Congressional lawmakers are pushing their biggest battles to the new year. Also in the news: Moments after the president responded to a question from reporters, a silver copper sedan with Delaware plates hit an SUV that appeared to be guarding his motorcade. A look at how Hunter Biden's drug addiction history could shape his legal defense. | |  |
Here is the news to know Monday. |
Congress is leaving town without solving two major debates |
Right now might feel like time to slow down and reflect — unless you're on Capitol Hill. When Congress resumes work early next year, they'll have less than two weeks to fund transportation, housing, agriculture and energy programs by Jan. 19. Then they'll have only three additional days with both chambers in session to fund all other agencies and avert a government shutdown once again. |
If Congress can't pass all 12 spending bills by the end of April, there will be an across-the-board government spending cut. |
Car slams into parked SUV that was part of Joe Biden's security detail |
A car plowed into a parked SUV that was shielding President Joe Biden's motorcade while the president and first lady Jill Biden were exiting his campaign headquarters in Delaware on Sunday night. Reporters traveling with the Bidens said the first lady had just said "happy holidays" to reporters and gotten into a presidential vehicle. Reporters heard a loud bang and saw Biden standing outside his vehicle with a surprised expression on his face. Neither of the Bidens were injured in the incident. | President Joe Biden reacts after hearing a loud bang as he leaves his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Del., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP |
Defense secretary in Israel to press for a more targeted approach in Gaza |
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza on a visit to the region Monday. France, the U.K. and Germany joined global calls for a cease-fire over the weekend, and Israeli protesters have demanded the government relaunch talks with Hamas on releasing more hostages after three were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops Friday despite waving white flags. On Saturday, scores of protesters set up tents outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, pledging to remain there until the government resumed hostage negotiations with Hamas. Read more | Palestinians loot a humanitarian aid truck as it crossed into the Gaza Strip in Rafah, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Fatima Shbair, AP |
Here's how Hunter Biden's drug addiction could shape his legal defense |
Hunter Biden's very public history of prolific drug abuse may form a key part of his defense against nine tax charges that carry a combined maximum penalty of 17 years in prison, legal experts say. The son of President Joe Biden was indicted in a California federal court earlier this month on three felony and six misdemeanor tax charges. Prosecutors allege he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes on time and evaded other taxes, all while burning millions on a lavish lifestyle that included drug usage. But his team could argue that his understanding about some of his activities was marred by his drug use. Read more |
Keep dreaming of a white Christmas |
A white Christmas looks unlikely this year for the vast majority of the U.S., meteorologists say. Much of the central U.S. will see a rather mild to even warm Christmas. Some parts of Texas, including big cities such as Dallas and Houston, could see temperatures reach all-time highs for Christmas Day, forecasters say, while Chicago is enduring a record snow drought to start the city's snow season. Read more |
Photo of the day: Nobody went to see the Panthers-Falcons game |
Carolina Panthers supporters are getting fed up with the actions of owner David Tepper, and Sunday, fans showed their disapproval ... by not showing up at all. | Fans sit in the rain during warm ups before the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2023. Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports |
Associated Press contributed reporting. | | All of the headlines, none of the chaos. | Learn daily with The Excerpt,
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