It looks so peaceful, but looks can be deceiving

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A member of Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s staff took a stroll for a ‘pause for the cause’ — and sent us this snapshot of a peaceful Capitol landscape on a beautiful sunny day in Washington, D.C. that is currently in turmoil as GOP’s Jim Jordan fails again to win the vote to become House speaker.

He was opposed by 22 Republicans two more than he lost in first round voting that took place on Tuesday, Oct 17, 2023. No further votes for Wednesday were scheduled. Jordan has vowed to stay in the race, but other options are being discussed by his Republican colleagues.

At a standstill, the House is now stuck for 15 days without a speaker, amid heightened concerns over issues such as the Israel-Hamas war, and the debt ceiling.

Congresswoman Amata, at the beginning of the week, expressed optimism, but noted the need for Congress to pass appropriations, as they have until November 17, to complete funding for the year ahead, or at minimum pass another short term extension that keeps funding in place.