What A Day – "Inside the Deal to End the Shutdown"
Date: November 10, 2025
Host: Josie Duffy Rice (in for Jane Coaston)
Guest: Stephen Newcomb (Congressional Reporter, Axios)
Episode Overview
This episode unpacks the latest developments in what has become the longest government shutdown in American history. With a newly brokered bipartisan deal potentially bringing the standoff to an end, host Josie Duffy Rice interviews Axios congressional reporter Stephen Newcomb. They discuss the contents and politics of the shutdown-ending package, the fate of SNAP benefits amid a legal tug-of-war, political fallout for Democratic leadership, and the broader implications for healthcare and federal workers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Shutdown Deal: What's in the Package?
[02:17 – 03:20]
- Stopgap Measure: Funds the government through the end of January 2026.
- Three Full-Year Spending Bills: Including Military Construction/VA funding ($153B), which is a major win for Democrats hoping to fully fund key agencies.
- Democratic Concessions & Wins:
- Rehiring protections for 4,000+ federal employees laid off during the shutdown (details still being finalized).
- Most of the severe Trump-proposed spending cuts are NOT included (e.g., Government Accountability Office funding remains intact).
- Not Achieved: Democrats do NOT secure an immediate extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies but do get a promise for a Senate vote next month.
Notable Quote:
"It's sort of formed around a short term stopgap spending bill that would go through the end of this year... a big victory for Democrats who want to see some of the agencies fully funded."
— Stephen Newcomb [02:26]
2. How Did the Impasse Break?
[03:20 – 05:49]
- Recent Democratic electoral wins in Virginia and New Jersey emboldened Senate Democrats, reinforcing their stance.
- After it became clear their preferred clean ACA-extension bill would not move forward, moderate Democrats negotiated with Republicans.
- Procedures mean the Senate could still take several days to pass the measure unless progressives (like Bernie Sanders & Chris Murphy) give unanimous consent to speed the process.
- There is likely to be left-wing opposition to the deal’s concessions.
Notable Quote:
"There's nothing that the left can do to stop this bill from passing [if moderates are on board]."
— Stephen Newcomb [05:39]
3. The ACA Subsidy Dilemma
[05:49 – 08:15]
- The promised Senate vote in December on renewing ACA subsidies is not a guarantee of passage; 60 votes are needed, and House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes it.
- Republicans are considering alternatives, such as income caps on subsidies (championed by Senator Bill Cassidy), or questioning the ACA model outright.
- The left, led by Bernie Sanders, renews calls for "Medicare for All."
Notable Quote:
"The reality is that there's just no path forward for this extension, even if it were to pass the Senate against all odds in December."
— Stephen Newcomb [06:40]
4. SNAP Benefits in Crisis
[08:15 – 09:37 / 13:13 – 14:33]
- Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused a lower court order to fully fund federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits, putting millions in limbo.
- The Agriculture Department instructed states to "undo" previously distributed benefits.
- State leaders in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin openly defy federal orders or allocate state funds to keep SNAP running.
- Unlike furloughed workers, missed SNAP benefits are not retroactively paid.
Notable Quotes:
"Those SNAP payments, those aren't accrued... you don't get [back-payments] from the missed... You just don't have the money to buy food."
— Stephen Newcomb [08:49]
"And I have also authorized $62 million to go towards SNAP..."
— Gov. Wes Moore (Maryland), paraphrased [14:18]
"No."
— Gov. Tony Evers (Wisconsin), on returning federal food aid [14:33]
5. The Political Fallout and What to Watch Next
[09:37 – 10:38]
- Democratic Senate leadership, especially Chuck Schumer, may face sharp criticism from the left for a deal that does not lock in healthcare subsidies.
- The promised ACA vote is seen as insufficient by progressives.
- Political positioning over the shutdown may influence future elections and internal party dynamics.
Notable Quote:
"Look at the fallout for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer... He could face some pretty serious criticism from his left just in terms of the structure of the deal."
— Stephen Newcomb [09:50]
6. Trump’s “$2,000 Dividend” and Tariff Claims
[15:21 – 16:18]
- President Trump announces on social media a "dividend of at least $2,000 a person... from tariffs," but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant walks this back, pointing instead to potential tax deductions.
- Stephanopoulos, ABC: “Is that true?”
- Bessant’s evasive answers prompt host ridicule.
Notable Quotes:
"It could be the tax decreases that we are seeing on the president's agenda... no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security..."
— Scott Bessant [15:28]
"Just say no, we're not going to get that money, Scott. You know it, we know it. Just be honest."
— Josie Duffy Rice [15:45]
7. Other Headlines & Global News
[16:18 – 19:09]
- Ongoing Israel-Gaza truce issues: Return of remains & further violence.
- Jared Kushner returns to Israel to push for ceasefire negotiations.
- BBC leadership resigns over edited footage of Trump’s Jan. 6 speech; controversy centers on misleading cuts.
Notable Quotes:
"[The BBC] spliced together two clips that took place 54 minutes apart."
— Gordon Raynor (Telegraph), paraphrased [18:29]
8. Memorable, Lighthearted Moments
- Opening joke about Trump racing to his golf course:
"If only golf courses were federal agencies, the shutdown would have lasted like 14 seconds, tops."
— Josie Duffy Rice [00:23] - Host’s commentary on evasive political answers injects dry humor throughout.
Important Timestamps
- 00:02 – 02:15: Introduction & context of the shutdown deal
- 02:17 – 09:37: Josie’s full interview with Stephen Newcomb
- 13:13 – 14:33: State pushback on SNAP and federal directives
- 15:21 – 16:18: Trump’s tariff/dividend claims and response
- 16:18 – 19:09: Global and media headlines (Israel/Gaza, BBC controversy)
Concluding Note
The episode provides concise yet thorough insight into the high-stakes negotiations poised to end the government shutdown, the political levers in play, and the practical impact on American lives—especially the most vulnerable. The hosts and guest maintain an accessible, informative, and occasionally wry tone, making this episode a valuable listen for anyone seeking to understand the current political impasse and its ramifications.