16 views

Nov. 4, 2025, 1:05 PM ESTBy Scott Wong, Lillie Boudreaux, Frank Thorp V and Ryan NoblesWASHINGTON — As the 35-day government shutdown ties for the longest in American history on Tuesday, senators predicted that the impasse could end this week.“I’m pretty confident,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.After weeks without any movement, bipartisan talks among rank-and-file members have been picking up, leading to the first public signs of optimism that the shutdown could soon end.Mullin said that some Democrats had privately indicated last week that they were willing to vote for the short-term Republican spending bill that would reopen the government through Nov. 21. But, Mullin said, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had instructed them to wait until after Tuesday’s elections so they wouldn’t depress turnout from the liberal base that has been urging the party to hold the line. Schumer’s office had no immediate comment.”I think there’s a possibility we could do it tomorrow night … but more than likely Thursday,” said Mullin, who regularly speaks with President Donald Trump, Democrats and his former House colleagues.Centrist Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who has taken part in some of the bipartisan talks on how to get the government reopened, agreed, repeatedly saying he’s “optimistic” the shutdown could end this week. And Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., also pointed to Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and California as a key factor that could shake loose a solution to the impasse.“After the elections come and go, I think the Democrats will reveal what this was about all the time, which was a political play. They want to keep their base upset, try to blame Republicans, even though they voted over 13 times now to continue to shut down the government,” Schmitt told reporters. “So my guess is that later this week, we’ll end up funding the government as Republicans had proposed 35 days ago.”Democrats, however, have dismissed the GOP argument that reopening the government will all hinge on the election, with Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut mocking it as “cynical galaxy brain thinking.”Republicans need just five more Democrats in the Senate to break with their leadership and vote for a continuing resolution or CR to reopen the government. On Sept. 26, the GOP-controlled House had passed a clean CR to fund the government through Nov. 21. But Senate Democrats opposed it, insisting that any bill to fund the government must also address health insurance subsidies that will expire at the end of this year, raising premiums for millions. Tuesday marked the 14th time that Democrats voted to block the House bill in the Senate.But with Nov. 21 and the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, there is now a need for Congress to pass a longer CR — possibly into the new year — to give bipartisan negotiators a longer runway to craft spending bills for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1.#embed-20251002-shutdown-milestones iframe {width: 1px;min-width: 100%} Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Susan Collins, whose panel is responsible for writing spending bills, said Monday night she is “very cautiously hopeful that it will be resolved by the end of this week.”“There have been a lot of conversations on both sides of the aisle and across the aisle, and across the chambers,” the Maine Republican said, “and I do believe that we are finally making progress.”Collins cited a level of “specificity” in the talks that had not been there in previous negotiations but admitted “it’s too soon to declare that this nightmare of a shutdown is over.”The Appropriations chair supports a new CR to keep the government funded through Dec. 19, which she said would pressure Congress to reach a spending deal right before the holidays.We’d like to hear from you about how you’re experiencing the government shutdown, whether you’re a federal employee who can’t work right now, a person who relies on federal benefits like SNAP, or someone who is feeling the effects of other shuttered services in your everyday life. Please contact us at tips@nbcuni.com or reach out to us here.It’s a well-worn tactic for forcing a funding deal, but it’s drawn opposition from many in the GOP in recent years. On Tuesday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he opposed setting a deadline in December, warning that it could entice lawmakers to pass a massive omnibus spending package, rather than individual funding bills that are more carefully crafted to address spending.He said he would back a CR that funds the government into January — a timeline endorsed by Florida Sen. Rick Scott and other Republicans.“I am not a fan of extending it to December because, let’s be frank, a lot of people around here have PTSD about Christmas omnibus spending bills,” Johnson told reporters. “We don’t want to do that. It gets too close, and we don’t want to have that risk. We’re not doing that. We’re not doing that, but too many people have concern. I think putting it into January makes sense.”But there are no bipartisan negotiations happening at the leadership level with Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., about a longer-term CR.Across the aisle, some rank-and-file Democrats are hopeful for a breakthrough as the shutdown approaches the five-week mark on Wednesday. But they’re not sharing the GOP’s confidence that it will all be over by week’s end.Democrats have been demanding that Trump and other GOP leaders come to the table to negotiate extending the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. So far, Republicans have refused and say Democrats need to vote to reopen the government first before any substantive health care talks can take place.“There seems to be some indication of a thaw, but I see no immediate solution on the horizon,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “Talks are a good thing, but so far, I sense no willingness on the part of Republicans to really assure the American people that health care insurance will be guaranteed.”Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday, Schumer said Democrats are fighting to lower health care costs at a time when 24 million Americans on Obamacare are facing sticker shock due to uncertainty about the expiring subsidies.“Never have American families faced a situation where their healthcare costs are set to double— double in the blink of an eye,” Schumer said.“The biggest beneficiaries of these enhanced premium tax credits are red states. Millions of people in Texas, Florida. Republicans seem ready to tell their own constituents back home: screw you, I would rather cut taxes for billionaires — that’s what’s going on,” Schumer said. “Democrats are going to keep pushing to get these tax credits extended.”Scott WongScott Wong is a senior congressional reporter for NBC News. Lillie BoudreauxLillie Boudreaux is a desk assistant at NBC News.Frank Thorp VFrank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate.Ryan NoblesRyan Nobles is chief Capitol Hill correspondent for NBC News.Gabrielle Khoriaty contributed.

- Latest News - November 4, 2025

As the 35-day government shutdown ties for the longest in American history on Tuesday, senators predicted that the impasse could end this week.

Source link

TAGS:
15 views

Kornacki Cam on Election Night 2025

- Latest News - November 4, 2025

See NBC News’ Steve Kornacki work his magic! Kornacki is live for every second and every moment of this election night, crunching the numbers and working the big board.

Source link

TAGS:
12 views

Nov. 4, 2025, 5:01 PM EST / Updated Nov. 4, 2025, 5:05 PM ESTBy Stephanie PerryIn the first major elections of President Donald Trump’s second term, voters in Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City are expressing broad dissatisfaction with Trump — and with both political parties, according to early results from the NBC News Exit Poll. Most voters in those elections are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country today, and they continue to express concern about financial issues and the economy.The governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as a closely watched mayoral election in New York City and the redistricting ballot measure in California, highlight the first big Election Day of Trump’s second term. The results of Tuesday night’s elections will offer an early, though limited, window into how voters feel about his efforts to reshape Washington and the country, providing clues for candidates on both sides ahead of pivotal midterm elections next year.How is Trump handling his second term in office? The president’s overall job approval is underwater among voters casting ballots for governor in New Jersey and Virginia — two states that have voted against Trump each time he’s run for president. Majorities of voters who turned out for these 2025 contests disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job as president: 55% in New Jersey, 56% in Virginia. In the New York City mayoral race, just 29% of voters approve of Trump, according to the exit poll, as do 36% in California. There, the Proposition 50 ballot measure will decide whether the state will change its congressional map in response to Republican-led redistricting pushed by Trump in Texas and other states. How do voters see the Democratic and Republican Parties? Beyond views of the current president, neither the Republican nor Democratic Party are seen in particularly positive terms among voters who cast ballots in this years’ races.In Virginia, New Jersey, and California, more voters expressed unfavorable than favorable views of the Democratic Party. Views of the Republican Party are not quite as negative, but still, the party was not seen in favorable terms by a majority in any state surveyed. A grim national outlook Voters picking new governors in New Jersey and Virginia also expressed concern about the way things are going in the country these days.In New Jersey, 65% said they are angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country and only 33% said they are satisfied or enthusiastic.In Virginia, 63% said they are angry or dissatisfied about the direction of the country, compared with just 35% who had a positive view of the country. Economic concerns and the cost of livingVoters in each of the states surveyed over the last several weeks said economic issues — or the cost of living — were the most important issues facing their state. In Virginia and California, the economy topped the list of voters’ concerns. And in New York City, 56% of voters said the cost of living was the most important issue facing the city. In New Jersey, taxes and the economy both ranked high on voters’ list of concerns. Financial worries came through as voters described their own family’s personal financial situations. In each state surveyed, most voters said they were either “holding steady” or actively falling behind financially. Far smaller shares in any state or locality said they were “getting ahead.” In several states, voters point to specific financial pains In New Jersey, a majority of voters said property taxes and electricity costs were “major” problems in their state. Overall, 60% said the state’s economy is not so good or poor. Only 38% said the state economy was good or excellent.In Virginia, where the government shutdown and federal government cuts affected many families this year, 6-in-10 said federal government cuts this year affected their family’s finances a lot (20%) or a little (39%).A large majority of New York City voters said the cost of living was the most important issue facing the city: 72% said the cost of housing was a major problem, and 65% said the city’s economy was not so good or poor. Trump on immigrationTrump said he won in 2024 because of the border and grocery prices. But voters today are divided on Trump’s actions on immigration.A slim majority of voters in New Jersey and Virginia said that the Trump administration’s actions on immigration enforcement have gone too far, while far smaller shares say they have been about right or not gone far enough. Still, many voters are divided on how their state’s government should cooperate with the federal government on immigration. In New Jersey, voters were more likely to say the next governor should not cooperate with Trump — though these views were divided by candidate preference. In New York City, 61% said the next mayor should not cooperate with Trump on immigration enforcement. In California, 59% said Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Democrat leading the Proposition 50 fight, should not cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement. The NBC News Exit Poll is conducted by SSRS, an independent research company, on behalf of ABC, The Associated Press, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC. The networks together prepare the questionnaire. More information about SSRS can be obtained by visiting www.ssrs.com.The 2025 poll, conducted from October 22nd -November 4th, includes representative samples of registered voters in California (n=~4,000), New Jersey (n=~4,000), New York City (n=~3,700), and Virginia (n=~4,000). The Voter Poll combines data collected from verified registered voters online and by telephone, with data collected in-person from Election Day voters at 30 precincts per state/city, excluding California. Respondents can complete the poll in English or Spanish. The overall margin of sampling error for voters, accounting for design effects, is expected to be approximately plus or minus 2 percentage points in California, 2.1 percentage points in New Jersey, 2.2 percentage points in New York City, and 2.1 percentage points in Virginia.Stephanie PerryStephanie Perry is the manager of exit polling at NBC News.

- Latest News - November 4, 2025

ght or not gone far enough.

Source link

TAGS:
23 views

What to know about Va. governor and AG races

- Latest News - November 4, 2025

In Virginia, NBC News’ Gary Grumbach sets up the state’s races for governor and attorney general – and explains how the government shutdown could be influencing voters’ decisions this election.

Source link.

TAGS:
18 views

Nov. 4, 2025, 3:49 PM ESTBy Brennan LeachAs the government shutdown is set to become the longest in U.S. history, Pennsylvania organizations that rely on government support are experiencing an unusual and devastating double whammy.That’s because the state is in the midst of its own budget impasse. The Republican-controlled Senate and the Democratic House have been in a deadlock over the 2025-26 budget for more than 120 days, freezing billions in state funding.The consequences of the dual shutdowns are becoming dire for organizations like the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), a nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence find safety, counseling and legal advocacy through a network of 59 community-based domestic violence programs across the state.White House assures it is ‘fully complying’ with court order on SNAP benefits01:37PCADV receives 53% of its budget from federal funds and 43% from the state, and it operates on a reimbursement basis. Since the state budget impasse began, it is owed more than $11 million for services already provided, according to CEO Susan Higginbotham.“It’s a perfect storm,” she said in an interview with NBC News. “This spells disaster for nonprofit programs providing services to people because, first of all, a number of programs are having to lay off staff or furlough staff, or think about how they can reduce the experience. I mean, you know, this is impossible to manage, really.”We’d like to hear from you about how you’re experiencing the government shutdown, whether you’re a federal employee who can’t work right now, a person who relies on federal benefits like SNAP, or someone who is feeling the effects of other shuttered services in your everyday life. Please contact us at tips@nbcuni.com or reach out to us here.Higginbotham warned that if the dual impasses continue, PCADV’s statewide network of programs, which provide services for approximately 90,000 domestic violence survivors and their children, may have to begin laying off staff or permanently close their doors.“If that happens, it’s not going to help to blame ‘Rs’ or ‘Ds’ for it, or for them to blame each other. It’s too late at that point. We just want them to pass a budget. Figure it out,” she said.Daniel Mallinson, a political scientist at Penn State University, said that the Pennsylvania budget impasse could end when enough people apply pressure on their lawmakers to find a solution. However, he added, those most negatively affected by the compounding shutdown consequences are marginalized people who “don’t have as much political sway.”“A lot of the people that have the most political sway are more in that category of ‘it doesn’t really impact me right now,’” Mallinson said, while “it’s a daily reality” for marginalized groups that depend on government-funded services.Among the hardest hit are students, as schools across the commonwealth wait on $5.3 billion in missed state funding, according to Chris Lilienthal, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Education Association.Pennsylvania schools have had to suspend afterschool programs, implement spending freezes, and at least three school districts have said that they are on the brink of closing down entirely, Lilienthal said.Lilienthal explained that districts that rely more heavily on government funding are “in a much worse situation” than schools with wealthier tax bases and more local revenue.This coincides with the suspension of federal SNAP nutrition benefits, which serve nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, including 713,000 children, according to a report released by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration.“The loss of these SNAP benefits, it is just making it that much harder for kids in the classroom,” Lilienthal said. “Of all the impacts of the federal shutdown, this is the one that has driven the most calls to our union, the most concerns from our members. What’s going to happen to the kids if they don’t have access to these SNAP nutrition benefits?”President Donald Trump’s administration said this week that it would use contingency funds to pay out partial SNAP benefits for November following a judge’s order. But that could take “several weeks,” the Agriculture Department said.In Washington, after weeks without any movement, senators predicted Monday that bipartisan talks among rank-and-file members could mean an end to the shutdown as soon as this week. There are the first glimpses of progress in Pennsylvania, too, as Shapiro and leaders from the state House and Senate met in person several times last week, Spotlight PA reported.Brennan LeachBrennan Leach is an associate producer for NBC News covering the Senate.

- Latest News - November 4, 2025

As the government shutdown is set to become the longest in U.S. history, Pennsylvania organizations that rely on government support are experiencing an unusual and devastating double whammy

Source link.

TAGS:
14 views

Nov. 4, 2025, 4:10 PM ESTBy Berkeley Lovelace Jr.The Trump administration is expected to announce, as early as this week, a deal with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower the price of their weight loss drugs in exchange for limited Medicare coverage, according to two people familiar with the plan. The deal would reduce the cost of the lowest doses of the blockbuster GLP-1 medications — Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy — to $149 a month, the people said. In return, Medicare would cover the drugs for some Medicare beneficiaries. It’s not yet clear whether the $149 price would apply broadly across private and public insurance, or only for people paying in cash. It wasn’t immediately clear which Medicare patients would qualify for coverage. The details of the plan could still change. The people confirmed the possible deal on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The news was first reported by Endpoint News. The Washington Post reported the deal could be announced as early as Thursday. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement, “Discussion about deals that have not been officially announced by the Administration should be regarded as speculation.” In emailed statements, spokespeople for Lilly and Novo Nordisk confirmed they are in discussions with the Trump administration, but offered no details on any potential deal.If finalized, it would be the most significant agreement to emerge from President Donald Trump’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices to align more closely with other developed nations — also known as his “most favored nation” drug pricing push. Trump revived the initiative through an executive order in May after unsuccessfully pursuing it during his first term. The administration has also reached agreements with Pfizer and AstraZeneca to lower costs for some prescription drugs under Medicaid.In October, Trump said the administration was close to a deal to lower the cost of weight loss drugs.”Instead of $1,300, you’ll be paying about $150,” he said from the White House. Zepbound and Wegovy currently carry list prices above $1,000 a month — although both companies have rolled out lower cost options for people paying in cash amid intense public scrutiny over the high cost of the drugs. Costco recently announced that it would sell Wegovy and its diabetes drug Ozempic for $499 to people without insurance; Lilly announced a similar deal with Walmart for Zepbound. Medicare currently covers Wegovy for patients at risk of heart disease, as well as Zepbound for sleep apnea — but not for weight loss alone. Ozempic, which has the same active ingredient as Wegovy, is covered for diabetes.The Biden administration proposed expanding coverage of GLP-1 drugs through Medicare and Medicaid but the Trump administration later rejected the plan. Ozempic and Wegovy are also included in the next round of Medicare drug price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act, which former President Joe Biden signed into law in 2022. The Trump administration was expected to finalize new prices for 15 drugs — including the GLP-1s — by Nov. 1. Trump officials have signaled less enthusiasm for the negotiations, instead focusing on executive orders and voluntary pricing agreements with drugmakers. The administration is expected to unveil the new prices by Nov. 30. Berkeley Lovelace Jr.Berkeley Lovelace Jr. is a health and medical reporter for NBC News. He covers the Food and Drug Administration, with a special focus on Covid vaccines, prescription drug pricing and health care. He previously covered the biotech and pharmaceutical industry with CNBC.

- Latest News - November 4, 2025

The Trump administration is preparing to announce a deal this week with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower the price of their weight loss drugs, a person familiar with.

TAGS:
16 views

Nov. 4, 2025, 4:00 PM ESTBy The Politics DeskWelcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, a newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.In today’s edition, we get you up to speed before polls close tonight in California, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and beyond. Programming note: Stay tuned for a special edition of the “newsletter later tonight, when we’ll break down the election results.Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.— Adam WollnerWhat to watch for on election nightAnalysis by Steve KornackiThe Donald Trump era has changed American politics for a decade. Tonight, two contentious races for governor will define what the next steps for Republicans and Democrats might look like — not only who will lead Virginia and New Jersey for four years, but how the two parties are appealing to different types of voters and building coalitions for future elections.Republicans have gained ground in those two blue-leaning states since Trump’s heavy losses there in 2020. Today’s elections will show just how durable those advances were, hinging in part on the progress the Republican Party under Trump made with groups that once voted more strongly against the GOP. That especially includes Latino voters, who banked heavily toward Trump in 2024.But Democrats have spent the last year focused on how to reverse those trends, nominating candidates without baggage from the party’s 2024 election loss. And, of course, Trump is now in the White House, which during his first term led to voter backlash against him as the incumbent.The two states saw similar results in the last presidential election, but the races have gone differently this year. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger enters Election Day with a clear polling lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. And in New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill holds a smaller advantage in most surveys over Republican Jack Ciattarelli.Here are the cities, counties and trends Steve is watching in New Jersey and Virginia →In addition to these high-profile gubernatorial races, there are a series of other important elections happening around the country today. State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo are battling to become the next mayor of New York City. California voters will decide whether to approve a new congressional map that could allow Democrats to gain up to five House seats. Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices face up-or-down retention votes that will determine whether Democrats keep their 5-2 majority. Voters in Texas’ 18th District will choose a replacement for the late Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner.Polls close at 7 p.m. in Virginia; 8 p.m. in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas; 9 p.m. in New York; and 11 p.m. in California (all times are ET).Catch up on those races here →The latest from the campaign trail:Trump held tele-rallies for Republicans in New Jersey and Virginia, though he did not mention Earle-Sears by name. Trump endorsed Cuomo for mayor of New York City, telling voters, “You really have no choice.” Mamdani told NBC News: “I think it makes explicit what has been implicit for many months.”Follow live updates on our blog →Tune in to live NBC News election night coverage:NBC News NOW, our free streaming service, will be airing an election special beginning at 7 p.m. ET.NBCNews.com and the NBC News app will feature real-time results of all the major races as well as all the latest reporting.NBC News’ podcast, “Here’s the Scoop,” will be livestreaming on YouTube and NBCNews.com beginning around 11 p.m. ET.Steve Kornacki will be at the big board all night, analyzing results and providing minute-by-minute updates exclusively on the NBC News NOW special and the “Here’s the Scoop” livestream.🗞️ Today’s other top stories⛔ Shutdown, Day 35: As the government shutdown ties for the longest in American history, some senators predicted that the impasse could end this week. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that the U.S. might be forced to close parts of its airspace if staffing shortages continue. 🗺️ Redistricting update: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore launched a redistricting commission to consider a new congressional map, despite opposition from the top state Senate Democrat to such an effort. Read more →⚫ RIP: Former Vice President Dick Cheney, an architect of the global war on terrorism and the Iraq War, who served for decades in Congress and three Republican administrations, died last night. He was 84. Read more →That’s all From the Politics Desk for now. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner.If you have feedback — likes or dislikes — email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.comAnd if you’re a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. The Politics Desk    

- Latest News - November 4, 2025

In today’s election edition, we get you up to speed before polls close tonight in California, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and beyond.

Source link

TAGS: