Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst.

Most House lawmakers went home this weekend as the deadline to pass spending bills and keep

the government open looms.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a few others stayed behind to work on a possible stopgap

measure this after a tumultuous week on Capitol Hill, as House Republicans failed to get

an agreement within their own party on a temporary spending plan.

As NPR's Claudio Cristalus reports, once they return to work next week, they will only

have a few days to sort out the chaos and a verdict of partial government shutdown.

McCarthy is facing round three of a showdown with his own members.

The first was when he took the Speaker's Gable that was a big fight with his members

of his own conference, and then the second was a debt limit fight, which really weakened

his position significantly.

He is facing more vocal calls to be ousted.

As possible, we could see more momentum there from his opponents for him to step down,

but this is all tied to the politics of a shutdown as well.

NPR's Claudio Cristalus reporting.

Early voting is underway in Virginia.

The general election is high stakes with likely national implications for 2024.

NPR's Kristen Wright spoke to a political analyst about the flurry of candidates who

are expected to use the extended voting period to make their case.

Virginia's General Assembly seats are up for reelection.

The outcome of the races could decide key issues in the Commonwealth.

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