For today, for this moment, it's very good to be able to say that our fellow citizens are free

after enduring something that I think it would be difficult for any of us to imagine,

that their families will soon have them back among them, and that in this moment, at least,

I have something very joyful to report.

That's Secretary of State Anthony Blinken with some perspective on the Americans freed from Iran yesterday,

some of whom had spent years in prison.

But the Biden administration is receiving a lot of criticism for the deal that brought them home. We'll go through all of that in prison. But the Biden administration is receiving a lot of criticism for the deal that brought

them home. We'll go through all of that in just a moment. Also ahead, we'll bring you a preview of

President Biden's busy day at the United Nations General Assembly here in New York, where he's

expected to push for continued support for Ukraine. Plus, the latest from Capitol Hill on efforts to avoid a government shutdown

as House Republicans are struggling to get all of their members on board

with even a short-term funding deal. Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Tuesday, September 19th.

I'm Jonathan Lemire, and thanks for starting your day with us.

Later on this morning, President Joe Biden is set to address the United Nations General Assembly for the third time.

A senior administration official tells NBC news that the president will lay out for the world the steps that he and his administration have taken to work with others to solve the world's most serious challenges.

Those challenges range from the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II

to escalating tensions with global superpowers,

notably China will have much more on the president's speech as the morning continues.

Meanwhile, relatedly, five Americans who were wrongfully imprisoned in Iran are now making their

way back to the United States. They were freed after the U.S. released five Iranians from

American custody and agreed to allow Tehran access to $6 billion in oil revenues that had

previously been frozen.

...