A full serving of SCOOP before the holiday week!

Congressman Nehls of Texas gives us his assessment of the challenge that lies before House Republican leadership this week: “I don’t think the Lord Jesus himself could manage this group.”

He said this while smoking a cigar near the U.S. Capitol. We'll take that as a tone setter for the week ahead: Onward! Here's our show:

• What to know about the latest in the war between Israel and Hamas. What to watch as the week starts with repeated, strategic references to hopes for hostage-release as the White House announces a 3 year-old American toddler as one of the prisoners.
• What does Qatar have to do with it? More on the Middle Eastern nation that provides neutral negotiating ground.
• The U.S. strikes "a training facility and a safe house" in Syria, used by Iranian-backed groups, after attacks from said-groups leads to the injury of more than 50 service members since the war between Israel and Hamas (another Iranian-backed terrorist group) began.
• Pres. Biden meets with President Xi in San Francisco. Is "ballet diplomacy" the new "panda diplomacy" between the two largest economies in the world?
• The challenge for the House of Representatives as a government shutdown looms and the new House Speaker presents a brand new idea.
• Senator Scott (R-SC) drops out of the run for the White House and Sen. Manchin (D-West Virginia) makes a surprising announcement.
• How early is too early for Christmas decorations? Asking for a friend. 

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https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/