Marketplace All-in-One Who has the power of the purse these days?
Sep 12, 2025
Laura Blessing, a senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, dives into the current funding battles in Congress and President Trump's attempts to reshape government spending. She explores the looming threat of a government shutdown and the complexities of the budget process. Amid serious discussions, the conversation lightens with a game that tests listeners on headline authenticity, including humorous takes on pop culture and regulatory issues. Plus, they share quirky stories about pawpaws, blending the serious with the absurd.
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Pawpaw Foraging And Cocktails
- Kimberly and Laura harvested pawpaws with Kimberly's Uncle David and experimented with pawpaw cocktails.
- They described a bourbon pawpaw smash and a pawpaw 'Kentucky 75' riff using pawpaw-infused spirits.
Shutdown Risk And A CR Strategy
- Congress is facing another potential government shutdown as the fiscal year ends on October 1, 2025.
- Lawmakers are leaning toward a continuing resolution with a November 20 package including three less-partisan appropriation bills.
Democratic Priorities In Funding Talks
- Democrats are pushing to extend ACA subsidies that expire at year-end to prevent big premium increases.
- They also may seek to reverse Medicaid funding cuts from the recent reconciliation bill.