Congress's own watchdog found paid leave for federal workers hit an estimated $9.5 billion in 2025, about $6.7 billion of it from DOGE's 'Fork in the Road' buyout. The personnel office expects the cuts to save $20 billion a year — but GAO says it doesn't even know what the buyouts cost.
In June, 19 Republicans in Congress signed a letter urging the EPA to add mifepristone to its list of possible water contaminants. On September 9 the EPA announced a drinking-water study that includes the two abortion drugs. Environmental health experts say there's no scientific evidence abortion medication harms the environment or people — and five days later, the EPA announced it is scrapping carbon limits on power plants.
Michigan's Republican nominee for governor told Benny Johnson the FBI 'will have a presence' in West and Southeast Michigan leading up to Election Day. Asked about it at a Senate hearing, the FBI director said 'you bet' agents will be there, refused to promise not to interfere in November, and wouldn't say whether Trump lost in 2020.
The Pentagon's inspector general says the Iran war has caused 'strategic inventory shortfalls' and cost up to $3.7 billion in lost equipment, including nearly 60 aircraft. The White House calls shortage claims 'false.' Troops sent CBS photos of wrecked U.S. bases, damage one said 'hasn't been communicated to the American public.'
Robert Aderholt, Speaker Mike Johnson and 11 other tracked Republicans requested a GAO review of abortion coverage in Obamacare plans. Aderholt and Chris Smith then used it to demand 'full Hyde protections for all ACA plans.' GAO's own summary says federal law already bars tax credits from paying for abortion, that insurers must price that coverage at no less than $1 a month, and that almost every plan that covers it is in a state whose law requires coverage.
The Food Traceability Rule would make food companies keep digital records so investigators can find the source of an outbreak fast. The farm-and-FDA spending law from Harris' subcommittee says no money can be used to enforce it before July 20, 2028. This summer, a cyclospora outbreak traced to Mexican lettuce put 570 people in the hospital. Harris doesn't appear to have said a word.
On Newsmax, the Alabama senator running for governor said Omar 'wants the president to be dead' and should be sent home. Newsmax's own story noted that Tuberville pointed to no statement in which Omar said any such thing. Omar fled Somalia's civil war as a child and became a citizen in 2000; a citizen can't be deported unless a court first strips her citizenship.
Matthew Byrne told an anti-abortion group his 'pro-life credentials cannot be questioned' and that the 'life of the mother' exception should be 'strictly defined so as to avoid creating loopholes.' The Senate cut off debate on his nomination 47-46 on September 14, with Collins voting yes. A no from her would have sunk it. She voted to confirm him the next day.
Evans says Democrats' 'war on oil and gas' is why Coloradans pay more at the pump. AAA says Colorado gas was a cent below the national average a year ago, before the Iran war Evans supports, and is a nickel above it now.