The 12:30 Report is The Hill’s afternoon newsletter. Subscribe here,
It is Monday. Does anyone have any photos of their pets dressed up in Halloween costumes they would like to share? You know I live for this kind of thing. Tag me in your posts or email them to me,
In today’s issue:
• Trump reveals he had MRI, cognitive testing
• President says he would ‘love’ a third term
• Helps in drying food
• Major union calls for end to shutdown
• Behind the scenes of the East Wing demo
📍In Asia
Next stop – Japan:
President Trump Arrived in Japan this morning as part of my Asia trip, stopped by for a quick hello with the Japanese Emperor before heading to bed.
But the newest part was Trump revealing more details about his health.: He told reporters that he Had to undergo MRI and cognitive testing Earlier this year at Walter Reed. He did not say why he had the MRI, but said it was “excellent” – “some of the best reports he has ever seen.” listen to audio
Oh, and he ruled out running for president again…:Trump said he would “love” it run for a third termTouting his poll numbers. he shouted Vice President Vance and Secretary of State marco rubio as a powerful potential ticket, saying they would be “unstoppable”. Trump has repeatedly run for a third term, despite being barred under the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
What are the plans for his Japan stop?Trump will meet the new Prime Minister of Japan Sanae TakaichiThe first woman in the role. To make Trump win, the new York Times It is reported that his friendship with Takaichi is likely to continue shinzo abeFormer Prime Minister who was assassinated in 2022.
How was his stay in Malaysia?: Trump signed trade deals With Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand. He too signature inspected Peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.
➤ Adding Some Stress to the Trip:
China claims bomber flew near taiwan Just days before Trump’s expected meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping,
Separately, two US Navy aircraft – a fighter jet and a helicopter, both assigned to the USS Nimitz – fell into the South China Sea Within 30 minutes of each other on Sunday afternoon. The Navy said all personnel involved in both incidents are safe.
⛔ shutdown
Days since last light on government – 27:
Congress is just a week away from breaking the record for the longest government shutdown in history.
speaker mike johnson (R-La.) has decided to keep the House out of session for the entire duration of the government shutdown. He argues that House Republicans did their job by passing the funding bill — now it’s the Senate’s job.
This may be true, but the New York Times Annie Karni Report says Johnson has extended House recess strategy In fact, they are marginalizing both Congress and themselves.Kearney writes, “All this has created a strange dynamic on Capitol Hill: Mr. Johnson appears to be using enough power of speech to render the House irrelevant.”
A new GOP plan in the works?: Johnson said this morning that the House majority leadersteve scalise(R-La.)Republicans are working on a health care planWith the chairmen of the three House committees.
Americans are feeling the stress of the shutdown, which will become even more pronounced next week. Here are the biggest stresses:
First – Food aid is drying up: More than 40 million low-income Americans are at risk They are losing some or all of their food assistance this week As the shutdown continues to drag on. That’s because “the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is threatening to withhold billions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency funding that Congress has already allocated for emergency scenarios.”
let me explain: Nearly $8 billion is needed to cover SNAP benefits for November. Currently there is between 5-6 billion dollars in this fund. However, the USDA announced Friday that it will not cover SNAP benefits in November, possibly as a move to pressure Senate Democrats to support the Republicans’ government funding bill.
Read Mike Lillis’ reporting on SNAP funding expiration
Second – flight disruptions are getting worse: Major airports are seeing more delays in flights due to increasing air traffic controller shortage. what to know
➤ A new pressure point:
The largest federal employee union is called for an end to the strikeUrged Congress to pass a “clean” funding bill. It appears to be aimed at Democrats, who have resisted agreeing to a government funding bill without additional health insurance waivers.
➤ Related Read:
politico: 6 ways the shutdown is going to get worse
📰 Other news
We’re getting tea from the East Wing demolition:
President TrumpThe sudden demolition of the historic East Wing of the White House took Washington by surprise, especially because the President had initially promised that it would not be touched.
But questions have long been raised about what happened behind the scenes to push forward the project to build a ballroom nearly twice the size of the main White House building. What permits are not required? Was everyone on board?
Well, the Wall Street Journal published new reporting on “How Trump maneuvered through DC’s bureaucracy to get his own ballroom at the White House,” which answers some of these questions.
First Lady Melania Trump was reportedly not involved in the plan: According to the Journal, the first lady “personally expressed concerns about tearing down the East Wing and told aides it was not her project.”
President Trump was advised that he would not have to comply with any zoning conditions: The President recently told donors that officials involved in the project told him, “You have zero zoning requirements. You’re the President.”
^What kind of case is this?: “The White House, along with the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court, are exempt from review under the National Historic Preservation Act, even though they are among the nation’s most iconic structures.”
Information on planning process: Trump holds weekly Oval Office meetings about the ballroom and has been involved in detail about the design, including reviewing material samples.
Did you know that Trump has been trying to build this ballroom since 2010?: Yes, he was involved in politics earlier also. As a real estate developer, Trump called the former President ObamaHis colleagues gave him this idea.
➤ Quick Hit:
– Campaign Manager for Maine Democratic Senate Candidate Graham Plattnerwhose speech has been surrounded by controversies leaving his role Just a week after starting, he said that the decision was taken due to the expectation of a child.
– Indiana’s Republican governor called a special session To redraw your congressional maps,
– Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says he can relate Soybean farmers are feeling the pain from Trump’s trade war. “If you don’t know, I’m actually a soybean farmer. So, I’ve felt this pain, too,” Besant said on ABC News’ “This Week.”
– MSNBC Will be officially rebranded As “MS Now” starts from 15th November.
, john dickerson Is leaving cbs news At year’s end, the future of the “CBS Evening News” is in question.
Argentina’s legislative elections took place over the weekend – the results are Good news for Trump,
➤ Read more:
Washington Post: Moldy food is linked to serious health problems like cancer and nerve damage
the new York Times: How the bombing of his home changed Josh Shapiro
the new York Times: In Trump-friendly Iowa, the president’s policies have hit hard
is coming
The house is outside. The Senate is inside. President Trump Is in Japan. (all times EDT)
5:30 pm Two Senate confirmation votes. today’s agenda
8:30 pmTrump met the Prime Minister of Japan. live stream
Tuesday 2:45 am: Trump meets with US troops in Yokosuka, Japan and delivers remarks on the USS George Washington.
Tuesday 6:05 am: Trump attended a reception and dinner with business leaders in Tokyo.
internet discussion
celebrate:is today National American Beer Day.
If you open a link today:The finalists for this year’s Comedy Wildlife Awards are out, and the photos are incredible. The loon coming in for a landing might be my favorite. View finalists
Should you buy it? try this rule: If you’re deciding whether to buy, the Wall Street Journal reports rules floating around Which can help you in taking decision. If it amounts to less than 0.01 percent of your assets, you shouldn’t worry about it.
and finally
Because before you go back to your day, it’s my job to leave you with a happy ending, here’s a Bed bugs that I really wouldn’t mind having.,
