Deirdre Walsh

This is going to be a huge lift for Republicans. And as you know, they have a really skinny majority in the House. Lawmakers in swing districts are really concerned about Medicaid. And conservatives want more than $1.5 trillion in cuts. They want closer to $2 trillion.

This is going to be a huge lift for Republicans. And as you know, they have a really skinny majority in the House. Lawmakers in swing districts are really concerned about Medicaid. And conservatives want more than $1.5 trillion in cuts. They want closer to $2 trillion.

But even some Republicans, like Missouri Republican Josh Hawley, are warning they're not going to vote for Medicaid cuts, and many working-class Trump voters rely on these programs, and they would be the ones hurt. That is NPR's Deirdre Walsh. Deirdre, thank you. Thank you.

But even some Republicans, like Missouri Republican Josh Hawley, are warning they're not going to vote for Medicaid cuts, and many working-class Trump voters rely on these programs, and they would be the ones hurt. That is NPR's Deirdre Walsh. Deirdre, thank you. Thank you.

But even some Republicans, like Missouri Republican Josh Hawley, are warning they're not going to vote for Medicaid cuts, and many working-class Trump voters rely on these programs, and they would be the ones hurt. That is NPR's Deirdre Walsh. Deirdre, thank you. Thank you.

It does not look like we are heading towards a shutdown. Democrats are not happy with this bill at all. It was written without their input, but enough are expected to join with Republicans to pass it later today. Since the House passed this bill largely along party lines on Tuesday, Senate Democrats have been debating and agonizing about what to do.

It does not look like we are heading towards a shutdown. Democrats are not happy with this bill at all. It was written without their input, but enough are expected to join with Republicans to pass it later today. Since the House passed this bill largely along party lines on Tuesday, Senate Democrats have been debating and agonizing about what to do.

It does not look like we are heading towards a shutdown. Democrats are not happy with this bill at all. It was written without their input, but enough are expected to join with Republicans to pass it later today. Since the House passed this bill largely along party lines on Tuesday, Senate Democrats have been debating and agonizing about what to do.

Do they help Republicans avoid a shutdown or block the bill and trigger one? They say both options are terrible. Last night, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued a shutdown would be worse.

Do they help Republicans avoid a shutdown or block the bill and trigger one? They say both options are terrible. Last night, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued a shutdown would be worse.

Do they help Republicans avoid a shutdown or block the bill and trigger one? They say both options are terrible. Last night, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued a shutdown would be worse.

No, most will vote against it, but we expect enough will join Republicans to get it through. Schumer declined to say how many, but his support does give undecided Democrats the cover to vote yes. Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate, but they have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, and you need 60 to get around a filibuster.

No, most will vote against it, but we expect enough will join Republicans to get it through. Schumer declined to say how many, but his support does give undecided Democrats the cover to vote yes. Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate, but they have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, and you need 60 to get around a filibuster.

No, most will vote against it, but we expect enough will join Republicans to get it through. Schumer declined to say how many, but his support does give undecided Democrats the cover to vote yes. Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate, but they have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, and you need 60 to get around a filibuster.

They are going to need about eight Democrats to join them later today because one of their own, Republican Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, is planning to vote no. Okay, so just walk us through why the Democrats have been and still are so divided on what to do here. Right. It has been a, you know, intense discussions.

They are going to need about eight Democrats to join them later today because one of their own, Republican Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, is planning to vote no. Okay, so just walk us through why the Democrats have been and still are so divided on what to do here. Right. It has been a, you know, intense discussions.

They are going to need about eight Democrats to join them later today because one of their own, Republican Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, is planning to vote no. Okay, so just walk us through why the Democrats have been and still are so divided on what to do here. Right. It has been a, you know, intense discussions.

The Democratic base is really angry about how President Trump and Elon Musk have been slashing the federal government. They want Democrats on Capitol Hill to use this one moment where they actually have some leverage in the minority to fight back. But since Schumer said last night he will vote for this bill, we're already seeing some major blowback from other Democrats.

The Democratic base is really angry about how President Trump and Elon Musk have been slashing the federal government. They want Democrats on Capitol Hill to use this one moment where they actually have some leverage in the minority to fight back. But since Schumer said last night he will vote for this bill, we're already seeing some major blowback from other Democrats.

The Democratic base is really angry about how President Trump and Elon Musk have been slashing the federal government. They want Democrats on Capitol Hill to use this one moment where they actually have some leverage in the minority to fight back. But since Schumer said last night he will vote for this bill, we're already seeing some major blowback from other Democrats.