Real People Get Hurt in Government Shutdowns – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - November 2, 2025
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
Real People Get Hurt in Government Shutdowns – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - November 2, 2025
“Government Shutdown Rolls On” – The U.S. government has been closed for more than a month, except for essential services. The stalemate persists regarding the backfilling of Medicaid cuts, which provide healthcare to low-income families. The second sticking point is whether to extend federal subsidies that help people pay for the Obamacare health plan. Federal food assistance is on the chopping block, which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) New York, called an “act of cruelty.” But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R) South Dakota, blamed a Democrat filibuster in the U.S. Senate, saying, “Now government workers and every other American affected by this shutdown have become nothing more than pawns in the Democrats’ political games.”
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“Intra-party Infighting” – One of the things to watch for in Washington, DC, is potential cracks within each party. Some Republican lawmakers are growing frustrated by the shutdown's length. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) Georgia, said, "You guys (party leaders) need to get out of Washington, D.C., and go back to your districts and talk to real people, because real people are pissed." Greene also told House GOP leaders in a conference call, "They (voters) expect us to do our legislative constitutional duty and not take marching orders from the political team at the White House." Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said of himself and President Donald Trump, "He's not sleeping. I'm not sleeping... because we are working around the clock." On the other side, Democrats are being swayed to help Republicans end a Senate filibuster and fund the government. Only five Democrats are needed to bolt their party, and already one, Sen. John Fetterman (D) Pennsylvania, is leaning that way. Friday the Senators went home.
“SNAP Gets Snapped” – It’s called SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It used to be known as “food stamps,” because people in need actually paid for groceries with booklets of stamps. Then along came the EBT card, which was like a grocery debit card. In any case, with the government shutdown continuing, the pool of federal SNAP benefit dollars has dried up. Usually, the EBT cards automatically reload on the first of the month. As of now, 42 million people nationwide will lose their food assistance benefits indefinitely. That’s 12 percent of U.S. households. State governments and food banks are bracing to fill the gap. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a statement saying, “Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1.” More than two dozen states, including Rhode Island, have joined in a lawsuit demanding that the Trump administration fund SNAP. Federal Judge Indira Talwani said she’s inclined to force the White House and Congress to fund SNAP, saying in court, “If you don’t have money, you tighten your belt… “You are not going to make everyone drop dead because it’s a political game someplace.” Late Friday, this federal judge and another in Rhode Island, ordered the White House and Congress to fund SNAP.
“King Charles Reacts on Epstein Ties” – King Charles III has stripped his brother Andrew of his prince title. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, as he is now known, will also be evicted from the royal property along with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. This comes days after a protester heckled King Charles at a public gathering. “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you ordered police to cover up for Andrew? The heckler continued. "Have you asked the police to cover up for Andrew, Charles?” Others in the crowd yelled for the unidentified man to “stop” and “shut up.” King Charles made no response.
“What Say the Court Records?” - While Andrew (who is no longer the Duke of York) has denied any sexual impropriety with any of Jeffrey Epstein’s workers, there is a legal paper trail. Andrew agreed to pay the now-late Epstein victim and employee, Virginia Giuffre, millions of dollars in an out-of-court settlement of her lawsuit. Giuffre’s charity received that money, and it provides help for sex trafficking victims. Friday Giuffre’s family issued a statement saying, “Today, she declares victory.” Epstein and Andrew were close, and Andrew visited Epstein’s private Caribbean Island often. Andrews’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, also lost her Duchess of York title for her connection with the Epstein scandal. Now, an anti-royals group known as Republic is raising legal funds to try to force the prosecution of Andrew for “misconduct in office.”
“Interest Rates Cut” – As was widely anticipated, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors met last Wednesday and lowered interest rates another quarter point, to 3.9 percent. That’s the lowest rate in three years. The Fed issued a statement saying, “Job gains have slowed this year, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remained low through August.” It added, “More recent indicators are consistent with these developments.” The goal here, of course, is to stimulate the economy by getting people to borrow money and make purchases. Many are predicting the Fed will make similar cuts in November and December to help fuel holiday spending. There are only 12 more Fed meetings scheduled before the November 2026 elections, and how the economy responds (or doesn’t) may help determine which party controls Congress.
“South American Drug Boats?” – Over the past month, the Trump administration has launched 11 strikes on suspected drug cartel boats in the Eastern Pacific, killing more than 50 people. Trump says large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine were found, but so far, the White House has not made the evidence public, not even with photographs. Critics from both parties say Congress needs to be looped in under the War Powers Act, which ostensibly would be required for military action to be used. Sen. Rand Paul (R) Kentucky, said, “A briefing is not enough to overcome the Constitution. The Constitution says that when you go to war, Congress has to vote on it.” Trump supporters say that as Commander-in-Chief, any president can take limited military action. Trump officials briefed Senate Republicans Thursday, but did not invite Democrats. This issue continues to simmer.
“Biden Autopen Investigation” – The House Oversight Committee has sent its final report on autopen use during the Biden administration to the Justice Department, with a recommendation for further investigation. Autopens have been a long-used tool in Congress and elsewhere in the Nation’s Capital, so you could “sign” the boss's pre-scripted signature into a mechanical device to sign the boss’s "authentic" signature. Truth be told, when I worked for Sen. Herb Kohl (D) Wisconsin, I used his autopen many times to sign proclamations or letters to constituents. But the House GOP leadership has long pondered whether high-level staffers signed Biden’s executive orders or pardons, as his health was declining. The committee report says, “The cost of the scheme to hide the fallout of President Biden’s diminished physical and mental acuity was great but will likely never be fully calculated.” The report added, “The cover-up put American national security at risk and the nation’s trust in its leaders in jeopardy.” Former President Biden has denied that he was ever unaware of his administration’s actions. Biden has said such claims were “ridiculous and false.” Democrats on the House Oversight committee denounced the probe as a waste of time. We’ll see what the Justice Department does.
“New York Mayor’s Race” – Well, things are getting interesting at the eleventh hour in the race for New York City Mayor. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D) New York, has endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) New York, who is running as an independent. Current Mayor Eric Adams also endorsed Cuomo over the party's nominee State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D) New York, who while a Democrat, is also an avowed socialist. “We need leaders who will fight crime, not undermine the police,” Congressman Suozzi wrote in his endorsement letter. Mamdani has picked up his own heavyweight endorsements, including the recent nod from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D) New York, and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) New York. A new Suffolk University Boston Poll has Mamdani up 44 percent over Cuomo, who stands at 34 percent. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa is at 11 percent, with 7 percent undecided. But two weeks ago, Mamdani was up 20 points, so his lead is cut in half. The final day of voting is Tuesday.
“Trump the Rockette?” – My favorite political story of the week was, in fact, not political at all. When President Trump landed in Malaysia, he came down the steps of Air Force One and began dancing with the performers and band that were hired to greet him. I am sure this will be parodied by late-night TV hosts, and perhaps even Saturday Night Live. I mean, his rhythm was a bit off at times, but it was a fun moment to watch him be a human being instead of a robotic politician. I don’t think he’s “Dancing with the Stars” material just yet, so I’d hang onto my day job if I were him.