Skimm'd in a blanket

"Dramatically provocative and thoughtful" – The description of Pantone's color of 2018. "Ultra violet" is apparently ultra dramatic.

SHUT DOWN FOR WHAT

The Story

Yesterday, Congress hit snooze on a gov shutdown. President Trump still has to sign off.

What's going on?

Congress needs to agree on a budget to keep the federal trains running. The due date for that was today. But yesterday, the House and Senate voted to give themselves an extension. Now, they have two weeks to resolve a few key issues.

Like...?

DACA. The program protecting hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants that came to the US as kids from getting deported. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) says she doesn't want a shutdown, but that she and the Dems won't leave the Hill "without a DACA fix." Also, health insurance. Congress is expected to hammer out a deal to keep the Affordable Care Act from collapsing. And, the military. The GOP wants to give it more money. Also, Trump wants funding for a US-Mexico border wall.

What happens next?

Trump is expected to sign on the dotted line to keep the gov running for the next two weeks. In the meantime, Dems and Republicans are going back to the negotiating table.

theSkimm

There's only a week left before Congress technically goes on holiday break. Meaning it looks like Congress is heading into overtime to reach decisions that affect millions of people.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are watching…

The California wildfires. Multiple fires there have now burned more than 100,000 acres and are still spreading, including threatening parts of Los Angeles and San Diego. They've destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. The Santa Ana winds – strong, hot winds that come through Southern California every year around this time – are causing the fires to spread very quickly. And winds are expected to be pretty heavy through the weekend.

What to say when you solve a Rubik's Cube…

Breakthrough. Today, the UK and the EU finally shook on Brexit divorce terms. For months, both sides have been trying to hash out certain details of the breakup. Now they say they've agreed to recognize the rights of EU citizens in the UK, that the UK will pay a huge divorce bill, and that there will still be an open border between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (part of the EU). It means they can move on to working out a trade deal. Expect that part to take awhile.

What to say on the way to the work holiday party...

Everybody keep your hands to yourselves. Yesterday, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) said that he will resign. This comes after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. He denies the allegations. Female Democratic lawmakers led the call for Franken to exit left. Now he's doing it. Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) is also resigning. This comes after the House Ethics Committee started investigating allegations that Franks once asked two female staffers to have his child as a surrogate. He said he regrets that these conversations "caused distress." Meanwhile, "X-Men" director Bryan Singer was sued yesterday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy more than a decade ago. Singer has denied the allegations. This comes days after he was fired from the set of "Bohemian Rhapsody" for being unprofessional.

What people are talking about…

Michael Slager. Yesterday, the former police officer who shot and killed Walter Scott was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Back in 2015, Slager, a white police officer, shot and killed Scott, an unarmed black man, after a traffic stop. At first, Slager said he fired his gun in self defense because Scott grabbed for his Taser. But a few days later, a witness video surfaced that shows Slager shooting Scott in the back as he runs away. Slager was fired and charged with murder. Last year, the jury was deadlocked and that case was dropped. But Slager pleaded guilty in a federal case to violating Scott's civil rights. Now, he's going to prison. This is one of the harshest sentences for an officer-related shooting in years. Larry Nassar is also going to prison. Yesterday, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor was sentenced to 60 years on child porn charges. He's also been accused of sexual assault by more than 100 women, including several members of the women's US Olympic gymnastics team like Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas.

What to say to your friend thinking of getting Mirena…

Hear about this? A new study says that hormonal birth control can increase your risk of breast cancer. Researchers followed nearly two million women for over a decade and found that the longer they were on birth control, the higher their risk. We already knew that there was a link between the pill and breast cancer. But this study says that link exists for newer methods – like hormone-releasing IUDs – too. Just...great.

What to say when you figure out your Secret Santa...

Crowning achievement.

THING TO KNOW

Older the better

Doesn't just apply to red wine. When it comes to credit, lenders look at your whole credit history to decide whether or not to trust you. And the older the account, the more of a track record they have to go on. Get down with your old self. We use this to keep track. Sign up here.

SKIMM LIFE

For when you need something small…

These presents can all fit in a purse. Or a pocket. Your move.

For when you're looking for your next favorite read…

Meet "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. About a woman going down memory lane to her seemingly perfect childhood...and revealing that it wasn't so perfect after all. It's by the author who is this year's Nobel Prize winner for literature.*

For when you're having friends over for dinner…

This Portuguese red should be invited. Especially if you're making pasta or a meat dish. It's from the Douro region, known for rich, fruity, impressive reds. Buy here.*

For when you're looking for some down time in between holiday parties…

The Queen will see you now. Season two of "The Crown" is on Netflix tonight. theSkimm App gives you the heads up about these kinds of things. This time around, we've also got a Skimm Notes deep dive on the British royals that includes a special guest. Download the app here – the first month is on us.

*PS This is an affiliate partner, which means if you purchase or sign up theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. You go, Glen Coco.

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