FILE - Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks after he was chosen as the Republicans latest nominee for House speaker at a Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
How a Republican-led government shutdown would affect you

If a shutdown occurs, travelers could face delays at airports, millions of workers would go without paychecks, and public safety, disaster preparedness and response, and food and safety inspections could also be affected.

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., takes the oath to be the new House speaker from the Dean of the House Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Who is Mike Johnson, the new Speaker of the House?

The new House Republican leader supports a nationwide abortion ban, played a key role in trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election, and opposes same-sex marriage.

Former President Donald Trump addresses an audience during a campaign event, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Wolfeboro, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
We read 50 days of Trump’s Truth Social posts so you didn’t have to

Trump posts on his Truth Social platform dozens of times a day and his messages there are becoming increasingly angry, violent, and dark, suggesting a second term in the White House could be even more extreme than his first.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee leaves the Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
How many votes are needed for Speaker of the House?

It usually takes 218 votes—a simple majority of the 435 members of the House—to become House Speaker, but due to two vacancies, only 217 votes are currently needed. For more than two weeks though, Republicans have failed to agree on a new leader, leaving the federal government paralyzed. 

What the 2024 Republican candidates are saying about abortion bans

The Republican presidential primary field is full of anti-abortion candidates, but amid massive electoral backlash to abortion bans, some candidates are attempting to backpedal or soften their stances on the campaign trail, or ignore the issue altogether.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, left, argues a point with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, right, between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX Business Network and Univision, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The 4 Worst Moments From the Second Republican Presidential Debate

The second debate featured seven candidates, who combined, are trailing frontrunner Donald Trump by a whopping 17 points in the polls, making it a bit of an exercise in futility. But even if the debate is unlikely to affect the outcome of the primary, it says a lot about the state of the Republican party.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to his office after a resolution to debate the defense bill failed 212-214, as five Republicans bucked the party to sink it, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. House Republican leaders have still been unable to pass next year's appropriations bills on the floor due to GOP infighting. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Republicans Are About to Cause a Government Shutdown. Here’s How It Would Affect You.

House Speaker Kevin MccCarthy has repeatedly tried to pass budget proposals that meet the demands of far-right Republicans, but he has been unable to wrangle the necessary 218 votes to pass any of the 12 annual funding bills necessary to prevent a shutdown.