Good evening, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

The Schumer-Jeffries Democrat Government Shutdown is underway. Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole had an agreement with Democrats for a short-term funding agreement that they now refuse to support. That would have allowed us to complete our appropriations work, maintain regular order, and then vote on a budget by November 21.

Democrats, for political reasons, decided that wasn’t good enough, particularly Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.

I joined "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business to discuss the shutdown. Republicans didn’t ask for this shutdown. President Trump didn’t ask for this shutdown. Democrats are blocking a clean continuing resolution for purely political reasons. Facts are facts, and they can’t be ignored. Click here or below to watch.

They made initial demands. The first demands were to get the BBB to add $1.4 trillion in new spending and to allow illegals to receive healthcare paid for by the American taxpayer. To be clear, despite the Democrats' attempts to distance themselves from their demand for healthcare for illegal immigrants, the tape does not lie. Click here to watch a segment from Fox News replaying Democrat demands for that policy plank.

That’s insane. No country does that, but it’s the truth. You can refer to speaker.gov or the information below.

Those demands were so ludicrous that they then added a permanent extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies, even for those making over $500,000 a year. That included more than one-third of the $250 billion in excess payments made through the ACA. Over one-third of that excess spending would go directly to insurance companies, with no beneficiaries utilizing the service. Those were all provisions that we need to correct, as they were meant to be temporary in the ridiculous rescue plan that the Democrats wrote.

The fact is, all Republicans but one voted for the continuing resolution to keep the government open for seven weeks until we finish our budget. All Democrats, but one, in the House voted to close the government.

In the Senate, it’s basically the same story. We have one Republican who won’t vote for the CR, and as of now, three, maybe four Democrat Senators who are willing to put Americans first to vote to reopen the government. However, we need 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to pass the CR. That leaves the Republicans in search of a few more Democrat votes.

The Democrats continue to say this is a Republican shutdown, but the facts don't bear that out. Even left-leaning political commentator Chris Cuomo stated that the Democrats are not being truthful. Click here or below to watch.

As long as the shutdown is in effect, I will not take a paycheck. If our military doesn’t get paid, I don’t get paid.

The reasons for the shutdown are all political. First, Chuck Schumer, who’s been in government for decades (it feels like centuries), is literally fighting for his own personal political career against AOC. It is absurd to hold the American people hostage over the fate of his pitiful career. The other reason is perhaps even worse. Hakeem Jefferies can’t do anything to stop President Trump and the Republicans from making our economy incredibly strong... and the WINS keep coming.

The president is finalizing a Middle East Peace Deal, which is absolutely amazing. He is truly the President of peace. He also is going to save the American people $200-$300 billion a year in prescription drug costs… These are the events that occurred just this past week. The only way they can deal is by obstructing President Trump's progress. They have no good ideas. The President's going to find an opportunity in this shutdown to right-size the government… Liberalism always backfires. I sent a text to the President and got a response below!

On Monday, I joined “Wake Up America” on Newsmax, where I discussed Democrats’ determination to shut down the government over last-minute demands tied to the Affordable Care Act; something they didn’t even raise until days before the deadline. I also addressed the horrific church shooting in Michigan. We must confront the mental health crisis in this country, and leaders must stop fueling instability with extreme rhetoric. Words matter, and our focus must remain on keeping government open, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and putting the American people first. Click here to watch.

Later, I joined Brian Kilmeade on Fox News Radio to discuss both the inspiration of the Tunnels to Towers Run and the challenges in Washington.

Participating in the run, honoring Stephen Siller and the thousands we lost on 9/11, was one of the most moving events I’ve ever been a part of. Over 30,000 Americans came together in the true spirit of the red, white, and blue to honor the many heroes who gave their lives to save others and defend our freedoms.

We also spoke about a potential government shutdown. Click here or below to listen.

On Tuesday, I joined Newsmax's "American Agenda" to discuss the pending shutdown further. Click here or below to watch.

On Wednesday, I joined "Wake Up America" on Newsmax early to discuss the Democrats' government shutdown. Click here or below to watch.

Additionally, I joined the "Bob Cordaro Show" on WILK-FM to discuss the Democrat government shutdown. Click here or below to listen.

On Wednesday, President Trump announced a significant agreement with Pfizer, marking a crucial first step toward reducing the cost of prescription drugs for Americans. Pfizer will offer lower costs for prescription drugs to Medicare, as well as provide major pharmaceuticals at a steep discount directly to consumers through TrumpRx.

In addition to offering prescriptions at lower costs to consumers, Pfizer committed $70 billion towards on-shoring manufacturing.

I’ve been a strong advocate of lowering prescription drug prices for both public and private payers. It never made sense that the largest purchaser of prescription drugs could not negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to pass on savings to consumers. President Trump and his administration saw it the same way.

I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz, and Director of Medicare and Deputy Administrator of CMS Klomp for their efforts in achieving this significant outcome for the American people.

President Trump has no particular special interest in influencing. President Trump‘s only special interest is the best for the American people and achieving real results, lowering the costs of healthcare for all.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Democrats’ Shutdown Devastates America’s Economy, Workers and Families

Democrats are holding the government – and the American people – hostage. Their reckless decision to shut down the federal government to give free healthcare to illegal aliens is already hurting families, workers, and our economy.

A new report from the White House Council of Economic Advisors shows the devastating and severe consequences of a prolonged government shutdown:

• Crippling Economic Losses: Each week the shutdown extends will wipe out an estimated $15 billion in U.S. GDP. A month-long shutdown would result in 43,000 more unemployed Americans.
• Families in Jeopardy: WIC benefits for nearly seven million women and children run dry this month.
  Veterans Impacted: Veteran career counseling, GI Bill Hotline, VA benefits regional offices, public affairs outreach, headstone placement, pre-need burial applications, and presidential memorial certificates will be impacted.
  
  
• Workers Without Pay: From air traffic controllers and Border Patrol to Coast Guard crews, federal firefighters, and FBI agents, millions of Americans who protect our nation are being forced to work without pay. Unlike federal employees, contractors will never see backpay –resulting in persistent wage losses for millions of families.
  
  
• Private Businesses Hit: Federal loans and contracts are delayed, exports are stalled, and mortgages are put on hold. Small businesses are likely to encounter delays in receiving federal loans.

Under President Biden, they voted 13 times to pass short-term continuing resolutions (CRs) to keep the government open. Now, they’re playing politics with the livelihoods of hardworking Americans.

Bottom Line: Democrats are responsible for this crisis. They must end their shutdown and reopen the government NOW.

Read the full CEA Memo HERE.

IN ADDITIONAL NEWS YOU WON'T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Democrats and their Fake News allies want you to believe it’s all a lie that Democrats shut down the government over free healthcare for illegal aliens.

Except that’s exactly what happened. As Vice President, JD Vance said, “It’s not something that we made up. It’s not a talking point. It is in the text of the bill that they initially gave to us to reopen the government.”

As the White House makes clear in a new memo, Democrats’ unserious proposal takes extraordinary efforts to accommodate illegal aliens while repealing reforms that strengthen healthcare for American citizens.

Here’s what you need to know:

• FACT: Democrats’ proposal would result in nearly $200 billion spent on healthcare for illegal immigrants and other non-citizens over the next decade — enough to fund the entire Children’s Health Insurance Program.

• FACT: Democrats’ proposal would once again allow those improperly granted asylum and parole under Biden’s open borders scheme to receive Medicaid.
  
  
• FACT: Democrats’ proposal would require Medicaid to pay more for emergency care provided to illegal aliens than it does for American patients who are disabled, elderly, or children.
  
  
• FACT: Democrats’ proposal would allow California to continue exploiting a loophole to fund Medicaid for illegal aliens.
  
  
• FACT: Democrats’ proposal would reinstate a special Obamacare subsidy for non-citizens — for which low-income American citizens are not eligible.
• FACT: Democrats’ proposal would repeal a generational $50 billion investment in rural healthcare.
  
  
• FACT: Democrats’ proposal would take Health Savings Accounts away from ten million American citizens.

ELECTION ALERT:

On November 4, there will be important statewide and local elections. We have two conservative statewide judicial candidates in 2025 that we MUST get on the courts. They have the integrity, ethics, and experience to serve on the courts.

They'll follow the law as written, not legislate from the bench.

This November, please join me in voting for:
✅ Maria Battista for Superior Court
✅ Matt Wolford for Commonwealth Court

If you would like to request a mail-in ballot, please click here.

I am proud to support and endorse Walter L Griffith Jr for Luzerne County Controller.

Luzerne County taxpayers deserve an honest and independent watchdog who will ensure that every dollar is utilized in a fiscally responsible and effective manner. Walter Griffith has the experience, integrity, and commitment to do just that.

Walter is the right person for this critical job, and I encourage Luzerne County residents to join me in supporting him for Controller. Click here or below to watch my endorsement video.

May God continue to bless our nation. I look forward to seeing you soon,