Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update: Lawmakers Attempt to Reopen Government

Date: November 8, 2025
Host: Paul Stevens, FOX News Podcasts
Theme: Congressional efforts to end the government shutdown, national impacts, and key legal updates.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the ongoing government shutdown and renewed efforts in Congress to broker a deal that would fund the government and essential services. The broadcast highlights the political challenges, consequences for federal employees and travelers, recent Supreme Court and judicial interventions, and updates on major legal and international developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congressional Stalemate: Weekend Push to End Shutdown

(00:01 - 00:45)

Rare Weekend Senate Session:
Senate convenes over the weekend, signaling urgency to end the shutdown, but a partisan impasse persists.
Republican Proposal:
Senate Republicans push a revised spending bill to fund the government through January, and finance Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Congress through the next fall.
Democratic Division:
Democrats are split, many unwilling to compromise on subsidies for Obamacare.
Schumer’s Counteroffer:
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduces a plan with a one-year extension of Obamacare tax credits.
Republican Response:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismisses Schumer’s proposal, calling it “a nonstarter.”

“Senate Republicans have slammed the plan, Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling it a nonstarter.” — Madeleine Rivera [00:33]

2. Airlines & Air Traffic: Shutdown Fallout

(00:45 - 01:33)

Widespread Flight Cuts:
FAA reduces U.S. air traffic by 4%, announcing a daily increase in flight cuts. Currently, 10% of flights are reduced across 40 major airports.
Air Traffic Controllers Unpaid:
Thousands are working without pay, leading to mounting stress and absenteeism.

“Thousands of air traffic controllers have worked weeks now without pay due to the government shutdown, triggering staffing shortages at some of the country’s busiest airports...” — Christina Coleman [01:05]
New York Spotlight:
Nearly 80% absenteeism among air traffic controllers at the New York area airports last week.
Traveler Anxiety:
Rise in passenger worry as the shutdown continues and transportation disruptions mount.

3. Supreme Court: SNAP Funding During Shutdown

(01:33 - 01:59)

SNAP Program Uncertainty:
Supreme Court temporarily blocks an order requiring the White House to fully fund the SNAP food assistance program amid the government shutdown.
Legal Back-and-Forth:
The decision comes soon after an appeal by the Trump administration was denied by a lower court.

4. Presidential Powers Curtailed: Portland National Guard Ruling

(02:15 - 02:59)

Oregon Judge Blocks Guard Deployment:
A federal judge permanently blocks President Trump’s prior deployment of the National Guard to Portland.

“A U.S. district judge in Oregon finding there was neither a rebellion or danger of a rebellion in Portland when President Trump deployed the National Guard...” — Kristin Goodwin [02:21]
Excess of Authority:
Court rules that the deployment was not requested by local leaders or for defending federal property, and exceeded presidential authority.
Trump Administration’s Stance:
Government lawyers defend the deployment as necessary to protect federal property amid unrest.

5. Legal Battle: New York Attorney General Case

(02:59 - 03:32)

Letitia James Moves to Dismiss:
New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, asks a federal judge to dismiss a mortgage fraud case against her.
Political Overtones:
James labels the case “vindictive and politically motivated,” referencing President Trump’s public remarks and broader political tensions.
Charges:
James is accused of lying on mortgage documents for favorable loan terms relating to a Virginia home purchase, pleading not guilty last month.

6. International Update: Gaza War Death Toll

(03:32 - End)

Latest Casualty Figures:
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports just over 69,000 deaths linked to the Israel-Hamas war, with recent increases tied to newly recovered bodies since the ceasefire.

“The latest jump in deaths is attributed to more bodies being discovered under the rubble since the ceasefire was announced in the devastated strip…” — Paul Stevens [03:36]
Return of Bodies:
Israel returns 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, described as progress in the U.S.-brokered truce.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Political Divides:

"Democrats, though, are divided, with some not willing to give up the fight on Obamacare subsidies.” — Madeleine Rivera [00:22]
On National Impacts:

“They want the government shutdown to end and for all the air traffic controllers to get paid.” — Christina Coleman [01:14]
On Judicial Limits:

“The evidence demonstrates that these deployments...exceeded the president’s authority.” — Kristin Goodwin [02:36]
On Legal Motivation:

“Letitia James calls the case vindictive and politically motivated prosecution.” — Lisa Licera [03:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

Senate Shutdown Negotiations: 00:01 – 00:45
Flight Disruptions & Air Traffic Controller Impact: 00:45 – 01:33
Supreme Court on SNAP Funding: 01:33 – 01:59
National Guard Ruling in Portland: 02:15 – 02:59
Letitia James Mortgage Fraud Case: 02:59 – 03:32
Gaza Death Toll Update: 03:32 – End

This episode provides a concise but comprehensive update on the deadlock in Washington and its ripple effects across the nation, alongside key legal decisions and major international news.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:02]
A
Some weekend work. I'm Paul Stevens. FOX News. Lawmakers will try again today to cut a deal and reopen the government, but it's still unclear if both parties can make any headway.
[00:12]
B
The Senate is heading into a rare weekend session to try and end this stalemate. Senate Republicans are hopeful that just enough Democrats may be willing to support a revised spending bill that would fund the government through sometime in January, would also fund the Departments of Agriculture, Veterans affairs and Congress until next fall. Democrats, though, are divided, with some not willing to give up the fight on Obamacare subsidies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a proposal that includes a one year extension of those tax credits. Senate Republicans have slammed the plan, Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling it a nonstarter.
[00:46]
A
And that's Fox's Madeleine Rivera. More than 1,000 flights cut across the US as the federal Aviation Administration says it's trying to take pressure off a short staffed air traffic control system.
[00:58]
C
The FAA reduced air traffic by 4% and plans to increase the flight cuts each day. There's a 10% reduction in flights across 40 airports nationwide, which worries travelers. They want the government shutdown to end and for all the air traffic controllers to get paid. Thousands of air traffic controllers have worked weeks now without pay due to the government shutdown, triggering staffing shortages at some of the country's busiest airports as these controllers deal with mounting financial stress. The FAA reports that last week nearly 80% of air traffic controllers were absent at New York area airport.
[01:33]
A
And that's Fox's Christina Coleman. The U.S. supreme issuing a temporary block on a lower courts order requiring the Trump White House to fully fund the snap program amid the government shutdown. That decision coming shortly after a federal appeals court on Friday denied a Trump administration request to temporarily block that lower court ruling. America is listening to FOX News.
[01:59]
D
It's Will Caine COUNTRY Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@foxnews.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.
[02:16]
A
A judge is permanently blocking President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon.
[02:22]
E
A U.S. district judge in Oregon finding there was neither a rebellion or danger of a rebellion in Portland when President Trump deployed the National Guard to the city, issuing a permanent injunction against the Guard. Call up the judge explaining the evidence demonstrates that these deployments, which were objected to by Oregon's governor and not requested by the federal officials in protection of the ICE building, exceeded the president's authority. The decision coming after the judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deployment, which the Trump administration had appealed. Lawyers for the government arguing the president sent troops to protect federal property, saying his determination was amply justified by the facts on the ground. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.
[02:59]
A
New York's attorney general, meantime asking a federal judge to dismiss a mortgage fraud case that she's facing.
[03:06]
F
Letitia James calls the case vindictive and politically motivated prosecution. The legal motion had been a expected and lays out comments President Trump made designed to show the personal animus the president has against her over her suit against him and his companies. In her capacity as State Attorney General, A.G. james is accused of lying on mortgage papers to get favorable terms when she bought a home in Virginia. She pled not guilty last month in New York, Lisa Licera, FOX News.
[03:32]
A
Gaza's health ministry says that the number of deaths connected to the Israel Hamas war has climbed to just over 69,000, another 171. The latest jump in deaths is attributed to more bodies being discovered under the rubble since the ceasefire was announced in the devastated strip and also because of identification of previously unidentified bodies. Today's announcement coming after Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza. The exchange marking another step forward for the tenuous U S brokered truce. I'm Paul Stevens. This is FOX News.