WSJ What’s News: "The Government Shutdown Just Got One Step Closer to Ending"

Airdate: November 10, 2025
Host: Caitlin McCabe
Episode Focus: An in-depth update on the U.S. government shutdown and its path toward resolution, new Trump administration economic measures, escalating pasta tariffs, and Nike’s comeback story.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on significant political and economic developments: key breakthroughs toward ending the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, implications of a proposed $2,000 ‘tariff dividend’ tied to Trump administration policies, the looming disappearance of Italian pasta from American shelves due to tariffs, and Nike’s push to reclaim innovation under its new CEO. The host and various Wall Street Journal correspondents provide expert insights on these issues’ impact for average Americans, businesses, and the broader economy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Progress Toward Ending the U.S. Government Shutdown

• Senate Vote: Eight Democrats joined Republicans (60:40 vote) to advance a spending bill to reopen the government, with Senators Dick Durbin, Tim Kaine, and John Fetterman among them.

  • [00:49] “The Senate took the first step last night toward ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history...” — Caitlin McCabe

• Next Steps: The bill must now be amended by the Senate, sent back to the Republican-led House, and finally be signed by President Trump—a process expected to take several days.

• Key Sticking Point: Extension of certain expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised a vote on this by mid-December, which was vital in rallying Democratic support.
  • [01:57] “The fate of those subsidies had been the main sticking point to reopening the government.” — Siobhan Hughes

• GOP Proposal: Instead of extending subsidies directly, Republicans want to provide health care funds via household flexible spending accounts, covering deductibles/out-of-pocket costs. Some Democrats remain skeptical.

  • [02:17] “A key development...Senate Republicans proposed that some health care funding be provided directly to households instead.” — Caitlin McCabe

• Critical Quote:

  • [03:18] “This agreement funds SNAP and food assistance programs, ensures that law enforcement, air traffic controllers and other federal workers get paid, reverses the president’s recent reckless layoffs and ...gives Congress a clear path forward to protecting people’s health care.” — Senator Maggie Hassan

• Impact: SNAP benefits funding secured, federal workers’ back pay guaranteed, and vital operations across agencies including air travel and food assistance poised for restoration.

• Legal/Court Update: A federal appeals court denied the administration’s bid to delay SNAP benefits; payments must be made within 48 hours unless blocked by the Supreme Court.

  • [03:41] “A federal appeals court has denied the Trump administration’s bid to avoid fully funding federal food assistance benefits for this month.” — Caitlin McCabe

• Travel Disruptions:

  • FAA ordered flight reductions at 40 major airports; cancellations creeping up across the country.
  • [04:46] “More controllers aren’t coming to work day by day ... because Democrats refuse to pay them.” — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

2. Trump’s Proposed $2,000 ‘Tariff Dividend’

• Announcement: President Trump teased a $2,000 payout to Americans as a ‘tariff dividend’—no specifics on mechanics or eligibility.

  • [06:22] “Trump didn’t offer further details in his post about the payouts or who would qualify for them.” — Caitlin McCabe

• Possible Implementation: Treasury Secretary Scott Besant suggested on ABC’s This Week the dividend might arrive through tax cuts—eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and auto loans, for example.

  • [05:52] “The $2,000 dividend could come in lots of forms...it could be just the tax decreases that we are seeing on the president’s agenda.” — Treasury Secretary Scott Besant

• Legal Concerns: Supreme Court expressed skepticism that the president can unilaterally impose widespread tariffs under emergency powers.

3. Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Italian Pasta

• Tariff Details: A combination of "anti-dumping" measures and European product tariffs could result in a 107% tariff on Italian pasta imports.

  • [00:37] “If there really is a 107% tariff imposed on Italian pasta makers, many of these Italian pasta companies will pull out of the US market.” — Margherita Stancati

• Market Impact:

  • Major brands like La Molisana, Rummo, and Pastificio Liguari are likely to leave the U.S. market.
  • [07:21] “...the selection of the pastas available will become much smaller and...many of the brands affected include La Molisana, Rumo, Pastificio Liguari.” — Margherita Stancati

• Italian Response:

  • The Italian government and pasta makers are petitioning the U.S. Department of Commerce to reverse or delay these tariffs.
  • [07:55] “Italian pasta companies have filed briefs...the earliest that we could see these tariffs come into force is January, although it’s possible it will be delayed by a few months.” — Margherita Stancati

• Economic Significance:

  • Italian pasta exports to the U.S. are valued at $700 million annually.

4. Nike’s Innovation Push Amidst Market Pressures

• Leadership and Strategy:

  • CEO Elliot Hill (since Oct 2024) has prioritized putting "the athlete at the center," moving to revive performance innovation and speed up product launch cycles.
  • [09:50] “What Elliot Hill has been saying is that he wants to put the athlete at the center of everything...” — Inti Pacheco

• New Products:

  • Inflatable, temperature-regulating jacket
  • Advanced sweat-wicking fabric
  • Robotic shoe apparatus (“E-bike for your shoes”)
  • Innovative shoe base with independent nodes to enhance focus and sensory feedback
  • [10:45] “They are releasing an inflatable jacket...a new kind of sweat-wicking fabric...a robotic apparatus...a shoe base...with a bunch of holes and nodes...” — Inti Pacheco

• Market Context:

  • Nike had five quarters of declining sales as upstarts (Hoka, On) and established brands (Adidas, New Balance) gained share.
  • [12:45] “Those two companies make about 3 to 4 billion dollars a year in comparison to Nike. That’s not a lot. But...when you put them all together, it’s close to how big Nike is, which wasn’t the case five years ago.” — Inti Pacheco

• Investor Sentiment:

  • Some see it as “too late” for Nike to claw back running dominance; others support the comeback under Hill’s leadership.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Senate Progress:

  • [01:40] “What is clear is that this bill has the support to eventually sail through the Senate.” — Siobhan Hughes

• On Government Services Impact:

  • [03:18] “This agreement funds SNAP and food assistance programs, ensures that law enforcement, air traffic controllers and other federal workers get paid...” — Senator Maggie Hassan

• On Tariff Payouts:

  • [05:52] “The $2,000 dividend could come in lots of forms in lots of ways...no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, deductibility of auto loans...” — Treasury Secretary Scott Besant

• On Pasta Shortage:

  • [07:21] “It doesn’t mean that pasta will completely disappear...but...the selection...will become much smaller and...many of the brands affected...may no longer be available.” — Margherita Stancati

• On Nike’s Direction:

  • [09:50] “What Elliot Hill has been saying is that he wants to put the athlete at the center of everything. And that has brought some direction and clarity as to what the mission for Nike is.” — Inti Pacheco

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18 — Episode Themes Overview
• 00:49-03:41 — Breakdown of the Senate’s Spending Measure and Shutdown Resolution Progress
• 03:41-04:55 — Impact on SNAP, federal workers, and air travel
• 05:52-06:22 — Trump’s $2,000 Tariff Dividend, Administration Comments
• 07:21-07:55 — Italian Pasta Tariffs and Market Impact
• 09:12-13:27 — Nike: CEO Elliot Hill’s Turnaround Strategy

Tone and Style

The episode balances measured analysis with urgency and clarity, typical of WSJ’s reporting style. Direct quotes and color from correspondents and sources are woven throughout to bring immediacy and authority to each fast-evolving story.

Summary:
This episode of WSJ What’s News provides listeners with an authoritative yet accessible guide to today’s biggest political, economic, and business events—from the near-term reopening of the U.S. government and what’s next for federal aid, to fresh uncertainty in American kitchens and boardrooms brought on by tariffs and fierce competition in sportswear. The expert reporting and insider commentary make it essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the evolving moment.