This Week In Washington DC, Oct 24th

This Week In Washington

Top 5 Stories

1.      The Obama administration released three new Ebola-related policies—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated protocols to minimize risk to health care workers; the Homeland Security Department imposed restrictions on the airports through which travelers may enter the US from West Africa, and the CDC directed those arriving from affected countries to undergo monitoring for 21 days.

Look ahead: The nature of the disease—with its long incubation period and symptoms common to a host of less-serious illnesses—limits the efficacy of some of the preventive measures.

2.      The Canadian capital was thrown into chaos Wednesday as a gunman opened fire at the National War Memorial, killing Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, then entered the Parliament building and fired several rounds before being shot by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers.

Look ahead: Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his government will "strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts" to combat terrorism, spurring speculation the Canadian Security Intelligence Service could gain new authority.

3.      U.S. military planes dropped weapons, ammunition, and medical supplies to Kurdish fighters defending Kobani, over the objections of the Turkish government. Two bundles failed to reach their intended targets—U.S. forces destroyed one, and ISIS obtained the other.

Look ahead: The addition of Kurdish peshmerga fighters from Iraq, whom Turkey has granted permission to reinforce their Syrian counterparts, could boost the Kurds' prospects for victory.

4.      Speculation is rising President Obama plans sweeping executive action on immigration, following reports U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has drafted a procurement contract for up to 34 million work permits and green cards over five years, citing "possible future immigration reform initiative requirements."

Look ahead: White House press secretary Josh Earnest warned against "making assumptions … based on the procurement practices" of the Department of Homeland Security.

5.      The Secret Service apprehended Dominic Adesanya after he scaled the White House fence, triggering a brief lockdown, in the seventh such incident this year.

Look ahead: Adesanya, who was previously charged with unlawful entry at the executive complex in July, faces felony charges related to his issuance of threats and kicking of police dogs.