Up First from NPR Congressional To-Do List, Trump V. BBC, Ukraine Update
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Nov 15, 2025 
Deirdre Walsh, NPR's congressional correspondent, discusses the urgency of upcoming votes on health care subsidies and the Epstein files. Willem Marks, based in London, weighs in on Trump's threat to sue the BBC over their treatment of his January 6 speech. Meanwhile, Joanna Kakissis, reporting from Kyiv, shares insights on the dire situation in Ukraine, highlighting recent Russian attacks and an explosive corruption investigation involving the energy sector. Tensions are high as these issues unfold, impacting both politics and national security.
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Short-Term Funding Leaves Big Questions
- Congress faces another funding deadline at the end of January and may pass another stopgap to avoid a shutdown.
- The short-term deal that reopened government left major budget fights unresolved, keeping uncertainty high.
Bipartisan Senate, Divided House On ACA
- Senators have discussed a one-year extension of ACA premium tax credits with phased reforms and eligibility caps.
- Bipartisan momentum exists in the Senate, but House conservatives resist any measures that extend parts of the ACA.
Epstein Files Vote Likely To Pass House
- House Speaker Mike Johnson moved up a vote to force release of Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein.
- The bill is expected to pass the House easily, though its margin could pressure the Senate to act.