Apple News Today

Episode: There’s still no deal to fund the DHS. Now it faces a shutdown.
Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Cecilia Ley (in for Shamita Basu)

Episode Overview

On this episode, Cecilia Ley discusses the Congressional impasse over DHS funding, President Trump’s drastic climate policy reversal, controversy at the Winter Olympics ice dancing, and notable judicial and sports headlines. The episode provides a snapshot of American political and cultural news, highlighting key voices from lawmakers, journalists, and athletes.

Congressional Stalemate on DHS Funding

[00:04 – 03:15]

Main Theme: A partial government shutdown looms as Congress reaches a critical deadline without a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The deadlock centers on Democratic demands for reforms targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including greater oversight and policy changes.

Key Points:

• Democratic Position: Most Democrats block the DHS funding bill, demanding reform for ICE as a condition for support.

  • Notable reforms proposed include tighter warrants and banning masks for ICE officers.
  • Chuck Schumer criticizes Republicans:
    “Democrats will not support a blank check for chaos.” (00:14)
    “If Republicans want to keep DHS funded, they need to get serious. They need to sit down. They need to negotiate in good faith, produce legislation that actually reigns in ICE and stops the violence.” (01:13)

• Republican Position:

  • John Thune (paraphrased) on Fox News: Refuses further deadline extensions and accuses Democrats of political maneuvering.
  • Unnamed Democratic Lawmaker:
    "It seems to me, at least right now, that what they're looking for here is not really a solution, but it's more of a political opportunity..." (01:31)

• Short-Term Impact:

  • Sahil Kapoor (NBC):
    “The Trump administration has $75 billion in funding for ICE in particular under the so called one big beautiful bill that is not impacted by appropriations at all. So there could be a funding lapse and the president would still have access to those 75 billion to carry on with his ICE agenda.” (01:53)
  • Short-term services like TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard could be affected if a shutdown persists.

• Catalyst:

  • The debate is fueled by a deadly and controversial ICE operation in Minnesota, which is now winding down after public outcry.
  • Tom Homan (Trump’s Border Czar):
    “A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue to the next week.” (02:41)
  • Gov. Tim Walz (Minnesota): Criticizes federal government for economic damage from ICE presence.
    "The federal government needs to be responsible. You don't get to break things and just leave..." (03:04)

• Outcome:

  • Public opinion has shifted after fatal shootings attributed to ICE enforcement, giving Democrats further leverage.
  • Some Republicans hope ending the ICE operation in Minnesota will reduce Democratic pressure.

Trump Revokes Landmark Climate Rule

[03:15 – 07:02]

Main Theme: President Trump annuls the EPA’s 2009 “endangerment finding,” a bedrock for federal regulation of greenhouse gases—signaling a major policy reversal.

Key Discussion Points:

• Announcement:

  • Obama-era EPA policy empowered the agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions using the Clean Air Act.
  • Democratic Lawmaker:
    “We are officially terminating the so called endangerment finding, a disastrous Obama era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers.” (04:02)

• What It Means:

  • Marianne Lovell (Inside Climate News):
    “By rescinding that finding, what the Trump administration is doing is really relieving itself of the obligation to... issue any regulations to control greenhouse gases.” (04:48)
  • Automakers predicted this policy shift, slowing the transition to electric vehicles.
  • Lovell:
    “The analysts don't expect the electric vehicle revolution to end, but they do expect it to slow down very significantly in the United States. And that's already happening because the automakers saw this coming down the track.” (05:25)

• Potential Consequences:

  • Around 20% of US greenhouse emissions come from passenger vehicles.
  • While Trump claims manufacturing costs will fall, studies argue car owners may face higher expenses long-term and US vehicles may lose global competitiveness.
  • EPA Position: The Clean Air Act applies only to toxic pollutants, not greenhouse gases.

• Scientific Consensus:

  • Lovell:
    “There was Hurricane Helene, there was the LA fires last year... All of these are the impacts of what the scientists say is the warming atmosphere.” (06:33)
  • Environmental groups preparing legal challenges; case likely to reach the Supreme Court.

Olympic Ice Dancing Controversy

[07:02 – 10:17]

Main Theme: France's surprise ice dancing gold at the Milan Winter Olympics reignites debate on subjective judging and transparency.

Key Discussion Points:

• Results:

  • France’s Fournier Beaudry & Cizerone clinch gold over American favorites Madison Chock & Evan Bates, who led on most judges’ cards.
  • The French judge notably gave the US team a much lower score.

• Scoring Debate:

  • Rohan Nadkarni (NBC Sports):
    “Madison Chock and Evan Bates were actually first place on five of the nine judges’ scorecards... but they still didn’t win.” (08:18)
  • The French judge scored the Americans 7+ points below the winners (08:36).

• Calls for Change:

  • Chock (via CBS News):
    “It would definitely be helpful if it’s more understandable for the viewers... and I think it’s also important for the skaters that the judges be vetted and reviewed to make sure that they are also putting out their best performance...” (08:47)

• Structural Issues:

  • Nadkarni: Explains that artistic and technical scoring is inherently subjective and even fundamental elements may be judged differently by separate panels (09:25).

• Emotional Impact:

  • “It should be a cause for celebration, but it’s clearly taken an emotional toll on them.” (10:05)

• Official Response:

  • The International Skating Union reviews the process and defends the outcome.

Other Notable Stories

[10:17 – 12:36]

Trump Administration v. Sen. Mark Kelly

• A federal judge ruled in favor of Senator Mark Kelly, blocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s effort to reduce Kelly’s rank for criticizing unlawful military orders.
  • Judge Leon: “Our retired veterans deserve more respect from their government.”

Chloe Kim’s Olympic Halfpipe Silver

• Chloe Kim loses her bid for a third consecutive gold, earning silver to South Korea’s Gawon Choi.
  • Kim, recovering from a recent shoulder dislocation, said:
    “A month ago I wasn’t even sure if I would be here... so this medal means so much to me.” (12:24)
  • Choi becomes first South Korean woman to win Olympic snowboarding gold.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Chuck Schumer:
  “Democrats will not support a blank check for chaos.” (00:14)
• Sahil Kapoor:
  “There could be a funding lapse and the president would still have access to those 75 billion to carry on with his ICE agenda.” (01:53)
• Gov. Tim Walz:
  “You don’t get to break things and then just leave without doing something about it.” (03:04)
• Marianne Lovell:
  “Analysts don’t expect the electric vehicle revolution to end, but they do expect it to slow down...” (05:25)
• Rohan Nadkarni:
  “Chock and Bates were actually first place on five of the nine judges’ scorecards... but they still didn’t win.” (08:18)
• Chloe Kim:
  “A month ago I wasn’t even sure if I would be here... this medal means so much to me.” (12:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• DHS Shutdown Stalemate: 00:04 – 03:15
• Revocation of EPA Endangerment Finding: 03:15 – 07:02
• Olympic Ice Dancing Scandal: 07:02 – 10:17
• Mark Kelly Military Rights Ruling: 10:17 – 11:32
• Chloe Kim’s Silver Medal & Choi’s Victory: 11:32 – 12:36

This episode expertly blends urgent political news with cultural and sports stories, spotlighting the people and policies shaping America in early 2026.