What we're covering
• Government shutdown: After a fierce lobbying push by President Donald Trump and GOP leaders, Congress is on the cusp of ending the partial government shutdown today, with voting starting this morning.
• Petro in Washington, DC: Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived at the White House this morning to meet Trump. The visit comes after a yearlong public quarrel between the two leaders over immigration and drug trafficking, with threats of tariffs and sanctions from the Trump administration.
• Epstein files: Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to meet House Oversight Chair James Comer’s demands for in-person depositions in the panel’s investigation into late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
House Republicans won't hold up funding package, but concerned about "leverage" in DHS funding talks
House Republicans made clear Tuesday that while they don’t plan on standing in the way of advancing a package to end the partial government shutdown, lawmakers face an uphill battle to reach a bipartisan compromise to fund the Department of Homeland Security and reform immigration enforcement in two weeks.
GOP Rep. Eric Burlison, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said he plans to vote against the bill, though he will not block it from coming to the floor.
“There’s too many earmarks in there that I cannot stomach, but I don’t think that they need my vote to get it across the finish line. There’s a lot of Democrats. A lot of the earmarks that I can’t support are the ones that are being put in there by the Democrats,” he told CNN after the House GOP conference meeting.
The Missouri Republican said he fears losing “leverage” against Democrats in upcoming negotiations over DHS funding, calling it “foolish” to pass a two-week bill to keep the department open while lawmakers attempt to reach a compromise.
“I think in two weeks, it’s we’re going to be taking a lot of the Democrat demands, because we have no leverage,” he said, adding that he thinks requiring immigration agents to wear body cameras is “pretty reasonable.”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who represents a swing state in New York, said she thinks some of Democrats’ demands to reform ICE are “reasonable,” and “there is a ability here to come to an agreement where … we can protect our law enforcement, we can protect the immigrant community, and we can protect the safety of the public.”
However, Malliotakis said the “biggest sticking point” is Democratic mayors and governors not cooperating with federal agents and “handing over criminals,” noting her own city’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani vowing to protect undocumented immigrants against ICE raids.
“If that was done, instead of, instead of having to go on the street to find these individuals, which makes it less safe for everybody involved, you’d be able to get the individuals directly from the jails,” she said.
GOP leaders have indicated that targeting sanctuary city policies will be a key demand they’ll make in DHS funding negotiations.
Top Senate Democrat criticizes Trump for his call to "nationalize" elections
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized President Donald Trump’s call to “nationalize the voting,” calling it “dangerous autocratic poison.”
His comments come after Trump told Dan Bongino, the former deputy director of the FBI, in a podcast appearance that “Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.”
Schumer also criticized his Republican colleagues for their silence on the issue.
“Republican senators are silent, quaking in their boots that they can never criticize Donald Trump, no matter how outrageous what he says,” Schumer said.
“Republicans ought to fiercely condemn Donald Trump’s vicious attacks against our democratic systems. They’re not only vicious, they’re dangerous,” he added.
Colombian President Petro arrives at the White House to meet Trump
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has arrived at the White House for his meeting with US President Donald Trump, following a turbulent year between the two countries.
Petro arrived at 10:55 a.m. ET in a US Secret Service vehicle bearing the Colombian flag. It entered the White House grounds via West Executive Avenue.
Among the topics both leaders are expected to discuss are drugs and the sovereignty of Latin American countries.
Ahead of today's Petro meeting, officials said US-Colombia anti-drug partnership remains strong
The US government’s counter-narcotics partnership with Colombia is still considered one of the closest in South America despite a public feud the countries’ leaders had last year.
Officials at the Colombian National Police’s anti-narcotics directorate and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have told CNN they have a close working relationship that includes the exchange of intelligence and having US agents embedded with Colombian forces. The result, they say, is record drug seizures and increased pressure on cocaine producers and trafficking organizations.
Colombian Brig. Gen. Ricardo Sánchez-Silvestre told CNN last month that the country seized 446 tons of cocaine hydrochloride last year.
In recent years, the DEA presence in Colombia has grown to become the agency’s largest foreign operation, and agents say that has yielded fruit as Colombia has boosted drug seizures and arrests.
DEA agents highly regard the Colombian National Police, including its specialized DIRAN anti-narcotics unit, which has DEA agents embedded for joint missions, current and former law enforcement officials told CNN.
Sánchez says stopping the cooperation would be damaging to both countries.
What you need to know about Colombian President Gustavo Petro
President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro are scheduled to meet in the White House at 11 a.m. ET today. In October, Trump called Petro a “thug,” but yesterday said he was looking forward to a “good meeting” between the two.
Petro became Colombia’s first leftist leader after winning the country’s presidential race in 2022. He won by a slim margin after two failed presidential bids in 2010 and 2018, overcoming hesitation from voters who once saw him a radical left-wing outsider.
More about him: Born in the rural north Colombian town of Ciénaga de Oro, he spent his youth in the ranks of a leftist guerrilla movement, the 19th of April Movement (M19) — founded to protest allegations of election fraud in 1970. He was released from military jail in 1987, two years after being detained by police for concealing weapons.
Petro said he later realized that an armed revolution was not the best strategy to win popular support.
A key moment: Today’s meeting with Trump comes at an important moment for Petro. His government intends to prove to Washington that it has an effective grip on drug trafficking following the unprecedented US military operation in neighboring Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro, whom the US accused of cartel ties.
The US Treasury Department in October had announced sanctions against the Colombian leader, accusing him of playing a role in the global drug trade.
Petro is also aiming to have those sanctions against him overturned. He has repeatedly rejected accusations by the Trump administration, blaming him for the production of illicit drugs that reach the United States.
CNN’s Uriel Blanco, Gonzalo Zegarra, Michael Rios and Stefano Pozzebon contributed to this reporting.
DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro suggests jail time for bringing a gun to Washington
Washington, DC, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro last night suggested her office could prosecute people for carrying firearms in the nation’s capital, before appearing to partly walk back her comments this morning.
Pirro’s comments are the latest example of officials in President Donald Trump’s orbit seemingly contradicting Republicans’ historically strong support for the Second Amendment in the wake of Alex Pretti’s killing in Minnesota by immigration officers last month.
Pretti was lawfully carrying a handgun in a holster before federal agents disarmed him and then fatally shot him. After the killing, Trump told reporters, “You can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns. You just can’t,” seeming to blame the death on the fact that Pretti was armed. And administration officials, like FBI Director Kash Patel, have backed up his argument.
Several Republicans pushed back on Pirro’s remarks on social media. The National Association for Gun Rights wrote that the comments were “unacceptable and intolerable.”
Pirro appeared to partly walk the comment back this morning, writing on X, “Let me be clear: I am a proud supporter of the Second Amendment. … We are focused on individuals who are unlawfully carrying guns and will continue building on that momentum to keep our communities safe.”
DC requires gun owners to register their firearms with the district and does not recognize concealed carry permits from other states.
When the House will vote on the funding package
The House is expected to hold crucial votes today on a funding bill that would end the partial government shutdown. Here’s the timing of what’s expected:
- The House is expected to vote around 11:15 a.m. ET on whether to advance the funding bill.
- If passed, the House moves to debate on the funding bill.
- The House is expected to consider final passage of the funding bill at 1 p.m. ET.
Speaker Johnson expects spending bill to pass, acknowledges DHS funding talks will be 'intense'
House Speaker Mike Johnson said today that he expects “we’ll have the votes” to pass a spending bill and end the partial government shutdown.
“Never doubted it,” he told reporters, adding that he expects full attendance from his members for the crucial vote.
He acknowledged, however, that coming negotiations over Department of Homeland Security funding will be “intense” and that the “two sides are pretty far apart.”
Asked whether Congress will need to pass another short-term measure for DHS funding, Johnson said, “I hope not. I hope that we can get together and work it out. I’m always an optimist as you know. But there are real challenges here, so we’ll see.”
3 terms CNN used to sort through 3 million pages of Epstein files
CNN senior reporter Marshall Cohen shares three key terms that CNN used to search more than three million pages of Epstein-related documents on the Justice Department’s website.
CNN senior reporter Marshall Cohen shares three key terms that CNN used to search more than three million pages of Epstein-related documents on the Justice Department’s website.
Clintons' contempt situation still fluid as GOP presses them to agree to deposition terms by noon today
GOP leaders said Tuesday that it remains possible Bill and Hillary Clinton could face a contempt vote this week for failing to appear for depositions in the Oversight Committee’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation, with House Speaker Mike Johnson setting a noon deadline today to “work out the details.”
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said on Tuesday morning that the chamber could still vote to hold the Clintons in contempt this week, unless they sign onto the terms he laid out for depositions.
“Yes,” Comer told reporters when asked if the situation was still fluid. He said he expects the votes on contempt could happen as soon as Wednesday.
Johnson said: “If it’s not done satisfactorily, then we’ll proceed with the contempt.”
The panel is seeking clarification that the Clintons accepted the standard deposition terms outlined in the subpoenas issued to them: transcribed, filmed depositions in February with no time limit, according to a person familiar the matter.
They’ve been given a deadline of 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday to respond, the person said. If they fail to agree, the House will move forward with contempt of Congress proceedings for their failure to comply with duly issued subpoenas, according to that person.
Here’s a look at Trump’s schedule today
President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet in the White House later this morning, as we’ve reported.
Petro arrived in Washington on Monday using a special visa. His previous one was revoked in September by the State Department after a speech to a pro-Palestinian crowd in which Petro called on American soldiers to disobey Trump.
The meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET and will be closed to the press, according to the White House. Trump said Monday that he was looking forward to a “good meeting” with Petro.
Following his meeting with the Columbian leader, Trump will participate in a signing time at 2 p.m. ET, an often recorded event, where the president will sign official documents. The session will also be closed to the press, the White House said.
CNN’s Uriel Blanco, Gonzalo Zegarra and Michael Rios contributed to this reporting.
US envoy Steve Witkoff set to discuss Iran with Israeli PM and top security officials
US envoy Steve Witkoff will discuss Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top security officials today, according to two Israeli officials.
The discussions will also include the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir
Israel will call on the US to make sure that any deal with Iran include Tehran giving up its enriched uranium, ceasing the enrichment of uranium, limits on its ballistic missile program and ending its support for regional proxies.
The demands closely mirror what had been the Trump administration’s preconditions for negotiations with Iran, as CNN has previously reported.
Trump will meet with Colombia's president at White House after a year of tensions
After a year of insults, threats, tariffs and sanctions, the leaders of the US and Colombia will meet in Washington today in an apparent attempt to put their bitter feud behind them.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro accepted the invitation from US President Donald Trump last month following a cordial phone call that reversed their war of words.
The meeting comes at an important moment for Petro. His government intends to prove to Washington that it has an effective grip on drug trafficking following the unprecedented US military operation in neighboring Venezuela that led to the capture of its President Nicolás Maduro, whom the US accused of cartel ties. Petro is also aiming to have US sanctions against him overturned.
Trump said that he was looking forward to a “good meeting” with Petro.
Petro arrived in Washington yesterday using a special visa. His previous one was revoked in September by the State Department after a speech to a pro-Palestinian crowd in which Petro called on American soldiers to disobey Trump.
The Clintons have agreed to in-person depositions for the House Epstein investigation
Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to appear for in-person depositions as part of the congressional probe into late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, caving in hopes of avoiding a House contempt of Congress vote.
GOP leaders under pressure ahead of key vote in the House
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a narrow path to reopening the government as Democrats refuse to cooperate and Republicans struggle to unify.
With almost no margin for error, GOP leaders are under pressure ahead of a key procedural vote that could determine how long the shutdown lasts. CNN’s Manu Raju reports.
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a narrow path to reopening the government as Democrats refuse to cooperate and Republicans struggle to unify. With almost no margin for error, GOP leaders are under pressure ahead of a key procedural vote that could determine how long the shutdown lasts. CNN's Manu Raju reports.
House to hold crucial vote on funding package today
The House is expected to hold critical votes on a must-pass funding package today.
It is unclear whether House Speaker Mike Johnson has enough GOP support to advance the Senate-passed bill to approve funding for much of the federal government through the end of September.
The deal, struck by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and President Donald Trump, funds the Department of Homeland Security for only two weeks to allow for long-term negotiations on federal immigration enforcement as Democrats seek to rein in the agency.
Yesterday, Trump said congressional leaders are nearing a “resolution” to the partial lapse in federal funding.
“I think they’re pretty close to a resolution,” he said from the Oval Office, noting that he’d spoken recently with Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, and roughly a half-dozen other conservatives had been vowing to block the funding bill if Johnson didn’t agree to attach their bill, which would tighten restrictions for voting in the US, including requiring proof of citizenship.
Trump has supported a push for stricter voter ID laws. But he said on the eve of the critical House vote that he wants to adopt the government funding bill with “NO CHANGES” and sign it quickly to avoid “another long, pointless, and destructive Shutdown.”
But by Monday night, the congresswoman and at least one of those hardliners, Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, said that after meeting with Trump, they’re now leaning in favor of advancing the bill to reopen the government.
Congress now appears on a path to avoiding a prolonged shutdown, though Johnson could still face lingering concerns from other members as he faces some of the toughest math in the history of the House. House GOP leaders can only afford to lose a single Republican vote, since no Democrats are expected to back the majority party’s procedural vote.
