Author
Jennifer covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include congressional policy, politics and legal challenges with a focus on health care, unemployment, housing and aid to families.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
GOP senator blocks resolution stating the right to emergency care includes abortion
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 24, 2024
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats attempted to pass a resolution Tuesday addressing abortion access in emergency medical situations, but Republicans blocked it from moving forward. The floor action followed months of unsuccessful attempts by congressional Democrats to approve legislation on various reproductive rights, including access to birth control and in vitro fertilization. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., […]
New stopgap bill in Congress would postpone shutdown deadline to December
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 24, 2024
WASHINGTON — Congress is on track to approve legislation this week that will give lawmakers until mid-December to broker agreement on the annual government funding bills that were supposed to become law before the end of this month. The stopgap spending bill, also known as a continuing resolution, has the broad bipartisan support it needs […]
Harris presses Trump to debate again, and Democrats launch ‘chicken’ billboards
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is chiding GOP nominee Donald Trump for not agreeing to another presidential debate before voting ends Nov. 5, though he doesn’t appear inclined to change his mind. “Let’s have another debate,” Harris, the Democratic candidate, said Sunday. “There’s more to talk about and the voters of America deserve to […]
Racing toward Election Day, control of U.S. Senate and House up for grabs
By: Ashley Murray and Jennifer Shutt - September 20, 2024
WASHINGTON — The country’s next president will need a friendly Congress to make their policy dreams a reality, but control of the two chambers remains deeply uncertain with just weeks until Election Day — and whether the outcome will be a party trifecta in the nation’s capital. Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking […]
In vitro fertilization bills from both Democrats and GOP blocked in U.S. Senate
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 17, 2024
WASHINGTON — The closely divided U.S. Senate gridlocked Tuesday over the best way to provide nationwide protections for in vitro fertilization, despite lawmakers from both political parties maintaining they want to do so. Republicans voted against advancing a Democratic bill that could have prevented states from enacting “harmful or unwarranted limitations” on the procedure and […]
Trump, Harris campaigns move quickly past apparent assassination attempt on GOP nominee
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 16, 2024
WASHINGTON — The presidential campaigns are rushing ahead this week without missing a beat, despite numerous law enforcement agencies investigating a possible assassination attempt Sunday on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, was looking to pick up an endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters during a private sit-down […]
Additional security will be in place for Jan. 6, 2025 certification of presidential vote
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 13, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Capitol Police are welcoming a special security designation from the Department of Homeland Security for Jan. 6, 2025, when Congress will gather to certify the Electoral College vote count for the winner of the presidential election. The last time Congress undertook the responsibility, a pro-Trump mob attacked the building, eventually breaking […]
Support for access to in vitro fertilization to be voted on again in U.S. Senate
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 12, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate will vote for a second time next week on legislation from Democrats that would bolster support for in vitro fertilization, though it’s unlikely GOP lawmakers will reverse course from their previous opposition. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the revote Thursday afternoon, saying he hopes that Republicans will join with […]
Federal officials say no sign bird flu is spreading among humans, despite Missouri case
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 12, 2024
WASHINGTON — Public health officials are still trying to determine how a Missouri resident contracted bird flu without having any contact with infected animals, but said Thursday there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission taking place in small enclaves or in a more widespread manner. The Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly […]
U.S. House speaker withdraws spending bill that would require ID to register to vote
By: Jennifer Shutt - September 11, 2024
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson pulled a six-month stopgap spending bill from heading to the floor for a vote Wednesday, scuttling efforts by the GOP to show solidarity behind their plan, which included a provision requiring ID to register to vote in federal elections. The spending bill, released by House Republicans last week […]
FDA greenlights new COVID vaccine after a summer of rising numbers of cases
By: Jennifer Shutt - August 22, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine intended to address severe symptoms of the virus ahead of the cold and flu season. The new booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer follow a summer of increasing COVID-19 cases and are designed to better address the variants that are […]
‘I’m entitled to personal attacks’ against Harris, Trump asserts
By: Jennifer Shutt - August 16, 2024
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Thursday he sees no need to switch the tactics or tone of his bid for the White House now that Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee instead of President Joe Biden. Speaking during a press conference at his golf club in New Jersey, the former president began […]