Comey Pleads Not Guilty to 2 Federal Charges; House Speaker Weighs Paying Troops as Shutdown Drags On

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty in federal court on Oct. 8 to charges of making a false statement and obstructing a congressional proceeding. Comey, 64, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, sat quietly at the defense table throughout the proceeding. His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, requested a jury trial. The tentative trial date is Jan. 5. There are no votes scheduled for Wednesday on new funding proposals after both Republican and Democratic plans failed four times. Instead, the Senate is using its floor time for confirmations and other measures. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has floated the idea of a limited bill to ensure pay for U.S. troops and air traffic controllers, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has argued that the best solution would be to just reopen the government.