It’s shutdown day in America, with lawmakers facing a midnight deadline to pass a government funding bill that keeps the proverbial lights on. After days of back and forth, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he would vote to advance the House Republicans' spending plan to a final floor vote, signaling Democrats may fold on their earlier threats of a funding standoff. But Senate Republicans likely need at least seven more Democrats to help them break a filibuster and avert a shutdown, and it’s not yet clear they have those votes. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York talks about why his caucus remains opposed to the Republican plan, and what’s next if it passes.

And in headlines: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired probationary employees, Russian President Vladimir Putin added more conditions to a U-S backed ceasefire plan with Ukraine, and dozens of people were arrested while protesting the detention of a Columbia University student activist.

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It’s a rough time for people who worry about infectious diseases. A new study shows bird flu is more widespread in U.S. cows than previously thought. Around 250 Americans have been infected with measles, including two people who died. And globally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is struggling to contain a Mpox outbreak, Uganda is battling Ebola, Tanzania is fighting Marburg, and Lassa fever is spreading in East Africa. In the face of all that, the Trump administration has gutted funding for programs that help protect Americans from these types of diseases. Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at UCLA and director of the Center for Global and Immigrant Health, talks about what’s worrying her.

And in headlines: Senate Democrats said they’ll vote against a House bill to keep the government open past Friday, new government data showed egg prices hit another record last month, and President Donald Trump hosted the Irish Prime at the White House amid a growing trade war with the European Union.

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The Department of Education announced Tuesday it would lay off around 1,300 employees, or about half of its workforce. In a statement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the job cuts part of the agency's 'final mission,' and a 'significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.' While President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to shutter the Education Department, McMahon said during her confirmation hearings last month that she wouldn't do so without Congress's approval. The layoffs could signify the administration's intent to gut the agency from within. John King, who served as Education Secretary under former President Barack Obama, talks about how the cuts will almost certainly hurt students.

Later in the show, Brian Sumers, who writes 'The Airline Observer' newsletter on Substack, explains why Southwest Airlines is nixing its popular free bag check policy.

And in headlines: House Republicans and one Democrat passed a spending plan to avert a government shutdown, Trump administration officials said they would immediately lift a pause on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and President Trump weighed in on the fate of a Columbia University grad student who's facing deportation for organizing pro-Palestine protests on campus.

Show Notes:

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The Supreme Court announced Monday it will hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ kids. It’s the latest example of how Democratic state attorneys general are fighting a multi-front fight right now. They’re the top law enforcement officials in their respective states, responsible for protecting their laws and policies. At the same time, they’re pitched in a near-daily battle against the Trump administration’s push to upend the federal government. Colorado Democratic Attorney General Philip Weiser talks about how he’s managing both tasks.

And in headlines: Ontario’s premier announced a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to President Trump’s tariffs, Elon Musk blamed Ukraine for outage problems at X/Twitter, and the White House revamps a government app to help undocumented migrants self-deport.

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Will the government shut down this week? That's the big question rocking Washington right now. House Republicans floated a plan over the weekend that would boost funding for the Pentagon and deportations while cutting billions in non-defense spending. Democrats say they're a 'no' on that. But with slim margins in both the House and the Senate, some level of bipartisan support is necessary to keep the lights on. Nicholas Wu, who covers Congress for Politico, explains why there's a 50/50 chance the government stays open past Friday.

And in headlines: The Trump administration cancels $400 million in federal grants for Columbia University, Syria sees its worst violence since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, and staff at the Health and Human Services Department have been offered up to $25,000 to resign from their jobs.

Show Notes:

• Check out Nicholas' work – www.politico.com/staff/nicholas-wu
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Dozens of Democratic governors across the country are facing a nearly impossible task: Manage the day-to-day operations of their state while also playing wack-a-mole with the waves of awful federal policies coming out of Washington right now. From tariffs to mass government layoffs to threats to shutter the Department of Education, it's a lot! New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul talks about how she's navigating Trump 2.0 and the ways she's taking 'the gloves off' with the administration.

And in headlines: Trump considers revoking deportation protections from nearly a quarter million Ukrainians, the president puts a pin in tariffs on a wide range of products from Mexico and Canada, and California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says it's 'unfair' to let trans athletes play women's sports.

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday dealt one of its first blows to President Donald Trump’s aggressive agenda to reshape how the federal government works. It was a minor decision: The justices rejected an emergency request from the administration to keep frozen some $2 billion in foreign aid payments. Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberals, raising questions about how the court will handle the waves of litigation crashing against the White House with Trump back in office. Jessica Levinson, a constitutional law professor at Loyola Law School, helps us read the SCOTUS tea leaves.

Later in the show, Missouri Farmers Union Vice President Richard Oswald joins us to talk about how Trump's tariffs will hurt farmers.

And in headlines: The Trump administration puts a one-month pause on auto tariffs for Canada and Mexico, some fired federal workers go back to work, and climate change might be making allergy season longer.

Show Notes:

• Check out Jessica's podcast – passingjudgementpod.com/
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President Donald Trump gave his first speech to the American people since taking office Tuesday night, and it was long. The president's address to Congress lasted more than 90 minutes breaking Bill Clinton’s 2000 State of the Union record. Trump talked about everything from tariffs to immigration to trans kids to the economy. Pod Save America’s Jon Lovett joins us to debrief the president’s rambling speech.

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