Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: Government Shutdown ENDING! We Explain When & How

Date: November 10, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

Overview

In this episode, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson deliver an in-depth, behind-the-scenes assessment of the deal to end the historic 40-day government shutdown. They break down the bipartisan process that led to reopening, lay out the procedural steps ahead, and discuss the implications for government services and ordinary Americans. Additional topics include a new bill Cruz is sponsoring targeting welfare fraud among illegal immigrants and the legislative fight over extending Obamacare subsidies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Shutdown & Reopening Deal

• Timing and Current Status

  • As of Sunday night, a deal to reopen the government has been reached, but the process will take several more days to complete.
  • ["We're going to explain exactly what that means, what the deal was and what the timing is going to be and how that's likely to impact you." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 03:42]

• Why Was There a Shutdown?

  • The government shutdown, referred to as the “Schumer Shutdown,” lasted 40 days due to the Senate’s 60-vote rule to proceed with funding.
  • ["We've had a shutdown, the Schumer Shutdown, for 40 days. 14 different times, Republicans have voted to open the government. 14 times, Democrats have voted no." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 07:16]

• Senate Vote Dynamics

  • Republicans needed 8 Democrats to break the filibuster; got exactly 8 for the deal: Durbin, Hassan, King, Cortez Masto, Kaine, Shaheen, Rosen, and Fetterman.
  • ["Those are the eight. We got exactly what we needed. We ended up with 60 votes, not 61... But getting eight is important." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 08:10]

• Key Terms of the Deal

  • Continuing Resolution (CR): Funds the government through January 30th, avoiding the common end-of-year funding scramble.
  • Appropriations Included: Agriculture (funds SNAP/food stamps), Military Construction & Veterans Affairs, Legislative branch funding (including security for members of Congress).
  • ["So in this deal, we have, number one, the ag approach... With this appropriation bill, we will fund the food stamps for an entire year. So that will be taken off the table." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 09:36-10:21]

2. Who’s to Blame and the Political Calculus

• Democratic Strategy & Media Narrative

  • Cruz accuses Democrats of maximizing public pain for political leverage, betting media would blame Republicans and Trump.
  • ["They were counting on the media to be dishonest and blame it all on Trump... They're failing part number two, the whole truth." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 10:57]

• Why Only Eight Democrat Votes?

  • Strategic selection based on senators needing political cover.
  • Vulnerable Democrats like Ossoff and Warnock did not vote to reopen, surprising some Republicans.

3. What Happens Next?

• Procedural Delays

  • The government will not reopen instantly. Senate rules allow for additional delays (e.g. requiring intervening days, up to 30-hour holds).
  • Democrats could drag out reopening as late as Friday; likely open by Tuesday or Wednesday.
  • ["My guess is they'll drag it out till Monday or Tuesday. My best guess is the government will open up Tuesday or Wednesday." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 13:36]

• Impact on Services & Travelers

  • Even once open, the return to normal (visa processing, air traffic, national parks, etc.) will be gradual.
  • Ongoing delays and cancellations for travelers until TSA agents and air traffic controllers are reliably back.
  • ["It could easily take several days for people to say, okay, I’m going to come back into work. Now, that doesn’t happen automatically just by flipping a switch." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 23:34]

4. Behind the Scenes: How the Deal Came Together

• Senate Bargaining

  • Reaching “the eight” Democratic votes was choreographed, sometimes involving private assurances that didn’t materialize into public votes.
  • ["There were other Democrats who were telling Republicans privately they were going to vote yes to open the government." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 15:15]

• Role of President Trump

  • Trump engaged directly with senators; confirmed by a speakerphone call at a dinner meeting.
  • ["So we called President Trump, got him on the cell phone... and the president, he was in a good mood, but he was expressing his views emphatically, as he always does." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 32:08]

5. The Fight Over Obamacare Subsidies

• Sunset of Extra Subsidies

  • Democrats wanted to extend pandemic-era $50B insurance company subsidies, set to expire at the end of December.
  • Part of the shutdown deal is a promised vote on extending these subsidies—Republicans anticipate defeating the measure.

• Trump’s Position & Social Media Messaging

  • Trump sent out a message (written with Cruz’s input) condemning further payouts to insurance companies, calling for expansion of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) instead.
  • ["No, we’re not going to give money to health insurance companies. Instead, we’re going to expand health savings accounts so you, the individual, have control over your own healthcare." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 38:40]

• Insurance Profits Highlighted

  • Cruz provided a detailed breakdown of stock price increases for major insurers since Obamacare passed:
  • (Aetna +595%, Centene +604%, Molina +859%, Humana +490%, Anthem +414%, Cigna +822%, UnitedHealth +1,177%.)
  • ["That is a 1,177% increase. That’s what Obamacare did. It massively increased the profits of the health insurance companies." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 38:06]

6. Cruz’s "Deporting Fraudsters Act"

• Bill Overview

  • Makes welfare fraud—especially illegal immigrants fraudulently obtaining SNAP/food stamps and other benefits—a statutory ground for deportation.
  • ["Right now, welfare fraud, fraudulently taking government assistance benefits is not a deportable offense under the immigration laws. This law will change that." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 41:43]

• Statistics Shared

  • 48% of households headed by illegal immigrants receive food-related welfare
  • 96% of the children in households headed by non-citizens are U.S.-born, demonstrating exploitation of eligibility rules
  • Recent fraud losses and future projections outlined (up to $15B over the next decade)

• Partisan Divide

  • Cruz underscores that Democratic leaders are firmly against this proposed reform.
  • ["Today’s Democrat Party, it is all for giant health insurance corporations, it is all for illegal immigrants." —Sen. Ted Cruz, 44:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the shutdown process:
  “We finally have a deal. And we got the votes that are necessary to reopen the government… we finally got the eight Democrats we needed.” —Sen. Ted Cruz (07:16)

• On Democrat tactics:
  “Their strategy is maximize the pain on the American people… they were counting on the media to be dishonest and blame it all on Trump.” —Sen. Ted Cruz (10:57)

• On who suffers:
  “None of them are being paid. They all missed their last paycheck… How do I pay my mortgage? … So what is happening with both TSA agents and controllers? They’re calling in sick. They’re just not showing up.” —Sen. Ted Cruz (21:54)

• On Obamacare subsidies:
  “No deal. Republicans should give money directly to your personal health savings accounts…” —Donald Trump, as read by Sen. Ted Cruz (33:43)

• On priorities:
  “It is all for giant health insurance corporations, it is all for illegal immigrants, it is all for violent criminals… It’s all for everyone except the average American citizen.” —Sen. Ted Cruz (44:07)

Key Timestamps

• [03:09] — Opening: Current uncertainty about the shutdown, Cruz just off Senate floor
• [07:02] — Explaining the vote, getting to 60 votes, the eight Democrats needed
• [09:36] — Appropriations funded: Agriculture (SNAP), Military Construction/VA, Legislative
• [10:57] — Discussion of the Democrat shutdown strategy
• [12:58] — Explaining the drawn-out reopening process and possible delays
• [15:15] — Strategic voting behind the eight Democrat votes, surprises
• [21:54] — Expected delays in returning to normal for air travel and other federal services
• [30:18] — Behind the Obamacare subsidy fight; Trump’s phone call and messaging
• [38:06] — Insurance profits due to Obamacare, and their political donations
• [41:43] — Introduction and explanation of the Deporting Fraudsters Act
• [44:07] — Partisan summary of the bill’s opposition

Episode Tone and Style

Direct, combative, and partisan—Cruz and Ferguson use vivid language, point-blank accusations, and rhetorical flair to frame the legislative fight in sharp left-versus-right terms. There’s an explicit effort to both inform and “arm” listeners with conservative talking points.

Conclusion

This episode unpacks a consequential shutdown deal, clarifies the Senate process behind government funding, and aims to highlight ideological contrasts around welfare and healthcare. Senator Cruz outlines forthcoming votes and legislation, providing supporters with data and arguments to use in ongoing policy debates. The reopening of the government, while finally set in motion, will come with lagging challenges for federal services and travelers in the week ahead.