McCarthy stares into the shutdown abyss  —  The speaker has only one clear exit route away from a government closure: working with Democrats.  It's a path he still refuses to take.  —  Speaker Kevin McCarthy has only one way out of next week's impending government shutdown: working with Democrats.

Was McCarthy distracted from governing by impeachment inquiry?  —  House Republicans pledge a slow, methodical pace on the Biden impeachment inquiry, but some rank-and-file believe that their leaders have missed the target on priorities  —  Congressional bureau chief

Clarence Thomas' Koch Party Is Latest Shocking Ethics Breach  —  Thomas should be forced to recuse himself from hearing cases brought by groups that he helps fundraise for and who fly him on private jets. … Justice Clarence Thomas once championed the Supreme Court line of precedent giving deference …

Fetterman calls for Menendez to resign  —  Menendez was indicted for accepting bribes Friday.  —  Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) called for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign from the Senate on Saturday, making him the first Democratic senator to call for his resignation.