The House Ways and Means Committee has investigated several organ procurement organizations over what the lawmakers say is behavior considered unacceptable. The US House Ways and Means Committee said Wednesday that it is investigating the organ procurement organization for the New Jersey region for what it called “extreme abuse of public trust” and possible illegal activity, including trying to procure organs from people who didn’t volunteer to be donors and, in at least one case, trying to continue with the organ recovery process in a patient who had “reanimated.” The allegations were discussed in a letter the committee sent to the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network, one of 55 organ procurement organizations that are federally designated nonprofits tasked with the multibillion-dollar business of managing the recovery of organs for transplantation in the United States. The committee, which has investigated several organ procurement organizations over what the lawmakers say is behavior considered unacceptable, says it has been asking the New Jersey network for records and information at least since July. Investigators spoke with nearly a dozen whistleblowers, the letter says. One of the incidents it highlights involves an unnamed patient at the Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. The patient was pronounced dead and the network started the process to recover their organs, the letter says, but soon after the recovery process began, the person “reanimated.” The procurement team called the network’s chief executive officer to find out what to do. Witnesses told the committee that the CEO instructed the NJTO staff on site to “proceed with recovery,” according to the letter. “However, hospital staff intervened, and recovery did not move forward.” Neither the hospital nor the procurement organization responded to CNN’s requests for comment. The committee described the case as “shocking” and “alarming” and said several whistleblowers told investigators that documents with regard to details about the case were deleted or manipulated. The committee’s letter also alleges that the New Jersey Sharing Network misused documents to tell patients’ families it had authority to remove organs, even if the patient was not currently listed as an organ donor on their driver’s license or, in some cases, had withdrawn their permission to donate; may have procured and thrown out hundreds of organs just to meet federal metrics; and gave organs to people out of sequence on the transplant list. “This is unacceptable,” the letter says. “The organs procured by every [organ procurement organization] across the country belong to the individuals on the waitlist who are ranked and matched using medical criteria. They do not belong to the OPOs, and it is not NJTO’s role to pick winners and losers on the transplant waiting list.” The letter also says the organization has made misleading statements to Congress throughout the investigation. “These allegations raise questions about whether NJTO should keep its tax-exempt status and highlights the need for potential legislative reforms,” the letter says. The House Ways and Means Committee has asked the New Jersey organization to send additional documents including any complaints it has received, documents from the head of the organization and staff communications, as well as any more unredacted documents related to the patient in the Camden case. The letter is the latest development in the committee’s focus on the nation’s organ procurement groups. In July, the committee sent a letter to the Indiana Donor Network with regard to its use of private jets for non-mission charter flights. It also demanded documents from the Miami-area Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, and after its investigation, the US Department of Health and Human Services moved to decertify the organization – essentially shutting the operation down – in September. The investigation found unsafe practices, staff shortages and paperwork errors, according to HHS. Agency Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said at the time that the move was meant as a “clear warning” to other donor organizations. In September, the committee sent a letter to the Network for Hope, a Kentucky-based organ procurement organization, that demanded documents related to practices it considered unsafe. In one case four years ago in Richmond, Kentucky, a man says he woke up on the operating table while a recovery team was shaving his chest to take his organs. Witnesses say the hospital staffers were pressured by people within the organization to continue with the procedure, but a local surgeon refused to continue the operation when she saw that the man wasn’t dead. The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has also been investigating the case. Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/new-jersey-organ-procurement-organization-under-congressional-investigation-after-alarming-whistleblower-claims/article_857704a9-2558-4c5d-a282-52e1569f3360.html
Category: government
Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House
**Senate Passes Bill to Reopen Government, Move Closer to Ending Longest Shutdown in History**
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed crucial legislation Monday to reopen the federal government, marking a significant step toward ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. This move came as a small group of Democrats joined with Republicans to secure enough votes, despite facing strong criticism from within their own party.
**Shutdown Nears End, House Vote Awaits**
The 41-day shutdown may last a few more days, as House members prepare to return from a lengthy recess to vote on the bill. President Donald Trump expressed support for the legislation, stating Monday, “we’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.”
The Senate ended a grueling six-week stalemate with a 60-40 vote. The deadlock centered on Democrats’ demands for negotiations to extend health care tax credits set to expire on January 1. While Republicans did not formally agree to those talks, five moderate Democrats eventually sided with them as the shutdown’s effects intensified—federal food aid halted, airport delays worsened, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers went without pay.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers to return to Washington “right now” to tackle the shutdown, citing ongoing travel delays. “We have to do this as quickly as possible,” Johnson said.
**How the Stalemate Ended**
After weeks of negotiation, a trio of former governors—New Hampshire Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine—brokered a deal. They agreed to advance three bipartisan spending bills and extend funding for the remainder of the government through late January.
As part of the compromise, Republicans pledged to hold a vote on health care subsidies by mid-December, though the outcome is not guaranteed. “This was the option on the table,” Shaheen said, after repeated Republican refusals. She added that the promise of a future vote “gives us an opportunity to continue to address [health care] going forward.”
The legislation also reverses mass federal worker firings that occurred under the Trump administration during the shutdown’s onset in October. It protects federal workers from future layoffs through January and ensures all are paid retroactively.
**Key Votes and Party Reactions**
Alongside Shaheen, King, and Hassan, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia—home to many federal workers—voted in favor. They were joined by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen.
Most Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, voted against the deal. While 10-12 Democratic senators participated in negotiations, ultimately only five switched their votes—precisely the number Republicans needed. King, Cortez Masto, and Fetterman had been consistent in voting to reopen the government since the shutdown began.
**Democratic Debate: “A Mistake”?**
Schumer faced criticism from his own party, recalling backlash from March when he voted to prevent a shutdown. After a lengthy caucus meeting, he said he could not “in good faith” support the bill but remained committed to fighting for health care. “We will not give up the fight,” Schumer insisted, noting that Democrats have “sounded the alarm” on the health care issue.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont called the concession a “horrific mistake.” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) agreed, saying constituents wanted Democrats to “hold firm.”
The Congressional Progressive Caucus also voiced opposition. Texas Rep. Greg Casar labeled the deal a “betrayal” for not addressing health care costs, which many Americans hoped Democrats would fight for.
However, some Democrats supported Schumer’s leadership. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, critical of Schumer earlier in the year, praised him on Monday and expressed support for his approach throughout the shutdown. “The American people know we are on the right side of this fight,” Jeffries said, referencing recent election results.
**Health Care Debate Looms**
It remains uncertain whether Democrats and Republicans can agree on extending health care subsidies before the promised December Senate vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has not committed to bringing the measure to the House floor, stating only that Republicans support reforming the “unaffordable care act.”
Some Republicans are open to extending COVID-19-era tax credits to prevent premium spikes for millions but want limits on eligibility, such as new income caps—an idea some Democrats have signaled willingness to consider. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) said she supports extending the tax credits, combined with additional changes.
On the other hand, President Trump and some Republicans have rekindled their calls to overhaul or repeal the legislation entirely. In a preview of the looming fight, the Senate defeated an amendment to extend the subsidies for a year by a 47-53 party-line vote on Monday. The vote was held as part of a separate bipartisan agreement to expedite the shutdown-ending bill’s passage.
As the legislation moves to the House and the debate over health care subsidies continues, federal workers and millions of affected Americans await the shutdown’s final resolution.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/senate-approves-bill-to-end-the-shutdown-sending-it-to-the-house/article_f64433df-b7b0-47f4-a9ed-6c6c2a6406fc.html
Duffy warns air travel will slow to ‘a trickle’ during holiday season if govt. shutdown persists
**OAN Staff | Blake Wolf**
*2:17 PM Sunday, November 9, 2025*
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that air travel will slow to “a trickle” as Thanksgiving approaches, due to the ongoing government shutdown negatively impacting the availability of air traffic controllers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has notified airlines to reduce flights by 6% starting Tuesday, with a further reduction to 10% on November 14th if the shutdown continues.
“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said earlier this week.
Duffy also warned that flight reductions could increase to as much as 20% if the shutdown remains unresolved, which would significantly affect the public’s ability to travel during the holidays.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Duffy added, highlighting the growing concerns among travelers.
—
*Subscribe to get the latest updates directly to your inbox for free.*
*What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!*
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/duffy-warns-air-travel-will-slow-to-a-trickle-during-holiday-season-if-govt-shutdown-persists/
Republican US Rep. Elise Stefanik is running for governor of New York
FILE – Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Feb. 22, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
—
**NEW YORK** — U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a close Republican ally of President Donald Trump, announced Friday that she’s running for governor of New York. In a campaign launch video, Stefanik depicted the state as being “in ashes” due to lawlessness and a high cost of living.
In the video, a narrator declares, “The Empire State has fallen,” painting a grim picture of crime and economic crisis in New York City. While highlighting the challenges in the city, Stefanik’s message appears to target more conservative parts of the state she will need to win over in 2026.
“Under Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery prices crushing hardworking families,” Stefanik said in a statement.
Stefanik represents a conservative congressional district in upstate New York and has for months hinted at a gubernatorial run. She has leveled heavy criticism at incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and, more recently, at Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City.
Last year, Trump nominated Stefanik as the administration’s ambassador to the United Nations but later rescinded the nomination due to concerns about Republicans’ narrow margins in the House.
Although any Republican faces long odds to win the governor’s office in deep-blue New York, Stefanik brings solid name recognition, proven fundraising ability, and deep ties to the White House. On Friday, her campaign announced that she has secured the backing of nearly three-quarters of the state’s county Republican chairs.
In response, Hochul campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika called Stefanik “Donald Trump’s number one cheerleader in Congress,” adding, “Apparently, screwing over New Yorkers in Congress wasn’t enough — now she’s trying to bring Trump’s chaos and skyrocketing costs to our state.”
The Republican primary field remains unsettled ahead of the 2026 race. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, previously considered a strong potential candidate, decided earlier this year to seek reelection in his battleground House district in the Hudson Valley instead.
Meanwhile, Hochul faces a contested Democratic primary, with her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, challenging her for the nomination.
Stefanik, a Harvard graduate, was just 30 when first elected to the House in 2014. She originally entered Congress as a moderate Republican but soon aligned herself closely with Trump, becoming a prominent supporter of his MAGA movement. Her national profile rose sharply after she aggressively questioned a group of university presidents regarding antisemitism on their campuses, contributing to two resignations and earning praise from the former president.
Despite Democrats holding a significant voter registration advantage in New York, the 2022 gubernatorial race proved competitive. Former Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin, now head of the Environmental Protection Agency, came within striking distance of defeating Hochul. The last Republican governor, George Pataki, left office nearly twenty years ago.
—
*Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW!*
—
**Community Guidelines:**
– Keep it clean and respectful.
– Avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist, or sexually-oriented language.
– Don’t threaten others.
– Be truthful—do not knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
– No racism, sexism, or any form of -ism that degrades another person.
– Be proactive: use the ‘Report’ link on comments to flag abusive posts.
– Share your stories—we’d love to hear eyewitness accounts or the history behind the news.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/republican-us-rep-elise-stefanik-is-running-for-governor-of-new-york/article_572776f7-151d-44e7-9be5-4f848a53793c.html
The Congressional Budget Office was hacked. It says it has implemented new security measures
**Congressional Budget Office Confirms Data Breach, Launches Investigation**
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced Thursday that it had been hacked, potentially exposing sensitive government data to malicious actors. The breach raises concerns about the security of an agency that plays a vital role in providing objective, impartial analysis for lawmakers during the budget process.
With a staff of approximately 275 employees, the CBO is responsible for producing cost estimates for nearly every bill approved by a House or Senate committee and often offers analysis earlier at lawmakers’ request.
Caitlin Emma, a CBO spokeswoman, stated in writing that the agency “has identified the security incident, has taken immediate action to contain it, and has implemented additional monitoring and new security controls to further protect the agency’s systems going forward.”
The incident was first reported by The Washington Post, which cited four anonymous sources familiar with the situation. According to the Post, the breach was believed to be the work of a suspected foreign actor. However, the CBO did not officially confirm the origin of the attack.
“The incident is being investigated and work for the Congress continues,” said Emma. “Like other government agencies and private sector entities, CBO occasionally faces threats to its network and continually monitors to address those threats.”
The CBO manages extensive data sources covering a wide range of policy issues, including mass deportation plans from the Trump administration, the implementation of sweeping tariffs on countries around the world, and the massive tax and spending cuts enacted into law this summer.
Further details about the scope of the breach and the potential impact on government operations have not yet been released as the investigation continues.
https://wgntv.com/business/ap-business/ap-the-congressional-budget-office-was-hacked-it-says-it-has-implemented-new-security-measures/
Trump implies talks with India continue, praises Modi, says he might visit that country – News India Times
President Trump, during a press conference at the White House, indicated that he may visit India next year. The press conference was held to announce a deal aimed at lowering the price of weight-loss drugs.
During the event, Trump reiterated that applying tariffs on countries was a national security measure and a tool he used to prevent wars. He referred to the recent conflict between India and Pakistan as an example of his success with this approach.
Asked about the Supreme Court’s ongoing hearing on the legality of tariffs imposed by his administration, Trump emphasized that tariffs were akin to a national security initiative. He stated, “I use them for national defense. I ended… say five or six (wars) because of tariffs.”
Trump elaborated on the India-Pakistan conflict, saying, “If you take a look at India and Pakistan, they started to fight. The two nuclear nations were shooting at each other. Eight planes were shot down. There was seven, now it’s eight, because the one that was sort of shot down is now abandoned, and eight planes were shot down.”
He continued, “And I said, listen, if you guys are going to fight, I’m going to put tariffs on you. They both… were not happy about that, and within 24 hours they settled the war. If I didn’t have tariffs, I wouldn’t have been able to settle that war.”
When asked if he was planning to visit India, Trump responded, “Prime Minister largely stopped buying oil from Russia when you plan.” He added, “He’s a friend of mine, and we speak, and he wants me to go there. We’ll figure that out. I’ll go. I had a great trip there with Prime Minister… Modi’s… great man, and I’ll be going.”
Asked if his visit could happen next year, Trump said, “It could be. Yeah.”
https://newsindiatimes.com/trump-implies-talks-with-india-continue-praises-modi-says-he-might-visit-that-country/
Are Republicans Willing to Play the Trump Card? – Liberty Nation News
President Donald Trump has called for an end to the shutdown – even if that means going “nuclear” on the filibuster. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has some tough words for congressional Democrats. Are Republicans willing to play the Trump card?
The shutdown has dragged on for a month, with no end in sight.
—
### Liberty Nation News: The Beltway and Beyond – The Public Square
**Latest Polling With Liberty Nation**
Major poll shifts and great graphics.
[Read Now!]
—
**Trump Back From Asia, Bringing Home the Bacon**
Everywhere the US president went in the Far East, he successfully made trade deals.
[Read Now!]
—
**Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris – A 2028 Presidential Conundrum**
What’s the possibility of a run from either – or, for that matter, both?
[Read Now!]
—
**Trump to Start Testing Nuclear Weapons**
After 30 years, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is more symbolic than binding.
[Read Now!]
—
**SNAP Approved ‘Food’ Contributes to Obesity Epidemic**
The people and the program are bloated. It’s time for a change.
[Read Now!]
https://www.libertynation.com/are-republicans-willing-to-play-the-trump-card/
Trump’s ‘nuclear’ demand not landing for Senate Republicans amid shutdown
Senate Republicans have long resisted the temptation of going nuclear on the filibuster. This move, which involves changing Senate rules to eliminate the filibuster, has been more commonly employed by Senate Democrats when they controlled the upper chamber.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-nuclear-demand-not-landing-senate-republicans-amid-shutdown
Prominent university chancellor says anti-Israel campus protests ‘were encouraged from Iran’
Chancellor Kent Syverud of Syracuse University recently addressed the factors fueling campus protests during a panel discussion held in Washington, D.C.
He noted that the demonstrations involved “activists from elsewhere,” suggesting that many participants were not solely from the university community.
This insight sheds light on the broader dynamics influencing campus activism and the complexities universities face in managing such events.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/prominent-university-chancellor-says-anti-israel-campus-protests-were-encouraged-from-iran
Dutch centrists declare victory in election, right-wing calls it ‘arrogance’
“We are the biggest party in the Netherlands! Now we’ll get to work for all Dutch people,” D66 leader Rob Jetten declared on social media Friday.
“I think we’ve now shown the rest of Europe and the world that it is possible to beat populist movements if you campaign with a positive message for your country,” Jetten added.
### D66 and PVV Neck-and-Neck in Election
In Wednesday’s election, D66 and the Party for Freedom (PVV) finished neck-and-neck, with both parties expected to secure 26 seats in the Dutch parliament. Jetten had earlier expressed caution, saying D66 was “waiting in suspense for the definitive result” due to the extremely narrow polls. However, after media outlets began projecting his victory, his stance appeared to change.
National news agency ANP reported that D66 edged out the Party for Freedom by a narrow margin of 15,000 votes and projected that the party would gain an additional seat. The official binding results will be released by the nation’s Electoral Council no earlier than Monday.
### Historic Milestone for the Netherlands
If confirmed, the 38-year-old former consultant would become the Netherlands’ youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay person to lead the national government.
“The positive forces have won!” Jetten declared regarding D66’s significant gains. “I want to get to work for all Dutch people because this is the land of us all!”
### Party for Freedom Responds
The Party for Freedom, led by lawmaker Geert Wilders, experienced a marked decline from its first-place finish in the 2023 elections. Wilders rebuked Jetten’s declaration of victory, emphasizing the importance of waiting for the official announcement.
“What arrogance not to wait for that!” Wilders said. He continued, “But even if D66 becomes the largest, the PVV will not let the Netherlands be dismantled by Jetten and his ilk and will oppose his left-liberal mismanagement with full force from day one, 26 seats strong!”
Wilders established the PVV such that he is the only registered member, allowing candidates who win seats to act as lawmakers while Wilders retains sole control of the party’s platform.
### Significant Decline for PVV
Regardless of whether D66 is officially declared the largest party, the election results highlight a marked drop in support for the PVV. Earlier projections in September showed PVV candidates winning 33 seats out of the 150-seat legislature.
The PVV triggered this week’s election after leaving a fragile governing coalition in June due to disagreements over asylum application and family reunification freezes. The PVV was the largest party in the coalition, but other parties refused to join if Wilders were to lead the government.
### Impact of Teenager’s Murder on Election
Support for the right-wing PVV, known for its vocal anti-immigration stance and skepticism of Islam, surged months ago following the high-profile murder of a 17-year-old girl named Lisa in Amsterdam.
Lisa was reportedly cycling home after a night out when she was fatally stabbed by a 22-year-old asylum seeker. Reports say she was stabbed multiple times in the neck as she attempted to call authorities. Emergency responders arrived too late, finding her deceased. The suspect, a resident of the city’s Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers facility, has been arrested and is also believed to have attacked and sexually assaulted another woman in Amsterdam just five days earlier. His identity remains undisclosed pending trial, in line with Dutch law.
### D66’s Migration Platform
D66’s platform proposes continuing current migration policies with a stronger emphasis on fairness for arriving immigrants.
“We want asylum procedures to be fast and fair, and our reception facilities to be humane and fairly distributed across the country,” their platform states. “We will also support the implementation of the European Migration Pact in June 2026 as an important step toward a fair, humane, and effective asylum system across Europe. Newcomers should have the opportunity to work as soon as possible or pursue an education.”
### Uneasy Coalition Prospects
Forming a coalition government will prove challenging due to the diverse range of parties in the legislature.
The center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) avoided catastrophic losses, losing just two seats and placing third.
In contrast, the GreenLeft-Labor alliance suffered setbacks, dropping five seats to finish fourth. Following the underperformance, leader Frans Timmermans resigned on Wednesday.
### Gains for Christian Democrat Alliance and Smaller Right-Wing Parties
Although the Christian Democrat Alliance did not surpass any of the largest parties, it made significant strides, increasing its seats from five to 18, bringing it close to the GreenLeft-Labor and VVD.
Many of the votes lost by the PVV migrated to smaller right-wing parties, including JA21—a movement focused on curbing migration and increasing police funding—which secured an impressive eight seats.
—
This election highlights shifting political landscapes in the Netherlands, reflecting broader European trends in immigration policy debates and the rise and fall of populist movements. As the final results await confirmation, all eyes remain on the evolving coalition negotiations and the direction of Dutch governance in the months ahead.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/3870838/dutch-centrists-declare-victory-netherlands-election-right-wing-calls-it-arrogance/