Up First from NPR Republican Healthcare Vote, Susie Wiles Interview, Nuclear Reactor Regulations
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Dec 17, 2025 
In this discussion, Sam Greenglass, an NPR congressional reporter, breaks down the urgent debate around expiring health care subsidies and the partisan schism over potential extensions. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR White House correspondent, shares insights from Vanity Fair's extensive interview with Susie Wiles, revealing internal conflicts and her candid views on key figures. Jeff Brumfield, an energy reporter, introduces the Energy Department's Reactor Pilot Program, highlighting the tension between ambitious nuclear innovations and safety regulations.
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Subsidy Cliff Threatens Millions' Coverage
- Congress faces a near-term cliff where enhanced ACA subsidies expire and millions could face huge premium spikes.
- Sam Greenglass says bipartisan consensus is lacking and a solution this year appears unlikely.
GOP Divisions Hurt Quick Fixes
- Republicans are split between preserving subsidies and pushing conservative reforms that won't stop premium spikes.
- Sam Greenglass notes leadership favors a package to "reduce and repair" rather than extending subsidies.
Wiles' Rare, Candid Vanity Fair Access
- Vanity Fair ran months of interviews with Susie Wiles revealing blunt views on colleagues and internal conflicts.
- Danielle Kurtzleben describes Wiles as a no-nonsense organizer who nevertheless gave candid critiques of people inside the White House.