House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Sunday closed the door to Congress returning early to pass funding to respond to Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Why it matters: Lawmakers in both parties who represent areas affected by the storms have pushed to cut the October recess short and reconvene to pass a disaster relief package.
Houses have historically been a key driver of middle-class wealth creation — but when some or all of your house gets destroyed in a flood, it feels less like an asset and more like a liability. That's a scenario of concern to millions of Americans this hurricane season.
Why it matters: Only a tiny proportion of Americans have flood insurance — and yet their insurance bills are already soaring.
A second Donald Trump presidency would usher in a new type of class warfare — empowering populists to steamroll mainstream experts on issues such as climate change, economics and public health.
Why it matters: This year's devastating hurricane season has exposed the perils of Trump's war on climate experts, who have long warned that human-caused global warming is exacerbating extreme weather.
