Lionel Messi was left astonished as more than 20,000 fans filled Elche’s Martínez Valero Stadium just to watch Argentina hold a training session ahead of its friendly against Angola. What was planned as a routine workout transformed into an unforgettable football celebration, with the Inter Miami star receiving a personalized Elche jersey to mark the moment.
Official attendance reached 20,085, turning the modest venue into a sea of light blue and white. Long before gates opened, supporters formed massive queues around the stadium, waving homemade banners, singing, and displaying Messi’s image. The giant screen lit up with Argentina’s colors, while the phrase “Coronados de gloria vivamos” appeared across the main stand, surrounded by towering images of Maradona, Messi, and Argentina’s current squad. When the players walked out to the national anthem, the crowd erupted. Every touch from Messi prompted thunderous cheers, and even a simple wave sent the stands into a frenzy. The loudest applause came when Elche presented Messi with a No. 10 shirt emblazoned with his name.
The session came after Argentina closed its training earlier in the week, a decision that led determined fans to climb rooftops, fences, and surrounding hills for a glimpse of Messi or Rodrigo De Paul. Their persistence moved the AFA to open Thursday’s session to the public. Messi later took to social media to thank the supporters, saying the affection shown in Elche “still moves me” and expressing his joy at seeing so many Argentinians among the crowd.
The display of devotion came just days after Messi quietly visited the newly renovated Camp Nou at midnight, reigniting speculation about a possible short-term Barcelona return before the 2026 World Cup. Barcelona president Joan Laporta quickly dismissed any chance of Messi rejoining as a player but confirmed the club is preparing a grand tribute once Camp Nou’s renovations are complete. He called Messi’s late-night visit a spontaneous gesture and said the finished stadium, with a capacity of 105,000, would host “the most beautiful tribute in the world.”
Despite his sentimental ties to Barcelona, Messi remains committed to Inter Miami. He recently extended his MLS contract through 2028 and has spoken about balancing his life in Florida with the emotional pull of his former home. Messi acknowledged that he and his family “miss Barcelona a lot,” noting they still dream of living there again and look forward to visiting the completed Camp Nou.
Messi is expected to start when Argentina face Angola on Friday before returning to Inter Miami for the MLS Conference semifinals on November 23, when the team meets Cincinnati.
Cristiano Ronaldo faces the possibility of missing at least the opening match of the 2026 World Cup after receiving the first red card of his international career during Portugal’s 2–0 loss to the Republic of Ireland. The Portugal captain was dismissed in the 61st minute for violent conduct after elbowing defender Dara O’Shea. The referee initially issued a yellow card but upgraded it to red after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor at the request of the video assistant referee.
The ejection ended Ronaldo’s run of 225 previous Portugal appearances without a sending-off, a record in men’s international soccer. Although he has been sent off 13 times at club level, he had never received a red card while representing his country until Thursday’s defeat in Dublin.
Under FIFA disciplinary rules, Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-match ban when Portugal host Armenia on Sunday, a game in which a win would secure Portugal’s place in the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA guidelines also call for “at least two matches for serious foul play” and “at least three matches for violent conduct,” raising the possibility that the suspension could extend into next year and apply to competitive World Cup fixtures rather than pre-tournament friendlies.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez defended his captain, calling the decision “a bit harsh” and arguing that Ronaldo had endured constant grappling inside the box leading up to the incident. Martínez said the action looked worse on replay and insisted it was not a deliberate elbow, adding that Ronaldo’s longstanding discipline record should be given credit.
Ireland entered the match as underdogs but stunned Portugal with two goals from Troy Parrott, delaying Portugal’s qualification bid. Despite the loss, Portugal remain two points ahead of Hungary in Group F and can still clinch qualification with a victory over Armenia.
Ronaldo had vowed before the match to be a “good boy,” knowing he would face a hostile reception after past controversies against Ireland, including his celebration in front of defender Jake O’Brien during their last meeting. Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had publicly urged Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg not to allow Ronaldo to “referee the game” himself.
As Ronaldo exited the field, he appeared to mock the jeering crowd with sarcastic applause and a thumbs-up. Hallgrimsson later said Ronaldo told him he was being complimented for putting pressure on the referee. “It was his action on the pitch that cost him the red card,” Hallgrimsson said, adding there was nothing more to discuss after the final whistle. “This was just a moment of a little silliness from him, I would say.”
LONDON (BN24)— Premier League players are among more than 70 sports figures urging the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel from international football competition, citing alleged human rights abuses in Gaza.
The initiative, spearheaded by the group Athletes 4 Peace, comes amid renewed international scrutiny of Israel following a United Nations commission of inquiry that concluded Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The letter, addressed to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, accuses the governing body of failing to take moral action in response to these findings.
“No shared venue, stage, or arena in international civil society should welcome a regime that commits genocide, apartheid, and other crimes against humanity,” the Athletes 4 Peace letter stated. “Israel’s continued impunity for such crimes will only be ended by the weight of collective conscientious action, including measures to block their entry to sporting or cultural events and activities.”
Prominent signatories include Premier League players Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace, former England cricket star Ali, and ex-Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson. The coalition also received backing from pro-Palestine advocacy groups such as Game Over Israel, which recently lobbied UEFA to restrict Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a controversial Europa League fixture against Aston Villa.
Ashish Prashar, campaign director for Game Over Israel, criticized UEFA’s decision to postpone consideration of Israel’s suspension. “For President Ceferin to pause his vote to suspend Israel from European football over a peace plan in name only is either grossly naive, or purposefully blind,” Prashar said.
UEFA previously suspended consideration of a ban for Israel at the end of September after former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial peace plan for the region, which has been widely criticized by international observers and human rights groups as favoring Israeli interests.
Athletes 4 Peace’s letter emphasizes that sports figures have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards, noting that sporting events should not provide legitimacy or normalcy to regimes accused of serious international crimes. The group argues that collective action, including boycotts and sanctions, is essential to hold nations accountable for human rights violations.
The campaign highlights the growing intersection of sports and politics, particularly in instances where athletes and organizations utilize their platforms to advocate for human rights. This effort marks one of the largest coordinated calls from professional athletes demanding UEFA take a stand against a national federation accused of grave abuses.
As UEFA weighs its response, the letter from Athletes 4 Peace adds to mounting pressure on sports governing bodies to consider human rights criteria in decisions about international participation, raising questions about the role of ethics in football and other global sporting arenas.
PARIS (BN24)— France on Thursday marked the 10th anniversary of the November 13, 2015, Paris attacks, paying tribute to 132 people killed and hundreds more wounded in a series of coordinated assaults carried out by Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers. The attacks, which targeted cafes, restaurants, the Bataclan concert hall, and the Stade de France, remain the deadliest acts of terrorism in France since World War Two and left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory.
The violence began outside the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, where three suicide bombers detonated explosives, killing bus driver Manuel Dias. Gunmen then moved through central Paris, opening fire at five crowded locations, including bars and restaurants, before storming the Bataclan, where a rock concert was underway. Survivors recall scenes of chaos, smoke, and blood as attackers targeted ordinary citizens enjoying a night out.
“Since that November 13, there is an emptiness that cannot be filled,” said Sophie Dias, Manuel Dias’ daughter, speaking at a ceremony at the Stade de France. Her voice trembled as she recounted the frantic phone calls her family made that night, trying to locate her father before learning he was the first victim of the attackers. “May we raise awareness among younger generations, pass on the values of our republic, and remind them of all those innocent lives lost, like my dad, who left far too soon, for no reason at all.”
President Emmanuel Macron joined officials, survivors, and relatives of victims in paying tribute at the Stade de France, observing a minute of silence and laying wreaths. Ceremonies were held throughout the day at each attack site, culminating at the Bataclan, where 90 people were killed. Victims’ associations noted that two survivors later took their own lives, bringing the total death toll to 132.
Historian Denis Peschanski emphasized the unique horror of the attacks. “What made November 13 different is that it targeted places where people were simply out enjoying themselves,” he said. “Everyone was a potential victim. There was no safe space that night in Paris.” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told RTL radio that the attackers sought to strike at France’s cultural identity. “The terrorists wanted to attack this culture that is ours, this culture of joy, celebration, diversity, sharing, and music,” she said.
Survivors continue to grapple with lasting trauma. Sebastian Lascoux, 46, recalled attending the Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan, where concertgoers were “all squashed together and collapsed as one” amid the gunfire. One of his friends was shot while shielding another person. Lascoux now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, avoiding crowded and enclosed spaces, and is triggered by sudden loud noises reminiscent of gunshots.
A decade on, French authorities say the threat of terrorism persists but has evolved. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told BFM TV that attacks on the scale of November 13 are less likely due to the weakening of the Islamic State. “However, the threat remains high,” he said, “with individuals present on national territory who radicalize very quickly and plot violent actions.” France has since strengthened security measures, many of which are now enshrined in law, covering public spaces, events, and cultural venues.
The anniversary ceremonies underscored the enduring impact of the attacks on survivors, families, and the French nation. They highlighted the resilience of the country in the face of terror, while emphasizing the importance of remembering the victims, preserving the values of the republic, and maintaining vigilance against evolving threats.
ABUJA (Bn24)— Nigeria has officially reversed its controversial policy requiring the use of indigenous languages as the primary medium of instruction in early education, reinstating English from pre-primary through to university. The decision, announced Thursday by Education Minister Tunji Alausa, comes after three years of implementation failed to produce the expected improvements in academic performance.
The mother-tongue policy, introduced in 2022 under former Education Minister Adamu Adamu, was intended to improve learning outcomes in early childhood by teaching children in their native languages. Adamu and many child development experts argued that children comprehend concepts more readily when taught in a familiar language. Several UN studies have also highlighted the benefits of mother-tongue instruction in early education, particularly in multilingual societies.
However, according to Alausa, the policy’s implementation was uneven and contributed to significant academic underperformance in some regions. “Data from WAEC, NECO, and JAMB indicate alarming failure rates in certain geo-political zones where mother-tongue instruction was adopted widely. The program has failed to deliver the expected results and is therefore being scrapped with immediate effect,” he said during the announcement in Abuja.
Nigeria’s education system faces long-standing structural challenges. Low teacher salaries, inadequate training, frequent strikes, and insufficient learning materials have long hindered the sector. While roughly 85% of children attend primary school, less than half complete secondary education. The UN estimates that approximately 10 million children are out of school in Nigeria, the highest number globally.
Experts and parents expressed mixed reactions to the reversal. Education specialist Dr. Aliyu Tilde praised the government’s decision, emphasizing that Nigeria lacks a sufficient number of trained teachers to instruct students across its dozens of indigenous languages. Exams such as WAEC and JAMB are conducted exclusively in English. Without properly trained educators and teaching resources in multiple languages, the policy was impractical,” he told the BBC.
Parents like Hajara Musa, whose two children are in early education, welcomed the move. “English is a global language used in higher education, business, and daily life. Children should learn it from the start rather than waiting until they are older,” Musa said.
Nevertheless, critics argue that the policy was abandoned prematurely. Social affairs analyst Habu Dauda described the three-year trial period as insufficient to judge a major reform of this scale. “Implementing mother-tongue instruction requires a long-term commitment, including investment in teacher training, curriculum development, and learning materials. Scrapping it after three years ignores its potential benefits,” he said.
The debate underscores Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance the promotion of its rich linguistic heritage with the practical demands of a national curriculum and a globalized economy where English proficiency remains crucial. Some education advocates argue that a hybrid approach — incorporating both mother-tongue instruction and early English exposure could provide a sustainable path forward, preserving cultural identity while enhancing academic outcomes.
As the government moves to reinstate English across the education system, attention will shift to improving teacher quality, learning materials, and exam preparation. Observers say the policy reversal highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s schools: achieving meaningful reform in a system constrained by underfunding, overcrowding, and a persistent teacher shortage.
Los Angeles (BN24) – California will revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrant truck and bus drivers following federal scrutiny over how the state granted permits to noncitizens. But Gov. Gavin Newsom insists the move is unrelated to the Trump administration’s concerns about immigrants in the country illegally obtaining permission to operate semitrucks and buses.
Newsom said the revocations stem from unspecified violations of state law, though he did not elaborate. His office noted the violations involve standards established long before the Trump administration launched a nationwide audit of commercial driver licensing practices. That audit began after a Florida crash in which a driver in the country illegally made a U-turn, killing three people.
A string of deadly crashes involving noncitizen truck drivers in Texas, Alabama, and California has intensified national attention on the issue. The latest California crash last month, which killed three people, heightened pressure on the state’s licensing system.
Federal Officials Say California Was “Caught Red-Handed”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply criticized California’s actions, calling the revocations evidence that the state had improperly issued thousands of commercial licenses while defending standards the federal government deemed flawed.
Duffy already imposed restrictions on which immigrants may qualify for commercial licenses and accused six states — including California — of allowing noncitizens to bypass federal requirements. California, he said, failed to enforce English-language proficiency rules, prompting him to revoke $40 million in federal funding, with an additional $160 million threatened.
“After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed,” Duffy said. “Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Newsom Pushes Back, Calls Claims “Falsehoods”
Newsom’s office strongly rejected Duffy’s assertions, saying every driver whose license is being revoked had valid federal work authorization.
“Once again, Sean ‘Road Rules’ Duffy fails to share the truth — spreading easily disproven falsehoods in a sad and desperate attempt to please his dear leader,” spokesman Brandon Richards said.
The governor’s office emphasized that the new federal restrictions did not exist when the 17,000 licenses were issued. Drivers have been notified that their licenses will expire within 60 days.
New Federal Rules Could Dramatically Limit Immigrant Truckers
Under the new guidelines announced in September, immigrants will face far stricter limits. Only those with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas would qualify for a commercial driver’s license — a shift that could disqualify 190,000 of the 200,000 noncitizens currently licensed, though their permits will remain valid until renewal.
States must also verify each applicant’s immigration status through a federal database.
Duffy previously said that an audit of 145 California-issued licenses revealed that one-quarter should not have been approved, citing cases where licenses remained valid long after a driver’s work permit had expired.
Newsom’s office countered that California followed guidance provided by the Department of Homeland Security at the time these licenses were issued.
State transportation officials did not respond to detailed questions regarding the specific violations that triggered the mass revocations.
WASHINGTON (BN24)— After 43 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history officially ended, restoring pay to federal employees, reopening national parks, and resuming government services that had been delayed or suspended. Air travel, which had descended into chaos for many Americans, is returning to more familiar levels of disruption.
For President Donald Trump, the conclusion of the shutdown marked a political triumph. Speaking at Arlington Cemetery during a Veteran’s Day commemoration on Tuesday, Trump praised congressional Republicans for their role in reopening the government, calling the vote “a very big victory.” He emphasized the symbolic importance of restoring operations. “We’re opening up our country. It should have never been closed,” he said, portraying himself as a leader who had stood firm throughout the impasse.
The shutdown, which began when Senate Democrats used the parliamentary filibuster to block a temporary funding measure, was triggered by their demand that Republicans extend health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans. These subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, had become the focal point of a bitter partisan standoff.
When a small number of Democrats broke ranks on Sunday to vote in favor of reopening the government, they received few concessions in return. The agreement included only a promise of a future Senate vote on the subsidies, with no guarantee of Republican cooperation or subsequent approval in the House. Many Democratic lawmakers expressed frustration at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, accusing him of failing to secure tangible benefits despite the party’s leverage.
The political fallout has been significant within the Democratic Party. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a possible 2028 presidential contender, called the shutdown resolution “pathetic” and a “surrender,” criticizing the party for capitulating to Trump without achieving legislative gains. “I’m not coming in to punch anybody in the face,” he said, “but I’m not pleased that, in the face of this invasive species that is Donald Trump, who’s completely changed the rules of the game, we’re still playing by the old rules of the game.”
For Trump, the days following the Senate deadlock allowed him to shift from cautious optimism to public celebration. In a Fox News interview Monday night, he further attacked Schumer, saying, “He thought he could break the Republican Party, and the Republicans broke him.” While Trump at times appeared frustrated, publicly berating Senate Republicans last week for refusing to eliminate the filibuster to reopen government, he ultimately emerged from the shutdown with no significant concessions made to the Democrats.
While Trump’s national approval ratings dipped over the 43-day impasse, the timing of the shutdown means the former president faces little immediate electoral risk, with over a year remaining before the midterm elections and no personal reelection obligations under current constitutional rules.
As government functions resume, Congress now faces the challenge of addressing routine legislation. Several departments were funded through September under the shutdown-ending deal, but full-year funding must be approved by the end of January to avoid another standoff. Republicans hope to leverage this period to pass substantive legislation before the next election cycle.
The shutdown’s resolution also exposes ongoing political vulnerabilities for Democrats. Healthcare subsidies, the central issue in the standoff, could become a pressing concern for tens of millions of Americans as premium costs are expected to rise sharply at year’s end. Failure to secure these subsidies risks voter dissatisfaction in upcoming elections, highlighting the stakes for the party.
Meanwhile, the political landscape remains complex as Congress faces other high-profile matters. On Wednesday, newly sworn-in Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva became the 218th signatory on a petition requiring a House vote to demand the Justice Department release all files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump criticized the focus on Epstein, posting on Truth Social that Democrats were attempting to distract from their “failure” during the shutdown.
The end of the record-setting shutdown underscores the unpredictable nature of U.S. politics, where well-laid plans can collapse suddenly. Democrats are left facing internal divisions, political blame, and potential backlash from voters, while Trump emerges largely unscathed, using the outcome to reinforce his image as a decisive political player.
The shutdown, while technically over, may leave lingering consequences for federal employees, ordinary Americans, and partisan relations in Congress. The healthcare debate, in particular, promises to remain a flashpoint, with millions of Americans potentially impacted by expiring subsidies and rising insurance costs. For both parties, the 43-day shutdown will be remembered as a stark example of the high stakes and human costs of political brinkmanship.
WASHINGTON (BN24)— U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on the international community to halt the flow of weapons to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group accused of systematic killings and sexual violence in Darfur’s el-Fasher.
Speaking at the conclusion of a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada, Rubio described the RSF’s actions as “horrifying atrocities” targeting women, children, and civilians. He stressed that international support for the paramilitary group, whether through direct arms shipments or allowing their transit through third-party territories, must stop immediately.
The RSF, which has been fighting Sudan’s army since a leadership clash erupted into civil war in April 2023, seized el-Fasher last month after an 18-month siege. Satellite imagery and humanitarian reports show piles of bodies and blood-stained streets, with only a small fraction of the population managing to flee. Non-Arab communities in Darfur are reportedly being targeted in what the U.S. and human rights organizations have described as genocide.
Rubio did not directly criticize the United Arab Emirates, despite evidence from international media and UN sources that the Gulf state has supplied weapons and mercenaries to the RSF via African transit routes. Instead, he emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation, citing the “Quad”, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. which is pursuing a humanitarian ceasefire and a transition to civilian rule in Sudan.
“The RSF is committing acts of sexual violence and atrocities against innocent civilians of the most horrific kind. And it needs to end immediately,” Rubio said, while noting the paramilitary group’s reliance on outside arms support due to its lack of domestic manufacturing.
Despite a recent U.S.-backed proposal for a humanitarian truce, the RSF violated the agreement after capturing el-Fasher. Sudan’s army has criticized the UAE’s involvement but indicated it would consider the proposed three-month truce followed by a nine-month transition to civilian governance.
The G7 statement accompanying Rubio’s remarks condemned the escalating violence, describing the ongoing civil war as “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.” The conflict has already claimed more than 150,000 lives and displaced roughly 12 million people.
International investigations have traced weapons used by the RSF to Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen, and the UAE, often smuggled through Chad into Darfur. The UAE is also accused of facilitating illicit gold sales by the RSF. Rubio stressed that multiple countries are involved in the arms flow and warned that international cooperation is essential to stop it.
While both the RSF and Sudanese army deny allegations of external support, reports of arms diversion have also prompted scrutiny of European suppliers, including the United Kingdom. Human rights advocates have called for extending the UN arms embargo on Darfur to cover the rest of Sudan, a measure that has not yet been adopted.
LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24)— Veteran Nollywood actor Oyewole Olowomojuore, widely known by his stage name Baba Gebu, has died after a brief illness, according to fellow actor and producer Kunle Afod.
Afod announced the death on Tuesday, Nov. 11, describing Baba Gebu as “a great legend” whose passing marks a significant loss for the Nigerian film industry. He wrote, “It saddens my heart as I announce the passing away of our great legend, a great actor who passed away this evening after a brief illness… BABA GEBU, may your soul rest in peace.”
The cause of Baba Gebu’s death has not been publicly disclosed. His career in Nollywood spanned decades, during which he became known for his commanding performances and enduring influence on emerging actors.
In 2024, the actor spoke openly about the death of his wife, revealing that returning to acting helped him navigate grief and avoid depression, highlighting his deep dedication to his craft.
Tributes from colleagues, fans, and industry insiders have poured in on social media, reflecting the high regard in which Baba Gebu was held in Nigeria’s entertainment community.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — The House on Wednesday night voted to pass legislation to reopen the federal government and end an acrimonious 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history.
The successful vote came after Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, brought the Republican-controlled chamber back into session for the first time since Sept. 19, wrapping up an extraordinarily long and unscheduled recess.
The House passed the measure in a 222-209 vote. The Senate had approved the same legislation Monday when eight Democrats peeled off and voted with Republicans to break a filibuster to end the shutdown.
The bill now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk to become law and reopen the government, restoring funding that has been frozen or halted. Trump has said he will sign the bill, which will keep the government open through Jan. 30 with some programs, like SNAP food benefits, funded through September.
Before the vote, Johnson apologized to Americans for the disruptive shutdown, blaming Democrats for mass flight delays and cancellations, millions of civilian workers going without pay, and families going hungry. He said Senate Democrats blocked a bill to fund the government 14 times before ultimately caving.
“While the Democrats keep voting to shut their government down, Republicans are going to vote to open it back up,” Johnson said in a floor speech before the vote. “And with that, we’re going to get the American government running again and working for the people, as they deserve.”
The package includes a “minibus” of three appropriations bills through next September and keeps the rest of the government open at current levels through Jan. 30.
It includes full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, which will keep the program afloat through September. More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP. Some told NBC News that they ran out of food as the shutdown cut off money for the program, and the Trump administration fought in the courts against having to shift money around to fully fund it.
The legislation also provides limited protections for federal workers who have been under assault since Trump’s inauguration. It reinstates thousands of workers who were laid off during the shutdown and ensures there are no more reductions in force, known as “RIFs,” at least through the end of January. And it provides back pay for workers who were furloughed or working without pay these past six weeks.
But in a major concession from Democrats, the bill does not include an extension of enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, after Republicans held firm against extending those funds beyond this year. That means more than 20 million Americans could see their premiums spike next year.
Many House and Senate Democrats are fuming over the failure to secure health care funding as part of the bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, has promised a Senate vote on a to-be-determined ACA funding bill, with no guarantees that it will pass. Johnson has not promised a vote in the House.
“We cannot enable this kind of cruelty with our cowardice,” said progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York.
In the House Rules Committee on Tuesday, Republicans rejected Democratic motions to guarantee a floor vote on an ACA funding extension, and turned away an amendment by Rep. Steven Horsford, Democrat of Nevada, to redirect Trump’s $40 billion “bailout” to Argentina and instead put that to extending ACA funding.
“I guess MAGA stands for MAKE ARGENTINA GREAT AGAIN,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, Democrat of New Mexico, said in response.
The Democratic anger means House Republicans will likely have to carry the bill to passage.
In a bullish sign for the legislation’s prospects, the sometimes rebellious House Freedom Caucus circulated talking points internally praising the bill, which were obtained by NBC News. The document calls it a “responsible CR” that funds the government into 2026 and avoids a “bloated” omnibus to be negotiated over Christmas. And, it notes, the appropriations bills in the minibus either kept spending flat or contained only modest increases.
“The House Freedom Caucus has fought in lock-step with President Trump and Republican leadership in Congress,” the Freedom Caucus document said.
Tucked inside the bill is a provision that is generating heavy pushback from Democrats and even some grumbling among House Republicans. It would allow senators, but not House members, to sue the federal government for hundreds of thousands of dollars if their phone records were obtained without prior notification as part of the Jan. 6, 2021, investigation. It appears to apply to eight specific GOP senators.
Although emotions are raw in the Democratic caucus over some of their senators caving, party leaders say the high-stakes showdown with Trump and the Republicans “crystallized” how Democrats are fighting for health care and affordability for millions of Americans. That economic message, they say, propelled them to victory in last week’s elections in Virginia and New Jersey and will help the party in 2026.
“That will be one of the defining contrasts of the midterms: Democrats working on behalf of the people to lower costs versus Republicans who have made life more expensive for everyday families,” Rep. Suzan DelBene, Democrat of Washington, head of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, said in a statement to NBC News.
“The House Democrats have the better message, stronger candidates, and as we all saw in last week’s elections, the American people are on our side as we go into the midterms,” the statement said.
Shortly before Wednesday’s vote, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York, filed a discharge petition in a bid to bypass Johnson and force a future floor vote on a three-year extension of the expiring Obamacare subsidies. But that would need the support of at least four House Republicans to force a vote.
“We’ll fight until we win this battle for the American people. That’s our commitment as House Democrats,” Jeffries said on the floor, adding that the fight will end either when Republicans accept a funding extension to prevent premium hikes, “or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next year and end the speakership of Donald J. Trump once and for all.”
There was plenty of pain during the six-week impasse, some of it caused by the Trump administration as it tried to ramp up pressure on the targeted bloc of moderate Senate Democrats. In addition to the mass layoffs, the White House had threatened to halt SNAP payments to states until the shutdown ended. It ultimately doled out partial payments under a judge’s order, while fighting the issue up to the Supreme Court.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy last week announced that the Federal Aviation Administration would have to cut the number of flights in American skies by 4 percent starting last weekend and ramped up reductions to 6 percent by Tuesday, due to air traffic controller staffing shortages spurred by the shutdown.
Thousands of flights have been either delayed or canceled, snarling airports nationwide. It is expected to take a few days for airports to recover after the bill is signed into law.
The 43-day shutdown surpassed the previous record of 35 days set during a 2018-2019 budget standoff. The extended closure of government operations created cascading effects across multiple sectors of American life, from aviation to nutrition assistance to federal workforce stability.
The House had been in an extraordinarily long recess since Sept. 19, leaving the Senate as the primary venue for negotiations over ending the shutdown. The decision by eight Senate Democrats to break with their party leadership and vote with Republicans proved pivotal in breaking the deadlock that had persisted through 14 previous failed votes.
The reinstatement of laid-off federal workers and the prohibition on further reductions in force through January represent significant protections, though limited in duration. Federal workers who remained on the job without pay during the shutdown will receive back pay once the legislation becomes law.
The absence of Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions represents a significant defeat for Democrats who had made healthcare funding a central demand throughout the shutdown negotiations. The enhanced subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, have helped make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans purchasing coverage through ACA marketplaces.
The provision allowing certain senators to sue over phone records obtained during the Jan. 6 investigation adds a controversial element to the legislation. The specific language appears tailored to benefit eight GOP senators whose records may have been accessed during the congressional investigation into the Capitol attack.
The House Freedom Caucus’s internal endorsement of the legislation signals broad Republican support within the chamber, potentially easing Johnson’s path to securing passage without relying on Democratic votes. The caucus praised the measure for avoiding what it characterized as a “bloated” omnibus spending package while maintaining relatively flat spending levels.
The flight delays and cancellations that plagued airports during the final days of the shutdown highlighted the tangible impact of reduced air traffic controller staffing. The Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated reductions in daily flights created ripple effects throughout the national aviation system, with recovery expected to take several days even after government operations resume.
With Trump’s stated intention to sign the bill, the 43-day shutdown appears poised to end, though the lack of healthcare subsidy extensions and the promise of only a future Senate vote on the issue leave a major Democratic priority unresolved. The discharge petition filed by Jeffries represents a potential avenue for Democrats to force consideration of ACA funding, though success would require Republican defections in the narrowly divided House.
