The death toll in Gaza rises above 20,000, according to local health officials. And the speaker of the House writes a letter to the president urging him to take executive action on the border crisis. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Dec. 22, 2023.   Health ministry says Gaza death toll surpasses 20,000…

The Senate and White House are still negotiating the details of a deal to provide $110 billion in funding for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, in addition to beefing up security at the U.S. southern border. However, it doesn’t look like a deal is near. After a long weekend of negotiations, Senate Minority Leader…

Chicago has paid vendors $138 million to provide care for migrants for just over a year during the ongoing U.S. immigration crisis. The city faces mounting criticism for doling out more than $90 million to a Kansas firm while local organizations received far less funding. Kanas-based Favorite Healthcare is owned by a U.K.-based organization known…

In an impassioned speech on the Senate floor on Thursday, Dec. 14, Democrat Michael Bennet defended his blocking of a must-pass bill, demanding more aid to Ukraine. The bill would extend the authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration into March. If the bill does not pass by the end of the year, the FAA is…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reacting to some mixed news coming from the European Union. On Thursday, Dec. 14, the EU agreed to start membership talks with Ukraine, despite opposition from Hungary’s prime minister, the closest ally to Russia in the group. However, the bloc could not agree on a $54 billion aid package for…

With the House adjourned for the holidays, the Senate said it’s staying put to work on the Ukraine aid package. And, train passengers in New Jersey are joined by an unusual traveler during a wild morning commute. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. House adjourns for holidays, Senate…

House Republicans have formalized their impeachment inquiry into President Biden. And, Meta’s latest attempt at fact checking social media posts is facing criticism. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Dec. 14. House Republicans vote to authorize impeachment inquiry into President Biden House Republicans have voted to formalize their impeachment inquiry into…

New York’s highest court has ordered the state to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2024 elections. A move that could shake things up in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 4-3 decision orders that the state remaps its 26 congressional districts. The order, which came down on Tuesday, Dec. 12, is a blow to…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Congress and President Biden on Tuesday, Dec. 12. While visiting, Zelenskyy brought a simple message: If the United States continues to provide aid to Ukraine, they will win, if the U.S. does not, Putin will win. “He said, if we lose, you can count on occupation by the Russians, count…

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has a big week coming up. From a meeting with a foreign president to a vote on an impeachment inquiry, Johnson will be facing some of the biggest issues both home and abroad. Biden impeachment inquiry  First and foremost, Johnson is expected to hold a vote on formally authorizing an…