00:00 Good evening, I'm Luisa Erispe and this is PTV News Now.
00:15 After a month-long August recess, lawmakers in the House and Senate went back to work
00:20 this week with the GOP seeking to pass legislation cutting off aid completely to Ukraine and
00:26 kickstart an impeachment inquiry on President Joseph Biden.
00:30 Still, the top agenda needing immediate attention and congressional nod is allocating funds
00:35 to keep the government from shutting down operations on October 1.
00:39 Voice Catherine Gibson has the full report.
00:44 With just 10 working days left until funding for the US government runs out on September
00:49 30, there is almost no chance the Republican-majority House and Democratic-majority US Senate can
00:57 agree on a full year of funding in time.
01:01 Time is short and the only way, the only way to avoid a shutdown is through bipartisanship
01:08 in both the House and the Senate.
01:12 House Republicans have their first chance to show their commitment to bipartisanship
01:17 when they return next week.
01:19 Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy faces criticism from conservative members of his
01:24 party for cutting a deal earlier this year to avoid the US hitting its debt ceiling.
01:31 He argues a short-term spending bill keeping the government open will allow Republicans
01:36 more time to negotiate spending levels.
01:39 They're really having some tough negotiations and debates just within their own party.
01:45 So that's really where the sticking point is.
01:47 And I don't know that it's any sign of long-term dysfunction.
01:50 I think it's really just actually a function of a very slim majority in the House.
01:57 US lawmakers will also debate $40 billion in supplemental funding priorities unveiled
02:04 by the Biden administration over the summer recess, including $21 billion in military
02:10 and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
02:13 Some conservatives are threatening to block that aid.
02:16 I'm certainly worried that Republicans in the House seem to be getting cold feet when
02:22 it comes to supporting Ukraine.
02:23 This is the worst possible time to suggest that there is any division in the United States
02:30 over continuing to support Ukraine, just as they are making progress.
02:34 A major supporter of USAID to Ukraine, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is closely
02:40 watched as he returns to work after a second episode of Freezing Up over the summer recess.
02:47 McConnell downplayed concerns about his health Tuesday.
02:50 One particular moment of my time back home has received its fair share of attention in
02:56 the press over the past week.
02:59 But I assure you August was a busy and productive month for me.
03:03 The U.S. Senate physician said there is no evidence that a stroke or seizure caused McConnell's
03:09 episodes.
03:10 Most Senate Republicans say they are still confident in his ability to lead.
03:15 I don't know that anyone has a responsibility to lay out all of their medical documents,
03:21 but we do look at the leader and how he's able to manage our caucus.
03:27 And it's very clear he's been able to raise the money, get people elected, direct us on
03:31 important policy issues.
03:33 U.S. lawmakers will also debate the massive annual National Defense Authorization after
03:39 clashing over competing versions of the $886 billion legislation earlier this summer.
03:46 Catherine Gipson, VOA News.
03:50 Let's turn to Alasunduan with the latest news in Cordillera.
03:53 (In Filipino) Alasunduan, the Civil Service Commission is conducting an activity to celebrate
04:02 the 23rd anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service.
04:06 (In Filipino) Presidential Proclamation No. 1050, series of 1997, was passed in September,
04:15 Civil Service Month.
04:16 The theme is "Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade, Holding Agile and Future-Ready
04:23 Servant Heroes."
04:24 (In Filipino) It is about dynamism, government workers and sustainable management and organizational
04:33 resilience.
04:34 (In Filipino) This is the first time that the Civil Service Commission has been held.
04:38 (In Filipino) It is also the first time that the Prime HRM Awards have been held.
04:45 (In Filipino) To celebrate the occasion, we have planned a run for 2023, Government Online
04:51 Career Fair and Bloodletting Activity.
04:53 (In Filipino) This is also the first time that the Public Sector HR Symposium, Contact
05:00 Center of the Town, recognition of government agency partners, Medical Mission of Government
05:06 Workers and Agency Official Family Day.
05:10 (In Filipino) To the department stores, SM, and other participating stores nationwide,
05:20 they will give a discount to government workers.
05:23 There is a 20% discount, 10%.
05:26 It depends on the participating stores.
05:31 (In Filipino) This is the second celebration of the Season of Creation, which will be held
05:40 in the month of October 4.
05:43 (In Filipino) This is the first time that the Convenors, Ecumenical Groups, and other
05:50 participating groups have been held.
05:52 (In Filipino) This is the first time that the Ecumenical Prayer Service, CONCERT, and
05:58 other commitments have been held to improve the environment and ecology.
06:03 (In Filipino) We are also supported by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Congressman Mark Goh
06:08 for the launching activity of Bishop Sanson Sports Center, St. Louis University in Baguio.
06:15 (In Filipino) We are also supported by St. Francis of Assisi, patron of Ecology.
06:21 (In Filipino) We are also supported by the public for the serious environmental activities
06:26 of the month of celebration.
06:29 (In Filipino) Thank you very much.
06:32 (In Filipino) This is PTV Cordillera, and I am Alessandra Duan, reporting for BIB.
06:38 Thank you Alessandra Duan.
06:41 This is Louisa Erispe.
06:43 Stay informed, be aware, get ahead, be of use.
06:46 Get the news right here.
06:48 (Music)
