FINGER-POINTING AS TALKS STALL AGAIN: With just five days left before a partial government shutdown, a breakdown in House-Senate negotiations once again imperils desperately needed aid for Ukraine and continues to hamstring the Pentagon’s military construction budget. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had hoped to announce a deal last night on four appropriations bills that account for 20% of government spending, but no deal was reached, with each side accusing the other of playing politics.