GOP Stopgap Bill Fails, Battle For Ukrainian Town, Syria's Interim Government

Summary

Up First from NPR – December 20, 2024

NPR Hosts: Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez

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1. Government Shutdown Standoff: GOP Stopgap Bill Fails

The episode opens with a critical situation in Washington, D.C., where Congress faces a looming deadline to fund the federal government by midnight. The bipartisan bill, initially seen as a viable stopgap measure, failed to secure the necessary votes, leading to a potential government shutdown.

Key Developments:

• Bipartisan Effort Undermined: The proposed bipartisan bill included essential funding for disaster assistance, farm subsidies, and healthcare programs. However, Elon Musk and President-Elect Donald Trump exerted significant pressure on Republicans to oppose the deal. As Michelle Martin explains, "Elon Musk... demanded that Congress kill the deal," [00:31].

• Speaker Mike Johnson’s Plan B: In response to the rejection of the bipartisan approach, House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced an alternative Plan B. Despite these efforts, the plan lacked sufficient support, particularly from within Johnson's own Republican ranks. Deirdre Walsh, NPR’s congressional correspondent, highlights the internal dissent: "A significant block of the Speaker's own Republican colleagues joined most Democrats and tanked it," [03:08].

• Republican Division and Future Implications: The failure of Plan B underscores deep divisions within the Republican Party, especially as members feel compelled to adhere to Trump’s directives. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, vehemently criticized the bill: "To take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it's shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion is asinine," [03:41]. This schism raises concerns about the GOP's ability to govern effectively in the future, potentially hindering their legislative agenda and weakening Speaker Johnson’s leadership ahead of upcoming votes on his position [05:54].

Implications:

The collapse of the stopgap bill intensifies fears of a government shutdown, highlighting the unpredictable and often fractious nature of current U.S. politics. As Deirdre Walsh notes, "This passage weakened Speaker Mike Johnson as he faces another vote in January to stay speaker," [05:54]. The episode paints a picture of a divided Republican Party struggling to find a unified path forward, with significant ramifications for both domestic policies and the upcoming administration transition.

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2. Battle for Pokrovsk: Ukraine's Struggle Against Russian Forces

Shifting focus to international affairs, the podcast delves into the intense battle for Pokrovsk, a strategic Ukrainian town. Russia's relentless attempts to capture the city have resulted in significant casualties without achieving their objectives.

Key Developments:

• Strategic Importance of Pokrovsk: Pokrovsk serves as a crucial transportation hub and coal mining center for Ukraine. Brian Mann, NPR’s correspondent on the ground, emphasizes its importance: "They're vital to Ukraine's army but held Russia back from cutting into the heartland of Ukraine," [06:45]. The fall of Pokrovsk would expose larger cities like Dnipro to greater vulnerability.

• Heavy Casualties and Resilient Defenses: Russia's efforts to seize Pokrovsk have cost them over 3,000 soldiers, with Ukraine successfully defending against superior numbers and relentless drone attacks. Vitaly, a Ukrainian soldier interviewed by Mann, expressed his determination: "If it doesn't work, we at least have to try," [09:02]. Despite the heavy bombardment, Ukrainian forces utilize both defensive strategies and innovative technologies, such as attack drones, to counter Russian advances.

• Human Impact and Civilian Struggles: The conflict has left Pokrovsk devastated, with shattered infrastructure and dwindling civilian presence. Mann observed, "This was a city of 60,000 people... empty gray streets... Ukrainian soldiers, deeply weary," [07:11]. However, a significant number of civilians remain, enduring harsh conditions without basic necessities. Serhiy, an elderly resident, poignantly stated, "I was born here, but now I have to leave," [08:21].

Implications:

The prolonged siege of Pokrovsk exemplifies the broader conflict between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting Ukraine's resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. The strategic defense of Pokrovsk not only inflicts substantial losses on Russian forces but also buys time for Ukraine to fortify other key areas. Mann's report underscores the human cost of the conflict and the unwavering spirit of both soldiers and civilians striving to maintain their homeland's integrity.

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3. Syria's Interim Government: Challenges of Rebuilding Post-Assad

In the Middle East, the podcast explores the aftermath of the Syrian government's collapse following a successful rebel uprising. The newly formed interim government faces the daunting task of unifying a fragmented nation while addressing the infrastructural and societal damages inflicted by years of conflict.

Key Developments:

• Formation of the Interim Government: Following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, the rebel group HTS (Hayat Tahrir Sulayman) established an interim government aimed at fostering inclusivity and rebuilding the war-torn nation. Ahmed Al Shara, HTS leader, outlined the group's vision: "It's time to move on from war to civilization, civilian life," [10:43]. This marks a significant shift from militant governance to a more structured administrative approach.

• Efforts to Rebuild and Reconcile: The interim government has initiated steps to restore normalcy, including reopening schools, restoring ATM services, and resuming domestic flights. Al Shara noted, "Students did go back to school this week... the first domestic flight took off from Damascus International Airport," [11:40]. Additionally, mass protests advocating for a secular state indicate a desire among Syrians for a diversified and democratic society.

• International Engagement and Skepticism: Syria remains isolated internationally, facing stringent sanctions and limited diplomatic relations. Despite this, countries like Qatar and Turkey have reopened their embassies, and the U.S. has sent a diplomatic delegation to Damascus for the first time since 2012. Al Shara expressed optimism about international support: "US Diplomats are now in Damascus... pushing for an inclusive and democratic Syria," [12:51]. However, skepticism persists among Syrians wary of HTS's past affiliations with extremist groups and concerns over potential authoritarian rule.

• Public Sentiment and Civil Society: The resilience of the Syrian people is evident in the recent public gatherings and protests. Sana Mustafa, an exiled activist returning to Syria, conveyed her cautious optimism: "There's a lot of fight in her voice," [12:28]. These grassroots movements signal a strong desire for meaningful reform and a departure from previous oppressive regimes.

Implications:

Syria's transition presents a complex landscape of rebuilding and reconciliation. The interim government's ability to effectively manage the country's diverse demographics and restore essential services will be critical in preventing further instability. International support, coupled with active civil society participation, will play pivotal roles in shaping Syria's future trajectory. However, lingering fears about the resurgence of authoritarianism and the challenges of comprehensive reconstruction remain significant hurdles.

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Conclusion

The December 20th episode of Up First from NPR provides a comprehensive overview of pressing global and national issues. From the intense political maneuvering in Washington and the harrowing defense of Pokrovsk in Ukraine to the intricate challenges facing Syria's fledgling government, the podcast delivers in-depth analysis and firsthand accounts. Notable quotes and on-the-ground reporting enhance the narrative, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of these critical developments.

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Notable Quotes:

• Chip Roy on the GOP Bill: "To take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it's shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion is asinine." [03:41]

• Vitaly, Ukrainian Soldier: "If it doesn't work, we at least have to try." [09:02]

• Sana Mustafa, Syrian Activist: "There's a lot of fight in her voice." [12:28]

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Produced by: Ziad Bach, Nia Demas, Katie Klein
Edited by: Kelsey Snell, Carrie Conn, Ryland Barton, H.J. Mai, Olivia Hampton
Engineering Support: Stacey Abbott
Technical Director: Carly Strange
Executive Producer: Kelly Dickens

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For more in-depth stories and updates, subscribe to Up First on the NPR app or your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

Congress has the deadline of tonight to fund the federal government.

[Steven Skibe]

Elon Musk and President Elect Trump instructed Republicans to kill a bipartisan plan. Then the House rejected Trump's preferred alternative. What now?

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Michelle Martin. That's Steven Skibe. And this is up first from NPR News. Russia's army has lost thousands of soldiers trying to capture a single Ukrainian town. Ukraine's army has defended against superior numbers and swarms of drones. We will listen as one of of those drones is shot down.

[Steven Skibe]

Also, a rebel group toppled Syria's government with surprising ease. Now it's their job to build a new government that includes everyone in a divided country. How could they do it? Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

[Adil Al Shalchi]

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[David Hare]

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[Adil Al Shalchi]

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[Steven Skibe]

Agencies run out of money at midnight tonight. It is not clear how Congress will do one of the most basic parts of its job, which is to fund the daily operations of the federal government.

[Michelle Martin]

It's been a busy week, but that didn't get done. So let's review. Lawmakers were on track for a bipartisan bill to manage the next few months while A new administration takes charge. It added disaster assistance, farm subsidies, and some money for health care programs. Then Elon Musk, the world's richest man, demanded that Congress kill the deal. President elect Trump followed the lead of his close advisor, telling Republicans to turn against their plan. House Speaker Mike Johnson came up with a Plan B. And that failed.

[Steven Skibe]

Last night, just taking a breath, NPR congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh has been covering all of this and is up early once again. Hi there, Deirdre.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steven Skibe]

Why did Plan B fail?

[Deirdre Walsh]

It failed because a significant block of the Speaker's own Republican colleagues joined most Democrats and tanked it. Even after President elect Trump endorsed the deal, this Republican deal, and threatened primary challengers for any Republican lawmaker who voted no. Most House conservatives who voted against this criticized the decision, at Trump's insistence, to add a two year increase to the country's borrowing authority without any spending cuts. Texas Republican Chip Roy was one of them. And he chastised his Republican colleagues on the House floor.

[Chip Roy]

To take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it's shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion is asinine.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Republicans were essentially daring Democrats to vote no on this latest plan and argued they were the ones who wanted a shutdown. But Democrats opposed adding the debt limit and said provisions in the original bipartisan deal, things like lowering drug costs, funding children's cancer research, preventing China from getting access to US Technologies, were dumped out because Elon Musk was advising Trump and was looking out for his own interests. And Democrats took a swipe at the President elect, suggesting someone else was also was actually calling the shots. And they call it Musk, President Musk.

[Steven Skibe]

I'm just thinking about pure numbers in the House of Representatives. They needed a two thirds vote. So they needed Democrats to support this, right?

[Deirdre Walsh]

They did.

[Steven Skibe]

And so then they did this thing where they didn't even negotiate with Democrats. So you knew it was going to fail. Then it didn't even get a majority because a lot of Republicans turned against it. And so what's Plan C?

[Deirdre Walsh]

There isn't one. You know, we have hours to go before the midnight deadline, and a shutdown is much more likely. Late last night, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he's regrouping, coming up with a new solution, but he didn't say what that was. It's hard to see what he can do to keep his own party together. And Democrats continue to say the only way out of this to avoid a shutdown is move something that can get bipartisan support.

[Steven Skibe]

So what does this mean if Republicans feel they need to obey President Elect Trump and or Elon Musk in saying no to things, but then they won't even say yes to things necessarily. What does this mean for next year?

[Deirdre Walsh]

I mean, this is a good preview of Trump's unpredictable governing style. I covered the last time Trump was in the White House and Republicans had control of the House and the Senate. And Trump frequently blew up deals cut by Republicans. Then I talked to Nebraska Republican colleague Don Bacon. He said he was troubled that Musk was putting out false information about the original deal. He backed this new plan, but said Trump added a new demand late in the process.

[Chip Roy]

What we took away from the president is the debt ceiling is his number one priority. Would have been hopeful to know that two or three, four weeks ago.

[Deirdre Walsh]

This whole episode weakened Speaker Mike Johnson as he faces another vote in January to stay speaker. And this all just shows how hard it's going to be for Republicans to move their agenda through when they're so divided on this.

[Steven Skibe]

NPR's Deidre Walsh covered the last Trump administration and we'll be covering Congress in this one. Thanks so much.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Thanks, Steve.

[Steven Skibe]

We have a closer look this morning at the battle for one Ukrainian city.

[Michelle Martin]

The city is called Pokrovsk. It's not very large, but it's a transportation hub and a coal mining center. An independent estimate finds Russia's army has sacrificed more than 3,000 soldiers, killed and wounded, trying to capture it, so far without success.

[Steven Skibe]

NPR's Brian Mann made it into Pokrovsk yesterday and joins us. Hey there, Brian.

[Brian Mann]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steven Skibe]

Why does this city matter?

[Brian Mann]

Well, you mentioned Petrovsk is important for its coal and its rail and road connections. They're vital to Ukraine's army but held Russia back from cutting into the heartland of Ukraine. If Pokrovsk falls, cities like Dnipro, home to nearly a million people, will be far more vulnerable. So everyone I met yesterday said this battle is crucial and the fighting is grim.

[Steven Skibe]

Okay, so what did you see when you visited that embattled city?

[Brian Mann]

Well, this was a city of 60,000 people. Yesterday I saw empty gray streets, houses and shops and hotels just shattered by Russian bombs. I met Ukrainian soldiers, deeply weary, worn thin by this fighting. One man who would only give his first name, Vitaly, had just come back from the front lines in an American made Bradley fighting vehicle that had been heavily damaged by a landmine. The situation's pretty bad. Vitaly told me the Russian drones are the worst. He actually used a curse word to describe the hovering machines that rain bombs from the sky. I asked if he thinks Ukraine can hold out in Pokrovsk, and he said, if it doesn't work, we at least have to try. Most military analysts, Steve, say the reality is Russia's army is simply much larger. They have more men, more artillery, and more shells.

[Steven Skibe]

I appreciate this description. Somebody was pointing out to me the other day that this war is like World War I, trench warfare, except with drones overhead all the time and other things that make it more horrifying. Now, you suggested a moment ago that a lot of civilians seem to have left this city that's mostly empty, but are all civilians out of harm's way.

[Brian Mann]

They're not. One of the hardest things I saw yesterday was people still in the streets. Pokrovsk a frightening place. There are Russian drones everywhere. They pummeled the city with grenades and larger bombs. But officials say they think roughly 11,000 Ukrainians are still hunkered down under the threat of this violence, without gas or heat or running water. I met one elderly man who called himself Serhiy, who had turned up yesterday at one of the evacuation points. I didn't want to go because this is my hometown. Serhi told me I was born here, but now I have to leave.

[Steven Skibe]

Well, how have Ukrainian forces been able to hold out against superior Russian numbers?

[Brian Mann]

Well, they're getting creative in part by also using attack drones. I was taken last night to a secret Ukrainian drone command center, where the military let me watch in real time as their drones hunted and killed Russian soldiers. I was speaking to one Ukrainian technician named Yuri at the chilling moment when a Ukrainian drone stopped a Russian attack.

[Chip Roy]

Yeah, there is no Russian anymore. I think he doesn't feel very well.

[Brian Mann]

So what we just saw was actively a bomb drop from that device and struck near that Russia.

[Chip Roy]

Yes, it's all the time here. They have constant assaults. Unfortunately, sometimes it happens they reach our position, and when there's just overwhelming force, we have to move back.

[Brian Mann]

So what I saw yesterday was Ukrainians being as ruthless as they can, trying to hold Porosk. They're making Russians pay a terrible price. But Ukrainian soldiers also acknowledge they're facing assaults by larger units that never seem to end. We've seen Russia slowly advance, and if they do finally take this city, it'll be Russia's biggest, most significant victory in months.

[Steven Skibe]

NPR's Brian Mann, who's been on the front lines near Perkrovsk, Ukraine. Thanks.

[Brian Mann]

Thank you, Steve.

[Steven Skibe]

The rebels who deposed Syria's government now face the challenge of replacing it.

[Michelle Martin]

Yes, they've set up an interim government since Syria's military collapse and President Bashar al Assad fled. Many people celebrated Assad's defeat and then waited to see what the rebel group, known as hts, would do differently. Their challenge is to govern a devastated country with many ethnic and religious groups.

[Steven Skibe]

NPR's Adil Al Shalchi is in Damascus. Hi there.

[Ahmed Al Shara]

Good morning.

[Steven Skibe]

What is the rebels vision for Syria?

[Ahmed Al Shara]

So the leader of hts, which is short for hey at Tahir Sham, is Ahmed Al Shara, formerly known by his nom de ger, Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani. And at least publicly, he's been making all the right noises this week. He said that all rebel factions that helped overthrow Bashar al Assad will be disbanded and absorbed into the Ministry of Defense and that everyone will be subject to the rule of law. He said it's time to move on from war to civilization, civilian life. He's even stopped wearing his fatigues. But Syria is a very diverse country, so HTS needs to find a way to reunite it. And so many cities have been destroyed in the war. So rebuilding the infrastructure is going to be something they'll need to tackle. And then HTS has roots in Al Qaeda. It has told Syrians it won't turn the country into another Afghanistan. But a lot of Syrians are worried. Will they end up imposing a very stringent form of Islamic rule that'll upend their lives?

[Steven Skibe]

Okay, they're saying they're not going to do that stringent rule, but how do their public comments stack up with what they're doing so far?

[Ahmed Al Shara]

Sure. So HTS has been using former Assad regime bureaucrats to get things up and running? They have to. These rebels just don't have the expertise needed to run a country. So students did go back to school this week. ATMs are working again. And even the first domestic flight took off from Damascus International Airport. And then I went to a protest last night, probably the first mass gathering in more than a decade. The site was unimaginable just a couple of weeks ago. People chanting for a secular state against an Islamist state, even some anti HTS slogans. There were some HTS forces guarding the area also, but they were pretty much left the protesters alone. I met Sana Mustafa at the protest and she was exiled for 11 years for being a Syrian activist. This was her first time back. And she said, yes, she feels fear and is cautious, but there was a lot of fight in her voice.

[Adil Al Shalchi]

There's a lot of courage and strength within me as long as I am with my people, that if we were able to topple like the 53 years old dictatorship then. I'm definitely not worried about those guys.

[Steven Skibe]

So they inherit now this country that is very isolated in the world, all kinds of international sanctions and everything else. Do you get the impression that the new rulers are wanting to engage with the world and that the world is ready to engage with them?

[Ahmed Al Shara]

Right. So we already know that countries like Qatar and Turkey have opened up their embassies. And then even though the French embassy is still closed, it raised its flag there over the past week. The French Foreign Ministry said it was a show of solidarity with the Syrian people in this time of, quote, transition and seniors. US Diplomats are now in Damascus, the first official diplomatic delegation to enter the capital since it severed ties in 2012. They're meeting with HTS. I want to make it clear that they are pushing for an inclusive and democratic Syria. Now they are designated a terrorist organization and they are desperate for the US to drop that so that it can get aid, desperate aid to rebuild the country. Also with the delegation is the US Top hostage negotiator and he's going to be pressing for any more information about the missing American journalist Austin Tice.

[Steven Skibe]

We've got a couple seconds left. So I just want to ask you, you're walking around Damascus, are things still relatively calm day by day?

[Ahmed Al Shara]

You know, it's not so bad. The traffic is pretty bad. But I saw yesterday a couple of traffic controllers. There's just a few of them, but they're really trying very hard. I went to the main market in the old city and it was buzzing with people. You could see that people were just very happy, you know, taking selfies and telling me also that this was their first time in the souk. So, yeah, it's, it's pretty cool.

[Steven Skibe]

It's good if you can get back to worrying about traffic. NPR's Adil Al Shalchi, thanks so much.

[Ahmed Al Shara]

You're welcome, Steve.

[Steven Skibe]

And that's up first for this Friday, December 20th. I'm Steve Inskeep.

[Michelle Martin]

And I'm Michelle Martin. We hear it up first give you the three big stories of the day. Our consider this colleagues take a different approach. They dive into a single news story and what it means to you in just 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steven Skibe]

I want you to know the names of some of our colleagues who bring you up first in this holiday season. Today's episode was edited by Kelsey Snell, Carrie conn, Ryland Barton, H.J. mai and Olivia Hampton. It was produced by Ziad Bach, Nia Demas, and Katie Klein. We get engineering support from the ever supportive Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Carly Strange and our executive producer is Kelly Dickens. Join us tomorrow.

[Adil Al Shalchi]

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[David Hare]

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[Adil Al Shalchi]

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