The Canadian autoworkers union Unifor said its members ratified a new agreement with Ford on Sunday, which covers more than 5,600 workers.
Why it matters: Unifor national president Lana Payne had made clear that workers were prepared for scenarios including strike action should a deal not be reached, as the "Detroit Three" automakers face the UAW's historic, coordinated strike across the border in the U.S.
Former President Jimmy Carter and ex-first lady Rosalynn Carter made a rare public appearance over the weekend in their Georgia hometown for the Plains Peanut Festival.
Driving the news: "Beautiful day for President & Mrs. Carter to enjoy a ride through the Plains Peanut Festival! And just a week before he turns 99," the Carter Center wrote in a Sunday repost of a spectator's video of the longest-married first couple traveling by SUV at the event a day earlier.
The United Auto Workers strikeagainst the Big Three domestic automakers comes at a volatile time in American politics, with blue-collar union workers set to be a pivotal constituency for both parties in next year's election.
Why it matters: Democrats have historically been the party of labor unions, while Republicans have maintained close ties to big business. But as Democrats have become increasingly reliant on college-educated voters, their close alliance with blue-collar unions has frayed.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a 2024 GOP presidential hopeful, expressed confidence Sunday that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will withstand the multiple challenges threatening his speakership.
Why it matters: The pressure on McCarthy is building as the clock ticks closer to a potential government shutdown, and multiple GOP House lawmakers have signaled possible efforts to remove him.
Two new national polls reflect discontent among voters with how President Biden's term is going.
Why it matters: Biden's disapproval rating — 56% in polls from The Washington Post-ABC News and NBC News — is a warning sign for Democrats. The president appears locked in a dead heat with former President Trump in most general-election polling.
El Paso, Texas, is scrambling to accommodate the influx of migrants crossing the border from Mexico, with over 2,000 migrants entering the U.S. seeking asylum per day, officials said Saturday.
The big picture: The high volume of border crossings into El Paso mirrors the historic number of migrant family crossings last month, new government data revealed.
The U.S. is on the verge of a 22nd government shutdown in five decades, with Congress facing a Sept. 30 deadline to pass appropriations bills to fund the government.
Why it matters: Under a government shutdown, non-essential federal functions are suspended. Systems including health programs, Social Security and Medicare, SNAP benefits, Food and Drug Administration inspections and small business loans would be affected.
House Republicans are gearing up for one last attempt to pass a spate of party-line government spending bills before government funding runs out on Sept. 30.
Why it matters: TopGOP lawmakers hope that passing the bills will put them in a stronger negotiating position with the Senate as they try to avert a government shutdown without touching off a right-wing revolt.
Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) on Saturday announced plans to run against embattled Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) in 2024.
Why it matters: Menendez is facing deep political peril and mounting calls to resign from fellow Democrats in Congress and his home state after he was indicted on federal bribery charges on Friday.
Why it matters: Fetterman joins a growing chorus of House Democrats — including several from Menendez's home state — arguing Menendez should step down.
A surge in new migrants is colliding with the U.S.' housing crisis, and even putting a minor dent in the shelter problem is costing state and local governments millions.
Why it matters: Cities simply don't have enough affordable homes, enough shelters or enough money to help everyone who needs it, straining scarce resources and leaving thousands of people out on the street.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said Friday he won't resign from the Senate despite mounting calls from fellow Democrats for him to do so over an indictment on bribery charges.
What he's saying: "It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat," Menendez said in a statement. "I am not going anywhere."
