October 24

Four Georgia RICO defendants accept plea deals

Four co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against Donald Trump and remaining defendants. Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, and Scott Hall entered pleas to reduced charges in Fulton County. Each agreed to testify truthfully and provide documents, significantly strengthening the state's case.

Kentucky Kroger shooter kills two Black shoppers after trying to enter Black church

A gunman killed Maurice Stallard and Vickie Lee Jones at a Kroger in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, after first trying to enter a nearby Black church. Federal authorities charged the attack as a hate crime against Black victims.

Senate adopts the Byrd Rule 96-0 to block extraneous provisions in reconciliation bills

Senator Robert C. Byrd offered Amendment No. 878 to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, creating what became known as the Byrd Rule. The Senate adopted it 96-0, establishing six tests for whether a provision is extraneous to reconciliation and therefore subject to a 60-vote point of order. The rule was made permanent in 1990 when Congress incorporated it as Section 313 of the Congressional Budget Act. The Senate parliamentarian became the de facto arbiter of what Congress can pass with a simple majority.

Nixon vetoes War Powers Resolution, calling it unconstitutional

President Richard Nixon sends Congress a veto message rejecting the War Powers Resolution (H.J.Res. 542), calling the bill "dangerous, unconstitutional, and detrimental to the best interests of the nation." Nixon argues the resolution would "seriously undermine" the president's ability to act in a crisis. The War Powers Resolution had passed both chambers of Congress in response to Nixon's escalation of the Vietnam War without a congressional declaration of war. (Congressional Record, Oct. 24, 1973)

Nixon vetoes War Powers Resolution, calling it unconstitutional infringement on executive power

President Nixon sends his veto of the War Powers Resolution to Congress, arguing the measure's restrictions on presidential commander-in-chief authority are unconstitutional. The veto comes days after the Saturday Night Massacre, when Nixon fired Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, dramatically weakening his political standing. Congressional opponents of the measure argue the resolution cedes too much power to the executive in crisis situations.

Nixon vetoes War Powers Resolution

President Richard Nixon vetoes the War Powers Resolution, calling it unconstitutional and dangerous. The bill requires notification to Congress within 48 hours of committing forces and limits deployments to 60 days without approval. Nixon argues the restrictions would undermine presidential authority in crises.

The quarantine line takes effect as Soviet ships slow, stop, or turn back

The U.S. quarantine line goes into force and the world watches whether Soviet vessels will challenge it. Several ships slow or alter course, easing immediate fears of a direct naval clash. Even so, the missile sites in Cuba remain in place, so the crisis stays unresolved and dangerous.