Government shutting down?

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Global Recap
December 19, 2024 • Read in: 12 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

It’s that time of year again, with politicians worldwide scrambling to agree on a budget bill to keep the government running and avoid a shutdown.

The latest drama involves the three individuals pictured below. With the deadline just hours away, they’re urging lawmakers and constituents to reject the bill.

Is this another case of fighting until 11:59:59 PM and eventually agreeing, or is the newly elected administration truly committed to cutting government waste and bureaucracy?

Below are the arguments both for and against the bill.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump Pressures:
Reject the Bill

President-Elect Donald Trump (left), Elon Musk (middle), and Vice-President-Elect JD Vance (right).

Just when you thought the holiday season couldn't get any more dramatic, President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk swoops.

Days before a government shutdown, Trump rejected a bipartisan plan.

Trump Says No

  • Trump told House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans to renegotiate the plan.

    • Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance said in their statement, “Republicans must GET SMART and TOUGH.” Adding, that “Anything else is a betrayal of our country.”

    • Trump wants to raise the nation’s debt limit, a move his party usually rejects.

  • Elon Musk also took to X to criticize the bill, highlighting issues such as the alleged “pay raise” for lawmakers and the funding of biolabs, among other concerns.

    • Musk warned, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” 👇

The deadline to keep the government open is Friday.

Yes, this coming Friday.

Bipartisan Plan

The rejected plan included some essential elements, but critics argue that this bill bundles excessive waste and harmful provisions alongside the necessary ones.

  • It allocated $100 billion for disaster relief and $30 billion for farmers.

  • It included federal funding to replace the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.

  • It criminalized revenge porn and addressed transparency in hotel prices and live event ticketing.

  • It implemented healthcare reforms to lower prescription drug costs.

However, the counter-argument is: these measures are necessary, but they are not suitable for this particular resolution since they aren’t essential to keeping the government running and preventing a shutdown.

Critics argue that lawmakers are using the threat of a shutdown to push through their own agendas.

Pay Raise Controversy

The plan also included a controversial pay raise for lawmakers.

  • The bill would have allowed a maximum adjustment of 3.8% or $6,600 in 2025.

  • Lawmakers’ annual pay would rise to $180,600, the first raise since 2009.

  • Elon Musk and others are claiming that the resolution includes a “40% raise,” but according to verify.com:

• Current law automatically gives members of Congress a pay raise based on the Employment Cost Index (ECI), but Congress has blocked these raises since 2009.

• The most recent spending bill omits the language that freezes pay, meaning members of Congress would receive a 3.8% pay increase in 2025, making their new salary $180,600.

• The claim about a 40% increase stems from a misinterpretation of CRS data, which states that if members had received every cost-of-living raise since 1992, their 2024 salary would be $243,300.

• The proposed pay raise is not retroactive to 1992, so salaries will only increase to $180,600.

More Controversy

But not just that, according to Representative Nancy Mace, this bill “includes enormous subsidies for industries who don’t need them, and includes a bunch of woke nonsense.”

  • It is 1,547 pages long, covering 84 days. In comparison, the last one passed on Sept. 26th was 21 pages, covering 85 days.

  • Here’s a detailed thread from her, explaining what she’s unhappy about.

The Continuing Resolution

If you feel like reading the whole 1,547-page-long resolution, click above!

🇮🇷 IRAN
Headscarf Law:
Temporarily Halted

Iran has hit the pause button on its controversial new headscarf law, sparking a mix of relief and skepticism.

But, why? Are they trying to reassure people during a tough time with the economy and energy issues?

Law on Hold

The stricter headscarf law is on ice, thanks to significant pushback.

  • The law proposed harsher punishments for women defying hijab regulations.

  • It also targeted businesses serving “non-compliant women.”

  • Authorities could access private surveillance footage and encouraged citizens to report violations.

And of course, human rights organizations around the globe are against such harsh restrictions on women.

Presidential Opposition

Iran’s reformist President, Masoud Pezeshkian, isn’t a fan of the new law either. Elected as a more “moderate” voice in the country, some have questioned whether his opposing stance will have any real impact. But maybe, it’s working..?

  • Pezeshkian warned it could lead to more protests like those in 2022.

  • The law was passed by hardliners in the Iranian parliament.

  • Vice President Shahram Dabiri announced the law would be reviewed by the political leadership and the National Security Council.

Historical Context

The backdrop to this law is a history of resistance and tragedy.

  • Jina Mahsa Amini, 22, died on September 16, 2022, after being arrested for allegedly violating the dress code.

  • Her death sparked widespread anti-government protests under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.”

  • Many Iranian women continue to defy the mandatory hijab rules, and the resistance has been growing since the 2022 demonstrations.

Economic Turmoil

Adding to the tension, Iran’s currency has hit an all-time low.

  • The rial plunged to 777,000 to the dollar on December 18, 2024.

  • This marks a significant decline from 703,000 rials on the day Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November.

  • Iran’s economic struggles and energy crisis have led to the closure of schools, universities, and government offices.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
US Hits Back
at China for the Hack

Did you know that China hacked US telecom networks? And now, the Biden administration is firing back.

But it’s not just the networks, your router at home may serve as a gateway too.

Hack Attack

  • The hacking group Salt Typhoon infiltrated networks of companies like Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies earlier this year.

  • The breach targeted US surveillance capabilities used for operations like wiretaps.

Hackers' Playground

It’s not just the networks that are at risk—your home routers are too. If you own a TP-Link router, it could be a hacker’s dream target. But do you have what the Chinese hackers want..?

  • US officials are investigating TP-Link, a company founded in China in 1996.

  • The routers are widely used in the US, raising concerns about potential backdoors for China-backed hackers.

  • The Commerce Department has launched a probe that could lead to a ban on TP-Link routers in the US.

Retaliation Begins

The US isn’t taking this lying down.

  • The Commerce Department issued a notice to China Telecom Americas, alleging its presence in US telecom networks poses a national security risk.

  • China Telecom Americas has 30 days to respond.

National Security Concerns

This isn’t just about hacking; it’s about national security.

  • The FCC had already limited China Telecom Americas' ability to operate in US communications infrastructure.

  • The FCC found that China Telecom is subject to exploitation and control by the Chinese government.

Political Reactions

Lawmakers are calling for a tougher stance.

  • Rep. Mike Waltz, designated by President-elect Trump to be national security adviser, emphasized the need for offensive measures.

  • Rep. Jim Himes echoed similar sentiments, advocating for retaliatory actions.

What’s Next?

The situation is still unfolding, and the impact on China Telecom remains unclear.

  • US law enforcement and intelligence officials are investigating the scope of the hack.

  • The cyberattacks could have allowed hackers to access information about ongoing US investigations.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Alleged Assassin Caught

Russia is trying to deal with the shocking assassination of a top military general in the heart of Moscow—and now, the suspect has been caught.

✍🏻 Context: A bomb planted in an electric scooter took out Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov and his assistant.

• Kirillov, head of Russia’s radiological, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed on December 17, 2024.

• The bomb was remotely detonated outside his apartment building.

• Ukrainian prosecutors had indicted Kirillov a day before for using banned chemical weapons.

Suspect Detained

Russia quickly nabbed a suspect with ties to Ukraine.

  • A 29-year-old Uzbek national was detained.

  • The suspect was allegedly recruited by Ukraine’s security service, the SBU.

  • He was promised $100,000 and a chance to flee to Europe.

Chilling Effect

This assassination is sending shockwaves through Russia’s elite.

  • Kirillov’s death marks the fourth killing of key military figures in two months.

  • The attack happened just 7 kilometers from the Kremlin.

  • Experts believe this will deeply unsettle other senior officials.

Ukraine’s Stance

Ukraine’s security service isn’t mincing words about their involvement.

  • A source in Ukraine’s SBU said Kirillov’s end was inevitable for his war crimes.

  • Kirillov had been sanctioned by the US and UK for using chemical weapons.