Oct. 17, 2025

Top GOP leader on shutdown: ‘This could go on for quite some time’

Top GOP leader on shutdown: ‘This could go on for quite some time’
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Top GOP leader on shutdown: ‘This could go on for quite some time’

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) is one of the most powerful members of the Senate. Her take on the government shutdown, layoffs and a possible health care compromise.

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As the federal government shutdown stretches on, Republicans and Democrats are still far apart on a path to reopening. One major sticking point is the Democrats’ demand to include renewed health care subsidies for ACA marketplace enrollees as a part of any vote to end the shutdown.

Host Colby Itkowitz sits with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) to ask about how Republicans view that demand, how the politics of health care are playing in this moment, and the White House’s moves to fire federal workers during a shutdown.

Today’s show was produced by Josh Carroll, Laura Benshoff and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter.

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