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Israel and Hamas Reach Deal

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“After months of deadlock, Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a long-awaited breakthrough that could point toward an end to the two-year war in Gaza,” the New York Times reports.

“President Trump, who helped broker the deal, said on social media Wednesday that both sides had agreed to the first phase of his plan, including that Israel would pull back their troops to an agreed-upon line.”

Washington Post: Trump announces ceasefire deal to begin ending the war in Gaza.

Senate GOP Eyes Piecemeal Government Reopening

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“Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is considering bringing full-year appropriations bills — such as one to fund the Pentagon and pay the military — to the floor for a vote,” Axios reports.

“Bipartisan talks to reopen the government via a short-term spending stopgap bill are frozen. Now, Thune is at least contemplating other options.”

Mamdani Ally Weighs Challenge to Jeffries

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“New York City Council member Chi Ossé, a close ally of Zohran Mamdani, is privately discussing a run against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.),” Axios reports.

“Just talking about a potential campaign could drive a further wedge between Mamdani — the democratic socialist in line to be New York’s next mayor — and Jeffries, who so far has declined to endorse Mamdani.”


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Flight Delays Could Force Parties to End Shutdown

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“The shutdown stalemate is showing signs of provoking one of the most powerful forces in the federal bureaucracy: an army of overworked, currently unpaid air traffic controllers,” Politico reports.

“A string of staffing shortages in airport control towers this week caused hourslong delays for travelers from California to Tennessee, demonstrating the outsize influence of a more than 13,000-person-strong workforce whose pay stopped when the government shut down.”

Katie Porter Berates Staffer in Newly-Released Video

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“A newly surfaced video shows Katie Porter — the frontrunner in next year’s race for California governor — blasting a staffer who interrupted a meeting the former House member was taping for the Biden administration,” Politico reports.

Said Porter: “Get out of my fucking shot!”

In the video call, Porter also complained to Jennifer Granholm that she had not visited the White House despite raising a “shit ton” of money for then-President Joe Biden.

Greene Demands House Be Brought Back

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) “broke sharply with her party leaders on Wednesday as they tried to project a united front in the deepening standoff with Democrats over health care and the government shutdown, calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the House back into session and warning that Americans would be hammered by higher costs if her party doesn’t help right the ship,” CNN reports.

Why Mike Johnson Is Keeping Republicans Away

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Punchbowl News: “If you were wondering why Speaker Mike Johnson has kept the House out of session for the past two weeks, you got your answer today.”

“On Day Eight of the shutdown, Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries both engaged in public spats in the hallways with members from the opposite party. The bickering was personal, animated and captured by throngs of reporters.”

“Now imagine if 435 House members were roaming these halls. This would be going on with hundreds of members all across the Capitol.”

Johnson Faces Growing Internal Revolt Over Shutdown

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“The longer the government stays shut down, the shorter House Republicans’ patience seems to be getting with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA),” Politico reports.

“Johnson’s decision to keep his chamber on an indefinite break in the middle of a government shutdown isn’t sitting well with some in his conference — and that could put pressure on the speaker to change course.”

For members: The More Trump Talks, the More He Screws This Up

Small Government Republicans?

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Jamelle Bouie: “Here, I will say that this effort to use the military against American citizens — an effort backed, it seems, by almost the entire Republican Party — makes a mockery of the longstanding conservative claim that theirs is a movement of small government and states’ rights.”

“Trump’s push to invade cities using the National Guard is as aggressive a use of federal power as one can imagine.”

Hegseth’s Hunt for Charlie Kirk Critics Expands

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“The Pentagon has investigated nearly 300 Defense Department employees, including service members, civilian workers and contractors, for comments appearing online after last month’s shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk,” the Washington Post reports.

“The sweeping, ongoing inquiry, which has resulted in a smattering of disciplinary action so far, follows an extraordinary directive by the department’s political leadership to silence criticism of a prominent, polarizing figure who was unabashed in his views and fervent support for President Donald Trump.”

Senate Won’t Be In Session This Weekend

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) sounds unlikely to keep the chamber in over the weekend.

Said Thune: “If enough Democrats start to come to their senses and want to have conversations about how to get the government open, then I’m certainly open to be here.”

He added: “If they’re just gonna continue to vote down keeping the government open, I’m not sure what purpose that’ll serve.”

About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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