We have some student loan news today and an update from Congress. A few people have

thrown their names into the race to be the next house speaker. We also have a

new study on the Georgia drawall. I'm Jeff Pierre and this is the

seven from the Washington Post. Today is Thursday, October 5th. Let's get you caught up with today's seven stories.

Our first story this morning.

The race to become the next House Speaker has begun.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Firebrand Conservative Jim Jordan both announced yesterday

that they would be running to replace Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy was removed from the job

on Tuesday, the first time that this has happened to a House Speaker and U.S. history.

And there's pressure to get a new speaker fast.

House business is at a standstill, and the new deadline for a government shutdown is getting

closer. That's on November 17th.

Lawmakers may vote on a new speaker as soon as next Wednesday, but there's concern

about what all of this means for the country's future.

Historians and political scientists say McCarthy's unprecedented removal

is a warning sign that American democracy is in trouble. For number two, we have some more news from the chaos on Capitol Hill.

The turmoil in Congress could impact aid for Ukraine.

President Biden said yesterday he plans to deliver a major speech arguing for more aid for Ukraine a bill to keep the

government open passed over the weekend without funding for Ukraine. Ukraine is

struggling to retake territory from Russia and wants more U.S. help.

Ukrainian President Volodimer Salinsky said that any pause in funding would help

Russia. But some Republicans have started to question the mounting expense. Biden announced $9 billion more in student loan forgiveness.

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