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“$250,000”

— What a dominatrix asked for at a local commission meeting to fund a district dungeon. Welcome to Florida.

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All Aboard the Omnibus

The Story

Happy holidays. We may be on track to avoid a government shutdown.

What’s the latest?

Yesterday, the Senate passed a $1.7 trillion government funding bill. It includes everything from emergency aid to Ukraine to military spending boosts. And also has stuff specifically for…

Parents…Lawmakers tacked on two amendments: the Pregnant Workers Fairness and PUMP Acts. The first requires employers to accommodate pregnant employees with things like extra bathroom breaks. The PUMP Act also requires employers to give breastfeeding mothers time and space to pump milk. The fight to add these protections has been years in the making with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle coming together to get it done. There’s also $8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which offers financial assistance for low-income families to afford child care.

Democracy…The bill overhauls the Electoral Count Act (in hopes of avoiding a Jan 6 repeat). It clarifies the VP’s role in certifying elections so now it’s completely ceremonial. And it requires 20% of members from both chambers to object to a state’s electors. It’s the first major effort from lawmakers to block future efforts to overturn a presidential election. There’s also $2.6 billion to fund Jan 6 legal efforts that include providing more support for prosecutions. And another $11.3 billion to help the FBI investigate and stop extremist violence and domestic terrorism.

Health care…The spending bill will also wind down COVID-era Medicaid rules that stopped states from kicking people out of the health insurance program. Starting April 1, state officials can re-examine a person’s Medicaid eligibility and decide to kick them out of the program — putting more than 15 million at risk of losing coverage. But states will still be required to keep children enrolled in Medicaid for at least a year.

The other stuff…TikTok will be banned from federal devices — which comes amid privacy concerns (more on that below). There will be a pay bump for troops and more money for veterans’ medical care. There’s more funding going toward children’s mental health programs and to help those suffering from substance abuse. Most businesses will be required to automatically enroll employees into a 401(k) retirement and savings plan. And there’s an additional $576 million for the EPA.

What’s been left out…An extension of the Child Tax Credit. $10 billion in funding to keep fighting COVID. And lawmakers couldn’t agree on tightening the sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine.

What happens next?

The bill now heads to the House — where Dems hold the majority until January. And if they can pass it before midnight tonight, it’ll go to President Biden’s desk — avoiding a partial government shutdown in the knick of time.

theSkimm

Some see it as a win for a wide range of Democratic — but also some key bipartisan — priorities. Others see it as lawmakers scrambling at the last minute to cram some things in and get home for the holidays. Here's to doing this again next year.

Related Stories:

And Also...This

Who's giving us the receipts...

The Jan 6 House committee. Yesterday, after an 18-month investigation, it released its full (800+ page) report. It's the final report before the committee will likely be forced to disband next year once the new Congress starts with a Republican majority in the House. It includes details from more than 1,000 witness interviews. And reviews of over one million pages of docs (including emails, texts, and phone records) stemming from subpoenas. We Skimm'd it so you don't have to:

On Trump: The committee said that the president was part of a "multi-part conspiracy" to overturn the 2020 election results. And that the insurrection "put the lives of American lawmakers at risk” and threatened democracy.
On other allies: The committee also detailed how key allies helped Trump submit fake electors to overturn the election. And released more than 30 witness testimony transcripts — but there could be more where that came from.
Recommendations: The committee has already suggested Congress overhaul the Electoral Count Act to prevent any future president from trying to change election votes. It also called for subpoena power to raise the penalty for those who threaten election workers. And suggested that Trump be banned from holding public office ever again.

Why it’s important to bundle up…

The winter storm. About 300 million Americans are under winter weather alerts. And more than 100 daily cold temp records could be tied or broken over the next few days. Temps have already dropped significantly below freezing in Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Governors in Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, and Oklahoma have already declared states of emergency. In Texas, there’ve been concerns about whether the power grid would hold up after last year’s deadly malfunction. But officials are saying it will. As for travel, the bad weather has already pushed officials to close a stretch of nearly 200 miles of Interstate 90. Airlines have canceled or delayed more than 10,000 flights with airports in Denver and Chicago especially impacted. And today, a bomb cyclone could reach the Great Lakes. Officials are warning everyone to stay safe, stay home, and avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas.

What has some explaining to do…

TikTok. Yesterday, ByteDance — which owns the viral social media platform — said it improperly got its hands on data from US TikTok users…including two journalists. The journalists reported for Financial Times and BuzzFeed. ByteDance employees were trying to piece together any connections between the two journalists and their own employees by tracking their IP addresses. Then, over the summer, the company’s employees accessed the data to try to investigate leaks of ByteDance’s info. Now, the employees involved in accessing the data have reportedly been fired. BuzzFeed has said it’s “deeply disturbed” by the findings. ByteDance’s CEO says the company takes data security “incredibly seriously.” And that it will restructure its auditing dept and redesign its investigations process. But none of this helps build the company’s case that it’s a responsible player amid pressure from lawmakers over security concerns.

What people are talking about…

Life expectancy. Yesterday, the CDC published two reports, collectively finding that life expectancy in the US is at its lowest level in two decades. It’s the second year in a row it’s dropped, with COVID and drug overdoses especially to blame for driving early deaths. Now, the expected lifespan for Americans fell from 77 years to 76.4 years. Meanwhile women, on average, are living until over 79 years old. The data puts the US at the lowest life expectancy compared to other wealthy countries — with Japan leading the pack at 84.5 years of life expectancy.

Who’s pouring Salt Bae on the wound...

FIFA, with its investigation.

Who’s kicking off 2023 on a high note…

Bad Bunny.

While We’re on the Subject...

Curious about today’s subject line? (A Capricorn stole my heart.) We saved you a Google. It’s a…

A: Lyric from Trina’s song, “Capricorn”

B: Lyric from Beyoncé’s song, “Signs”

C: Lyric from “No Matter What Sign You Are” by The Supremes

Scroll for answer. Click here to submit a subject line.

Thing to Know

Together with

Robin

Yes, it’s a bird. But it’s also what people called postal workers back in the day (read: Victorian England) because of their red uniforms. And since the holiday season meant a loooooot of business, the robin bird quickly became an unofficial holiday symbol. Which is why you might see them on wrapping paper and greeting cards.

Speaking of cards, if you want yours delivered in an instant, try Punchbowl. They’ve got hundreds of free digital Christmas cards and thank-you notes to choose from. Plus they let you customize everything down to the envelope liner. Oh, and you can add a gift card or video message. All from the comfort of your couch. Check ’em out.*

New Year's Eve

The clock is ticking; have you found your New Year’s Eve ’fit yet? If not, let us introduce you to a few options that are bound to take you from living room couch to ‘pour me another.’ Check out:

Skimm Picks

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. The most popular products of 2022. You asked and we answered. Here's everything Skimm'rs couldn't resist adding to cart. From home finds to the best reads.

2. Holiday presents that aren't gift cards. Did we mention that these will ship fast? We've also included some subscription and experience options that won't even call for wrapping paper.

3. Winter workout clothes and accessories that’ll keep you warm. Exercising on a warm, sunny day? Doable. Running outside come wintertime? Completely miserable — unless your closet’s stocked up appropriately.

4. Bath accessories for a spa-like soak every time. If taking a relaxing bath at the end of a long day or week is your preferred way to unwind, we’ve rounded up a few must-haves.

Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.

Answer: A. Today’s subject line (A Capricorn stole my heart) is a lyric from Trina’s song “Capricorn.” Because it’s Capricorn szn, baby — the GOAT.

Programming Note

Skimm HQ is eating candy canes and wrapping presents. See you back in your inbox on Tuesday. Happy holidays.

Skimm'rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Inclusive clothing…Melissa C (CA). She started a business that offers fleece-lined tights for women of color. Her line includes three different darker shades catering to Brown and Black women.

(Some) Birthdays…Halsey Keller (IL), Stephanie Edman (NJ), Alyssa DiBlasi (NH), Nell Birch (D.C.), Shayna Mazel (DC), Jessica Wylie (GA), Anna Doherty (NC), Shauna Brandman (NY), Shannon Kelley (MO), Sandra Bauman (NJ), Jessica Burtzos (NY), Shelby Smith (MA), Katie Martin (CA), Kara Aguilar (ME), Doreen Altman (NJ)

PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Skimm More

As we wrap up December, we’re sounding off about this year’s…sounds. On our recent episode of “Skimm This,” we recap the biggest sound bites from 2022. From the crash of crypto to midterm elections, Ukraine, Taylor Swift’s Ticketmaster mishap, and more. Turn it up and listen now.

Daily Skimm Skimm local commission meeting extra bathroom breaks Development Block Grant Electoral Count Act first major effort one million pages mental health programs military spending boosts partial government shutdown key bipartisan priorities child tax credit veterans medical care The PUMP Act OmnibusThe StoryHappy holidays Pregnant Workers Fairness COVIDera Medicaid rules health insurance program