Up First from NPR Trump's Shutdown Travel, SNAP Benefits Gap, NYC Mayoral Race
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Nov 3, 2025 
Tamara Keith, NPR's senior White House correspondent, discusses President Trump's continued travel amid a prolonged government shutdown, and how this strategy pressures Senate Democrats. Joe Hernandez, a SNAP policy reporter, outlines the urgent impacts of SNAP benefits running out, legal challenges, and the administration's hesitation to use emergency funds. Brian Mann, reporting from NYC, dives into the tense mayoral race, highlighting Zohran Mamdani's energized campaign against Andrew Cuomo, and the implications for the Democratic Party's future.
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Unusual Presidential Travel During Shutdown
- President Trump continued frequent travel during the shutdown, spending 15 days on the road since Oct. 1st.
- That travel level is far higher than past presidents during shutdowns and signals a different presidential posture toward negotiation.
Strategy Behind House Republicans' Shutdown Tactic
- House Republicans passed a short-term funding bill and stayed in recess, aiming to pressure Senate Democrats through a take-it-or-leave-it strategy.
- That strategy reduces the need for the House or president to be in D.C., altering traditional shutdown bargaining dynamics.
Historic Disruption To SNAP Benefits
- SNAP benefits for nearly 42 million Americans lapsed because federal funds ran out during the shutdown.
- Federal judges ordered the administration to use emergency funds, but the timing of resumed payments remained uncertain.