Squawk Pod - Episode Summary

Episode: Progress in DC & Tips for Travel Chaos with The Points Guy
Date: November 10, 2025
Podcast: Squawk Pod by CNBC
Hosts: Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, Andrew Ross Sorkin
Key Guests: Emily Wilkins (Capitol Hill reporter), Don Peebles (Real Estate Developer), Contessa Brewer (CNBC Reporter), Brian Kelly (The Points Guy)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the latest federal government shutdown negotiations in Washington and the effects on travel chaos in the U.S. It covers the political dynamics behind reopening the government, the economic and demographic shifts in New York and Florida, a major sports betting scandal, and provides real-world travel advice amidst nationwide flight cancellations with expert Brian Kelly.
The tone is lively, candid, and at times irreverent, reflecting the show's typical mix of analysis and banter.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Progress on Ending the Government Shutdown

(02:36 – 09:41)

• Senate Breakthrough: After more than 40 days of shutdown, eight Senate Democrats crossed the aisle, joining Republicans to advance a funding measure.

  • Emily Wilkins: "Congress has broken through the logjam and they now appear to be on this glide path to reopen the government ... hitting that 60 vote threshold." (03:16)
  • The bill funds essential programs (SNAP, agriculture, veterans affairs) for FY2026, with some programs extended only until January 30.

• Back Pay and Health Tax Credits: It reverses attempted firings, secures back pay for federal workers, and promises a vote on healthcare tax credits in December.

  • Andrew Ross Sorkin: "This health care crisis is so severe ... I cannot in good faith support this CR that fails to address the health care crisis." (04:43)

• House Dynamics: The House is still needed to seal the deal; urgency and political posturing continue.

  • Becky Quick: "Why doesn't the House come back now? Because the additional days that it's going to take ... like, hello, come back, put this together." (06:19)
  • Senators like Rand Paul may still pose a threat to speedy passage.

• Political Maneuvering: Senators seeking "cover" for votes, left-wing Democrats frustrated by limited health care progress.

  • Joe Kernen: "Any of the other ones that want to pretend that they're, you know, just holding firm. So if Rand Paul went, they'd easily get one of those other ones ... they're folding." (05:50)
  • Becky Quick: "You can't hold your party together. You can't maintain it. I don't know why you would go around saying, we're going to fight this." (09:44)

2. Travel Chaos & FAA Actions

(06:46 – 09:41, 30:24 – 38:36)

• Private Jet Restrictions: FAA bans most private jets from 12 major airports to address air traffic controller shortages.

  • Joe Kernen: "The faa ... is going to prohibit most private jets at 12 major airports amid air traffic controller shortages." (07:02)
  • Jokes about public figures having to fly commercial stir laughter.

• Airline Cancellations and Delays: Major disruptions continue, with travelers left to navigate minimal communication and support.

  • Becky Quick: "Good luck getting on a plane. They're all canceled. That's why I'm here." (06:37)
  • Brian Kelly: "More than 50% of flights were delayed or canceled yesterday ... we're hearing horror stories, you know, 50 planes in line to take off at LaGuardia and then at the last minute crews timing out." (32:00)

3. Advice for Travelers with The Points Guy, Brian Kelly

(31:38 – 38:36)

Travel Tips and Cautions:

• Stay Proactive & Use Tech:

  • "There's a great app called Flighty ... Often they'll alert you before the airline does. The airline email systems are overwhelmed." (32:50)
  • "Your flight may be canceled, but don't assume the airline is going to even notify you, let alone rebook you." (01:37, 32:50)

• Refunds Over Vouchers:

  • "If you don't want to travel, don't take a voucher, take the full refund. DOT rules. Even if it's for the shutdown, take the refund because, you know, cash is better than any airline." (33:13)

• Impacts of the Shutdown Lasting Weeks:

  • "Remember, air traffic controllers and TSA agents still aren't getting paid ... it's going to be a while before we're back to normal." (30:24, 34:06)

• Book Backup Options Using Points:

  • "Always say book a secondary option on another airline, especially using your points ... you can cancel and get your points back free of charge up until departure." (35:02)

• Practical Survival Strategies:

  • "Go to the bathroom before the plane takes off for a taxiway ... it's two, three hour wait times and they will scream at you if you get up." (35:47)
  • "If it's a 10 or 12 hour drive, you should drive instead of flying." (34:41)
  • "For sure take Amtrak on the east coast. When you can just take Amtrak always." (36:38)

• On Flight WiFi and Fees:

  • "Should you be trying to get a refund? Absolutely. Always just do the refund." (37:08)
  • "I had Starlink recently on Qatar Airways. United is rolling out. It's unbelievable, too, apparently." (37:27)

Humorous Moment:

• "People are joking of getting Depends, you know." (36:21 – Brian Kelly, on passengers stuck for hours waiting to take off or deplane.)

4. The Democratic Party's Identity Crisis – Don Peebles Interview

(19:06 – 30:07)

• Peebles' Political Evolution: Once an Obama fundraiser, now feels adrift, saying:

  • "My party has left me because they've got ideals and things that don't reflect my beliefs. I'm not a socialist. I believe in a free market system." (17:04, 29:27)

• Migration Trends:

  • "The volume of interest is picking up rapidly for condos and single family homes in Miami and Palm Beach and Broward county." (01:58, 19:51)
  • Cites a "great migration" of businesses and individuals from NY to Florida/Texas.

• Democratic Party's Future:

  • "I think the Democratic Party is in danger of becoming a long term kind of protest minority party." (21:57)
  • Suggests Democrats can't win nationally with far-left candidates, need moderates to attract swing voters, but primary process makes this difficult.

• On Wealthy New Yorkers Leaving: "45,000 taxpayers pay nearly 50% of the income taxes in New York City. So it doesn't take much of a shift to change that ... It's already changed. That's why they're struggling with their budget right now." (28:21)

• California & National-Level Politics:

  • On Gavin Newsom: "I don't think that California is a success story anywhere in the country. Even in California, it's not a success story. So I don't think you have a platform to run on." (25:19)
  • Calls for a "mirror of Ronald Reagan" moderate Democrat, but doubts their ability to survive the primary process due to the progressive base.

• Regulatory Concerns:

  • "The private sector has to lead, but it can't be handcuffed with absurd regulations. And by the way, I think that's a bigger threat to New York City ... the city council in New York City, it's further left than Mamdani." (29:27)

5. Sports Betting Scandal in Major League Baseball

(12:17 – 16:43)

• The Story: Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, indicted for pitch-fixing to benefit gamblers.

  • Contessa Brewer: "Prosecutors say over the last two years, the players telegraphed their pitches to conspirators, who then bet on the pitches and profited, sharing the winnings." (12:17)
  • The scheme includes large parlay bets and explicit communication during games.

• Industry Concerns:

  • "It's this betrayal of the sport that so many people love that is raising concerns about how fast, how widespread sports gambling has become." (02:15, 15:12)

• Systemic Problem: Leagues may need to reconsider the types of bets offered, as micro-betting enables this abuse.

  • Contessa Brewer: "Can we have a bet available ... that he's going to miss the kick? ... Can it just be to make a field goal?" (15:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Travel Chaos:

  • Brian Kelly: "Your flight may be canceled, but don't assume the airline's gonna even notify you, let alone rebook you." (01:37)
  • Becky Quick: "Good luck getting on a plane. They're all canceled. That's why I'm here." (06:37)
  • Brian Kelly: "People are joking of getting Depends, you know." (36:21)

• On Party Politics:

  • Don Peebles: "My party has left me because they've got ideals and things that don't reflect my beliefs. I'm not a socialist. I believe in a free market system." (17:04, 29:27)
  • Joe Kernen: "The parties moved. Not Don Peoples. Is that or a little bit of both?" (29:08)

• On Sports Betting Scandal:

  • Contessa Brewer: "I really think it's this betrayal of the sport that so many people love that is raising concerns about how fast, how widespread sports gambling has become." (15:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start (MM:SS) | End (MM:SS) | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------| | Government Shutdown Update | 02:36 | 09:41 | | FAA & Private Jet Restrictions | 06:46 | 09:41 | | Trump’s Tariffs & Healthcare Postings | 10:07 | 11:46 | | MLB Sports Betting Scandal | 12:17 | 16:43 | | Don Peebles on Demographics & Dems’ Divide | 19:06 | 30:07 | | Travel Advice with The Points Guy, Brian Kelly| 31:38 | 38:36 |

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive, on-the-ground view of how D.C. gridlock and policy debates continue to ripple through the U.S. economy, from grounded flights to shifting political allegiances and public trust in sport. The travel advice is timely and essential as travelers confront uncertainty, and political commentary from Don Peebles offers a candid look at the volatile state of both parties and national migration trends. The entire discussion reflects Squawk Box’s signature blend of actionable insight, pointed debate, and wry observation.