Tonight, the president pardons a convicted crypto titan who was critical in boosting the Trump family's business.

Why it is raising alarm bells.

Then the Senate blocks multiple bills to pay federal workers, including those in charge of protecting lives and government property.

And both parties are no closer to ending the shutdown.

Plus, American ranchers have

a beef with the president what they're saying about his plan to bring in meat from Argentina

as the 11th hour gets underway on this Thursday night.

Good evening once again. I am Stephanie Ruhl, and it is day 277 if you are counting of the second

Trump administration. Right now, Republicans are trying to deal with the pain of a government

shutdown without actually ending it. Here's what I mean. Democrats say Republicans could end the

shutdown by coming to the table and talking Obamacare subsidies.

But there is no sign of that. Instead, Republican Senator Ron Johnson tried to pass a bill

to pay federal workers that are currently on the job and not getting paid. Democrats block that,

arguing it would give the president too much power to pick winners and losers.

Senate Republicans are also considering a bill to keep SNAP benefits flowing as tens of

millions of Americans could potentially lose food assistance as early as next month. And we have

mentioned that the White House is reportedly looking for ways to only pay air traffic controllers.

Notice what is not on the list.

Any bills, any talks to extend Obamacare subsidies.

But the pressure is clearly mounting as the pain of the shutdown is spreading.

Meanwhile, we are getting a very clear look at who holds the power in the Trump White House.

Today, the president announced that he

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