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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly.
Chapter 2: What steps has Congress taken to end the federal government shutdown?
Congress has moved another step closer toward ending the ongoing shutdown of the federal government. A resolution to reopen the government cleared the Senate last night with the minimum 60 votes needed for passage. Seven Democrats and one Independent joined nearly all Republican Senators to pass the measure. Here's Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
This has been a
Chapter 3: What are the implications of the Senate's resolution to reopen the government?
very long road quite literally the longest shutdown in history I am very, very happy to be able to say that we are coming to the end.
The resolution funds much of the government through the end of January and some federal agencies through the end of next September. It also ends the furloughs of federal workers and fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the next 10-plus months. The resolution must still clear the House.
A federal judge is accusing the Trump administration of playing vindictive games when it comes to SNAP food benefits. NPR's Jennifer Ludden says a court hearing yesterday examined whether states must essentially take back payments they made to SNAP recipients over the weekend amid an ongoing legal battle.
After a court order to issue full SNAP payments late last week, some states rushed to get the benefits to people. But when the Supreme Court then paused the order, the Agriculture Department said states must immediately undo those payments and threatened penalties. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Plattkin says this makes no sense, especially given new moves to possibly end the shutdown.
This administration is still going to the Supreme Court to fight for the right to starve Americans.
A Trump administration attorney says states jumped the gun and should only send partial payments for now. Once the shutdown does end, we'll issue full benefits in 24 hours, he told the judge. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington.
President Trump says he wants to give Syria's new president a chance to succeed and describes him as a tough guy with a rough past. The U.S. and the U.N. recently lifted sanctions, allowing the Syrian leader to visit the White House yesterday. NPR's Michelle Kellerman has more.
Ahmed al-Sharah once set up an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, and last year he led the insurgents who toppled Bashar al-Assad. Now he's promising to work with the U.S. on counterterrorism, joining the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and Trump's Treasury Department is suspending U.S. sanctions. President Trump says you have to be tough in the Middle East, and he likes al-Sharah.
We want to see Syria become a country that's very successful, and I think this leader can do it.
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Chapter 4: How is the Trump administration affecting SNAP benefits amid the shutdown?
The Dow added 381 points. The S&P gained more than 1.5%. The Nasdaq added more than 2.25%. I'm Dave Mattingly in Washington.