On Politics

Tue Mar 11 2025

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

Hey there! It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. I want to do a new thing where I ask you, Readers, a politics-related question. Maybe your answers will be featured in the newsletter! First question, how has your grocery bill changed since the start of 2025?

What to know about a potential government shutdown

The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, and lawmakers are racing to keep the government from shutting down. The House of Representatives will vote around 4 p.m. today on legislation to keep the government funded until Sept. 30. But the real question is whether it will pass that chamber. Democrats have spoken out against the House Republicans' legislation. And on top of that, the House GOP can afford to lose only one Republican vote. Spoiler alert: One Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, has already come out against it. What to know about the bill.

•	What are the odds of a government shutdown?
•	How a government shutdown could impact flights and cruises
•	These states get up to half of their revenue from the federal government

The fight to keep the government open comes as President Donald Trump escalates his trade war with neighboring Canada. Trump announced Tuesday that he was going to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum that are set to take effect on Wednesday, from 25% to 50%. It's in retaliation to Canada charging a 25% fee on millions of U.S. energy users in Minnesota, New York and Michigan. Why Trump is enacting tariffs.

•	How are Trump's tariffs affecting the markets? Well, U.S. stocks are sinking amid Trump's tariff tit for tat.
•	While the U.S. isn't in a recession, fears are rising. And Trump's trade war isn't helping.

People walk past the Nasdaq market site as U.S. stock markets opened Tuesday in New York City on Tuesday.

Mike Segar, REUTERS

A politics pit stop

•	The rocket builder vs. the NASA astronaut?
•	It's a make-or-break moment for the Ukraine peace talks.
•	DC jackhammers away Black Lives Matter mural.
•	Trump wants to buy a Tesla in "support for Elon Musk."
•	Elon Musk is slashing the federal workforce, but DOGE is going to grow.

DOGE layoffs hit Florida wildlife refuges

Federal workers are still seeing cuts, and this time it's hitting some in Florida. More than half a dozen workers at national refuges across the state were fired in recent weeks as part of President Donald Trump's mass layoffs. Some of the workers who were fired include three who were protecting 226 square miles of ecosystems in the Everglades, as well as two others who protected the threatened Florida manatee. See who got fired.

•	Judge orders DOGE to provide documents about dismantling federal agencies and layoffs
•	Weather forecasting agency NOAA to cut another 1,000 workers

Super Bowl champion Eagles to head to the White House

The (Philadelphia) Eagles are landing – at the White House. The 2025 Super Bowl champions have formally accepted an invitation from President Donald Trump to celebrate their win at the White House. While it's been a longtime tradition for championship sports teams to be invited for a ceremonial White House visit, Trump in 2018 abruptly disinvited the Eagles on the eve of their planned visit. See the NFL team that visited Trump's White House during his first term.

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.