Policy Soup stir the pot ALPHA

BREAKING: White House budget office says "substantial" firings of federal workers have started as the Trump administration exerts shutdown leverage.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 10(source)

AG Letitia James did her job in holding the president to account—which a jury of Americans supported. Now, she’s being persecuted for it. The president’s weaponization of the DOJ is the hallmark of authoritarianism, and we all must stand up & speak out against this perversion of the rule of law.

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

Breaking News: Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, is said to have been indicted after President Trump pushed the Justice Department to seek charges against her. James, who is accused of committing mortgage fraud, brought a civil case against Trump in 2022. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...

Attorney General Letitia James of New York is in front of a microphone. A headline reads: "New York Attorney General Letitia James Indicted After Pressure From Trump."

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 10(source)

Republicans in Congress want to use American troops as political pawns in their effort to end ACA tax credits that help American families afford their health care. Democrats are ready and waiting to pass legislation that ensures our servicemembers and their families get paid on time.

Axios

@axios.com

US Launches Financial Rescue of Argentina, Treasury Buys Pesos

NEW: Johnson rules out standalone vote on paying troops during shutdown

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 9(source)

As Missouri soybean farmers are struggling to survive, the Trump administration just gave $20 billion to Argentina—one of their top competitors. Stop bailing out foreign farmers, start providing relief to hardworking Americans, and end the tariffs! www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US has agreed to extend major assistance to Argentina, after the embattled South American nation failed on its own to stabilize its exchange rate.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 9(source)

American troops shouldn’t be punished because of Republicans’ refusal to negotiate a bipartisan budget bill. The Speaker should bring House Republicans back from their 3-week vacation and pass legislation to ensure our troops get paid until a compromise is reached.

Republican C-SPAN caller to Mike Johnson: "As a Republican, I'm very disappointed in my party,and I'm very disappointed in you, because you have the power to call the House back. You refuse to do that just for a show."

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 9(source)

I call on all the parties to implement this agreement in good faith and to do the immense work to turn this bright moment into a long term resolution of the conflict.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 9(source)

I am relieved that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and that innocent hostages will return home—which is the first step toward ensuring a durable peace across the Middle East.

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

@jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social

The deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to bring about an initial ceasefire, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces in Gaza, a hostages-for-prisoners swap and a surge of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave. Follow for live updates:

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 8(source)

If Congress waits to extend ACA tax credits until Dec. 31, 1.5 million more people will be uninsured in 2026 than if they were extended at an earlier date—and millions more will see higher health care premiums. This crisis cannot wait.

Jennifer Sullivan

Staffing challenges create delays at airports for second day as shutdown drags on

Some policymakers say that that Congress can delay extending the Premium Tax Credit (PTC) enhancements until later this year but the problem is more urgent than that. thehill.com/policy/healt...

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 8(source)

From flight delays to delayed paychecks for workers, Republicans’ refusal to negotiate a bipartisan budget that reopens government and prevents health care costs from skyrocketing is hurting Americans nationwide. It’s time to put the American people over politics! www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

Travelers in Chicago and Nashville were experiencing delays Tuesday night.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 8(source)

House Republicans being on vacation for the past 3 weeks probably isn’t helping. Republicans must return to Washington, sit down with Democrats, and negotiate a bipartisan solution that will reopen government and prevent healthcare costs from skyrocketing on American families.

Politico

@politico.com

Republican leaders are clashing on whether to return to session to pass emergency legislation to pay troops during the government shutdown.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 8(source)

Why would the president even consider pardoning a convicted sexual predator like Ghislaine Maxwell? Release the Epstein Files.

COLLINS: Pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell -- is that something you're open to doing? TRUMP: Who are we talking about? C: Ghislaine Maxwell T: I haven't heard the name is so long. I can say this -- I'd have to take a look at it ... I will speak to the DOJ C: She's convicted of child sex trafficking

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 7(source)

First, Republicans shut the government down to undermine the ACA Now, they’re threatening to withhold the backpay that federal workers need to keep food on the table Stop threatening your own citizens and negotiate a bipartisan spending bill that reopens the government and lowers healthcare costs!

Axios

@axios.com

Opinion | The Coming Trump Tariff Bailout

SCOOP: Furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the government shutdown, according to a draft White House memo described to Axios by three sources.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 7(source)

“First Mr. Trump imposes tariffs that he says only hurt foreigners. But when that turns out not to be true, he takes political credit for payments to offset the damage as if he’s somehow protecting the American farmer. How about not hurting them in the first place?” www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...

Farmers and others with political clout will get a government subsidy or a carve-out.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 7(source)

If the Speaker is serious, he can extend the ACA tax credits that will prevent healthcare premiums from skyrocketing, restore the $1 TRILLION in funding Republicans cut from Medicaid, and end the Republican shutdown!

Trump: "He wants to be the healthcare president, as he is for all these other matters. And he's going to do it. We have lots of ideas."

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 7(source)

I call on Israel and Hamas to take the first step towards ending the devastation and destruction throughout the region by agreeing to the proposed ceasefire and a long term peace process.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 7(source)

As we pray for the victims, their families, and their communities, let us also pray for the immediate return of the innocent hostages, an end to this brutal conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian people, and a lasting peace across the region.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 7(source)

Today marks 2 years since Hamas terrorists senselessly slaughtered over 1,200 people, including dozens of Americans, in their brutal attack on Israel. May we take a moment to grieve with the families, and may we never forget the lives lost.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver@cleaver.house.govOct 7(source)

Just like he wants to rip healthcare away from hardworking families, the president wants to steal paychecks from federal workers. The law is clear and @housedemocrats.bsky.social won’t stand for it.