White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre volleyed away reporters’ questions on Friday about President Biden’s lack of public appearances amid the ongoing government funding fight as a partial shutdown looms.  Jean-Pierre refused to answer why the president has not spoken to the American public about his position, and she instead blamed Republicans, President-elect Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and their “billionaire friends” like Elon Musk for the...

The House has passed a bill to avert a partial government shutdown on Friday, hours before the midnight federal funding deadline.  The bill, which needed approval from two-thirds of the chamber, passed overwhelmingly in a 366 to 34 vote.  All Democrats voted for the bill save for Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who voted “present.” Lawmakers were scrambling for a path forward after an initial bill was tanked by...

House lawmakers are set to soon vote on a bill to avert a partial government shutdown after a similar measure backed by President-elect Trump failed on Thursday. Congress is scrambling for a path forward as the clock ticks closer to the federal funding deadline, with a partial shutdown expected just after midnight Saturday if no action is taken. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested there would be a House-wide...