Gideon Resnick

But throughout, Trump repeatedly criticized them for failing to stand and applaud.

Democrats appear to have made a conscious decision to mostly sit quietly, though some left the chamber early.

Others still skipped the event entirely and held an alternative rally outside the Capitol.

Later in the night, it was the newly elected Virginia governor, Abigail Spanberger, who offered the official Democratic response.

Putting the focus on issues like affordability signaled a likely approach for the party in this year's midterm elections.

And Kapoor told us that Republicans are already bracing for a challenging political environment.

You can find more coverage of the speech, reaction, and fact-checking today in the Apple News app.

Cecilia is coming up next with more news.

Good morning.

It's Tuesday, December 23rd.

I'm Gideon Resnick in for Shamita Basu.

This is Apple News Today.

On today's show, a closer look at children in ICE custody, why you might see a surprise tariff fee on some of your holiday gift orders, and a few helpful tips to keep that TSA line moving this week.

But first, Congress left for the holidays last week, winding down a year that has been among the least productive in modern history.

That's according to a tally of enacted legislation.

The longest government shutdown we've ever seen did not yield a resolution on expiring health care subsidies, with millions of Americans poised to face higher premiums next year.

And a record number of lawmakers are deciding not to run for reelection, including 11 senators and 44 members of the House.

NPR recently examined the factors that led Congress to this point.

Barbara Sprunt covers Congress for NPR.

She spoke with more than a dozen former House members representing both parties about how the legislative branch has, in their words, forsaken core responsibilities like the power of the purse, declaring war, and oversight of the executive branch.