News Wrap: Federal Labor Union calls for end to lockdown

In our Monday news wrap Hundreds of thousands of federal employees remain out of work as the government shutdown enters its 27th day, Indiana joins the growing battle over redistricting ahead of next year’s midterm elections, former President Biden says the nation is going through ‘dark days’ and the Navy is investigating two separate crashes of planes from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz over the weekend the past.

Jeff Bennett:

Our other headlines start with the 27th day of the US government shutdown.

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees remain out of work to start the week. The president of the nation’s largest federal labor union commented, quote, “It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end the shutdown today, without half-measures or tricks.”

The group said reopening the government would allow debate to continue on larger issues such as the expiration of Obamacare tax credits. Today, on Capitol Hill, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson agreed that health care must be addressed, but criticized the way Democrats are handling the issue.

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Los Angeles):

We have a lot of work to do, but it is not simple. And I’m not going to go into a back room with Chuck Schumer as if he was asking four people and making this decision. I won’t do that. This is not appropriate. This is not true. It’s too complicated for that.

Jeff Bennett:

Democrats warn that the time to negotiate is now because open enrollment will begin in most states next week. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department says federal food aid known as SNAP will not start going out in November.

More than 11,000 flights were delayed nationwide in the past two days, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting a growing number of air traffic controller absences.

Indiana is joining the growing battle over redistricting as each party tries to gain an advantage ahead of next year’s midterm elections. The state’s Republican Governor, Mike Brown, called for a special legislative session starting next week for lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional districts.

The move follows similar efforts by Republicans in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, and comes after weeks of pressure from the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Democrats in Virginia are expected to advance their own redistricting efforts as lawmakers there meet this week in special session.

Former President Joe Biden says he cannot sugar coat the state of the nation and that these are, in his words, dark days. Biden made the comments while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston. He described the current moment as the worst he has seen in his many decades in elected public life, adding that our very democracy is at stake.

He said the country relies on a president with limited powers, an effective Congress, and an independent judiciary.

JOE BIDEN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are still in the battle for the soul of our nation, in my view. This means that all of us, and I mean all of us, bear a grave responsibility to protect the institutions on which the fate of our nation depends.

Jeff Bennett:

In an optimistic tone, Biden said he believes the United States will emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient as long as we keep the faith.

He has kept a low profile since leaving office in January, then being diagnosed with cancer in May.

The US Navy is investigating two separate crashes of two planes from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz last weekend. The incidents involving a fighter jet like the one shown here and a helicopter occurred within 30 minutes of each other in the South China Sea. The carrier was returning to the United States from its final deployment in the Middle East before it was withdrawn from service.

Officials said that all five crew members of the two planes were rescued and are in stable condition. They were carrying out routine operations when the incident occurred.

The UN Human Rights Committee has found that Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes. In a report released today, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reported hundreds of air strikes on the southern city of Kherson. These attacks include dropping hand grenades on civilians in their yards and attacking first responders.

The committee found that the strikes aimed to create what it called a permanent climate of terror. Russia has denied targeting civilians and has refused to cooperate with UN investigators.

President Trump said Argentina’s leader got a lot of help from the United States in his party’s midterm election victories. President Javier Miley won decisive victories in this weekend’s elections, giving him a stronger hand in pushing forward with his bold economic reforms. The Trump administration had offered Argentina $20 billion through a currency swap deal, in addition to another $20 billion from private banks.

Mr. Trump had indicated that American support was conditional on Miley’s success in the elections. In her victory speech, Miley described the weekend vote as a turning point for Argentina.

Stocks rose on Wall Street today on hopes of easing trade tensions between the United States and China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added more than 330 points. The Nasdaq index jumped more than 400 points. The S&P 500 closed above 6,800 for the first time ever.

Still coming on ‘News Hour’: Our Monday politics team weighs in on President Trump saying he’d like to run again in 2028; Sudanese cultural monuments and artifacts become victims of the country’s civil war; A new book explores the political legacy of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.