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Daily Briefing: Who won the third GOP debate?


A narrowing field of GOP presidential hopefuls launched aggressive attacks in a third debate. Also in the news: House lawmakers have just over a week to fund the government and actors can return in front of the camera after their union struck an historic deal with Hollywood studios.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Say goodbye to the pandas.

Here's the news to know Thursday.

Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and other Republican hopefuls clash over abortion

Republican presidential candidates split on supporting federal abortion restrictions Wednesday at the third GOP presidential primary debate in Miami, one day after an off-year Election Day where the issue largely commanded voter sentiment.

While much of the debate addressed foreign policy issues, abortion was also a key focal point. Tuesday's votes proved that overturning a constitutional right to abortion continues to be politically costly for Republicans.

  • The power of the abortion debate to engage voters, among them suburban women, and to energize turnout shows no signs of abating. Ohioans passed a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion access by a double-digit margin. Meanwhile in other states, including Virginia and Kentucky, Democrats sailed to victory by campaigning on abortion for months leading up to election night. 
  • Republican candidates were divided on abortion policy. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott spoke out in support of a 15-week federal abortion ban while former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley reiterated her stance that passing a national measure would be unrealistic under today’s divided Congress. 
  • So, who won the debate? Haley's ability to strongly articulate her points on foreign policy in the face of attacks — including a strike from biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy a about her daughter’s use of TikTok — made her a clear winner in the eyes of GOP strategists.

The House has eight days to avoid a government shutdown

House Republicans are racing to pass appropriation bills needed to avert a government shutdown ahead of a looming Nov. 17 deadline — but lawmakers have acknowledged that Congress will have to kick the can down the road with another stopgap measure to temporarily keep the government’s doors open. Members left a Tuesday morning meeting unsure of the path forward to avert a shutdown and largely deferred to new House Speaker Mike Johnson on how to handle government funding. But there was common agreement that time has once again run out for Congress to pass a long-term funding package. Read more

  • Hunter Biden's lawyer urged House Speaker Johnson to call off GOP subpoenas for him.

More news to know now

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Qatar reportedly mediating deal for release of Hamas hostages

Qatari and U.S. officials are attempting to work out a deal between Israel and Hamas for the potential release of a dozen or more hostages held in Gaza, including Americans, in exchange for a short cease-fire, multiple media outlets reported. The New York Times reported Wednesday the warring sides came close to an agreement about two weeks ago for the release of up to 50 hostages in exchange for a pause in Israeli airstrikes. Israel delayed its ground offensive into Gaza hoping the talks would bear fruit, the Times said, but proceeded with the attack Oct. 27 when they stalled. Read more

Ivanka Trump denies familiarity with key documents in Donald Trump's New York fraud case

Ivanka Trump's calm testimony punctuated with the occasional smile Wednesday contrasted starkly with her father Donald Trump's combative appearance Monday at the civil fraud trial that will determine whether the Trump Organization can continue to operate in New York state. But her testimony echoed those of her father and brothers Eric and Donald Trump Jr., who both testified last week, about her unfamiliarity with financial statements about the company that are central to the lawsuit. Read more

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SAG-AFTRA leadership OKs tentative deal with major Hollywood studios

Hollywood actors will return to work on TV and movies. The actors' union's negotiating team on Wednesday reached a tentative agreement with the group representing studios and streamers, ending a historic 118-day strike that began July 14. The union membership will schedule a vote in the coming days to formally authorize the deal, putting actors one step closer to stepping in front of the cameras again. The SAG-AFTRA statement said the contract, valued at over $1 billion, achieved pay raises, unprecedented provisions to protect members from the threat of AI, and a new "streaming participation bonus," among other benefits. Read more

Photo of the day: 2023 CMAs honor country music's biggest stars

The 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards rocked Nashville's Bridgestone Arena Wednesday night with a star-studded tribute to Jimmy Buffett as well as performances by Wynonna Judd, Dan + Shay, Lainey Wilson and more. Click here for more photos of the night and here's our recap of the full winners list.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at Paste BN, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to Paste BN here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.