Podcast Episode Summary: Bulwark Takes – Sen. Shaheen: Trump Seizing Venezuelan Oil Tanker Puts Us At Risk

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Charlie Sykes
Guest: Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Main Theme

This episode features Charlie Sykes interviewing Senator Jeanne Shaheen to discuss two pressing topics: the heated congressional battle over Obamacare premium subsidies and the increasing tensions in U.S.-Venezuela policy—specifically, Donald Trump’s highly controversial seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker destined for Cuba. The conversation covers the domestic stakes for millions facing healthcare cost increases, the political gamesmanship on Capitol Hill, and the escalating foreign policy risks posed by executive military actions in the Caribbean, all within the context of a Congress struggling to assert its authority.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Obamacare Subsidies and Congressional Dysfunction

• Why the Debate is Front and Center

  • Sykes kicks off with the status of Obamacare subsidies after a government shutdown was ended without resolving the fate of “enhanced premium tax credits.”
  • Sen. Shaheen: She stands by her vote to reopen the government, arguing that highlighting Republicans’ refusal to renew subsidies has drawn attention to real-world consequences:
    • “It was going to mean a huge increase for those people who rely on those premium tax credits and result in about 4 million people losing their health insurance.” (02:20)

• Prospects for a Clean Extension:

  • Shaheen: Democrats will propose a 3-year clean extension, but it’s unlikely to pass due to lack of GOP support. (03:55)
  • A competing Republican proposal omits critical support for those struggling with rising premiums—also expected to fail.
  • Hope remains for a last-minute compromise.

• Health Savings Accounts Proposal:

  • Democrats oppose this favored Republican solution, as “currently those health savings accounts are prohibited from covering premium increases or the cost of premiums. So they don't really help with what people are facing now.” (04:51)

• Real-Life Impact Highlighted:

  • Shaheen recounts a shadow hearing with expert testimony and affected individuals:
    • “Already 10,000 people [in MA] ... had not renewed their health insurance.”
    • “The cost of uncompensated care, people going to the emergency rooms and not having health insurance is going to increase dramatically, $7.7 billion.” (05:51)

• Systemic Implications:

  • Rising uninsured rates will ripple across the system, including for those with employer insurance.
  • Shaheen’s sense of urgency:
    • “There's, as I said, real urgency to do this.” (06:43)

2. Political Haphazardness and Trump's Role

• Breakdown of Normal Legislative Processes

  • Sykes laments the disappearance of “actual hearings” and real debate. Legislative progress seems to hinge on direct intervention by Donald Trump.
    • Sykes: “It seems like the only possible ingredient for something passing ... is if you have direct engagement from Donald Trump himself...” (07:08)

• Trump’s Interference and its Impact

  • Shaheen: Trump floated a proposal that “sounded not bad,” but apparently never followed through after pushback from House GOP. (07:40)

• Personal Anecdotes Demonstrate Urgency:

  • Shaheen shares:
    • “One small business owner from Virginia ... are not going to be able to afford the increases ... they don't have any other option.” (08:28)
    • “A young couple who have young children have some health issues. And we're seeing that repeated over and over again...” (09:01)

• The ‘Over the Cliff’ Dynamic

  • Sykes: Do things need to “really get out of hand” before action is compelled? (09:11)
  • Shaheen: “I hope not. I hope that will prevail and that we can address this before people face those kinds of dramatic consequences.” (10:57)

• Foundational Security:

  • Shaheen identifies health care as one of 3 life basics people need for security, alongside a job and a decent place to live:
    • “And that's a basic that every American should be able to feel comfortable about.” (11:07)

3. Foreign Policy Crisis: Escalation in Venezuela

• The ‘Double Tap’ Boat Strike

  • Sykes pivots to the September 2nd Caribbean operation, where US forces conducted a controversial second strike (“double tap”).
  • Congress is demanding answers—Sen. Shaheen is among those requesting, but not receiving, briefings:
    • “So far those requests have not been granted. ... What's in [the video] that they're so worried that the American people might see?” (12:22, 12:50)
  • Shaheen calls for transparency:
    • “It's important for Congress to see this video, but the American people ought to see it too...” (13:00)

• Ousting of Admiral Halsey

  • Recent, mysterious shuffling of command in SouthCom; Shaheen defers on details but notes the successor “gave the order for that second boat strike. ... The circumstances are still murky about what actually happened there.” (14:11, 14:26)

4. Trump’s Announcement of the Venezuelan Oil Tanker Seizure

• Triggering an International Crisis

  • News breaks that Trump has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker headed for Cuba:
    • “We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela ... Largest one ever seized, actually.” – Donald Trump clip (14:53)

• Shaheen's Immediate and Stern Reaction:

  • “It's a further escalation ... and again, it puts at risk Americans, puts at risk our men and women in the military. He's taking action without congressional authorization and risking a further, further conflict in Venezuela.” (15:23)
  • On the legality: “Unfortunately, the answer is yes,” he can do this “as long as people are not willing to prevent him.” (15:54)
  • Legislative efforts to rein in Trump have begun, led by Senator Kaine.
  • Key warning:
    • “We should not let the executive and the President get us into another war that the American people don't know about, haven't supported. And there's no transparency for what the President is doing.” (16:33)

• Sykes' Recap:

  • “No hearings, no rush, no rationalization, no legal justification. It's quite something.” (16:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Congressional Responsibility:

  • Shaheen: “Congress needs to act. We need to make our voices heard that we should not let the executive ... get us into another war...” (16:30)

• On Governing Fundamentals:

  • Shaheen: “There are some fundamentals that are critical for people to feel like they have security with themselves and their families... health care ... every American should be able to feel comfortable about.” (11:07)

• On Systemic Impact:

  • “The cost of uncompensated care ... is going to increase dramatically, $7.7 billion for that.” (05:51)

• On Executive Overreach:

  • Sykes: “No hearings, no rush, no rationalization, no legal justification. It's quite something.” (16:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:34] – Senator Shaheen joins the interview
• [02:20] – Shaheen defends her shutdown vote and stakes out consequences of lost subsidies
• [03:55] – Likelihood of passing Obamacare subsidy extensions
• [04:51] – Democrats reject Republican Health Savings Account proposals
• [05:51] – Testimony from shadow hearing, real-life stories of lost coverage
• [07:08] – Sykes on Congress’s dependence on Trump’s engagement
• [09:11] – Do politicians only act after crisis?
• [11:07] – Foundational American needs: health care as security
• [12:22-13:17] – Congressional stonewalling on Navy boat strike footage
• [14:53] – Trump announces oil tanker seizure
• [15:23] – Shaheen condemns executive escalation
• [16:33] – Calls for Congressional reassertion of war powers

Conclusion

Senator Shaheen’s interview underscores grave domestic and foreign policy risks rooted in legislative gridlock and presidential overreach. On health care, she presents a dire portrait of looming mass coverage loss without swift congressional compromise or pressure, while expressing skepticism Congress is currently up to the task. Abroad, she warns of escalating military entanglement with Venezuela absent any congressional check on Trump’s power, urging bipartisan action to restore transparency and constitutional balance.

The candid, sometimes exasperated tone between Sykes and Shaheen highlights the stakes: a country at risk of falling into health and international crises, unless its institutions—and the public—reclaim their roles.