NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (Dec. 8)

Welcome to NTD Evening News. Our top story tonight, President Trump unveils 12 billion dollars in aid for farmers. The announcement comes a day before he's expected to travel to Pennsylvania to tout his economic record. When does the president have the authority to fire the head of a government agency? A U.S. Supreme Court case gets off the ground today. Jason Blair has the details. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Hava steps down after a federal court disqualifies her. What she says about the court ruling and her plans for the future. It's day four of the evidentiary hearing in the Luigi Mangione case. Arlene Richards has the latest on witness testimony about what was found in Mangione's backpack. President Trump says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet read the latest U.S. peace proposal. Ariane Ponsdar has the response from Zelensky as the peace talks continue. A powerful earthquake hits Japan and triggers a tsunami. What officials say about the damage and the dangers lying ahead. This is NTD Evening News, live from our global headquarters in New York City. Here's Tiffany Meyer. Good evening and thank you for joining us tonight. President Trump unveils a 12 billion dollar farm aid package at a roundtable with cabinet members and American farmers. This comes just a day before the president jets off to Pennsylvania to highlight his efforts to reduce inflation. We now go live to NTD's Washington correspondent Mari Otsu at the north lawn of the White House. Mari, good evening. Tiff, good evening. Yes, President Trump today announced that 12 billion dollar farmer aid package here in the cabinet room alongside farmers of corn, soybean, cattle and other industries. He said that an initial 11 billion dollars will target farmers of row crops. Then an additional 1 billion dollars is still being sorted out for specialty crops. The aid will be given through one time bridge payments under the Department of Agriculture's new program called the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. Here's Court Holub, a farmer from Iowa who is in the cabinet room today saying how the aid will affect his family. Take a look. I think you brought I think you brought Christmas to farmers with this bridge payment. You have a backbone to stand up to other countries for trade. I'll be able to potentially pass on a farm to my children because of you. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins says the payments will start by February 28th. But by the end of this month, so just in the next couple of weeks, every farmer that is able to apply for it will know exactly what that number looks like. Farmers are an indispensable national asset, part of the backbone of America. I've always felt it so strongly. They're so important. This announcement comes as the U.S. has been in a trade war with China, leading to some U.S. farmers struggling to sell their crops as Beijing pulled back on purchases of products like soybeans, a move that President Trump condemned as economically hostile. Either in person or when we are on a call with President Xi, the first thing the president asking for is more soybean purchases. We don't talk about geopolitics. We don't talk about trade. It's about soybean. We don't even say hello. We immediately start. Do start with the soybean, please. Could you do a little? It's always could you do a little more soybean purchases gradually ramped up after a late October agreement between President Trump and CCP leader Xi Jinping, with China making its biggest daily soybean buy in two years last month. China committed to purchase at least at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this growing season, followed by a minimum of 25 million tons annually for the next three years. However, current soybean purchase quantities are still far behind the 12 million tons that China committed to by the end of February. And President Trump, meanwhile, is planning to lift a block on exports of NVIDIA's H200 chips to China. The H200 chips are one generation prior to the most advanced Blackwell lineup. And under these terms, the U.S. government will get a 25% cut from these future sales. Some fear that China could use these chips for military ambitions. But President Trump says that sales will be subject to, quote, conditions that allow for strong national security. Tiff. And Mari, when the roundtable opened to questions, the president got some on the administration's boat strikes in Venezuela. This comes as some Democratic lawmakers are urging Secretary Pete Hegseth's resignation. What is the latest on that? Sure, Tiff. So, while Secretary Hegseth is facing allegations of war crimes by some lawmakers in the Caribbean, with several urging his resignation, Hegseth shows no signs of stepping down. And President Trump is still getting public support after the president said that he'd support releasing that September 2nd boat strike video last week, touting his administration's transparency in doing so. Today, the president said that he defers to the secretary of war's decision on that. Take a look. Are you ordering the secretary to release that full video? Whatever he decides is okay with me. So every boat we knock out of the water, every boat we save 25,000 American lives. That was a boat loaded up with drugs. I saw the video. I told you, whatever Pete Hegseth wants to do is okay with me. This is all coming just a day before President Trump is expected to be traveling to Pennsylvania, where he'll be touting his economic agenda and the inflation crisis of before the 2026 midterm elections. Tiff, back to you. Mari, thanks for those updates. Why is President Trump's $12 billion aid package needed for American farmers? Tonight, White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai joins Capitol Report with Steve Lance. Tune in at 7 p.m. Eastern time. President Trump says he'll sign an executive order this week on a federal AI approval process. He says this will avoid having different rules in each of the 50 states. Trump wrote on Truth Social today, quote, there must be only one rule book if we are going to continue to lead in AI. We are beating all countries at this point in the race, but that won't last long. If we are going to have 50 states, many of them bad actors involved in rules and the approval process. The president said he will be doing a one-rule executive order this week. Trump did not provide details. Leading AI firms have called for national AI standards instead of a 50-state patchwork of laws. But the move is likely to face pushback from the states, who have previously warned of disastrous consequences if the technology is left unregulated. The Supreme Court will decide whether to lift some limitations on the president's authority to fire certain agency officials. The case kicked off today with oral arguments, leaving the impression that the court will eliminate some of the barriers. NTD correspondent Jason Blair has more. After hearing oral arguments, the Supreme Court seems likely to remove certain barriers, limiting the reasons a president can remove members of the Federal Trade Commission and independent federal agencies. President Trump fired FTC head Rebecca Slaughter in March. After Slaughter won some appeals, the Supreme Court ruled to allow Slaughter's removal, while agreeing to hear Trump versus Slaughter, which started arguments on Monday. If the high court does indeed side with the federal government, it would strengthen the president's ability to remove senior officials from some federal agencies. The precedent cited in the case The court ruled that FTC members can't be removed without a cause. Chief Justice John Roberts suggested that a 2020 case, Selah Law versus Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, had hollowed out the decision in Humphrey's executor. Roberts indicated that Slaughter's attorney, Amit Agarwal, should switch to using a different precedent to support his case. The one thing Selah Law made pretty clear, I think, is that Humphrey's executor is just a dried husk of whatever people used to think it was, because in the opinion itself, it described the powers of the agency it was talking about, and they're vanishingly insignificant, has nothing to do with what the FTC looks like today. Some of the other justices also seemed skeptical of limits that Slaughter attempted to impose on Trump's executive authority. However, some justices expressed concern about overruling a 90-year-old precedent. You're asking us to destroy the structure of government and to take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent. Trump's firing of FTC Commissioner Slaughter is part of the president's broader push to remove officials from independent agencies whose leaders have traditionally been protected from at-will dismissal without cause. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in Trump v. Slaughter by the end of June 2026. Jason Blair, NTD News. Alina Haba, the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, is stepping down. This comes after a federal court ruled that she was unlawfully appointed by President Trump. In a statement posted on X Today, Haba said, quote, as a result of the Third Circuit's ruling and to protect the stability and integrity of the office which I love, I have decided to step down in my role as the U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, but do not mistake compliance for surrender. This decision will not weaken the Justice Department and it will not weaken me. Earlier this month, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a lower court decision and disqualified Haba because she was not confirmed by the Senate. Haba and the Trump administration have argued that Democratic senators are stifling the confirmation process. Haba said she will continue to serve as the senior advisor to Attorney General Pam Bondi for U.S. attorneys while she waits for further review of the court ruling. It's day four of a hearing in the case against accused killer Luigi Mangione in which his defense is attempting to get key evidence removed before trial. NTD's Arlene Richards was in the courtroom and has the latest on today's testimony. Two more witnesses testified for the prosecution on Monday in day four of the Luigi Mangione evidentiary hearing. Nicole Smith, first assistant district attorney for Blair County, Pennsylvania, took the stand Monday morning. She provided testimony on when Mangione's backpack was searched and what items Altoona, Pennsylvania police lawfully seized. The defense is contending that the search was conducted unlawfully because police didn't have a warrant. Smith said an officer on the scene contacted her to get approval for the charges of forgery and tampering with regard to the fake driver's license Mangione gave to police. Once he got the approval, the officer placed Mangione under arrest. Smith said the officer told her that Mangione may be the person that New York police were looking for in the shooting of and that this approval was necessary because they would eventually have to transfer the evidence to New York police. She said once Mangione was placed under arrest, Pennsylvania law allows them to search any property on his person and in his bags. Smith also explained the difference between contraband evidence and inventory evidence. Contraband would include items like a gun and ammunition, whereas inventory is items like clothing, notebooks, and food. The contraband could be seized and not returned to the backpack. Inventory items were returned to the backpack and transported with Mangione to the corrections facility where he was ultimately placed. The defense did not cross-examine Smith. Officer Christy Wasser conducted the search of the backpack. She testified that she didn't begin the search until after Mangione was officially handcuffed and placed under arrest. She called it a search incident to arrest, which includes the person and the bags he had with him. She found several items, including a pocket knife and a loaf of bread. On cross-examination, Wasser testified that at least 10 officers were present when she arrived and that Mangione's backpack had been placed on a table across from him. She said three officers stood between Mangione and his backpack before and after the arrest, which prevented him from leaving or having access to his belongings. More witnesses are expected to be called this week. A trial date has not been set. Arlene Richards, NTD News. President Trump says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not yet read the latest US peace proposal. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy says Ukraine is still waiting for detailed information on the most recent talks between the U.S. and Russia. NTD's international correspondent Ariane Pazdar has the latest. I'm a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn't yet read the proposal. That was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he hasn't. Russia's fine with it. President Trump on Sunday saying Ukrainian President Zelenskyy hasn't yet read the latest peace proposal. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy says Ukraine is still waiting for detailed information on the last talks in I expect detailed information from them on everything that was said to the American envoys in Moscow and on the nuances the Americans are prepared to modify in negotiations with us and with the Russians. Have you read the peace plan, Mr. President? Zelenskyy is in London on Monday, rallying support among Kyiv's allies in a U.S.-led peace push. He says unity between Europe, Ukraine and the U.S. is important when negotiating an end to the fighting. Things which are very important for today, I think unity between Europe and Ukraine and also unity between Europe, Ukraine and the United States. There are some things which we can't manage without Americans, things which we can't manage without Europe. That's why we need to make some important decisions. At the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron said Russia's economy is starting to suffer after the latest round of sanctions. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is skeptical about certain aspects of the U.S. position on ending the war. But Merz didn't give any further details on the stance. Moscow says it is open to negotiations and blames Kyiv and the West for blocking peace. But Ukraine and its allies say Russia is stalling and using diplomacy to entrench its gains. And Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country will focus on strengthening the defense of a Russia-dominated military alliance. This comes as Moscow prepares to take the rotating leading chair of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO. It is clear which areas we see as priorities — strengthening our defense capabilities, coordinating our policies in military activities and in military-technical cooperation. The group includes Russia and the former Soviet nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Ariane Passar, NTD News. A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan today. It triggered a tsunami of up to 28 inches. The Japanese government is still assessing the damage from the earthquake and the tsunami. But so far, they said 23 people were injured, including one seriously. Most of the victims were hit by falling objects. The earthquake struck at about 11.15 p.m. local time in the Pacific Ocean, around 50 miles off the coast, roughly 30 miles below the sea surface. Authorities issued a tsunami alert and later downgraded that to an advisory. They said about 800 homes were without electricity and some train lines were suspended in parts of the region. Some 500 residents are in shelters. No irregularities were reported at nuclear power plants in the region. Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries. Officials are cautioning about possible aftershocks in the coming days. Coming up, Secretaries Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth meet with their Australian counterparts at the State Department. This comes as the Chinese regime continues to amplify its military aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Jack Bradley in D.C. And Hamas terrorists continue to search for the body of the last remaining hostage in the Gaza Strip. The mother of that hostage says Israel won't heal until he is returned. Jason Perry brings us that story after the break. Shenyun Creations, the streaming platform from Shenyun, featuring world-class dance, past programs, and all original music. Masterclasses, behind the scenes, comedy, and more. Explore ShenyunCreations.com. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. Right now, all over the country, kids at Shriners Hospitals for Children are able to go home and be with their families for the holidays. And it's only possible because of the monthly support of people just like you. Thanks to a generous donor, your first gift of $19 a month will have three times the impact to help more kids. With your gift of just $19 a month, only 63 cents a day, we'll send you this adorable Love to the Rescue blanket as a thank you and a reminder of the care you'll be providing so kids can be with their families. It only takes a moment to call the number on your screen or you can visit loveshriners.org right now on your phone or computer. Your first gift of $19 a month will have three times the impact in the lives of kids like me. Because every child just wants to be home for the holidays and your gift makes that possible. Your call is the best gift of all. Your gift will be my favorite Christmas present this year. Please call the number on your screen or go online right now with your monthly gift. And when you become a monthly donor, your first gift will have three times the impact to help more kids. Thank you for giving. If you love them enough to crawl into a play place to get them to come down, then surely you'll check nhtsa.gov slash the right seat to make sure they're in the right car seat. Welcome back. I'm Tiffany Meyer on Capitol Hill. A vote this week to make changes to the Department of War. Lawmakers this weekend unveiled the final defense bill that aims to lock in President Trump's agenda. NTD's Melina Wyska has the takeaways. This year's bill will codify 15 of President Trump's War Department related executive orders. One of the most important pieces of legislation that we do every year and it is fits in very consistently with the It aims to strip the Pentagon of programs like CRT, DEI and climate initiatives and refocuses on merit-based promotions instead of diversity to drive admissions to service academies. Doge cuts are included, eliminating $20 billion in obsolete weapons, inefficient programs and Pentagon bureaucracy. Enlisted service members would get a 4% pay raise. The bill would cement Trump's deployment of troops to the border to combat illegal immigration and drugs. As for policy abroad, lawmakers aim to strengthen U.S.-Israel military operations and ramp up defense in the Indo-Pacific to deter CCP aggression towards Taiwan. Xi has ordered the People's Liberation Army to be ready to take Taiwan by force by 2027. The CCP has conducted the Countering China and Russia's technology and weapons development is also a focus in the newest defense bill. Lawmakers this week are expected to vote on the yearly defense bill. Reporting from Washington D.C., Melina Wyska, NTD News. Top Australian diplomats visit Washington to strengthen ties amid escalating tensions from the Chinese regime. That's as Japan and Taiwan work to ensure the U.S. will have their backs to counter China's aggression. NTD's Washington correspondent Jack Bradley has the details. Top officials in Washington meeting with their Australian counterparts amid an increasingly aggressive Chinese Communist Party, which is conducting more military drills, sometimes dangerously close to U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific. This is an incredibly strong alliance. The stronger we are together, the more we can deter the kinds of conflicts neither of us want to see. We welcome President Trump's statement. We are full steam ahead. President Trump and Australia's Prime Minister at the White House back in October signed a deal on critical minerals, those used in technology from cell phones to fighter jets. That's after China restricted its global exports on critical minerals, but later paused that decision for a year as part of the U.S.-China trade deal. We have to have critical mineral supplies and supply chains that are reliable and that are diverse and not overly invested in one place where they can be used as leverage against us or our partners of the world. Australia's defense minister emphasizing the role that the U.S. plays in their security. Our relationship with the United States is the most important relationship that we have, and indeed our alliance with the United States is really the cornerstone of Australian strategic and foreign policy. But that's not just true for Australia. All of America's allies in the Indo-Pacific are to some degree dependent on American leadership encountering a potential attack from the Chinese regime. You know, you travel, I'm sure you do too. You travel to Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, almost anywhere you go. The question is, will America be there for us if and when the time comes? And the U.S.'s position is to deter China through strength rather than conflict. It's our job to make sure Beijing sees unquestionable U.S. military strength that, if necessary, can back up our national interests. In the latest escalation on Sunday, two Chinese fighter jets aimed a radar beam signaling to fire at Japanese military aircraft near Japan's Okinawa islands. China's radar lock-on was a dangerous act exceeding the scope necessary for the safe flight of aircraft. We will respond calmly and resolutely. The heightened tensions between China and Japan come after the Japanese prime minister said that her country would protect Taiwan in the event of a CCP attack. Last week, Trump signed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which requires the State Department to update its guidelines for U.S. engagements with Taiwan at least every five years. And that's designed to deepen the relationship between both countries in the absence of formal diplomatic relations. Reporting from Washington, D.C., Jack Bradley, NTD News. In the Gaza Strip, the Hamas terrorist group and the Red Cross continue to search for the body of the last remaining hostage. The mother of that hostage says Israel won't heal until her son is returned. NTD's Jason Perry has the details. A member of the International Committee of the Red Cross was seen on Monday handing two-way radios to Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Hamas and the Red Cross were seen leaving in a convoy to continue searching for the last remaining hostage, Ron Gavilli. In an interview released on the same day, Gavilli's mother said it was by fate that her son is the last hostage yet to be returned. You know, we had a joke in the family, like in the first months of the war, and we sat and laughed and said, it's so like Ronny to be the one to turn off the lights to come back last, like, because that's Ronny. And, you know, it was this kind of cynical joke that was told here at home, and somehow it became reality. And she added this. We were promised unequivocally by the prime minister and everyone we spoke to that they're bringing everyone back. Without Ronny, it's not everyone. Without Ronny, we still have a wound in our heart. Without Ronny, our country won't rise. And on Monday, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz met with Gavilli's parents. Waltz also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And Waltz said the U.S. was committed to the release of the final hostage. The two also discussed the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and President Trump's 20-point peace plan, which is set to move on to phase two after the last hostage is returned. Phase two includes the disarmament of Hamas, something the terrorist group has not yet agreed to. Israel's government spokesperson said Netanyahu was set to meet with President Trump on December 29. They will discuss the future steps and phases and the international stabilization force of the ceasefire plan. And she said phase three will be focused on the deradicalization of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, a former hostage who was released a couple of months ago said he is still dealing with the trauma resulting from Palestinian Islamic Jihad captivity. They tortured my soul, leaving physical and spiritual scars everywhere. I am coping with these physical, spiritual and emotional scars with psychiatry. I met survivors who can no longer talk and communicate. They have lost their minds. He called his rescue a miracle from God. Jason Perry, NTD News. Coming up, Democrats maintain their demands on health care, the sticking point through the longest government shutdown in American history. Their proposal to address the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits is expected to fail again as lawmakers rush to find a compromise solution. Luis Martinez on Capitol Hill. In which way is the Supreme Court leaning after hearing oral arguments in a case about President Trump's firing of an FTC commissioner? What implications could the case have on the FTC and our government more broadly? Attorney Gerard You each have your own rooms. Thank you. Get settled in. I'll call you for dinner. Adopting teen sisters, it's a lot. Girls, you're gonna be late. You want breakfast? No thanks, we're good. They're always in their own world. Twice the work. Twice the surprises. Just try it. But if you think of it that way, they're also twice as fulfilling. I think you should ask her yourself. Is it okay to call you mom? Of course you can. The impact of a meal goes well beyond feeding our bodies. Because when people are fed, futures are nourished. Everyone deserves to live a full life. And with your help, together we can end hunger. Join the movement at feedingamerica.org slash act now. You can talk to me if you're feeling sad. Thanks for hearing me out, bro. Whenever you need to talk, I'm here, okay? My graduation was something I will never forget. People like you and me sometimes may have doubts in ourselves, but I feel that everything's possible. Find free adult education classes near you at finishyourdiploma.org. Welcome back. I'm Tiffany Meyer. The Supreme Court today appeared ready to side with President Trump on the firing of a member of the Federal Trade Commission. At the center of the case is Trump's decision in March to fire Rebecca Slaughter, despite a federal law that requires presidents to show cause before doing so. The court's decision could have sweeping implications beyond the FTC. Joining us now to discuss is Gerard Felitti, Senior Counsel at the Lawfare Project. Gerard, thank you so much for joining us. Always great to have you first. Based on arguments today, any idea on where the high court is leaning? The arguments certainly seem to favor President Trump and his ability to fire directors of independent agencies. That was the line of questioning, if you follow Justice Roberts and the Republicans on the Supreme Court, that did seem to indicate that we are in for a significant sea change in the way that the law is interpreted when it comes to the president's ability to fire heads of agencies. Expanding on that, if the court sides with the president, how significant would this be? It's very significant. It sets aside over 80 years worth of precedent and understanding that the independence of certain agencies is beyond the purview of the presidency. But this is also consistent with what we have seen from the Supreme Court, which has over the years wanted Congress to be much more specific when designating powers within regulations and within agencies. So this is very significant that it gives the president much greater powers to fire people in agencies that he deems incompatible with his agenda. Digging into that, would a win for President Trump mean the end of what we today call federal independent agencies? I don't think it will. I think what we see if there is a win for President Trump is that we will have a more carefully designed parameters in which people are appointed and in which they exercise their powers. One of the issues that has led to this point is that over the course of 80 or 90 years, these independent agencies have gathered much more power onto themselves than was ever intended by Congress. Yet there has never been a good way to hold them accountable except through normal resignations or normal terms. This is a way to hold agencies more accountable, which they were not before. And to your earlier point, how does a 90-year precedent called Humphrey's Executor v. United States fit in here? Talk to us about that. Well, that's really what set the precedent for the independence of certain agencies. But the problem with Humphrey's Executor is that when you have an agency like the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, which is at issue here, it's defined by statutes belonging both a little bit in the legislative branch and a little bit in the judicial branch. So that makes it incompatible with separation of powers. What we saw in the 1930s was a decision that was appropriate at the time. At the time, we needed government agencies to be more independent to deal with the financial and social context. Today, we need more accountability because we have more and broader powers for these agencies. So we're likely to see gradual narrowing down of this interpretation of the law, which we have seen. And now we're likely to see it thrown out altogether in Humphrey's Executor. And Gerard, if Humphrey's is overruled, what would be the impact on other officials besides slaughter? Well, there are about two dozen federal agencies that are similar to the FTC that are considered independent or quasi-independent. If Humphrey's Executor is overturned in this case, then it gives the president carte blanche effectively to fire or to remove directors from those agencies as well. So again, this brings it more in line with accountability and having these branches of the government, which effectively are really part of the executive, be responsible to the president and not serve as mini-autocracies. Gerard Felitti, as always, thank you so much for joining us. Pleasure. Thank you. Congress will hold its first vote this week on a series of proposals to address the expiring ACA health care tax credits. Our Washington correspondent Luis Martinez has the details. The Senate will vote this Thursday on the Democrats' proposal to address the expiring COVID-era Affordable Care Act health care tax credits. The vote on Thursday is a commitment the Republicans made to Democrats so a small group of Democrats would vote to reopen government last month. I'm announcing that Senate Democrats will introduce legislation for a three-year clean extension of the current ACA tax credits. This bill, a clean year three extension of the ACA tax credits that Democrats will bring to the floor for a vote on Thursday, and every single Democrat will support it. Every single Democrat. The Democrats' demands, which cost the longest government shutdown in American history, have remained unchanged. A three-year clean extension of the COVID-era tax credits would cost the American taxpayer approximately $120 billion. The COVID-era subsidy only affects 7% of Americans. All this hullabaloo is over 7%. Every American, 100% of Americans need their health care costs to come down. Republicans have ideas to do that. Now, what I've got to do is build consensus deliberately around the best ideas, and we've been working on that. So sadly, this is not really a serious effort. Just to extend three years something that has not been working, that was meant to be temporary from the beginning, is not a good vote. That's not a thoughtful vote to say we're just going to extend what we're doing. A group of bipartisan lawmakers in the House of Representatives have also proposed a two-year extension with a commitment to agree on reforms by July 2026. These reforms could include income caps on beneficiaries as well as measures to reduce fraud. We need action from this Congress, and all we're getting are stunts. Republicans obtained from the Government Accountability Office last week so that they could yell fraud, fraud, fraud, to justify denying these credits. But if you look at the details of the report, it shows the fraud is coming from a group of insurance brokers and agents, that the Biden administration responded by suspending 850 of those people. This Thursday's vote on the Senate floor on the Democratic proposal to address the expiring tax credit is expected to fail. A group of Republican senators have also proposed passing along the subsidies directly to consumers instead of to insurance companies. The tax credits expire by the end of December. Reporting from Washington, D.C., Luis Eduardo Martinez, NTD News. Has the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, been working out for Americans? NTD's Sam Wong was out on the National Mall in D.C. to hear from the people. Do you think Obamacare is a good idea? Do you think it's affordable? I don't. I don't know much about it now. When it first came out, I didn't think it was. I tried to get my employees to take advantage of it. I think it would have been hard on us if we'd have been over the 50-employee limit, where it taxed us for a business who had not planned for that. I think it should be extended because people really need to help, especially now that things are so expensive. I was on insurance with my kids, you know, because I couldn't afford to buy insurance, and it was really beneficial. My medical care has gone through the roof in the last seven to eight years since Obamacare, because doctors, and I have many friends who are, can't get a full price of what they're worth, so they have to upcharge in order to get the 40 or 50 percent back from Medicare and Obama. So it's basically a Ponzi scheme. I think Obamacare has been good for people overall. I'm from Sweden originally, so I fully support socializing medicine. They should do that. Make sure it's free for everybody. It would be good for everyone. President Trump has been talking about a potential reform for Obamacare, so basically, instead of paying money directly to the insurance company, he's talking about giving it to the people instead, so that they can choose the kind of health care they want. What are your thoughts on that? Well, that would depend on how much it would be, if it would, like, cover, you know, like be equal amount to Obamacare and not be financially stressful for the people. I think that's a better plan, but I'm not sure it's viable in America today, because people are so irresponsible with money. I don't think the government should be in anybody's bedroom, health care issue, whatever. All the money that we pay in taxes, we should be able to have access to, just like Social Security, just like Medicare. If every dime I put in Social Security and Medicare as a working individual was in my pocket, I'd be a multimillionaire and I'd be retired. I'd be in the Bahamas right now, not here. I think that's a great idea. And I mean, based on what they can afford, I mean, it's just the way the system works. Some people are saying that Obamacare, the way it was initially designed, kind of took competition out of health care, and that's what was driving up the prices. Would you say you agree? Like, what do you think? I think insurance companies can be the bad guy, very much so. They have to be, take more of the hit. I mean, I understand everybody's in business to make money, but I mean, they do well, the insurance companies, is the way I look at it and see. Former Democratic Congressman Colin Allred is ending his U.S. Senate bid in Texas. He'll instead run for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District. His announcement came just hours before the state's filing deadline, reshaping the Democratic primary landscape. Allred said he concluded that a tough Democratic Senate primary and possible runoff could weaken the party heading into a high-stakes general election. He called the decision difficult, but said he intends to continue serving his community. The 33rd District, redrawn by the Republican-led legislature, is a heavily Democratic seat that includes the area where Allred grew up. He noted it is also where he and his wife are raising their two children. And just hours after his announcement, Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate if she becomes the Democratic nominee. She'll face the winner of a GOP primary that includes Senator John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt. Coming up in what could be one of the biggest mergers in entertainment, Paramount launches a competing bid for Warner Brothers' Discovery, despite Netflix agreeing to buy the company last week. Find out the stakes in the potential acquisition. David Lamb has the details. Arctic air is sweeping across much of the U.S., bringing cold temperatures, heavy snow, and flood risks. Millions are under winter weather alerts with dangerous conditions expected on roads and across affected regions. Christina Corona has the weather update. And in college football, the playoff field is finally set, but not without some controversy. Dave Martin joins us to discuss when we return. I'm Jonathan Lawson. If you're 50 to 85, please listen closely. The lock I want to talk to you about isn't the one on your door. It's a rate lock for your life insurance that guarantees that once you're insured, your rate can never go up at any time for any reason. Many policies you see don't have one, but you can get a lifetime rate lock from Colonial Pen. This plan was designed for people on a fixed income with coverage options that start at $9.95 a month. That's less than 35 cents a day. Your rate is locked in for life. Coverage can never be canceled, and your acceptance is guaranteed. You cannot be turned down because of your health. See for yourself. Call for an information kit and gift. 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They're all in stock, ready for fast, free delivery during the holiday savings event at your furniture superstore, Mathis Home. We said we'd never give in to a meltdown. Never leave the house looking, well, and never let them out of our sight. Got it. Cars get hot fast, and kids can be at risk. Before you leave the car, always stop, look, lock. If you need to do something to feel okay to drive, you're not okay to drive. Don't drive buzzed. Welcome back. I'm Tiffany Meyer. In what could reshape the entertainment industry, Paramount is stepping in with a competing bid as Netflix attempts to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery. NTD's David Lam reports. Paramount on Monday launched a counter offer for Warner Brothers Discovery. This after top Warner managers agreed to a $72 billion deal with Netflix to sell Warner Brothers TV, film studios, and streaming division for $27.75 per share. But Paramount is appealing to Warner shareholders with an all-cash offer for $30 per share to buy all of Warner's business, including the cable networks, which Netflix does not want. The winner of the bid would buy one of Hollywood's most prized platforms that's behind CNN, HBO, and DC Studios. Paramount said it's challenging Netflix's offer after Warner never engaged meaningfully with six previous proposals from Paramount. Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, said, This acquisition will improve our offering and accelerate our business for decades to come. The fight for Warner Brothers drew strong reactions as politicians chose sides, citing the likely impact on streaming prices, movie theater employment, and the diversity of entertainment choices. On Sunday, President Trump told reporters that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has made significant feats in the entertainment industry. Trump didn't say whether he favored the Netflix-Warner deal, but he pointed to potential market domination in the streaming industry. Jane Fonda said regardless of which company ends up acquiring Warner Brothers, consolidation at this scale would be catastrophic for an industry built on free expression. If Warner goes through with the Netflix agreement and the government regulators approve the deal, the transaction could be completed in the next year to year and a half. The U.S. is bracing for a surge of arctic cold. Frigid temperatures and snow are creating hazardous travel from the Midwest to the Northeast, while millions are under alerts for flooding, snow, and other winter hazards. NTD's Christina Corona has the details. Frigid temperatures and powerful storm systems are sweeping across much of the U.S. this week, bringing dangerous cold, snow, and flooding concerns. A surge of arctic air is pushing temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal across areas east of the Mississippi River, with the coldest conditions focused over the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest. By Tuesday morning, some cities in the Northeast, including Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, could see near-record low temperatures. Winter weather alerts are posted for at least 12 million people from eastern Kentucky through Virginia and into northern North Carolina. A fast-moving storm Monday could drop two to four inches of snow in that region, with higher totals possible in central Virginia. Additional snow is forecast to spread from North Dakota into the Great Lakes and New England by Wednesday. Snowfall is expected to calm by Monday night, but slick roads could make the evening commute dangerous across the region. At the same time, a powerful atmospheric river is set to soak large portions of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The National Weather Service issued warnings for widespread rainfall of 4 to 6 inches, with some areas along the Cascades foothills expecting up to a foot of rain. Christina Corona, NTD News. And now for your sports news, we're joined by NTD's Dave Martin. Dave, we have baseball, basketball, and NFL news, but let's start in college football, as the playoff field was announced yesterday, not without some controversy, though. What did you make of Notre Dame being left out? You know, I was pretty surprised, of course, but I'll say this. I mean, the playoff committee had a near-impossible task of choosing two out of Miami, Alabama, and Notre Dame. They chose Miami and Alabama, left the Irish out. Notre Dame, naturally, was a little surprised and very disappointed. But what really upset some people is that the ahead of Miami in all five previous playoff rankings, but then in this final one, they moved Miami ahead of Notre Dame, despite neither of them playing last week, since the last playoff rankings came out. So really, what changed between this week and last week if both teams were off? I mean, that's kind of a head-stretcher. Now, Notre Dame's athletic director kind of summed up my whole thoughts on this when he said, any rankings ahead of the final ones are, quote, waste of time. Now, of course, the committee, of course, they have every right to change their minds, but it really makes all those previous rankings look completely irrelevant now. Now, my guess is that both, since both Miami and Notre Dame were 10-2, Miami, they won their head-to-head that battle back in early September, late August. So they decided maybe to make it that switch because of that. Also, I think they didn't want to leave the ACC out, but then the rug was pulled out from Notre Dame here. So with that said, though, the playoff start with those first-round games, these four right here starting December 19 and December 20. So, Tiff, mark your calendars, all right? Keep our eyes peeled. Shifting gears to the NFL, though, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones left yesterday's game with a leg injury that was feared to be serious as the team updated his condition. Yeah, Jones suffered a torn Achilles as feared. Now, he's out for the rest season, so a very tough loss for the Colts here, especially after Jones' resurgence season. He was top 10 in the NFL in a number of passing categories, including passing yards and passer rating, but it might get even worse for the Colts. His replacement, rookie Riley Leonard, suffered a knee injury during the game. They're hopeful he plays this Sunday against the Seahawks. Now, elsewhere in the league yesterday, there was that very ugly injury to commander's tight end Zach Ertz, who was hit very hard by Viking safety Jay Ward while attempting to catch a pass. Ertz had to be helped off the field. He suffered a torn ACL. He's out for the rest of the season, and, you know, the guy is 35 years old. It's not a given, actually, that he will be back. He's fifth right now all-time among tight ends in 825 career catches. He's played in three Pro Bowls, though. But you saw that, uh, that, uh, the hit. It was, uh, it was pretty ugly. It was gruesome. It seems like there's a lot of really bad injuries lately. Yeah, you know, that's, that's football, right? That's the worst I've seen, though, this season. It's got it. It does look rough. I couldn't watch it a second time. Than normal. Moving to college basketball news, though. Arizona replaced Purdue as the number one team in the country. Yeah, Wildcats are 9-0, one of six unranked teams out there who are undefeated. And, Percy, I think you can make a case for several of them to be number one. Now, Michigan, which is number two right now, they're 8-0. Their average margin of victory is 28 points per game. I mean, that is a lot. Now, they won that Players' Era Festival a couple weeks ago by blowing out San Diego State, Auburn, and Gonzaga by a combined 110 points. That's an average of 33 per game there. Even fourth-ranked Iowa State probably has a case for number one. They beat number one, or previous number one, Purdue Saturday by 23 points. It was at Purdue as well. That was the tie for the biggest home loss ever by an AP number one team. And they are 9-0. Iowa State is. Now, as far as the schedule goes, this weekend we have a couple more top showdowns. Tomorrow night, 18th-ranked Florida tapes on number five, UConn in the Jimmy V Classic. And we got several more on Saturday. Number 17, Arkansas, plays 16th-ranked Texas Tech. 23rd-ranked Nebraska faces number 13, Illinois. 25th-ranked UCLA faces number eight, Gonzaga. That's always a good matchup. And finally, new number one, Arizona, plays both-ranked Alabama in Birmingham this Saturday. So, Tiff, I can tell you're already excited for these games. You'll have a busy weekend. Looking at baseball news, though, former Giants second baseman Jeff Kent was elected to the Hall of Fame of the weekend, but it's who wasn't elected that made headlines. Yeah, Kent made it a well-deserved honor for sure. The guy was the MVP in 2000 when he was with the San Francisco Giants. He's a career leader in home runs by a second baseman of 377. But as you just alluded to, Tiff, he was almost as noteworthy as the all-time greats Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds did not make it. Now, Clemens won a record seven Cy Young Awards as a pitcher. Bonds won a record number of MVP awards, seven as a hitter. He's also the career leader in home runs with 762. But they are tied really to baseball's so-called steroid era, though both players have denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs. Enough voters, unfortunately, feel otherwise. Now, there's multiple ways to be elected to the Hall of Fame, but these two are running out of opportunities. Their next is going to be on a Veterans Committee ballot in 2031, so six years still. But if it was up to me, Tiff, I would vote. All right, well, there's that vote. David Saez, thanks for joining us. Thank you, Tiff. And that's all for today's news. For on-the-clock coverage, visit us at ntd.com slash live or download our NTD app. Thanks for tuning in. I'm Tiffany Meyer. Good night.