Well, I think it's happening right now because Republicans see it as an opportunity to hold us hostage and get demands that under normal circumstances, they would not.

Look, they have not been shy about making it clear. They want to cut Social Security. They want to cut Medicaid. They want to cut

Medicaid. And what they're saying is, hey, we are prepared to allow the United States

government to default on our payments, bring the entire world, perhaps, into an economic

crisis unless you give us what you want. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders gives his candid assessment of what's happening on Capitol Hill,

as lawmakers have just five days to find a deal to prevent a government shutdown.

Plus, we'll have the latest on Brittany Griner's journey back home after being locked up in Russia

for 10 months, and we'll get into what's next for the WNBA star.

We'll also go through the details of President Joe Biden's phone call last night with Ukrainian

President Volodemar Zelenskyy.

Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Monday, December 12th.

I'm Jonathan Lemire. Thanks for starting your day with us.

WNBA star Brittany Greiner is on the road to recovery after spending nearly 10 months behind bars in Russia.

The basketball star was flown into her home state of Texas on Friday to receive medical treatment following her negotiated release from a Russian penal colony.

On Saturday, Griner's wife, Cheryl, took to Instagram to thank all of those who helped bring Brittany home.

She added that the couple has started their, quote, journey to heal our minds, bodies, and spirits.

In an interview yesterday, the U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs gave some insight into Griner's

spirit immediately after she was freed.

When she finally got onto the U.S. plane, I said, Brittany, you must have been through a lot over the last 10 months.

Here's your seat. Please, feel free to decompress. We'll give you your space.

And she said, oh, no, I've been in prison for 10 months now listening to Russian. I want to talk.

But first of all,

...