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During an appearance on MSNBC early Thursday morning, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for keeping the House from conducting business during the government shutdown \u2014 but was pressed on why he and most Democrats helped save Johnson\u2019s speakership more than a year ago.<\/p>\n
After emphasizing to Way Too Early host Ali Vitali that he intends to hold Republicans accountable for blocking an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies \u2014 the central issue of the shutdown \u2014 Vitali questioned Jeffries about his current relationship with the Republican speaker,\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was irresponsible for Mike Johnson to keep House Republicans on a taxpayer-funded vacation for more than seven weeks and to castrate, you know, the House of Representatives as it relates to his majority. At the end of the day, we\u2019re a separate and coequal branch of government,\u201d Jeffries said about Johnson\u2019s decision to adjourn the House during the longest government shutdown in modern history, which ended Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem with House Republicans is that they continue to function like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel, as opposed to what Democrats will do, which is serve as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
At that point, Vitali noted that some Democrats voted to keep Johnson as Speaker when many Republicans were opposed to keeping him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder if, given that you regret the way that the caucus acted when his job was in jeopardy?\u201d the host asked.<\/p>\n
After a short pause, Jeffries replied: \u201cNo, I think that every moment calls for the best possible decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, Joe Biden was the president, Senate Democrats were in the majority,\u201d he offered. \u201cWe had a responsibility to continue to move forward, particularly in that instance where we needed to fund our ally, Ukraine. That\u2019s in a war defending not just their territorial integrity, but also principles of democracy and freedom and truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ukraine isn\u2019t a formal \u201cally\u201d of the U.S., and historically, the country has been one of the most corrupt in Europe.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives on Wednesday evening approved a spending package to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, despite opposition from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and most House Democrats.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers voted 222 to 209 to reopen the government, with six Democrats breaking ranks to support the measure. The White House said President Donald Trump will promptly sign the bill into law.<\/p>\n
The Democrats who voted in favor were Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Adam Gray of California, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Don Davis of North Carolina, and Tom Suozzi of New York,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a fiscal conservative, voted against the government funding package. He was joined by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), who opposed the bill due to a provision allowing senators to sue the federal government if their phone records are seized without prior notice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not gonna send [Republican South Carolina Sen.] Lindsey Graham half a million dollars,\u201d Steube told reporters before he voted.<\/p>\n
The 43-day government shutdown left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay while still requiring them to cover their bills, disrupted access to federal food assistance for low-income Americans, and caused widespread travel delays across the country.<\/p>\n
The Senate passed the spending package Monday night, ending weeks of gridlock after Democrats delayed action on funding the government for nearly seven weeks.<\/p>\n
The funding agreement notably excludes Democrats\u2019 top demand \u2014 a guaranteed extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits \u2014 which Republicans had rejected as a nonstarter.<\/p>\n
Both Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer opposed the measure, which ultimately passed both chambers after several Democrats broke ranks to support it.<\/p>\n
Tragedy on the Road: Niagara Falls Tour Bus Crash Leaves Dead and Injured<\/p>\n
What was supposed to be a day of wonder at one of the world\u2019s most breathtaking natural landmarks ended in devastation. A sightseeing tour bus carrying more than 50 passengers overturned on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York\u2014just miles from Buffalo\u2014leaving several dead and dozens hospitalized.<\/p>\n
For families expecting photos, memories, and laughter, the day turned into one of unimaginable sorrow.<\/p>\n
From Joy to Horror in Seconds<\/strong><\/p>\n The passengers, many of them international tourists, had spent the day marveling at Niagara Falls. As the bus began its journey back toward New York City, there was no warning of what lay ahead. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the vehicle veer suddenly, cross the median, and topple into a ditch before skidding onto its side.<\/p>\n Inside the bus, chaos unfolded. Windows shattered, belongings scattered, and passengers screamed for help as they tried to free themselves. Survivors later recalled the sheer terror of being trapped, unsure if they would ever make it out alive.<\/p>\n Swift but Heart-Wrenching Emergency Response<\/strong><\/p>\n Within minutes, the quiet rural stretch of highway transformed into a disaster scene. Firefighters rushed in with hydraulic tools to cut through the wreckage. Police coordinated traffic and secured the area. EMTs and paramedics triaged victims on the roadside, deciding who needed immediate evacuation by air and who could be transported to nearby hospitals by ambulance.<\/p>\n Authorities confirmed more than 40 injuries ranging from broken bones to life-threatening trauma. At least five passengers, including a child, lost their lives.<\/p>\n Officials later acknowledged that the rapid coordination among emergency teams prevented the death toll from rising even higher.<\/p>\n A Global Tragedy<\/strong><\/p>\n The crash carried international reverberations. Among the passengers were tourists from India, China, and the Philippines\u2014travelers who had come for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hotels in Buffalo opened their doors to survivors, local volunteers provided food and blankets, and interpreters were brought in to bridge language gaps.<\/p>\n Back in their home countries, families stayed glued to phones, desperate for updates, their dream of seeing loved ones return with stories of Niagara now replaced with fear and grief. Embassies have been working closely with U.S. officials to identify victims and provide support.<\/p>\n Questions Without Clear Answers<\/strong><\/p>\n As shock settles, investigators face a complex puzzle. Was the cause human error, mechanical malfunction, poor road design, or a combination of factors? The bus driver survived and is cooperating with authorities, offering one of the most critical perspectives on what transpired in those fateful moments.<\/p>\n The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and state officials are examining the bus\u2019s maintenance history, the driver\u2019s schedule, and possible road hazards. Investigators stressed that it could take weeks before conclusions are drawn.<\/p>\n Renewed Debate Over Road and Travel Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n The crash has already reignited discussions on tour bus safety and highway infrastructure. Experts point out that long-distance bus travel, while statistically safe, carries unique risks:<\/p>\n driver fatigue, vehicle maintenance lapses, and unpredictable weather conditions. Advocates are now calling for stricter safety inspections, mandatory rest periods for drivers, and improved road monitoring systems.<\/p>\n High-profile crashes like this often prompt policy changes. Lawmakers are under pressure to reexamine whether current regulations adequately protect the millions who rely on bus travel every year, particularly tourists unfamiliar with U.S. roads.<\/p>\n Community and National Mourning<\/strong><\/p>\n New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident a \u201cheartbreaking tragedy\u201d and extended condolences to the families of victims.<\/p>\n Local communities responded with compassion\u2014organizing vigils, setting up donation drives, and supporting the injured who remain far from home.<\/p>\n The images of the overturned bus, emergency workers swarming the wreckage, and belongings strewn across the highway have left an indelible mark, reminding everyone of the fragility of life.<\/p>\n A Day Meant for Memories<\/p>\n\n