Senate Democrats Kill Pay for Essential Federal Workers as They Hold Government Hostage
In a 54-45 vote that fell short of the 60 needed to advance, Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked the Republican-led 2025 Shutdown Fairness Act, leaving military personnel, air traffic controllers, law enforcement officers, and other essential federal workers without guaranteed paychecks during the ongoing 23-day government shutdown that began October 1st, exacerbating hardships for those required to report for duty amid funding lapses for fiscal year 2026. Sponsored by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Todd Young (R-IN), the measure would have ensured timely compensation, including base pay, allowances, and benefits, for “excepted” employees performing emergency duties in current and future shutdowns, a practical step forward that only garnered support from three Democrats—Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA)—while the majority of Democrats prioritized demands for extending Obamacare subsidies including healthcare funding for illegal immigrants and comprehensive reopening over targeted relief for frontline service members and public safety roles. Critics among Democrats, including Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), dismissed the bill as a selective ploy granting excessive discretion to the administration, opting instead for an alternative proposal to cover all federal employees and contractors, which itself was halted by a Republican objection, underscoring the partisan gridlock that has now rejected a dozen Republican funding extensions and delayed defense appropriations, with federal workers facing missed pay by week’s end and broader ripple effects on national security and daily operations. This impasse, rooted in clashing priorities over health care expansions versus immediate fiscal stability, leaves essential contributors to American safety and defense in limbo, prompting calls from GOP leaders like Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) for Democrats to reconsider the human cost of prolonged stalemate.
Senate Democrats Obstruct 12th Funding Vote, Extending Shutdown to Second-Longest in History
In a stark display of partisan gridlock, the U.S. Senate Democrats on October 22nd, rejected a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill for the 12th consecutive time in a 54-46 vote, prolonging the government shutdown that began on October 1st into its 22nd day and cementing it as the second-longest in American history behind the 2018-2019 impasse. Nearly all Republicans supported the clean continuing resolution to fund federal operations through November 21 without additional Democratic demands, while Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, withheld their votes to press for extensions of Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at year’s end—a move critics argue prioritizes special interests over essential services and fiscal stability, exacerbating furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, delays in economic data releases, and mounting daily costs estimated at $15 billion in lost output. The Trump administration has leveraged the stalemate to target bureaucratic excesses in agencies aligned with progressive priorities, such as halting Biden-era energy projects and infrastructure funding tied to what it calls unconstitutional DEI mandates, while ensuring military pay and core safety-net programs like Social Security remain intact; yet with no new negotiations on the horizon and Senate Majority Leader John Thune insisting the government must reopen before broader talks, the impasse underscores the high stakes of congressional dysfunction as midterms loom.
Sources: The Epoch Times, CNBC
U.S. Debt Milestone Signals Urgent Need for Fiscal Discipline as $38 Trillion Mark Looms Over Economy
The United States has crossed a sobering threshold with its national debt exceeding $38 trillion for the first time, a rapid escalation of $1 trillion in just over two months that underscores persistent challenges in federal spending control and the mounting burden of interest payments now topping $1 trillion annually. This surge, fueled by an aging population straining entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, alongside a partial government shutdown now in its third week that delays reforms and adds billions in extra costs, has drawn sharp criticism from fiscal watchdogs who argue such unchecked accumulation twice outpaces historical norms and crowds out vital investments for future growth. While record tariff revenues—reaching $202 billion in fiscal 2025, a 142% jump year-over-year—have helped narrow the year’s budget deficit to $1.78 trillion from $1.82 trillion the prior year, providing a measure of offset through enhanced customs duties on imports, projections from the Congressional Budget Office still forecast annual deficits climbing to $2.6 trillion by 2035, pushing public debt to 120% of GDP and risking higher borrowing costs for families and businesses alike. Experts emphasize that without targeted spending restraint, these trends threaten long-term economic stability, calling on lawmakers to prioritize responsible budgeting over crisis-driven decisions.
Sources: Fortune Magazine, FOX Business
Trump Administration Unlocks $3 Billion in Farmer Relief Amid Ongoing Shutdown Standoff
In a timely move to support America’s agricultural backbone, President Trump has instructed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reopen Farm Service Agency offices nationwide starting October 23rd, resuming the distribution of over $3 billion in critical aid payments and loans that were stalled by the Democrats’ government shutdown, now exceeding three weeks. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted the administration’s commitment to farmers grappling with harvest pressures and trade disruptions, including China’s pivot away from U.S. soybeans, by tapping into Commodity Credit Corporation funds to cover programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage without further congressional delay. This action, praised by farm-state Republicans as essential relief for producers facing delayed equipment purchases and rent obligations, underscores the White House’s resolve to prioritize rural economies even as partisan gridlock—fueled by Democratic demands on unrelated spending—prolongs the funding impasse. While some Democrats have welcomed the partial reopening but called for broader safeguards like SNAP extensions, the initiative delivers immediate financial breathing room to thousands of operations at a pivotal season.
Sources: The Washington Times, ZeroHedge
Trump Moves to Restore Strategic Oil Reserve as Prices Provide Timely Opportunity
President Trump’s administration has initiated the replenishment of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by authorizing the purchase of one million barrels of domestic crude oil for delivery in December 2025 and January 2026, a prudent step to address the reserve’s current 60% capacity after extensive drawdowns totaling over 180 million barrels during the Biden era that strained infrastructure and national security. Funded through a $171 million allocation in the Working Families Tax Cut legislation, this effort leverages West Texas Intermediate crude prices hovering around $58 per barrel—down roughly 30% from early-year peaks amid a global supply glut—to efficiently rebuild stocks toward the full 714 million-barrel target, supporting American energy producers and insulating the nation against future disruptions. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted the action as a reversal of prior “reckless” depletions for short-term political gains, underscoring a commitment to long-term reliability without added taxpayer burdens through spot-price contracts and required returns on any exchanges.
Sources: The Business Report, Yahoo News
National Democrats Fuel ‘Independent’ Nebraska Senate Bid to Challenge Republican Incumbent
In Nebraska’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, independent candidate Dan Osborn, a labor union leader and Navy veteran, has drawn scrutiny for relying heavily on funding from prominent national Democrats, raising questions about the authenticity of his nonpartisan stance against Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts. Recent Federal Election Commission filings reveal contributions totaling around $15,000 this quarter from sources including Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s campaign, former Sens. Bob Kerrey and Jon Tester’s PACs, and Rep. Jamie Ruck’s Democracy Summer PAC, alongside over $350,000 funneled through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, which adjusted its rules to accommodate aligned independents like Osborn. Endorsed by the Nebraska Democrat Party, Osborn’s ties echo a broader strategy promoted by figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders to encourage progressives to run outside party labels amid electoral challenges, potentially allowing him to siphon votes from Republicans in the deep-red state without a formal Democrat contender. While Osborn maintains he accepts only grassroots support from working Nebraskans tired of Washington partisanship, critics from the GOP, including Ricketts’ campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, argue this financial backing exposes him as a disguised liberal ally, unlikely to caucus independently if elected and poised to advance left-leaning priorities on issues like border security and healthcare. This infusion of out-of-state Democratic money, building on millions spent in Osborn’s narrow 2024 loss to Sen. Deb Fischer, underscores ongoing efforts to flip the seat in the 2026 midterms, though forecasters still view it as solidly Republican territory.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, The Washington Examiner
Maine Democrat’s Totenkopf Tattoo Fuels Questions on Far-Left Extremism in Senate Race
Graham Platner, a Democrat challenger to Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine’s 2026 U.S. Senate contest, finds his campaign under fire after a decade-old video surfaced showing a chest tattoo resembling the Nazi SS Totenkopf symbol, a death’s head emblem tied to concentration camp guards and notorious for war crimes, which he obtained during a drunken night in Croatia while serving as a Marine in 2007 and claims he only recently learned of its hateful connotations before covering it with a Celtic knot design. The ex-Marine and self-proclaimed socialist, who has trained members of the armed Socialist Rifle Association—a group of 10,000 preparing for potential conflict with fascists—on paramilitary tactics amid a new Maine law banning such unauthorized instruction, has apologized for the ink and past Reddit posts revealing communist leanings, bigoted remarks on race and sexual assault, and calls for semi-automatic rifles to combat perceived fascism, yet retains strong backing from Bernie Sanders and other party figures who view him as the strongest option to unseat Collins despite the revelations painting a picture of unchecked radicalism within Democrat ranks. As Platner’s former campaign director resigned over the scandals and opponents highlight the irony of a left-wing figure bearing a symbol long co-opted by neo-Nazis, the episode underscores ongoing tensions in a polarized political landscape where past associations continue to test voter tolerance for aspirants to high office.
Sources: ZeroHedge, The Daily Wire
AOC’s Campaign Treasurer, Mamdani Advocate a Democratic Socialists of America Veteran
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional campaign and political action committee, Courage to Change, have relied on Frank Llewellyn as treasurer since her 2018 victory, with federal records showing payments exceeding $250,000 for salary, travel, and administrative support—a arrangement that underscores the enduring connections between progressive Democratic figures and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the nation’s largest socialist organization. Llewellyn, who served as DSA’s national director from 2001 to 2011 and remains a lifetime member, played a pivotal role in the group’s early support for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2006 Senate win, hailing it as a breakthrough for self-declared socialists in American politics, and continues his involvement through the DSA Fund’s board, where he was an original incorporator of its predecessor entity. His ongoing activity in New York City’s Queens DSA branch includes vocal backing for socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s leading bid for New York City mayor, a campaign bolstered by DSA strategists who helped shape its platform to advance goals like abolishing ICE and municipal control over neglected rental properties, even as national surveys reveal broader American preference for capitalism over socialism. This financial and ideological alignment highlights how DSA’s networks sustain key players in the progressive wing, potentially amplifying socialist priorities in urban governance amid Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders’ joint efforts against perceived corporate excess.
Sources: FOX News, The Daily BS
Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate’s Family Struck by Heartbreaking Helicopter Crash in Montana
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, a steadfast conservative voice who challenged Governor JB Pritzker in 2022 and eyes a 2026 rematch, is enduring an unimaginable tragedy following a helicopter crash in Montana on October 22nd, that claimed the lives of his son Zachary, daughter-in-law Kelsey, and two cherished grandchildren, Vada Rose and Samuel, leaving their 10-year-old son Finn as the sole survivor from the flight. The incident, now under scrutiny by federal investigators, has prompted a wave of solemn support for the Baileys, who draw strength from their deep-rooted faith, tight-knit family bonds, and the compassionate prayers pouring in from across the nation, as highlighted in the campaign’s moving statement requesting privacy to honor their loved ones. In a rare display of unity, even Pritzker offered prayers and condolences, reminding all of the profound value placed on family in times of profound loss.
Sources: FOX News, The New York Post
New Jersey GOP Calls for DOJ Monitors in Passaic County Amid Ballot Security Concerns
In a move to protect the integrity of the upcoming gubernatorial election, New Jersey Republicans have formally requested that the Department of Justice deploy federal election monitors to Passaic County, citing the Democrat-controlled Board of Elections’ refusal to install security cameras and maintain logs for monitoring mail-in ballots in areas where they are stored and processed. This action follows a pattern of past irregularities in the county, including a 2020 Paterson city council race marred by fraud allegations that led to the invalidation of hundreds of ballots and ongoing indictments against local officials for ballot stuffing and forgery, raising legitimate questions about the adequacy of state-level safeguards. The request, directed to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, emphasizes the need for around-the-clock oversight of vote-by-mail handling to ensure transparency in this swing county, which unexpectedly supported Donald Trump in 2024 after decades of Democratic dominance. While the New Jersey Attorney General’s office maintains that states bear primary responsibility for elections and deems federal involvement inappropriate, the DOJ has acknowledged the plea by confirming it is under review to uphold free and fair processes for all voters.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, The New York Post
Wyoming Capitol Lockdown Highlights Need for Vigilant Public Awareness on Security Threats
The Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne was evacuated Tuesday morning after an unidentified individual discovered a suspected improvised explosive device on the grounds near the front steps and brought it inside the building, prompting a full lockdown around 9:45 a.m. and disrupting ongoing legislative activities, including a meeting of the Wyoming Stable Token Commission attended by Governor Mark Gordon. Authorities from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigation, and local police responded promptly with bomb-sniffing dogs, drones, and a joint bomb squad to sweep the premises, closing surrounding streets for safety while emphasizing public protection as their top priority; by evening, roads were reopened, though the Capitol remained shuttered for the day, with no injuries reported and officials urging tips from the public to aid the ongoing probe into the homemade-appearing object’s origins. This event serves as a reminder of the everyday vigilance required to safeguard democratic institutions against potential hazards, reflecting the effective coordination among state agencies in maintaining order without unnecessary alarm.
Sources: The Cowboy State Daily, AP News
Illegal Immigrant Trucker, Freed Under Biden Border Policy, Faces Charges in Deadly California Pileup
A 21-year-old Indian national, Jashanpreet Singh, stands accused of gross vehicular manslaughter after allegedly driving his semi-truck under the influence of drugs into a traffic jam on California’s Interstate 10, igniting a fiery eight-vehicle collision that claimed three lives and left four others hospitalized in San Bernardino County this week. Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally via the southern border in March 2022 and was promptly released into the interior pending a hearing under the Biden administration’s alternatives-to-detention program, later secured a work permit and, despite failing English proficiency and road sign tests, obtained a limited-term commercial driver’s license in California last July. Federal authorities, including ICE, have now lodged a detainer against him, underscoring ongoing concerns about the vetting of non-citizen drivers operating heavy vehicles on American roads amid relaxed enforcement measures that have allowed thousands of similar releases since 2021. Critics point to this tragedy as a stark reminder of the risks posed by inadequate border screening and state-level licensing leniency, particularly in California, which faces federal funding cuts for bypassing English language requirements for truckers—a policy holdover from the prior administration now under renewed scrutiny. Transportation officials have withheld over $40 million in highway safety funds from the state over these lapses, highlighting a broader pattern where released migrants have gone on to commit serious offenses, eroding public trust in immigration safeguards.
Sources: US Dept of Homeland Security, Legal Insurrection
DON’T MISS THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMMENTARY:
The Age of Performative Protest Is Dead
In the crisp autumn air of October 18th, 2025, the latest spectacle in America’s endless parade of Leftist outrage unfolded under the banner of “No Kings.” Billed as a nationwide uprising against President Trump’s second term, this so-called protest wave promised millions marching in over 2,700 events across all 50 states. What it delivered, however, was a pathetic tableau: gray-haired retirees shuffling along sidewalks in ill-fitting protest t-shirts, clutching Starbucks cups like talismans against the chill…
Read and listen to more at UndergroundUSA.com
Trump Targets Russia’s Oil Empire to Starve Ukraine War Machine, Calls for Ceasefire Now
In a firm move to undermine Moscow’s ability to sustain its invasion of Ukraine, the Trump administration has levied sweeping sanctions on Russia’s dominant oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with dozens of their subsidiaries, effectively freezing their assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting American transactions to squeeze the Kremlin’s war chest. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscored the urgency, declaring it “time to stop the killing” through an immediate ceasefire, while aligning the action with President Trump’s broader push for negotiated peace that holds both sides accountable without endless escalation. The measures, enacted under Executive Order 14024 for operating in Russia’s energy sector, signal a calculated escalation to isolate Putin’s regime economically, with White House officials linking the timing to stalled diplomatic efforts, including a postponed Trump-Putin summit, and calling on NATO allies to enforce similar restrictions on Russian energy imports. This step reflects a pragmatic approach to diplomacy backed by economic leverage, prioritizing an end to the bloodshed over prolonged conflict that drains resources from American taxpayers and distracts from domestic priorities.
Sources: US Treasury Dept, FOX Business
Islamist Militants Seize American Missionary in Niger, Exposing Sahel Security Gaps
In a troubling escalation of jihadist activity in West Africa, an American Christian missionary pilot, affiliated with the evangelical organization Serving in Mission and based in Niger since 2010, was abducted late Tuesday from his residence in the capital’s secure Plateau district—mere yards from the presidential palace—by three armed assailants who neutralized his guard before fleeing northward toward the Tillaberi region, a notorious haven for Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked fighters. No ransom demands have surfaced, but security tracking placed the victim’s phone about 56 miles north of Niamey, deep in militant territory, amid a surge in abductions that have claimed other foreigners this year, including Austrians, Swiss nationals, and Indian workers. The U.S. State Department promptly acknowledged the crisis, coordinating with local forces to prioritize the citizen’s recovery and return, a stance that reflects the Trump administration’s focus on safeguarding Americans in high-risk zones. This incident compounds Niger’s fragility since the July 2023 coup that installed General Abdourahamane Tiani’s junta, ousting elected President Mohamed Bazoum—who remains confined to palace rooms—and fueling cross-border incursions that strain regional counterterrorism efforts.
China Bolsters Military Leadership with Non-Xi Aligned Anti-Corruption Veteran Amid Internal Reforms
In a move signaling continued efforts to root out graft within its ranks, the Chinese Communist Party has elevated General Zhang Shengmin, a seasoned political commissar and overseer of the People’s Liberation Army’s anti-corruption drive, to the position of second-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission on October 23rd, filling the slot vacated by the ouster of a prominent general aligned closely with President Xi Jinping. This appointment, announced at the conclusion of a pivotal four-day plenum, underscores Beijing’s focus on disciplinary measures in the armed forces, with Zhang—now the nation’s second-highest-ranking military officer—bringing his extensive experience in ideological oversight and enforcement to a body that directs the world’s largest standing army. Observers note that while the promotion maintains continuity in Xi’s broader campaign against corruption, it also reflects the challenges of sustaining loyalty and efficiency in an era of heightened scrutiny, as nine other high-level military figures were recently removed from key posts. Such shifts highlight the intricate balance the CCP must strike between purging disloyal elements and ensuring operational readiness in a tense geopolitical landscape.
Sources: The Epoch Times, Reuters
SpaceX Shuts Down Starlink Access to Myanmar’s Border Scam Hubs
In a move highlighting private sector accountability amid governmental instability, SpaceX has deactivated more than 2,500 Starlink internet kits suspected of powering cyber fraud operations in Myanmar’s volatile border regions, where criminal syndicates exploit trafficked individuals to run global scams targeting romance and investment victims for billions in losses each year. The company, complying with its usage policies and unlicensed status in the country, identified the devices through proactive monitoring and coordinated with authorities to curb their role in these illicit networks, as detailed in statements from Starlink’s business operations vice president Lauren Dreyer. This intervention comes alongside Myanmar’s military raids on notorious sites like KK Park, which seized a handful of terminals but released over 2,000 workers amid chaotic evacuations, though analysts view such actions as limited gestures to satisfy pressure from nations like China without dismantling the militia-backed economy fueling the junta’s conflicts. While scam compounds persist in loosely governed areas, SpaceX’s response demonstrates how technology firms can enforce boundaries against organized crime where local enforcement falls short, potentially aiding broader international efforts to protect vulnerable populations from digital predation.
Sources: The National Post, ARS Technica
Knesset Advances Sovereignty Over Judea and Samaria in Defiance of Netanyahu
In a striking display of internal resolve within Israel’s political landscape, right-wing members of the Knesset on October 22nd, propelled forward a preliminary bill to extend Israeli sovereignty over settlement areas in Judea and Samaria—the biblical heartland known internationally as the West Bank—securing a narrow 25-24 victory that overlooked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s explicit directive to his coalition to oppose the measure. Sponsored by Noam party leader Avi Maoz, the legislation declares these territories an inseparable part of Israel, fulfilling a long-standing Zionist aspiration rooted in historical and scriptural claims, while a companion proposal targeting the Ma’ale Adumim settlement bloc passed more comfortably at 32-9 under opposition figure Avigdor Liberman’s sponsorship. This development unfolded even as U.S. Vice President JD Vance conferred with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on bolstering the Gaza ceasefire and Abraham Accords, against a backdrop where President Donald Trump has voiced firm opposition to annexation and Gulf states like the UAE have drawn clear boundaries against it, underscoring the tensions between Israel’s sovereign imperatives and delicate diplomatic balances. Though the bills face steep hurdles in committee and further readings, the votes signal a coalition fracture and a push to rectify what proponents see as overdue recognition of Israel’s enduring ties to the land, even as Netanyahu’s office emphasized practical on-the-ground advancements over legislative theatrics.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, The Times of Israel
U.S. Bolsters Caribbean Security Posture to Counter Venezuelan-Linked Drug Threats
In a significant escalation of efforts to disrupt narco-terrorist networks tied to the Maduro regime, the United States has amassed a formidable military presence in the Caribbean, deploying B-52 Stratofortress bombers for attack demonstrations near Venezuela’s coast, alongside Marine Corps F-35B fighters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, AC-130 gunships, and an amphibious ready group featuring the USS Iwo Jima and supporting vessels like destroyers equipped with Tomahawk missiles, all coordinated under a new Joint Task Force announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to target trafficking operations that endanger American communities. This buildup, involving roughly 10,000 personnel and marking the largest U.S. footprint in the region in decades, includes the reactivation of the Roosevelt Roads base in Puerto Rico as a logistics hub and recent strikes on suspected drug boats that have neutralized threats while drawing international scrutiny, including Colombian claims of civilian casualties denied by the White House. Analysts view these measures as a prudent show of resolve to deter state-enabled cartels without committing to broader conflict, underscoring the administration’s commitment to regional stability and homeland protection amid Maduro’s alliances with adversarial powers like Russia and China.
Sources: FOX News, The Christian Science Monitor