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Stopgap Bill Advances as Congress Moves to Prevent Shutdown

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — However, concerns persist that flat funding levels will not account for rising costs, leaving states and local governments to bridge potential gaps in affordable housing efforts.

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

A newly introduced stopgap bill in Congress aims to extend government funding through the end of the 2025 fiscal year, providing critical financial support for federal agencies and essential programs. The legislation, formally titled the “Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025,” is designed to avert a government shutdown, but its broader implications extend across the country. The bill sustains funding for federal agencies that oversee national healthcare, education, housing, and law enforcement programs. Medicaid provisions remain intact, delaying cuts to Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments, which assist hospitals serving low-income patients. Republicans said the extension ensures continued care for vulnerable populations in states heavily reliant on federal healthcare dollars. Housing and urban development programs also remain funded, preserving rental assistance and homelessness prevention initiatives. However, concerns persist that flat funding levels will not account for rising costs, leaving states and local governments to bridge potential gaps in affordable housing efforts. Education funding remains steady, but school districts that depend on federal support may face difficulties maintaining services as costs increase.

The bill also upholds funding for federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, and other key institutions responsible for public safety. Grants supporting state and local policing initiatives are maintained, though some lawmakers argue additional resources are needed to address crime prevention and community policing efforts. Beyond immediate fiscal concerns, the bill extends the authority of the U.S. Parole Commission for another year, continuing federal oversight in key areas of criminal justice. In some regions, officials and advocates have pushed for more localized control over parole and sentencing decisions, but the current measure ensures federal jurisdiction remains unchanged. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have weighed in on the bill’s broader implications. Some have criticized the measure for failing to provide increased funding for essential programs, while others argue that maintaining current spending levels is necessary to avoid further fiscal uncertainty. The proposed budget levels are expected to impact public safety, education, and infrastructure spending across multiple states.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the leading Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, sharply criticized the measure, calling it a “blank check” for billionaire Elon Musk. “I strongly oppose this full-year continuing resolution, which is a power grab for the White House and further allows unchecked billionaire Elon Musk and President Trump to steal from the American people,” DeLauro said. Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar echoed those concerns in a joint statement. “Republicans have used their control of the House, the Senate, and the presidency to destroy the programs taxpayers deserve to fund tax cuts for their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations. They are cutting healthcare access, public schools, and veterans’ benefits while soaring the costs of groceries, housing, and insurance. They are making our communities less safe by cutting law enforcement and threatening our national security.” The statement continued: “In one week, funding for the government runs out. The top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, Rosa DeLauro, remains ready to negotiate a meaningful bipartisan spending agreement that puts working people first. However, Republicans have decided to introduce a partisan continuing resolution that threatens to cut funding for healthcare, nutritional assistance, and veterans benefits through the end of the current fiscal year. That is not acceptable.”

House Democrats said they would enthusiastically support a bill that protects Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ health, and Medicaid, but Republicans have chosen to put them on the chopping block to pay for billionaire tax cuts. “We cannot back a measure that rips away life-sustaining healthcare and retirement benefits from everyday Americans as part of the Republican scheme to pay for massive tax cuts for their wealthy donors like Elon Musk. Medicaid is our red line,” the Democratic leaders stated. The outcome will determine funding levels for programs millions of Americans rely on daily. “This [measure] means a nearly $945 million cut for critical services, impacting teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement,” said D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D). “The effect of what they’re trying to do would be to cut back spending by police and other public safety agencies as well as agencies that deal with the cleanliness of the city, public education, and so forth. They would realize no savings from this because these are not federal dollars.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.