Up First from NPR House Members During Shutdown; Trump Visits Asia; US Military Buildup in Caribbean
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Oct 25, 2025 
Barbara Sprunt, NPR's congressional correspondent, shares insights from a Texas town hall where constituents express their concerns during the government shutdown. Anthony Kuhn discusses President Trump's Asia trip, focusing on the complexities of U.S.-China relations and the anticipated bilateral meetings. Ada Peralta reports on the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, explaining the deployment's rationale against drug trafficking and how it is perceived in the region.
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Town Hall In A Solid Red District
- Congressman August Pflueger praised the GOP tax and spending bill and told a town-hall crowd his party had done its job by passing a continuing resolution.
- Voters in Pflueger's solidly Republican district expressed frustration with Democrats and worry about SNAP cuts and rising health premiums.
Shutdown Rooted In Strategic Bargaining
- Republicans argue fund-first-then-negotiate on ACA subsidies while Democrats seek negotiation leverage by tying funding to subsidy extensions.
- That strategic standstill is central to why the shutdown persists and shapes voter perceptions locally.
Food Bank Can't Fill SNAP Gap
- The Central Texas Food Bank CEO Sari Vatsky said the charity cannot cover a $44 million SNAP shortfall and is already increasing purchases to meet need.
- She warned that losing November SNAP benefits would leave 127,000 households in central Texas without assistance.
