Democrats' Shutdown Pressure, SNAP Deadline, Nuclear Testing

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🗓️ 31 October 2025

⏱️ 13 minutes

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Summary

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.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	There's mounting pressure on lawmakers to get the government open.
0:06.0	It's not just Democrats. Republicans are suffering too.
0:09.3	We ought to come together and negotiate.
0:11.3	Several unions are calling on the Democrats to give in, will they?
0:15.1	I'mi Martinez. That's Leila Faddle.
0:16.7	And this is up first from NPR News.
0:22.2	Millions of Americans could lose snap food benefits tomorrow.
0:25.7	The Trump administration says it cannot legally dip into emergency funds.
0:29.3	That claim, though, is now in court,
0:30.7	will a judge force the White House to refund the program?
0:33.5	And President Trump says he wants the U.S. to test nuclear weapons again
0:36.7	for the first time in decades.
0:38.9	If we were to start explosively testing nuclear weapons again, so would Russia and China,
0:43.2	and they would be able to close the technical gap with the United States.
0:46.6	So why now? Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.
0:56.5	This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe.
1:01.1	When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees.
1:07.2	Join millions of customers and visit Wise.com. T's and C's apply.
1:12.4	Tomorrow, things are going to get a lot worse for many Americans in the midst of this shutdown.
1:18.6	Snap food benefits will run out for about 42 million people.
1:22.7	Saturday is also when open enrollment begins on federal insurance exchanges and premiums are expected to more
1:28.8	than double on average. Democrats want to extend health care subsidies to keep those costs down,
	...

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