Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder.
Chapter 2: What is the likelihood of a government shutdown discussed in this episode?
A partial government shutdown seems increasingly likely as the Senate heads toward a crucial vote Thursday on legislation that would fund the Homeland Security Department and other government agencies. Senate Democrats say they will not agree to extend DHS funding without enforceable limits on President Trump's immigration crackdown. And Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar told NPR...
that Democrats want to overhaul immigration and customs enforcement.
And I'll just give you some ideas. Stopping the search, getting ICE out of Minnesota and other places, the training that has been reduced to 47 days for the 47th president when it should be months and months of training, getting rid of these masks and, in fact, requiring mandatory body cameras.
Republicans will need Democratic votes to keep the government open when funding runs out Saturday. Tensions remain high in Minneapolis. The Justice Department says federal agents have arrested 16 people, alleging they assaulted or impeded federal immigration officers. Congress has allocated $50 billion for foreign aid in the government spending package that's making its way through Congress.
It's a lot more money than the Trump administration has signaled it wants to spend. NPR's Pat Metenis reports.
The package includes some military aid to Egypt and Israel and funding for initiatives aimed at supporting democracy and health programs around the world. It comes after a year of major cuts to foreign aid spending, largely supported by Republicans in Congress.
The bill does not include funding for programs that support gender diversity and equity in climate issues, but it does include $9.4 billion for global health programs aimed at curbing diseases. and supporting maternal and child health, mostly maintaining funding levels from previous years.
Foreign aid experts who spoke to NPR say the package is expected to be signed if and when it lands on the president's desk. But the administration could decide not to spend the funds as it did last year. Fatma Tanis, NPR News.
FBI agents searched an elections office in Georgia Wednesday. It's been at the center of President Trump's baseless claims about the 2020 election that it was stolen from him. From Member Station WABE in Atlanta, Shemaine Cruz reports.
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Chapter 3: How are Senate Democrats addressing immigration funding issues?
The search comes after the Justice Department recently filed a lawsuit for access to those records. Multiple recounts and audits have confirmed Trump's 2020 loss to Joe Biden. But Trump's pressure campaign to undo that defeat culminated in the now-dismissed, sweeping election interference case brought on by Fulton District Attorney Fannie Willis.
You're listening to NPR News. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is defending the Trump administration's military operation in Venezuela. In the first public hearing since the intervention that led to the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro, Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday, saying the U.S.
is more secure as a result and does not plan another military action in Venezuela. Venezuela's ruling party, meanwhile, trying to show a united front as the nation is pressured by the Trump administration to make major political and economic reforms. Members of the military swore their loyalty to acting President Delcy Rodriguez Wednesday. Manuel Rueda has more from Caracas.
In a military parade, hundreds of soldiers stood in front of acting President Delcy Rodriguez to swear an oath of allegiance. With your virtues, you will defend our nation," said General Vladimir Padrino, the nation's powerful defense minister. Venezuelan officials have thrown their support behind RodrĆguez following the raid that led to NicolĆ”s Maduro's capture.
But RodrĆguez is also in a tough spot. The acting president is being pressured by the U.S. to make changes to the nation's oil industry and free hundreds of political prisoners. Further changes could increase tensions with hardliners in her party, who fear she's relinquishing too much power. For NPR News, I'm Manuel Rueda in Caracas.
Despite pressure from President Trump, the Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to keep interest rates unchanged, leaving its key rate at about 3.6 percent after lowering it three times last year. This is NPR News.
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