The government shutdown is in its fourth week. Lawmakers in the Senate can't seem to make any progress.

And the House is not in session. So how are House members using this time? I'm Scott Simon.

And I'm Ayesha Roscoe. This is Up First from NPR News.

Some members of the House of Representatives were using this downtime during the shutdown to hear

from their constituents.

And boy, do they have a lot to say.

We'll tell you more about that.

Also, President Trump heads to Asia.

We'll preview what to expect from that trip.

Plus, the U.S. is escalating its military presence in the Caribbean.

We'll look at how that move is being seen in the region.

So please stay with us.

We've got the news you need to start your weekend.

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In case you've forgotten, we're in the middle of a government shutdown.

And we've yet to see any progress in the Senate on a bill to fund the government.

But some House members are taking this time to head home and hear from voters in their district.

...