logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
12m 50s

Democrats' Shutdown Pressure, SNAP Deadl...

NPR
About this episode
Democrats are facing growing pressure to end the government shutdown as millions brace to lose food aid and health care costs surge. A federal judge weighs whether to force the Trump administration to keep SNAP benefits flowing for 42 million Americans as funding runs out. And President Trump says the U.S. should resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in decades, a move experts warn could reignite a global arms race.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Catherine Laidlaw, Kelsey Snell, Brett Neely, Mohamad ElBardicy and Ally Schweitzer.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas

We get engineering support from David Greenberg. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

Our executive producer is Jay Shaylor.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Up next
Yesterday
New Economic Pressure On Iran, Iran Warns Neighbors, Tariff War With Canada
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to unveil new economic pressure measures on Iran today as President Trump pushes an “Economic D-Day” aimed at cutting off any country that still provides Tehran a lifeline.Iran is vowing to neutralize the United States' economic war an ... Show More
13m 6s
Aug 23
A visit to the remote Pacific island ecosystem losing protections
A thousand miles south of Hawaii, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a series of tiny islands form an atoll, called Palmyra. Palmyra Atoll is part of four protected U.S. marine monuments, forming the country’s largest environmental conservation area. It is also home to a thrivin ... Show More
26m 17s
Aug 22
IndyCar in DC; Fresh Tariffs on Canadian Goods; National Debt Hits $40 Trillion
The IndyCar Grand Prix comes to the nation's capital. And, Canada's prime minister suspended trade talks with the U.S., bringing new 50 percent tariffs on a host of Canadian imports. Plus, we'll look at the national debt, which hit $40 trillion earlier this week.See pcm.adswizz.c ... Show More
15m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
SNAP cuts, nukes and Halloween
Nearly 42 million Americans are about to lose their SNAP food benefits as the government shutdown enters its second month. President Donald Trump orders the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing, and the order causes confusion. And King Charles strips Prince Andrew of his ro ... Show More
11m 38s
Nov 2025
Shutdown Nears Record as Crucial Week Begins
A.M. Edition for Nov. 3. Democrats are pressing President Trump to come to the table as the government shutdown nears a record 35 days. Plus, WSJ’s Chelsey Dulaney breaks down why Europe’s former economic heavyweights are falling behind their southern neighbors. And we dig into t ... Show More
11m 56s
Oct 2025
Will Trump Deploy Nuclear Option?
With millions of Americans on the brink of hunger, President Trump has a plan to end the government shutdown by deploying the "nuclear option" ... The crisis in the Caribbean continues, with Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba desperately trying to recover from the devastation of Hurricane M ... Show More
44m 32s
Sep 2025
Can Democrats Win a Shutdown Fight?
A government shutdown appears inevitable after Democratic leaders and President Trump fail to reach a deal to extend soon-to-expire Affordable Care Act subsidies. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss what Democrats will need to do to win this shutdown fight and then check in on the lat ... Show More
1h 12m
Sep 2025
Shutdown looms, Trump-Pfizer deal, tropical traffic jam & more
We begin with a crucial, last-minute vote that could decide whether the government will shut down tonight. Hamas is under a tight deadline to review a new US peace plan. We have updates on the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Trump announced new efforts to lower drug ... Show More
6m 19s
Nov 2025
Senate Expected In Session Saturday, But Unlikely To Vote To Reopen Gov.
Shutdown frustration is sky high, SNAP recipients are on the edge, government workers don’t have a paycheck. Are government lawmakers any closer to making a deal? Plus, prices are up, consumer confidence hits a three year low, layoffs are skyrocketing, but a defiant Donald Trump ... Show More
46m 31s
Oct 2025
The Democrats’ Big Shutdown Gamble
<p>The U.S. government shut down on Wednesday morning. For the Democrats, it is an act of resistance against President Trump’s second-term agenda. The question is now whether their gamble will pay off or backfire.</p><p>In an episode recorded from the Capitol, Catie Edmondson and ... Show More
37m 33s