Fox News Hourly Update: Government Shutdown Has Begun

Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Chris DiMaio
Podcast: FOX News Hourly Update

Episode Overview

This episode provides a breaking update on the unfolding partial government shutdown after Senate Democrats voted down a House bill. The discussion highlights the political deadlock in Washington, the finger-pointing between parties, and the immediate political and economic consequences. The episode also touches on President Trump’s recent announcement about lower prescription drug costs and updates on self-driving cars in D.C. and a recent NTSB safety report.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Government Shutdown Triggered

[00:02–01:11]

• Senate Democrats Block House Bill: Senate Democrats voted against a House spending bill, triggering a partial government shutdown.

  • Quote [00:08]:

    "They've got to sit down and negotiate with Democrats to come to a bill that both parties can support. They didn't do that in the past. Their bill, they call it clean. We call it totally partisan."
    — Democratic Senator

• Stalemate Over Health Care: Democrats seek health care provisions in funding bills, while Republicans call the shutdown unnecessary.

  • Quote [00:30]:

    "This is unnecessary, avoidable and just so uncalled for."
    — Republican Senator

• Heated Rhetoric and Accusations:

  • Both parties accuse each other of bad faith and lying over health care and immigration funding.
  • Quote [00:46]:

    "They say, oh, the Democrats want undocumented immigrants to get health care, to get the federal dollars of health care."
    — Democratic Senator

• Potential Consequences:

  • Republicans warn President Trump could fire thousands of federal employees during the shutdown.

  • Quote [00:54]:

    "If there's a shutdown, President Trump could fire thousands of federal employees. The president is threatening to eliminate jobs and programs with which are important to Democrats."
    — Republican Senator

  • Some argue the shutdown could allow Trump to enact "irreversible" changes.

  • Quote [01:04]:

    "We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them."
    — Dr. Mehmet Oz

• GOP Calculation:

  • Republicans believe Democrats' strategy will backfire, giving President Trump more authority.
  • Quote [01:11]:

    "Republicans are convinced that the Democrats' strategy will backfire. They believe that a shutdown gives President Trump the very authority that Democrats argue against."
    — Republican Senator

2. Prescription Drug Costs and Trump Administration Announcement

[01:21–01:39]

• Pfizer Medicaid Pricing:
  • President Trump announced that Pfizer will offer prescription drugs to Medicaid at the lowest, "most favored nation" prices.
  • Quote [01:30]:

    "The goal for us is to allow the American people to get access to medications at a price that again is equal or better than their European counterparts."
    — Dr. Mehmet Oz

3. Market Update

[01:39–01:59]

• Positive Markets Despite Shutdown:
  • The Dow finished up 81 points; the NASDAQ was up 68 points.

4. Midterm Election Focus

[02:32–02:51]

• 2026 Midterms and GOP Strategy:
  • Speaker Mike Johnson expresses optimism about GOP prospects.
  • Quote [02:43]:

    "We're going to win in the midterms. Absolutely. We're going to have a big victory and I think we can expand that majority so we can keep going. We have to give President Trump four years and not two."
    — Speaker Mike Johnson

5. Technology: Self-Driving Cars in D.C.

[02:58–03:42]

• Zoox Autonomous Taxis:
  • Amazon-owned Zoox expands testing to Washington, D.C. after San Francisco.
  • Their vehicles have no driver tools and feature open seating with comfort settings.
  • The D.C. environment offers unique testing challenges such as winter conditions.
  • Reporting [02:58]:

    "Zoox Test cars are SUVs outfitted with their autonomous tech, but their actual vehicles resemble streetcars with no driver tools and an open seating cab with personal comfort settings."
    — Eben Brown, FOX News

6. Aviation Safety: Near Miss in San Diego

[03:42–04:24]

• NTSB Findings:
  • A private jet nearly collided with a Southwest plane due to distracted air traffic controllers (one on the phone, another troubleshooting a printer).
  • The airport's automated system prevented disaster.
  • Quote [03:45]:

    "A private jet came within 100ft of hitting a Southwest Airlines plane because the air traffic controllers were distracted..."
    — Lisa Lucera, Fox News

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Finger Pointing Over Shutdown:

  • "There are no talks. The House is not even meeting."
    — Republican Senator [00:37]

• Shutdown as a Tool:

  • "We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them."
    — Dr. Mehmet Oz [01:04]

• GOP Confidence:

  • "We're going to have a big victory and I think we can expand that majority so we can keep going."
    — Speaker Mike Johnson [02:43]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|------------| | Government Shutdown Announcement | 00:02–01:11| | Prescription Drug Price Announcement | 01:21–01:39| | Stock Market Update | 01:39–01:59| | 2026 Midterm GOP Optimism | 02:32–02:51| | Zoox Self-Driving Cars in D.C. | 02:58–03:42| | NTSB Report: San Diego Near Miss | 03:42–04:24|

Summary prepared for listeners who seek a concise yet comprehensive update on the U.S. government shutdown and other high-impact national stories as reported in this FOX News Hourly Update.