Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked efforts by Senate Democrats to pass an assault weapons ban and universal background checks legislation after the United States over the weekend broke the record for the most mass shootings in a single year.

Republican Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) objected to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) request for unanimous consent to pass the assault weapons ban, despite the pleas of Democratic senators who took to the Senate floor to cite the harrowing statistics of gun violence in America.

“The scourge of gun violence in America is a national crisis. The American people are sick and tired of enduring one mass shooting after another. They’re sick and tired of vigil and moments of silence for family, friends, classmates, coworkers,” Schumer argued on the Senate floor.

The assault weapons ban, originally sponsored by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), would ban semiautomatic rifles with pistol grips, forward grips and folding or telescoping stocks, as well as rifles outfitted with grenade launchers, barrel shrouds or threaded barrels to allow for noise and flash suppressors to be attached.

But Barrasso argued that the Democratic-drafted bill would infringe on the Second Amendment and deprive law-abiding gun owners of an important liberty.

“Americans have a constitutional right to own a firearm. Every day, people across Wyoming responsibly use their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms,” he said. “Democrats are demanding that the American people give up their liberty.”

He said that Democrats are trying to ban many types of semiautomatic firearms “because of the way they look.”

He asserted that popular rifles such as AR-15s “work the same way as popular shotguns and other rifles used for hunting and personal protection.”

“The Second Amendment is freedom’s essential safeguard. Without it, there can be no liberty and there can be no security. So Mr. President, I object.”

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.) later stood up on the floor to ask for unanimous consent to pass legislation to require universal background checks for firearms purchases.

“We don’t have more mental illness in this country, we don’t spend less money on law enforcement, we don’t have angrier people, we have more guns, and we are much more permissive in this country about allowing felons, dangerous people, to get their hands on guns,” he said.

A Gallup poll conducted in June 2022 found that 92% of Americans favor requiring background checks for all firearm sales.

“This just feels like a test of democracy. It really does. Like, how does democracy survive if 90% of Americans, 90% of Republicans, 90% of Democrats want something, and we can’t deliver it?” Murphy asked before he asked for unanimous consent to pass the background checks bill.

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee took to the floor immediately to object.

“I want to note at the outset we’re not asked to vote in this chamber on polling questions. We vote on legislation,” he said.

He said the legislation to expand background checks “has some real problems with it.”

“This is not solely about transactions involving guns at gun stores. This is about the father who wishes to pass down a hunting rifle to his son or the friend who wants to lend a shotgun to his neighbor who is in need of protection at the time,” Lee said before objecting to Murphy’s request.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel appeared to have a neurological episode during a presser. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian discuss on The Young Turks. https://shoptyt.com/collections/justice-is-coming Watch TYT LIVE on weekdays 6-8 pm ET. http://youtube.com/theyoungturks/live Read more HERE: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/watch-mitch-mcconnell-freeze-press-conference-rcna96486 "Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suddenly stopped speaking during a weekly Republican leadership news conference Wednesday afternoon, appearing to freeze, and then went silent and was walked away. McConnell, R-Ky., had been making his opening remarks about an annual defense policy bill when he stopped talking. He was silent for 19 seconds. His Republican colleagues asked whether he was OK, and a top McConnell deputy, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, a physician, escorted McConnell, 81, away from the cameras and reporters." *** The largest online progressive news show in the world. Hosted by Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian. LIVE weekdays 6-8 pm ET. Help support our mission and get perks. Membership protects TYT's independence from corporate ownership and allows us to provide free live shows that speak truth to power for people around the world. See Perks: ▶ https://www.youtube.com/TheYoungTurks/join SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE: ☞ http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=theyoungturks FACEBOOK: ☞ http://www.facebook.com/TheYoungTurks TWITTER: ☞ http://www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks INSTAGRAM: ☞ http://www.instagram.com/TheYoungTurks TWITCH: ☞ http://www.twitch.com/tyt 👕 Merch: http://shoptyt.com ❤ Donate: http://www.tyt.com/go 🔗 Website: https://www.tyt.com 📱App: http://www.tyt.com/app 📬 Newsletters: https://www.tyt.com/newsletters/ If you want to watch more videos from TYT, consider subscribing to other channels in our network: The Watchlist https://www.youtube.com/watchlisttyt Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey https://www.youtube.com/indisputabletyt Unbossed with Nina Turner https://www.youtube.com/unbossedtyt The Damage Report ▶ https://www.youtube.com/thedamagereport TYT Sports ▶ https://www.youtube.com/tytsports The Conversation ▶ https://www.youtube.com/tytconversation Rebel HQ ▶ https://www.youtube.com/rebelhq TYT Investigates ▶ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwNJt9PYyN1uyw2XhNIQMMA #TYT #TheYoungTurks #BreakingNews 230727__TB02MitchMcConnell by The Young Turks

Republicans have called and emailed the country’s largest oil company, Exxon Mobil Corp., and the industry’s largest trade group, the American Petroleum Institute, pressing for more forceful opposition to the compromise plan negotiated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Sen. Joe Manchin, (D., W.Va.). “The time is now for America’s energy producers to stand up and be very clear about how these destructive policies will raise prices, destroy jobs, and make us less secure,” Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said in a statement. […] The oil lobby was once a lockstep ally with Republicans, forming a potent team that helped kill Congress’s first major attempt at climate legislation a decade ago. But in recent years Republicans have become frustrated by the industry’s divided interests and a push to address climate change. It has led members of Congress to lobby and lecture industry lobbyists in recent years just as frequently as the other way around, lobbyists said.

lolololol/aaaaaaaah (paywall; DM for full text dump in yr messages)

Arizona GOP Senate candidate is getting outgunnedand shes not alone

Among Senate Republicans’ top targets this cycle, Arizona initially looked promising. While Senate Democrats are defending seats in even tougher territory such as Ohio and Montana, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s retirement in Arizona left Democrats fighting to protect a seat no longer anchored by a Democratic incumbent. But election denier and MAGA diehard Kari Lake, the likely GOP nominee, is upending Senate Republicans’ calculus in the state. Arizona Republicans are privately wincing at Lake’s chances, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell recently declined to name Arizona as a seat they are focused on flipping. Lake’s likely Democratic challenger, Rep. Ruben Gallego, is currently lapping her in fundraising while Senate Democrats are also roundly outgunning their GOP counterparts. The Democrats’ Senate Majority PAC has reserved $23 million in ad buys for the fall, according to Politico, while Senate Republicans are still holding their fire.  And Gallego, who has already spent $7.9 million in advertising, ended March with $9.6 million in cash on hand. Lake has spent just $170,000 in advertising to date, with $2.5 million on hand. As they say, don’t spend it all in one place, Kari. But amid all the GOP doomsayers, one Senate Republican voiced a refreshingly contrarian view of Lake’s apparent collapse. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the Senate GOP’s third in command, argued that Lake’s dire cash flow problem was just par for the course among Republicans. Barrasso said he is “expecting that just about every Republican candidate is going to be outspent.” Barrasso, who reportedly speaks with Lake often, argued that Republicans couldn’t afford to turn their backs on Arizona. “To me, Arizona is a top-tier state. Because it’s an open Senate seat,” he told Politico. Barrasso’s first assertion is correct: Democratic candidates and incumbents are already crushing Republicans in fundraising. But precisely because that’s true, Senate Republicans may have no choice but to abandon a potential nominee who is already flailing. The competition to suck up Senate GOP resources is already on and the budget will likely only get tighter. That’s at least partially why McConnell is presently training his sights on flipping fewer than a handful of seats: Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. That could change but, for now, Senate Republicans don’t have much room to maneuver. And Lake certainly can’t count on help from Donald Trump, who is beginning to see her as more of roadblock to his election than a help. Trump’s Arizona operation is damn near nonexistent, according to fresh reporting from The Washington Post.  “There is no sign of life,” Kim Owens, an Arizona Republican operative, told the Post. “Especially in a state that Trump lost so closely last time, you’d expect to have more of a presence. I would think, ‘Let’s step it up.’ I think it’s a terrible mistake.” Whether they want to be or not, it sounds like Lake and Trump are in lockstep and going nowhere fast. Campaign Action Source link via The Novum Times

I found this on NewsBreak: ‘You’re Not Gonna Get These Votes’: Fox’s Neil Cavuto Tells Republican Senator That Mayorkas Impeachment Seems Like ‘Political Theater’

I found this on NewsBreak: ‘You’re Not Gonna Get These Votes’: Fox’s Neil Cavuto Tells Republican Senator That Mayorkas Impeachment Seems Like ‘Political Theater’

No shit

GOP Senators: Redirect Gaza Aid to Israel's Iron Dome for Hamas Eradication

GOP Senators Propose Shifting Funds to Boost Israel's Iron Dome A group of Republican senators, led by Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, has introduced legislation aimed at redirecting funds intended for Gaza towards strengthening Israel's defensive "Iron Dome" system. This bill, which has garnered support from 10 Republican co-sponsors, would compel President Biden to transfer any unanticipated appropriations designated for Gaza to the Department of Defense. These funds would then be allocated to provide grants to Israel for the Iron Dome, a short-range rocket defense system. "In the wake of an attack by Iran-backed Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 individuals in Israel, including 30 Americans, and with ongoing missile launches from Iran-backed Hamas into Israel, the American people have witnessed the Iron Dome's effectiveness in intercepting rockets and saving countless civilian lives," said Sen. Hagerty. The bill's proponents express concerns that Israel's Iron Dome system may face strain if the conflict with Hamas escalates further, especially if Hezbollah becomes involved. "The United States must ensure Israel has the weapons and military assistance needed to combat all terrorist threats. The Iron Dome is the first line of defense for Israel, and it is essential to replenish this missile defense system," emphasized Sen. John Barrasso, a co-sponsor of the legislation. Sen. Katie Britt also stressed the significance of the U.S.-supported Iron Dome in defending Israeli civilians against Hamas attacks. President Biden is set to address the nation on the same day as the bill's introduction, emphasizing the importance of continued military support for both Ukraine and Israel. Sen. Josh Hawley argued that the current aid to Gaza should be redirected to Israel, given concerns about Hamas using it to fund weapons. Sen. Marco Rubio echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to support Israel's Iron Dome. Sen. Cynthia Lummis stated that the U.S. has a "moral obligation" to help Israel defend itself, particularly in the face of such attacks. The bill has received support from additional senators, including Ted Cruz, Thom Tillis, Rick Scott, and Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville advocated for halting all foreign assistance to Gaza and redirecting those funds to the Iron Dome. The White House did not provide a response to a request for comment on this matter. Read the full article

...."McConnell’s recent freezing spells and other health concerns have created a campaign conundrum for Republicans who have ripped Biden as too old and frail to continue as commander-in-chief for a second term but continue to stand by McConnell as one of the top leaders of the GOP.

“Because he’s having health problems, it makes it more difficult to attack Biden," a Republican senator said, referring to McConnell. "And yet I think it’s pretty apparent President Biden has significant health problems. There’s probably a double standard."

“Both sides have problems with aging leaders," the senator said.

McConnell's public health incidents have come as Republicans are ramping up attacks on Biden’s age and mental fitness, a subject voters are expressing major concerns about heading into the 2024 election cycle.

A Wall Street Journal poll out this week found that 73% of registered voters believe Biden is too old to run for president, while 60% said they think he isn’t “mentally up for the job.”

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., 43, a critic of both Biden and McConnell, called out members of his own party for going after Biden while giving McConnell a pass.

“Am I concerned about his health? Yeah, I am. I’m concerned about the president’s health. I’m concerned about his health, and, as I said yesterday, I don’t think you can have it both ways,” Hawley said.

“I mean, if you’re concerned about the president’s ability to do his job — and I am, and a lot of Republicans say they are — then you’ve got to be concerned when it’s somebody from your own party, right?” he continued. “It can’t be sauce for the goose but not for the gander.”

But so far, the vast majority of Senate Republicans are sticking by McConnell after he froze for 30 seconds as he fielded questions from reporters in Kentucky last week, the second such freeze in two months. They include three potential McConnell successors, known as "The Three Johns" — Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota, GOP Conference Chair John Barrasso of Wyoming and former Whip John Cornyn of Texas — all of whom have pledged their public support to McConnell.

“He has my full support, and he’ll have the support of the conference,” said Thune, 62, although he declined to say whether he believes McConnell will remain GOP leader after next year."

Report: Biden Official Committed Grand Larceny While on Sensitive Government Trip – JONATHAN TURLEY

According to a Fox News report, former senior Department of Energy (DOE) official Sam Brinton committed one of his thefts of baggage while on an official government trip to the Nevada National Security Site. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is asking the Biden Administration why… — Read on…

View On WordPress

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday reintroduced universal gun background checks legislation that is overwhelmingly popular with the American public — but not with a majority of U.S. Senators.

Federal law requires criminal background checks for firearm sales only at licensed dealers. Private sales between individuals, including at gun shows or online, aren’t subject to background checks.

Polls over the years have consistently shown that around 90% of Americans support requiring a criminal background check for all firearm sales. But it’s extremely likely that no Republican Senators will support Murphy’s bill.

“This is one of those wild issues in which 90% of the American public have made up their mind and we still can’t move the proposal through the Senate,” Murphy told HuffPost. “This is the holy grail of gun policy: It’s wildly popular, and it makes a big difference.”

Federal law prohibits certain people from buying guns, including those who have been convicted of violent crimes or who are subject to restraining orders. But without a background check, there’s nothing to stop them from buying a gun. According to one estimate from 2017, nearly a quarter of new gun owners bought their weapons without a background check.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), a member of the Senate Republican leadership team, told HuffPost that he would “obviously” oppose a universal background checks bill and so would any Senators who favor protecting Second Amendment rights. Not all Democrats will support Murphy’s bill, either; Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Jon Tester (Mont.) refused to co-sponsor last year’s version, and Manchin told HuffPost this week that his position hasn’t changed.

With Republicans in control of the House for at least the next two years, universal background checks will remain a non-starter.

But Congress has not been totally paralyzed on gun violence, which in recent years eclipsed car wrecks as the leading cause of death of children in the U.S. Last year, Murphy partnered with Republicans on a law that, among other things, expanded background checks for gun buyers between 18 and 21 years old. The FBI told HuffPost this week that the expanded checks had denied dozens of gun sales so far.

The 2022 law also modified the legal definition of who counts as “engaged in the business” of selling guns and therefore must register with the federal government as a firearms dealer. The new text stresses that someone’s a dealer if “the intent underlying the sale or disposition of firearms is predominantly one of obtaining pecuniary gain,” meaning profit.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), one of Murphy’s main Republican partners on last year’s bill, said that language change “basically did” what Murphy’s now trying to do with his universal background checks bill.

“If they’re in the business of selling firearms, they’re gonna be charged with a crime,” if they don’t do background checks, Cornyn said.

Federal law already required anyone in the business of selling guns for profit to apply for a license. It’s not clear what practical effect the new wording will have. The Congressional Research Service said the change “could make some, but not all, intrastate, private firearm transfers” subject to background checks.

The gun control group Giffords, which celebrated the new law, called the revision to the gun dealer language just a minor change: “The loophole that allows unlicensed sellers to sell guns without conducting background checks would remain open,” Giffords said on its website.

Biden admin faces probe over top Ford lobbyist's role in doling out billion-dollar grants

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is probing Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm over the role Ford Motor Company’s top lobbyist played in securing a record-setting Department of Energy (DOE) loan for the automaker. Barrasso — the ranking member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee — sent a letter Wednesday to Granholm with a series of questions about the apparent conflict of interest. In…

View On WordPress

Republicans rate Biden's handling of the presidency two years in: 'Deserves an F'

Republicans believe President Joe Biden’s handling of inflation, the crisis at the southern border and the national crime spike are just a few of the reasons his presidency deserves an “F,” two years into his presidency. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said the president deserves an “F” grade for his first two years in office, citing the economy and border crisis as some of the many reasons he…

View On WordPress

The day when QAnon Shamon Jacob Angeli was sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in the US Capitol Hill riots on January 6, the House gathered to vote to censure a Republican congressman Paul Gosar, who threatened to kill a liberal Congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). While the House successfully passed the resolution against Gosar, primarily due to the Democrats’ majority in the chamber, all but two Republicans voted against censuring a lawmaker who perpetuated similar violence, which was driven by a QAnon Shamon-led mob back in January. The GOP backed their violent member to the fullest, but the same party turned against the thirteen Republicans lawmakers just a week ago when they sided with Democrats for passing the infrastructure legislation. [caption id="attachment_10673" align="aligncenter" width="976"] Donald Trump criticized 13 Republicans badly who voted for infrastructure bill and justified the calls of "Hanging Mike Pence," after Biden's win, which portrays the violent culture of the party[/caption] Republicans Gave Death Threats to Thirteen House Members for Voting for Infrastructure Bill These events talk much about the prevailing nonsense in Republican ranks, which can scrutinize its members for the passing of legislation aimed at solving the infrastructure needs of the country but is incapable of doing the same to the lawmaker who threatened to kill a fellow Congresswoman. Almost all Republicans teamed up to criticize the thirteen House Republicans who voted for the first part of Biden’s economic agenda. Despite the fact that the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill was bipartisan legislation, this denouncement of the GOP of its own members is beyond any comprehension. It is just an obvious fact that no Republican voter would like to go to work using broken roads and drink dirty water. So, all in all, the infrastructure bill was supposed to be the problem solver of all beyond any partisan divide. In fact, Republicans have also vowed to repair the US infrastructure in the past, which suggests that a plan along the same lines was also included in their policy approaches had they come into power. But their voting pattern depicts that the party votes not for the country’s progress but against Democrats in any sort of legislation. The thirteen Republican lawmakers even received death threats and were chastised badly by former President Donald Trump. Getting a death threat just for voting to upgrade bridges and roads of the US can only be done by the hardcore Republican supporters. [caption id="attachment_10675" align="aligncenter" width="2500"] A major perpetuator in the US Capitol Hill riots QAnon Shaman has been sentenced to 41 montrhs in prison, but the GOP will hardly criticize his involvement in the episode.[/caption] Not an Event but Culture: Republicans are Following Trumpism in Perpetuating Violence But this violent culture has been breaded over the continuous efforts of the previous years. For instance, Donald Trump called “Hang Mike Pence” slogans “common sense,” while Sen. John Barrasso refused to criticize Trump for these remarks. This violent culture is not limited to Congress only. Dr. Fauci, for instance, asked for security for his daughter after receiving death threats in the land of the free. He is mostly accompanied by bodyguards even in his morning walk because some violent political supporters do not approve of his leadership during the pandemic. Thus the trend is convincing that the GOP is ready to treat anyone as a villain who denies complying with their political ideology, be it their own members or a nonpartisan medical expert. [caption id="attachment_10676" align="aligncenter" width="816"] Paul Gosar, a Congressman who threatened AOC to kill was censured by the House but the GOP lawmakers refrained to vote against him, which suggests that they are pro-violence elements.[/caption] For Republicans, Voting for Infrastructure Bill is Wrong, but Threatening Someone with Murder Isn’t

Defending violence is in the blood of Republicans. Ranging from denying a bipartisan commission to study the January 6 riot to now voting against censuring Paul Gosar, this stands true. Gosar, a GOP congressman from Congress, is a far-right member of the House and a Trump loyalist who posted an animated video that shows him killing AOC and threatening Biden with a sword. While the GOP votes were not needed in giving him the official punishment, the vote was certainly a litmus test for Republicans whether they stand with peace or violence. With the vote, Gosar ceased to exist as a member of the House Oversight Committee, as censuring is the harshest punishment the House can give to any lawmaker, just below expulsion in which the lawmakers are disqualified from Congress. [caption id="attachment_10677" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Kevin McCarthy criticized Democrats for censuring Paul Gosar, which depicts that he will not censure his own member for promoting violence in the country.[/caption] Final Thoughts Politicians are opinion leaders, and their incitement of violence can easily trickle down in the masses. The classic example of this dictum was seen on January 6, when Trump’s incitement gathered a mob in a matter of hours. The House Republican leadership has even declined to condemn Gosar, with the House minority leader Kevin McCarthy calling the vote an abuse of power. Nonetheless, Republicans need to sort out their priorities and start denouncing the culture of violence if they really want to see the party flourish.

Thousands of park rangers to be furloughed if US government shuts down

National Parks Face Closure Threat Amid Budget Standoff National parks across the United States teeter on the brink of closure as Congress grapples with a looming budget impasse this weekend. If an agreement isn't reached, the Department of Interior has warned that park entrances will be sealed, and thousands of park rangers could face furloughs, rendering these natural treasures off-limits to visitors. This marks a notable shift from five years ago when the Trump administration kept some iconic parks accessible, a move criticized as illegal by the Government Accountability Office, a congressional oversight body. This time around, the majority of the 420-plus national park units are slated to be closed to the public. To avert this crisis, the governors of Arizona and Utah have pledged to step in, using state funding to ensure access to some of the most renowned parks, such as the Grand Canyon and Zion. Limited Access and Services Access to other national parks during a potential shutdown will hinge on factors like size and location. If a site is closed during non-business hours, it is expected to remain that way. Some sites, like the National Mall, may stay open, but the maintenance of facilities, such as restrooms and trash collection, is uncertain. The Interior Department has urged the public to refrain from visiting parks during this period to safeguard natural and cultural resources and ensure visitor safety. In response to this situation, the director of the National Park Service has the option to forge non-reimbursable arrangements with state, tribal, or local governments, as well as third parties for donations to support park operations. Shutdown contingency plans were set to be posted online. Challenges in Keeping Parks Open While the idea of keeping parks open during a shutdown is not opposed by the National Parks Conservation Association, they caution that doing so without sufficient staff and resources can be problematic. In past shutdowns, issues like overflowing trash cans and damaged ecosystems, as tourists ventured off-road, have emerged as challenges. State Initiatives to Keep Parks Operating Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming has advocated for the use of previously collected fees to keep parks open, a practice employed during the Trump administration but challenged as illegal. In contrast, Governors Katie Hobbs of Arizona and Spencer Cox of Utah have vowed to tap into state funds to ensure that visitors can still explore the Grand Canyon and Zion, highlighting the economic benefits these parks bring to their states and local communities. National parks collectively stand to lose nearly 1 million visitors daily during a shutdown, which could result in gateway communities losing as much as $70 million, according to the conservation association. Arizona intends to use lottery funds to maintain basic operations at the Grand Canyon, as they did during a previous shutdown. Though existing permit holders for activities like backcountry hiking and river rafting could still participate, no new permits would be issued, while hotels and restaurants would remain open. Utah, during a prior shutdown, spent about $7,500 daily to keep Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches operating. The nonprofit Zion Forever Project contributed $16,000 to maintain a skeleton crew, open bathrooms, and run the visitor center at Zion. State Responses Across the Nation Various state governments are exploring plans to operate and protect national parks. In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis directed the state's Department of Natural Resources to develop a strategy for Rocky Mountain National Park and three others. South Dakota's Governor Kristi Noem is reviewing the potential impact of a shutdown on national parks, including Mount Rushmore. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte is awaiting further information to evaluate the state's options. In Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee has no immediate plans to provide additional funding or staff for national parks during a shutdown. Similarly, California Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has confirmed that they won't cover the costs to keep national parks accessible. Read the full article