They need to talk about Kevin: America’s near-shutdown

Economist Podcasts

The Economist

News & Politics, News

4.4 • 4.9K Ratings

🗓️ 2 October 2023

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The literal 11th-hour deal to avert a government shutdown is only a stopgap—and the battle may end up costing Kevin McCarthy his post as leader of the House of Representatives. The uptake of electric scooters is significantly outpacing that of four-wheeled vehicles in Asia (10:30). And Britain’s curious “risk registers” put numbers to how the world might end (16:47).

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This economist podcast is sponsored by City. They're not authors, but they help you shape your financial story.
0:07.0	They're not an airline, but they connect global businesses across nearly 160 local markets.
0:12.0	They're not interpreters, but they listen to and understand their clients' needs.
0:16.0	With global expertise and over two centuries of experience, City provides tools, insights and guidance that helps clients thrive.
0:24.0	They're not just any bank. They are City.
0:27.0	Learn more at city.com slash we are City.
0:34.0	Hello and welcome to the Intelligence from the Economist. I'm your host Jason Palmer.
0:39.0	Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.
0:48.0	The electrification of transport is going at different speeds in different markets the world over.
0:54.0	We look at why two and three wheel vehicles are going electric so much faster in Asia.
1:01.0	And what once seemed like an idle bureaucratic exercise in Britain has started to depressingly feel like a bit of necessary contingency planning.
1:10.0	We go through the risk registers to see how to prepare for the end of the world.
1:25.0	But first...
1:33.0	On this vote, the Yays are 335. The Nays are 91.
1:39.0	Two thirds being in the affirmative. The rules are suspended. The bill is passed.
1:45.0	On Saturday, America's Congress stung the world by finally doing what it's supposed to, striking a deal to avoid a government shutdown.
1:55.0	It wasn't much of a glorious outcome. Sure government services can stay open and military and other government workers will get paid.
2:03.0	But it might prove to be a peric victory for Kevin McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives.
2:10.0	Just moments ago on the House floor, we passed by overwhelming numbers the ability to keep government open for the next six weeks.
2:19.0	Six weeks, all this fuss and it's still not a year-long budget authorization.
2:24.0	But the stakes had grown higher as a shutdown had grown nearer and Mr. McCarthy had to change tack at the literal 11th hour.
2:32.0	He snubbed the hardliners in his Republican party and gasp sought the votes of Democrats, like House Minority Leader Haking Jeffries.
	...

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