Author

Jennifer Shutt

Jennifer Shutt

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.

U.S. FDA Authorizes Second COVID-19 Booster Shot For Those Over 50

Updated COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available in September, federal officials say

By: - August 25, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is gearing up for a fall vaccination campaign that not only includes updated COVID-19 boosters, but the annual flu shot and the newly approved RSV vaccine. “We’re going to be encouraging Americans to get their COVID-19 vaccine in addition to their annual flu shot, as well as the immunizations for […]

Presidential Hopefuls Square Off In First GOP Debate

Trump absent but still dominates as GOP presidential rivals clash at first debate

By: , and - August 23, 2023

Eight Republican presidential candidates gathered onstage Wednesday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a heated first primary debate heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump, though the party’s front runner refused to attend the two-hour event. Trump instead recorded a competing 46-minute interview with former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson that aired on X, formerly known […]

Homes and businesses destroyed by wildfire are seen on Aug. 14, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii

FEMA’s disaster relief fund is running low on cash. What happens now?

By: - August 20, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is in desperate need of cash, with the agency projecting at least a $4 billion deficit in the weeks ahead — even as the government responds to devastating fires in Hawaii and hurricane season continues. FEMA, however, won’t simply stop the response and recovery activities […]

100 US dollars. Macro photo of banknotes of money in the US currency one hundred dollars.

That 1% cut in federal spending in the debt limit law? It’s complicated. 

By: - August 19, 2023

WASHINGTON — The debt limit law Congress approved earlier this year included a much-publicized provision that would cut all federal spending by 1% if Republicans and Democrats fail to reach agreement on the dozen government funding bills before Jan. 1. That sounds pretty threatening. But, the across-the-board automatic spending cut wouldn’t actually have any real-world […]

A glass of water next to pills and the box they came in

Abortion pill to stay on the market until U.S. Supreme Court ruling after appeals court order

By: - August 16, 2023

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday the abortion pill can stay on the market, but it agreed with a lower court that ultimately use should revert to prescribing and dosage instructions that were in place before 2016. That appeals court ruling will immediately be put on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court decides […]

The U.S. Capitol.

Congress brought back earmarks. Now they’re one more point of drama in a divided House.

By: - August 12, 2023

WASHINGTON — The new Republican chairwoman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee said just before taking over the panel that she planned to “tweak” how the chamber earmarks spending for community projects — coveted state and local funding that members of Congress request. Some of those changes hinted at by Kay Granger of Texas have […]

President Joe Biden talks on the phone with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on June 7, 2023, in the Oval Office of the White House, about the Canadian wild fires and the smoke blanketing parts of the U.S.

Biden asks Congress for $40B for Ukraine aid, U.S. disaster response, border security

By: - August 10, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve more than $40 billion in additional spending for Ukraine, border security, FEMA’s disaster response and wildland firefighters pay. The supplemental spending request comes in the middle of Congress’ annual August recess, giving lawmakers weeks to mull over the proposal for additional spending before returning to […]

A protester holds a Trump flag inside the U.S. Capitol Building on the steps outside the Senate chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

How the fake electors in seven states are central to the Trump Jan. 6 indictment

By: and - August 2, 2023

WASHINGTON — The federal indictment accusing Donald Trump of trying to stay in power after losing the 2020 presidential election includes detailed accusations of Trump and his alleged co-conspirators’ pressure on individual state officials. The central plot to overturn the election, as described in the indictment a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., handed up […]

Former U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he makes a visit to the Cuban restaurant Versailles after he appeared June 13, 2023, in Miami for an arraignment in connection with allegations he kept classified documents after leaving office

‘Fueled by lies,’ Trump charged with seeking to overturn 2020 election

By: , and - August 1, 2023

WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., indicted Donald Trump on Tuesday, alleging that Trump and co-conspirators attempted to subvert the 2020 election to keep the former president in power through a series of illegal actions that culminated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The former president faces four […]

The U.S. Capitol as framed by blossoming cherry trees

‘We should not fear a government shutdown’: Far-right U.S. House members slam spending bills

By: - July 25, 2023

WASHINGTON — A handful of ultra-conservative U.S. House Republicans rebuked their leadership on Tuesday over the annual government funding process, but appeared at odds on whether they should force a government shutdown later this year. Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs at a news conference mostly ruled out a funding lapse, though Virginia Rep. Bob Good left […]

A cyclist passes a “Health Advisory” sign

Preparation for pandemics, natural disasters updated in bill passed by U.S. Senate panel

By: - July 23, 2023

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Senate committee approved legislation last week that would update how the federal government prepares for and then responds to pandemics and natural disasters. The broadly bipartisan legislation moved through the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday following a 17-3 vote after members adopted two bipartisan amendments. Republican Sens. […]

The wreckage of a car teetered on a buckled roadway following Hurricane Ian on Sept. 30, 2022, in Matlacha, Florida

FEMA disaster relief fund faces August shortfall as feds scramble to find cash

By: - July 13, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is on track to run out of money as soon as next month, though the agency’s administrator told Congress on Thursday that she’s working with the White House to find a solution. “Our current projections on the disaster relief fund is that we will go […]