Wednesday morning news: December 21, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Title 42 » As border towns continue to brace for an even greater flood of migrants across the southern border, the Biden administration says it still wants to pull the plug on the Title 42 rule.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby…

KIRBY: We have been planning for the expiration, as you might expect we would. Now, that expiration has been put on hold by the Supreme Court. We have to obey the law of the land.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary order to keep the rule in place for the moment. The administration Tuesday asked the court to lift the rule, but to delay the move until after Christmas.

Title 42 is a pandemic-era rule that allows the government to more easily expel some migrants who cross the border.

Despite record high traffic across the border, the rule has helped to mitigate traffic to some extent. Oscar Leeser is mayor of the Texas border town of El Paso.

LEESER: The shelters in Juarez are completely full today. And they believe there’s about 20,000 people ready to come into El Paso.

Homeland Security estimates that as many as 14,000 migrants could attempt to cross the border every day once the rule is lifted.

Govt. funding bill » On Capitol Hill, lawmakers in the Senate Tuesday unveiled a $1.7 trillion dollar spending bill that would fund the government through next September.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer:

SCHUMER: This package represents an aggressive and essential investment in American families, American workers, and in our national defense.

The package includes another large round of aid to Ukraine and a nearly 10% boost in defense spending to more than $850 billion. It also includes nearly another $800 billion for non-defense and discretionary programs.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

MCCONNELL: I’m proud of the fact that with a Democratic president, a Democratic House, and a Democratic Senate, we were able to achieve essentially all of our priorities.

Lawmakers worked to stuff as many priorities as they could into the sprawling 4,000-page bill. Critics say it’s loaded with billions of dollars in pork and pet projects, adding to a spiraling national debt.

Trump responds to Jan 6 committee » Former president Donald Trump says the House select Jan. 6th committee just gave his 2024 campaign a boost. WORLD’s Mary Muncy reports.

MARY MUNCY, REPORTER: Trump, on his Truth Social platform said that the more Democrats come after him, the more supporters rally around him. He said, “It strengthens me.”

He also called the committee illegitimate and said its proceedings are just “a partisan attempt to sideline” him.

The panel announced on Monday that it’s recommending to the Justice Dept. four criminal charges against Trump tied to the Capitol riot.

For WORLD, I’m Mary Muncy.

Zelenskyy to DC » Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly set to visit Washington D.C. tonight. That according to the Associated Press, citing several sources.

ZELENSKYY: [Ukrainian]

Zelenskyy did not announce the visit on Tuesday. But he’s heard here telling Ukrainian troops on the front lines that a flag they autographed will be passed on to President Biden and Congress.

If Zelenskyy delivers that flag in person, it will be his first trip outside of Ukraine since Russia invaded in February.

U.S. raids in Syria » American forces conducted three raids in eastern Syria and arrested six ISIS militants. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin reports.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that the raids took place over 48 hours.

Officials identified one of the detained militants as “al-Zubaydi.” They say he is a senior ISIS leader.

U.S. Army Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla said “The capture of these ISIS operatives will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks.”

There are some 900 U.S. troops in Syria supporting Kurdish-led forces in the continued fight against ISIS.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Colorado wildfire » In Colorado, authorities have ordered thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the foothills west of Boulder. That after a building caught fire and the flames quickly spread.

Jason Oehlkers with the Boulder County Sheriff’s office said there is some snow on the ground in the area. But…

OEHLKERS: The wind is howling up there, really strong gusts, and I think that’s just making it really complicated.

The fire threatens hundreds of homes and other buildings.

The Red Cross has set up a shelter for local residents and their pets.

I’m Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org.

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