The Fight at the Center of the Government Shutdown

The Daily

10/02/25

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21m

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As the U.S. government shutdown enters its second day, Democrats are trying to underline that the growing political fight is all about the rising cost of health care.

The New York Times journalists Margot Sanger-Katz and Shane Goldmacher explain why the Democrats are betting on this strategy and who is to blame for the impasse.

Guest:

Margot Sanger-Katz, a reporter for The New York Times who covers health care policy and government spending.
Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The Trump administration forged ahead with plans to conduct mass layoffs as the fiscal standoff appeared to intensify.
President Trump has made lowering health care costs a key priority, even as Democrats warn that those costs will skyrocket.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Previous Episode

The Democrats’ Big Shutdown Gamble

October 1, 2025

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37m

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.

In an episode recorded from the Capitol, Catie Edmondson and Carl Hulse, New York Times reporters who cover Congress, tell us what the decision-making looked like inside the building before the shutdown.

Then, we have an interview with Senator Chuck Schumer. He explains why he pursued the shutdown in the moments before the vote.

Guest:

Catie Edmondson, a congressional correspondent for The New York Times.
Carl Hulse, the chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times.
Senator Chuck Schumer, minority leader of the United States Senate.

Background reading:

The shutdown of the U.S. government entered its first full day with no hint that either side would give.
Here’s how congressional leaders are positioning themselves.

Photo: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Next Episode

The Question of Palestinian Statehood

October 3, 2025

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29m

The suffering in the Gaza Strip has fueled international pressure on Israel to end the war and pushed western powers to recognize a Palestinian state. The isolation was on display last week at the United Nations.

Jessica Cheung, a producer for “The Daily,” speaks to Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., about what Palestinian statehood means to him.

Then, Mark Landler, the London bureau chief of The New York Times, discusses what the recognition means without the support of the United States and Israel, which was underscored in their new peace plan.

Guest: