Border Deal Breakdown Threatens Mike Johnson's Caucus Support

Speaker Mike Johnson, leader of the lower chamber's Republican caucus, is facing challenges in reaching a consensus on border funding and international aid. Negotiations in the Senate are already facing hurdles, and there is doubt that Johnson will be able to replicate any success in the lower chamber due to Republican infighting. Meanwhile, Republicans are making efforts to suppress the vote of college students, particularly targeting young voters who have consistently delivered wins for Democrats in recent election cycles. Rupert Murdoch is set to be deposed in relation to a defamation lawsuit between Smartmatic and Fox News. Senator Tommy Tuberville is blocking military promotions as a protest against the Defense Department's policy on abortion, blaming the military's weakness on "wokeness." Two Jewish Democrats are leading the charge against a xenophobic bill proposed by a Montana Republican Representative that seeks to "deport Palestinians" from the US. Major media outlets have shown less coverage and defense of Donald Trump's incendiary remarks compared to their coverage of Hillary Clinton's "basket of deplorables" comment in 2016. Representative James Comer rejected Hunter Biden's offer to testify in a public House Oversight Committee hearing, despite demanding his testimony for months. The Koch network endorsed Nikki Haley for the Republican primary, continuing their campaign against Donald Trump.