Apple News Today – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Funding fights, Epstein files: inside Congress’s busy to-do list
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Gideon Resnick (in for Shamita Basu)

Overview

On this episode, Gideon Resnick guides listeners through three pressing issues before Congress as lawmakers return from recess: the looming government funding deadline, bipartisan efforts to unseal Jeffrey Epstein-related files, and proposed changes to Senate confirmation procedures. The episode also covers key international and domestic stories, including Brazil’s landmark coup trial and controversial new immigration fine policies, concluding with the unexpected consequences of White House tariffs on fall’s favorite spices.

Main Topics and Key Insights

1. Congress’s Packed Agenda

Looming Government Shutdown

• Background: Lawmakers must reach agreement on a government funding bill before the end of September to avoid a shutdown.
• Current State: There's no agreement or framework in place, with both parties moving further apart.
• Key Insight:
  • "There is no framework, no agreement on the way forward here. The two parties are far apart, and they're moving even further apart."
    — Sahil Kapoor, NBC News ([01:11])
• Complicating Factor: The White House is seeking to cut $4.9 billion in foreign aid via "pocket rescissions," a rare and possibly illegal move aiming to cancel funding late in the fiscal year.
• Democratic Frustration:
  • "Their view is why would they agree? Or how can they agree to a government funding deal if the White House is simply going to refuse to spend money on on the parts of the deal that they don't like? So that is a pretty intractable problem at this moment."
    — Sahil Kapoor ([02:10])

Push for Jeffrey Epstein Files

• Bipartisan legislation, led by Rep. Tom Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), seeks to force the DOJ to release all Epstein files, including documents about his death, prosecution, and associated communications.
  • "These two are unified on requiring the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and they've teamed up on a bipartisan bill that would force the White House to do that not at their discretion. It lays out very specifically all categories of documents and communications that the Justice Department has to release..."
    — Sahil Kapoor ([02:40])
• Epstein victims are rallying in Washington. The House Oversight Committee has begun publishing subpoenaed files, but so far, most have already been public.

Potential Changes to Senate Confirmation (Nuclear Option)

• Senate Republicans may invoke the "nuclear option" to reduce debate time and speed up nominee confirmations. Democrats are pushing for more debate, especially after recent firings of Senate-approved roles like CDC director and IRS commissioner.
• "This has been a real clash between the Republican leadership and Democrats who are not allowing speedy votes on Trump nominees. That would be a significant change to Senate rules that would apply permanently for the foreseeable future if Republicans do this."
  — Sahil Kapoor ([03:44])
• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to testify later in the week.

2. International Focus: Brazil’s Historic Coup Trial

• The Brazilian Supreme Court is convening for a historic verdict: Former President Jair Bolsonaro, along with seven top allies including military officials, stands accused of plotting a military coup after his 2022 election loss.
• Allegations:
  • Inciting rioting at the Capitol, conspiring with officials, and planning assassinations—including the Supreme Court justice presiding over the case.
• Historical Context:
  • "This trial is the first time that military officers may be held accountable for trying to overthrow democracy because in all the dictatorships that Brazil had and the coup attempts that Brazil had, no one has ever been pun. And a lot of people say it's why it keeps happening."
    — Manuela Andreoni, Reuters ([05:26])
  • Brazil has had 14 coup attempts; seven were successful. The last, in 1964, led to a 20-year regime supported by the U.S., noted for its brutality.
  • Bolsonaro and allies admire this regime; he once said it "should have killed a lot more people." ([06:18])
• US Involvement: Trump has openly supported Bolsonaro, called the trial a "witch hunt," imposed new tariffs, and sanctioned the targeted justice.

3. Immigration Fines as Deportation Incentive

• Policy Update: ICE has issued $6.1 billion in fines to over 21,000 immigrants ignoring deportation orders; new steps are being taken for collection, including civil lawsuits, using collection agencies, and tax refund garnishments.
• Attorney Reaction: One lawyer noted the psychological toll:
  • "It's driving immigrants to the point where they feel like they will lose everything if they remain in the United States."
    — Immigration attorney (via Jack Morfett, Wall Street Journal) ([08:50])
• Many targeted are long-term residents, low-wage workers. Fines often reach $1.8 million due to daily accrual.
• Carrot & Stick Approach: Those who “self deport” can get fines waived and receive a $1,000 "exit bonus."
  • "It's a lot easier and cheaper if the migrants Self deport rather than if ICE enforcement has to round up immigrants off the street and send them back to the country where they came from."
    — Jack Morfett ([08:40])
• Personal Story:
  • A Mexican mother of four in the Bronx, resident since 2000, received a removal order due to a missed court hearing (her lawyer’s error) and now faces over $1.8 million in fines, considering self-deportation to protect her family's assets. ([09:35])

4. Brief News Roundup

Gaza: Genocide Scholars’ Declaration

• The International Association of Genocide Scholars states Israel’s war on Gaza meets the UN definition of genocide. Over 63,000 Palestinians killed; Israeli government strongly rejects this classification.

California: Military Use Ruled Illegal

• A federal judge ruled Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated the Posse Comitatus Act by deploying Marines/National Guard to LA during protests. Military use for law enforcement is now barred in California starting Sep. 12.

Tariffs Make Pumpkin Spice Pricier

• The Trump administration’s 50% tariff on India’s spice exports (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves) is expected to hike prices for pumpkin spice products. Stock up, especially if you’re a fan—except pumpkin spice bacon, which the show humorously suggests skipping.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On the Bipartisan Epstein Push:
  "Not at their discretion... Justice Department has to release, anything involving Epstein, his death, the various prosecutions, charging decisions, and so forth."
  — Sahil Kapoor ([02:40])

• On the Legal and Psychological Pressure of Immigration Fines:
  "It's driving immigrants to the point where they feel like they will lose everything if they remain in the United States."
  — Immigration Attorney ([08:50])

• On Brazil's History of Coups:
  "Bolsonaro and his allies are big admirers of this regime. He famously said that the dictatorship should have killed a lot more people."
  — Manuela Andreoni ([06:18])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Congress’s Funding Fight: 00:05 – 03:44
• Epstein Files Legislation: 02:25 – 03:20
• Senate Confirmation Rules/Nuclear Option: 03:20 – 03:59
• Brazil Coup Trial Overview: 03:59 – 06:45
• Immigrant Fine Policy: 07:18 – 10:12
• Other News Stories Brief: 10:12 – End

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a calm, accessible news brief format. The host and correspondents present information objectively, summarizing complex Congressional and international developments while integrating expert insight and poignant human stories.