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The government’s preppin’ to reopen its doors. 

The Senate approved a spending bill Monday to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history, sending it to the House for a midweek vote. White House officials urged speedy passage, and President Trump indicated he’ll Sharpie it once it hits his desk—the final step needed to reopen the government.

Here’s what the bill would do:

Senate Republicans have promised a separate mid-December vote on healthcare tax credits.

Meanwhile, Trump floated docking pay for air traffic controllers who missed shifts during the shutdown and offering $10K bonuses to those who didn’t. 

(We’re covering this story at a 7th-grade reading level with biblical reflection and action steps in Decaf: The Pour Over for Families. Sign up free to get it in your inbox tomorrow!)

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our hope is never contingent on a political outcome; it’s much more secure than that. Regardless of whether things get worse or better during your lifetime, everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ.

“The life of every living thing is in his hand, as well as the breath of all humanity.” 
Job 12:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is in hot tea over its January 6, 2021, documentary.

The film, released last October, featured clips from Trump’s speech urging his supporters to protest the 2020 election results; but a recently leaked internal report revealed that BBC had edited out Trump’s calls to march “peacefully.” 

On Sunday, POTUS’s lawyers warned the BBC to retract the documentary’s “false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements,” apologize, and “appropriately compensate” Trump by Friday or face a $1B lawsuit. The same day, the media giant’s director and news CEO resigned amid the report’s broader allegations that BBC leadership “repeatedly failed” to address systemic editorial bias.

BBC Chair Samir Shah apologized for the misleading edit, calling it an “error in judgment,” but denied any allegations of widespread bias.

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Verse to consider when checking your own heart for bias… “Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; LORD, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” 
Psalm 119:29-32 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Visa and Mastercard reached a $38B settlement with retailers on Monday after 20 years of legal swiping.  

The deal targets the ballooning credit card transaction fees (2-2.5%) retailers pay banks and card issuers every time you swipe/insert/tap. If the court approves, the settlement would trim fees for merchants and relax the “honor all cards” rule (meaning if a store accepts one kind of Visa, it’s gotta accept them all). 

Retailers could opt to reject specific cards with higher transaction fees—like your favorite airline rewards card—or pass the costs on to shoppers.

Mastercard says the settlement means “more acceptance choices, reduced costs, and simplified rules” for merchants. Retailer representatives say the compromise is “smoke and mirrors” because “minuscule” savings won’t make a dent in the millions in fees merchants pay to big banks.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Whether your card is declined in the checkout line or you’re racking up more rewards than ever, remember: Your possessions don’t define you. Earthly things will all pass away, so keep your focus on the Giver rather than the gifts. 

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.” 
1 John 2:15-17 (CSB) (read full passage)

President Trump’s pardoning more than turkeys this month. POTUS issued pardons to 70+ people accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results (see the list), including his then-lawyer Rudy Giuliani and “alternate state electors” (GOP activists who allegedly falsely claimed to be in the Electoral College). It’s a mostly symbolic gesture, since the pardonees don’t face federal charges. 

Hormone replacement therapies for menopause are shedding their highest-risk label. The FDA said Monday that it will remove the “black box” warnings from HRT products (used to treat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms), saying older studies overstated certain risks—like breast cancer, stroke, and dementia. Updated packaging will still list those risks, without the most severe label, and emphasize safer timing.

The White House had a first-of-its-kind visit on Monday. President Trump hosted Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former leader of a U.S.-designated terror group who, until last December, had a $10M bounty on his head. During the visit, Syria committed to joining a U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, and Uncle Sam announced a 180-day waiver of major sanctions against Syria.

A rush-hour car explosion in New Delhi killed at least eight and injured 20 outside the Red Fort, a 17th-century fortress frequented by tourists. Police are investigating it as an act of terrorism—the first reported terror attack on India’s heavily-guarded capital city since 2011. Prime Minister Modi promised that “all those responsible will be brought to justice.”

The Oracle of Omaha is “going quiet.” Warren Buffett, the 95-year-old investing legend, shared his final Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter as CEO Monday. The eight-page release offered health updates (still going strong), praised the good life in Nebraska, warned against envy and greed, and addressed the “acceleration” of his philanthropy (read it here). Buffett’s successor, Greg Abel, will take over in January.

Screen printing? Nah... wood printing.

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