The House passes a key procedural vote on government funding to end the partial shutdown.

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – February 3, 2026

Main Theme

This episode delivers an overview of major political, defense, and science news with a focus on the U.S. House’s procedural vote to resolve a partial government shutdown, escalating tensions in the Middle East, developments in congressional investigations, and updates on NASA’s Artemis moon mission.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown & Funding Bill

• [00:03] The U.S. House has advanced a critical procedural vote that brings Congress closer to ending a partial government shutdown. A final vote is expected later in the day.
• The proposed spending package funds most government agencies through September and allows several weeks for additional negotiations on homeland security funding.
• Republican Leadership’s Perspective:
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson:
    • Quote:

      “Republicans have demonstrated over and over that we are the grownups in the room. We are the ones that are governing. We are the ones that are funding the government. We are the ones that are providing the vital services and trying to make government work more efficiently and effectively for everyone.”
      (00:14, Speaker Mike Johnson)

• Democratic Pushback:
  • Democrats advocate for changes to immigration enforcement, citing deadly confrontations involving ICE and Border Patrol.
  • California Congressman Ted Lieu:
    • Quote:

      “Border Patrol interior operations are out of control. Not only did they kill two civilians last month, but you see continuing videos and stories of their abuses.”
      (00:35, Rep. Ted Lieu)

• White House Stance:
  • The administration continues to back ICE while President Trump signals readiness for “good faith” negotiations to address Democratic concerns.

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2. U.S.–Iran Tensions & Military Action

• [00:47] U.S. military confirmed it shot down an Iranian drone that approached a Navy aircraft in the Arabian Sea.
• CENTCOM reports that two Iranian Navy gunboats attempted to seize a U.S.-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, but the USS McFaul and U.S. Air Force intervened.
• The incident follows President Trump’s threats of possible military action toward Iran. Direct U.S.–Iran talks on Iran’s nuclear program are imminent, but it is unclear if other issues will be broached.
• U.S. military buildup in the region continues in response to these threats.

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3. Weaponization of the Justice System Panel Changes

• [02:15] A Justice Department panel investigating alleged politicization of law enforcement has dropped Ed Martin, President Trump’s pardon attorney, from its roster.
• Background Notes:
  • Martin was nominated to be U.S. attorney for D.C., but the nomination was rescinded after bipartisan objections—mainly due to his actions surrounding January 6, 2025.
  • He has led the White House pardon office since March, reviewing clemency applications.
• Jared Halpern, FOX News:

  “The Justice Department's Weaponization Working Group, created last year, is tasked with examining claims federal law enforcement was used to target political opponents in previous administrations.”

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4. Congressional Oversight – Epstein Probe

• [03:01] Bill and Hillary Clinton have finalized an agreement to testify before the House Oversight Committee about their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, after previously risking contempt charges for not appearing.

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5. NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Delay

• [03:18] Technical difficulties, specifically hydrogen fuel leaks, have pushed back the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission—the first planned crewed flight of the SLS rocket and Orion capsule.
• Astronaut Reid Wiseman:
  • Quote:

    “I went on a walk with my, with my kids. I told them, here's where the will is, here's where the trust documents are. And if anything happens to me, here's what's going to happen to you. And that's just, that is a part of this life.”
    (03:42, Cmdr. Reid Wiseman)

• All four Artemis II crew members have exited pre-flight quarantine. NASA now aims for a March launch window.

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6. Market Update

• [04:01] The Dow Jones is down 375 points as the morning session concludes.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mike Johnson on Republicans’ Role in Governance:
  “We are the ones that are funding the government. We are the ones that are providing the vital services...” (00:14)
• Rep. Ted Lieu on Immigration Enforcement:
  “Not only did they kill two civilians last month, but you see continuing videos and stories of their abuses.” (00:35)
• Astronaut Reid Wiseman on Risks:
  “If anything happens to me, here's what's going to happen to you. And that's just, that is a part of this life.” (03:42)

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Structure & Timestamps

• [00:03] Progress toward ending government shutdown; partisan perspectives on funding and immigration
• [00:47] U.S.–Iran defense incidents and implications for foreign policy
• [02:15] Changes to the DOJ panel on weaponization of law enforcement
• [03:01] Clinton testimony in Epstein investigation
• [03:18] NASA Artemis II delay and astronaut commentary
• [04:01] Market wrap-up

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This concise episode gives listeners rapid-fire updates on the top headlines, blending political developments, national security, science milestones, and economic data, complete with direct speaker attribution and on-the-ground responses.

Transcript

[A]

One step closer to ending a shutdown. Lisa Brady, FOX News. A spending package just clearing a procedural hurdle in the US House, setting up a final vote expected later today to end a partial government shutdown.

[B]

Republicans have demonstrated over and over that we are the grownups in the room. We are the ones that are governing. We are the ones that are funding the government. We are the ones that are providing the vital services and trying to make government work more efficiently and effectively for everyone.

[A]

House Speaker Mike Johnson as Democrats push for changes in immigration enforcement operations after deadly confrontations. California Congressman Ted Lieu Trump's ICE and.

[B]

Border Patrol interior operations are out of control. Not only did they kill two civilians last month, but you see continuing videos and stories of their abuses.

[A]

The administration has defended ICE agents enforcing immigration laws, but President Trump has said he'll negotiate in good faith to address issues raised. The proposed bill now in the House would allow a few weeks for talks on homeland security funding while funding most of the rest of government through September. The US Military, military just confirming it, shot down an Iranian drone that approached a US Navy aircraft in the Arabian Sea aggressively and with unclear intent. CENTCOM also says two Iranian Navy gunboats threatened to board and seize a U. S Flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Those gunboats making three approaches at high speeds telling the US Crew they would board. A CENTCOM spokesman tells Fox News the guided missile destroyer USS McFaul was operating nearby and responded immediately, along with support from the U.S. air Force. Today's incidents come as President Trump has threatened middle military action on Iran. On Friday, the US And Iran are expected to hold direct nuclear talks, though they are expected to focus on Iran's nuclear program. It's not clear yet if other issues will also be discussed. The president has been building up U.S. forces in the region. America is listening to Fox News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the.

[B]

52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[A]

A newly formed panel on weaponization of the justice system no longer includes President Trump's pardon attorney.

[B]

The Justice Department's Weaponization Working Group, created last year, is tasked with examining claims federal law enforcement was used to target political opponents in previous administrations. But as the group begins meeting more frequently, a controversial figure on the panel has been removed. Pardon attorney Ed Martin. Martin. Martin offended many Americans charged with crimes after the January 6 Capitol riot last year, he was nominated by President Trump as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, but that nomination was pulled following bipartisan concerns. Since March, he's led the White House pardon office, reviewing applications for clemency at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[A]

Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton are now due before the House Oversight Committee's Jeffrey Epstein probe later this month, finalizing an agreement to testify after facing a potential contempt charge for failing to appear. A key flight is delayed on NASA's journey back to the moon.

[B]

NASA has delayed the launch of the Artemis 2 moon mission after liquid hydrogen, fuel leaks and other problems during testing overnight. Safety is the top priority because this will be the first flight of NASA's massive Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft with astronauts on board. Last month, Artemis 2 mission commander Reid Wiseman spoke candidly about the calculated risks involved with humanity's return to the moon. I went on a walk with my, with my kids. I told them, here's where the will is, here's where the trust documents are. And if anything happens to me, here's what's going to happen to you. And that's just that is a part of this life. Weissman and his three fellow crew members have been released from their pre flight quarantine. At Johnson Space center in Houston, fox's.

[A]

Jonathan Serry, NASA now plans to aim for the March launch window after a mixed morning stocks heading south, The Dow's now down 375. And Lisa Brady, FOX News News.