if they just want that billionaire to run the country,” he added.
BREAKING: DA Fani Willis booted from Trump’s election interference case in Georgia
A ruling from Georgia’s Court of Appeals removes Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from prosecuting a sprawling election interference case against Donald Trump and more than a dozen of his allies, upending the ongoing criminal case against the president-elect weeks before he returns to the White House.
Alex Woodward is reporting on this breaking story...
DA Fani Willis booted from Trump’s election interference case in Georgia
Appeals court ruling determined her relationship with special prosecutor warrants dismissal
Former Obama aide says failure to punish CEOs for 2008 crash contributed to Trump’s rise
The Democrats’ failure to punish “greedy” CEOs for the 2008 financial crash contributed to the rise of Donald Trump, argues Obama’s former White House chief of staff.
Rahm Emanuel, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Japan, criticized the party for being “blind to the rising sea of disillusionment” that has been simmering for years in America, he wrote in a column for the Washington Post titled “The road back to power for Democrats.”
Emanuel, who was Obama’s White House chief of staff from 2009–2010, said the disillusionment began in 2003 with the Iraq War and rumbled on into 2008, where “unchecked greed led to the collapse of the global financial system.”
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Dems’ failure to punish CEOs for 2008 crash contributed to Trump’s rise: Obama aide
Rahm Emanuel criticized the Democrats for being ‘blind to the rising sea of disillusionment’ that has been simmering for years in America
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments