The Senate is voting on government funding bills as a shutdown has passed its one-week mark, with a trial date for former FBI Director James Comey set for January 5th, 2026, following his plea of not guilty. The trial date was set by a judge who reportedly emphasized an unwillingness to allow the Department of Justice to delay the case with disputes over classified evidence, despite millions of pages of discovery, according to Politico. In parallel developments, multiple groups are expressing strong opinions on the government shutdown and related political actions. Republicans, represented by Whip Leader John Thune, state that a Harvard-Harris poll indicates 65 percent of voters believe Democrats should accept a continuing resolution at current spending levels, arguing Democrats are taking marching orders from far-left interest groups. Conversely, the GOP Majority Whip stated on X that Americans have a message for Democrats: "a government shutdown solves NOTHING and hurts EVERYONE." Lawmakers are also engaged in a debate over the use of military force. Senators Schiff and Kaine are promoting resolution 83, which seeks to end the use of U.S. Armed Forces in attacks against Venezuela without Congressional authorization. According to a report from @alandete on X, they argue that since September 2025, at least four lethal attacks have been carried out without legislative approval against vessels linked to drug trafficking, resulting in at least 21 unidentified deaths. Schiff stated, "There has been no authorization to use force by Congress in this way. I feel it is certainly unconstitutional." Meanwhile, Democrats are also preparing for potential Supreme Court decisions that could significantly impact voting rights and election outcomes. Exclusive reporting from Politico indicates that Democratic voting rights groups are anticipating the Supreme Court may weaken a key part of the Voting Rights Act, which could allow Republicans to draw 19 more House seats by diluting the voting power of racial minorities. In separate but related news, ICE reportedly shot an unarmed priest in the head with a pepper ball, according to @SidewalkSchool on X, citing John Pfaff. In other news, the FBI Denver announced the results of "Operation Summer Heat," releasing a news release with further details. Separately, reports indicate an arrest is to be announced in the Palisades Fire investigation in California. On the media front, a CNN host admitted on Fox News that President Trump has "embraced" the media more than his predecessors.
