Capitol Report Full Broadcast (Oct. 31)

Good evening and welcome to Capture Report on NTD. Here's what's coming up. President Trump calling on Congress to reopen the government even if it means ending the filibuster. That's a snap or food stamps are set to expire tomorrow. White pilot and air traffic control unions are supporting the Republican bill to reopen the government. Judges have now ordered the government to use contingency funds to make food stamp payments but the agriculture secretary Rollins says they're not allowed to do so. As military forces build up in Latin America, President Trump says there's no plan to strike inside Venezuela. From immigration to oil and socialism, why the U.S. is invested in Venezuela and why China is too. We'll hear from former CIA Venezuela station chief Rick de la Torre. On our panel tonight, as millions of Americans are about to lose their food stamp assistance, will the GOP end the filibuster? We'll discuss with Josh Lafazan and Rosemary Becky. This is Capitol Report live from our global headquarters in our nation's capital. Here's Steve Lance. I'm Iris Hao in for Steve Lance tonight. After a month-long shutdown, President Trump is now calling on the Senate to slash the filibuster rule to reopen the government. NDD's Washington correspondent Jack Bradley has more. We'll open up the country and we'll meet. We'll meet very quickly but they have to open up the country. President Trump is calling on the Senate to slash the 60-vote requirement known as the filibuster and pass a government funding bill to reopen the government. Trump wrote on Truth Social late last night, it is now time for the Republicans to play their Trump card and go for what is called the nuclear option, get rid of the filibuster and get rid of it now. Ending the filibuster would allow for the majority party in the Senate to pass any legislation based upon a simple majority vote. Congressional Democrats tried to get rid of the filibuster during Biden's first two years but were unsuccessful in garnering enough support from their own party. What's at stake here are food stamps or snap benefits which are set to expire tomorrow but a federal judge said the agriculture department must use its emergency funds to pay out these benefits of which over 40 million Americans rely on. All the Democrats have to do is say let's go. I mean you know they don't have to do anything. They don't have to agree. All they have to do is say the government is open and we only need five Democrats. When you talk about snap, you're talking about largely Democrats but I'm president. I want to help everybody. I want to help Democrats and Republicans but when you're talking about snap, if you look it's largely Democrats. They're hurting their own people. Other areas feeling the weight of this government shutdown are air traffic controllers who recently received a zero dollar paycheck, many of them not showing up to work and working other jobs to make ends meet. That's driving a lot of flight cancellations and delays. Several leaders of unions representing pilots, air traffic controllers and other travel unions were at the White House yesterday and they called on the Senate to side with Republicans in passing the continuing resolution which extends current levels of government funding. You do not get to take the American people's government hostage and then demand that we give you everything you want in order to pay our air traffic controllers. You're seeing impacts of this shutdown on our airspace and that means travelers are delayed, travelers are canceled. It has real problems. Pass a clean CR, get to the table, negotiate a deal. Do not put working people in the middle of a problem. They should not be in there. It is time to pass a clean CR. Use that as the opportunity to get into a room behind closed doors and negotiate hard on the real and substantive issues that the American people want our politicians on both sides of the aisle to solve. Meanwhile the State Department just added Nigeria to a watch list for violating religious freedom. President Trump said Christians in the West African nation are under threat. Trump wrote on Truth Social today that Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed saying radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. In response the State Department added Nigeria to a countries of particular concern list. Other countries on this religious freedom watch list include China, North Korea and Russia among others. Reporting by Jack Bradley, NTD News. Two judges have now ordered the federal government to continue paying SNAP benefits by using contingency funds. But the agriculture secretary says the government cannot do so without action from Congress. NTD's David Lam has more. Two judges from Massachusetts and Rhode Island have ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds for SNAP, the nation's largest food assistance program. Millions of Americans starting Saturday were set to have their SNAP benefits paused. As a result of the federal government shutdown. SNAP serves about one in eight Americans and costs about eight billion dollars per month nationally. Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins addressing Americans a day ahead of the planned lapse in benefits. So the fact that the Democrats are saying but wait USDA has money in their accounts why it is really their fault. I've seen it over and over and over from some of their leaders is absolute false and it is a lie. She explained the Department of Agriculture's position on why it could not use contingency funds to cover the food stamp program. So there is a contingency fund at USDA but that contingency fund by the way doesn't even cover I think half of the nine point two billion dollars that would be required for but it is only allowed to flow if the underlying program is funded. It's called a contingency fund and by law contingency fund can only flow when the underlying fund is flowing. On October 25th the Trump administration stated that it wasn't permitted to use a contingency fund with approximately five billion dollars in it to fund SNAP. But Rollins did mention a silver lining that there's a national conversation on the program. She noted that the program costs rose to unprecedented highs during the Biden administration and that under President Trump the USDA is adding more accountability. For example she said they are stopping illegal immigrants from receiving benefits and rooting out fraud and abuse. Rollins also said she's David Lam, NTD News. Despite the White House's frustration at a political impasse in Congress, Republicans on the Hill are opposing President Trump's call to end the filibuster. Our Washington correspondent Luis Martinez has the details. Filibuster has traditionally been viewed as a very important safeguard. If the shoe was on the other foot I don't think our team would like it. House Republican leadership has been clear they do not want to see the end of the filibuster in the Senate. But without the support of Senate Democrats the government will remain closed past November 1st when millions of Americans will begin to lose critical nutrition assistance benefits. Could be that what's going on is that they're going to hold on until the president and Republicans decide that they have to use the filibuster and the filibuster for these things that I hope not. November 4th is another important milestone in the government shutdown battle as both the House and Senate Democratic leaders are from the state of New York and on Tuesday New York City will elect its new mayor. Not all Democrats agree with their leadership strategy of leveraging government funding to achieve policy objectives. And like I said to all of the viewers I'm apologizing that that we we can't even get our together and just open up our government. Democratic senators Cortez Mastos Angus King and John Fetterman have consistently voted to reopen government. Senator John Fetterman the Democrat from Pennsylvania has even supported the idea of eliminating the filibuster but just for the government funding votes. I think it's it's entirely appropriate and I would remind you know all of us the Democrats we wanted to to nuke the entire filibuster. You know I'm referring to right now carving out this specific uh right now I'm not talking about eliminating the entire filibuster. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Republicans have been outspoken in their opposition to ending the filibuster. We're not going to end the filibuster on a short-term funding bill. Frankly we're not going to end the filibuster over anything in this Congress. Well it would mean that you never face a super majority vote in the Senate again and if you eliminate it for a four-week funding bill the Democrats they take power will use it to make Washington D.C. a state to get two senators in perpetuity. They'll use it to pack the Supreme Court. If the government shutdown continues by the end of next week it will have become the longest government shutdown in American history. Reporting from Washington D.C. Luis Eduardo Martinez, NTD News. Authorities have now made multiple arrests after the FBI says it foiled a potential terrorist attack in Michigan. Officials say the suspects were planning a violent act over the Halloween weekend. NTD's Christina Corona has the latest. FBI Director Kash Patel says that several individuals who were planning a violent attack over the Halloween weekend were arrested in Michigan on Friday. Five people ages 16 to 20 were taken into custody. The FBI and police conducted raids near the cities of Dearborn and Inkster. Footage shows investigators carrying items out of the house. Investigators say the plot may have been inspired by ISIS and they are checking whether the suspects were radicalized online. According to officials some of the group talked about the attack in an online chat room calling it pumpkin day around Halloween. Investigators also say it was unclear whether the suspects had settled on a specific time or target for the attack. The names of the arrested individuals have not been released and officials noted the suspects did have access to firearms. Patel praised the FBI swift action with local authorities saying it prevented what could have been a tragic attack. Last month Patel confirmed that over 1,000 domestic terrorism cases were under investigation. Currently we have 3,500 international terrorism investigations. Specifically we have in this country 1,700 domestic terrorism investigations a large chunk of which are nihilistic violent extremism NVE. Those who engage in violent acts motivated by a deep hatred of society. Patel said more information will be released as the current investigation unfolds. Police emphasize there is no ongoing threat to the public. Christina Corona NTD News. As the government shutdown enters day 31 are everyday Americans concerned about this SNAP program running out of funds? NTD Sam Wong was out in the National Mall in D.C. to hear from people. Are you concerned about SNAP programs running out of money soon? No I think it actually maybe should be a wake-up call for people that they need to go do something to provide for themselves because the government is not always going to be able to provide for them. Well food stamps are affecting the poorest of the poor and then most needy people and what over 40 percent or something or 50 percent are children. Let's give it a break already you know let's cut it out and take care of the people. People in my family like you know cousins stuff like that they're affected by it so you know it is like a concerning matter but of course it's something that can be solved. Yeah I'm concerned but I think we also need to look at that program and really find out who the people are who need it. I know something about this I teach in a prison so a lot of my students come from families that are highly dependent on these programs but with able-bodied parents who could work but choose to sort of you know milk the system and that happens with all whites, blacks, yellows and browns. It's just a program that we need I think to manage better. I know that this country was founded by guys that came over in a boat with a shovel and an axe and if you didn't work, you didn't earn, you didn't pay your way through, you just didn't make it. By having handouts and programs like that we all want to protect the needy. We want to have that safety net for them but it breeds people taking advantage of it and more and more they expand it and expand it and expand it to where it just doesn't make sense now. Are you concerned about the potential fallout since like one in every eight Americans rely on food stamps? Potential fallout can be disastrous to the neediest people in our society. I mean yeah of course because you know it affects more than just personal families, it affects people who aren't on food stamps as well because you know when people need things they're going to go get them regardless of you know how they get it. I'm concerned about people not understanding why they're not getting their SNAP benefits. You and I both know they're not getting it because we need five more democrat votes. They don't, they're not told that's the reason for our mainstream media isn't exactly telling them the truth on this issue so they're angry. Yeah I think that's something to be concerned about but again you know maybe if they turn the government back on and did fund it and then you know let's look into it and see if we can manage the system better but certainly yeah I'm concerned about my fellow Americans. I think we all should be. We have generous hearts as Americans. We aren't going to let our people suffer and so no I'm not concerned at all. I think it's an opportunity for them to realize they need to go take care of themselves and stop being dependent on other people. A federal judge today ruling that the Trump administration cannot require documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. A D.C. district court judge ruled that administration's proof of citizenship directive is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers. The judge's decision sides with democratic and civil rights groups that sued the Trump administration over the requirement. The administration had argued that requirement is necessary to restore public confidence in the U.S. elections. The judge's order permanently bars the U.S. Election Assistance Commission from enacting that requirement. And coming up President Trump denies plans for strikes inside Venezuela. Are there signs of a regime change? Rick de la Torre former CIA station chief in Caracas Venezuela will join us for analysis after the break. Divinely inspired traditional oil painting inspires compassion. Artwork created in truth and beauty illuminates the path to goodness. Rediscover traditional art revive classical culture. We warmly invite oil painters from around the world to participate in the seventh NTD international figure painting competition. A celebration of classical realism. Please visit oilpainting.ntdtv.com. Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. They're just young people hungry homeless and vulnerable. Covenant House is helping young adults facing homelessness. We're providing safe shelter to thousands but the need is overwhelming. Please call or go online now with your gift of $19 a month we'll send you this blanket as a reminder of the comfort your gift provides a young person tonight. You'll provide safe shelter hot meals and medical care. Call the number on your screen or go online to safeplacetosleep.org. There's a whirlwind of emotion and activity going on in this painting and there's chaos all around and threat from below. The wolves surrounding her and they're anything but unmoved. They're moving all the time and we sense that but this little She's in quite a perilous situation but she's completely strong and serene and she's actually meditating. It was very very well liked because no matter what culture or what sort of walk of life you're from I think people they see it and they immediately understand what that energy what that message is and they they're drawn to it because everybody kind of needs a little bit of that in their own life of you know the steadfast calmness and something to hold on to. It's definitely an inner peace in the midst of something very chaotic and for a lot of people right now the whole world is very very chaotic so I guess that's another reason why so many people are very drawn to Welcome back. I'm Iris Tao. President Trump denies any plans for strikes inside Venezuela while the U.S. military forces continue to build up near the region. Joining me now to discuss is Rick de la Torre. He's a former CIA station chief in Caracas, Venezuela. Thank you so much for joining us tonight. So first I want to start with a bit of intrigue here about Maria Karina Machado, the opposition leader against regime leader Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. She was of course we know the Nobel Peace Prize winner this year who also recognized President Trump in her acceptance of the award. So we're seeing some speculation now that she could be protected in the U.S. embassy. Do you think that's possible? I don't know. I don't have any special insights into into that particular. I do know that she has been in hiding ever since her party won that election and the Maduro regime has tried to keep power and has exercised a very constant members of that party with political arrests, detentions, outlawing them. A great number of those individuals that stood for freedom during that election had to leave the country. So my understanding is that she is in hiding within Venezuela. She's taking on that leadership position to hopefully see a free and democratic Venezuela shortly. So we have seen a lot of military buildup recently around that region. Of course a lot of strikes recently too announced by the administration against alleged drug boats in the region. Do you see that as the actual end goal of striking drug bulls and countering drug trafficking? Do you see that as the actual end goal of those actions or is there something bigger into it that we might need to know here? Well I think what we're seeing is really an escalation of pressure against the Maduro regime. At this stage really with every day, every week that goes on, the military forces that are currently there located adjacent to Venezuela in the water have the capability to completely decapitate that military, the Venezuelan military. Take out all their surface to air missiles, take out their radar installations. So they can do that and Maduro knows that too, right? In fact it was leaked today that he was reaching out to Putin in Moscow seeking assistance and help with missile systems and with additional military supplies in some sort of attempt I guess to push back on the U.S. presence. As this escalation continues and as that pressure continues, the regime is really cornered and left with very, very few options. That is possibly Maduro giving himself up to authorities and where he is indicted here in the United States. He is the leader of a narco state and an active leader within Trinidad Agua and other narco units within Venezuela where they do profit from the drug trade. So that's one option. Another option is perhaps someone within his inner circle decides to facilitate an arrest or turn him over to American authorities or the international court maybe. Or perhaps maybe a third country leader might step in and give him an exit strategy. If all that fails, the continued military presence may reach a level of kinetic military action within Venezuela. Military action around Venezuela, that's certainly something that everyone is looking out for now as tensions rise. Meanwhile, the Maduro regime, we know that it's financing socialism and communism in the whole Latin America region. Here's Senator Rick Scott discussing Cuba. Let's take a look. How do you think removing Maduro would signal to other socialist regimes? It'll be the end of Cuba. America is going to take care of the southern hemisphere and we're going to make sure that there's freedom and democracy. Talk to us more about why Venezuela is significant to the U.S. both geopolitically and also militarily when it pertains to other aspects as well. Sure. So Venezuela over the last few years has basically served as a launching point for our adversaries here in the western hemisphere. It is a puppet state of the Cuban government. The Cuban government is the one that has protected the Maduro regime and has provided them with the knowledge and technology to keep the repressive actions that they do in Venezuela and really keep any democracy movements from actually taking hold. In this last election, that was all undone, but the Cuban government and the Venezuelan regime aren't going to let go that easily. Partners like Beijing and Moscow and Tehran have made significant investments within Venezuela, profiting from off the backs of the Venezuelan people, and that's something that these interests want to try to keep as long as possible. But that time seems like it's coming to an end. And if Venezuela, just like Senator Scott correctly pointed out, if there is a significant regime change in Venezuela, that could signal also the end of the Cuban regime shortly after. So you just mentioned Beijing's role in all of this. Of course, we know that there's a lot of allegations and evidence suggesting that China is in a way propping up Venezuela by buying its oil, sometimes through a transshipment from countries like, for example, Malaysia. We also know that China is actually a big sponsor, if not a big maker, of the surveillance technologies in Venezuela as well, for example, in the ID system of its people and the oil rigs. Can you talk to us more about the CCP's role in all of this? And is the US in a way trying to counter the CCP's influence through countering, for example, threats from Venezuela? Correct. The CCP, the PRC, actively are involved within the Western Hemisphere because they see that as a way of making sure the United States is spending resources, time, and energy in politics in shoring up our own backyard. Obviously, also access to the minerals, oil, and resources that are rich within Latin America is something that's of very big interest to Beijing. We know that the PRC and the CCP consistently engage in corrupt business practices and undermine the leadership of many of these countries by paying bribes and getting sweetheart deals that push out American business interests and even the local folks from being able to benefit from what's in their country. It's certainly in China's best interest to make sure that we're distracted, that we're focused on issues within our own hemisphere, so that they can continue to do the repressive things that they do in other places. In regards to the technology that they provide Venezuela, there's nothing new there. The Chinese have done that in a number of other places, providing military support, technologies that allow them to surveil and be repressive against people within their countries. This is just something simply that they do right out of their playbook. Speaking of China's tactic or long-term practice of using technology to expose repression here, there's two lawmakers right now who are urging the Supreme Court in the U.S. to allow a lawsuit to proceed against a U.S. tech company, Cisco. It is accused of enabling the CCP's brutal persecution of this spiritual practice called Falun Gong, which is persecuted inside China. But the AP reports, quote, American tech companies to a large degree designed and built China's surveillance state. So talk to us here about what the Supreme Court is considering here and the ultimate implications of this case, as it's almost the other way around U.S. companies intentionally or unintentionally assisting with the CCP's regime suppression. Correct. I would make the distinction, of course, that this is a U.S. company, not the U.S. government. Since we do have rule of law in our country, there are steps that we can take to make sure that certain technologies aren't legally exported out of our country. But I think this case highlights a very critical question about whether American technology is helping or helped the Chinese Communist regime carry out human rights abuses against Falun Gong and other pre-democratic movements, right? The allegation is that Cisco's networking systems were adapted by the Chinese authorities for mass surveillance, something that the company does deny. Regardless of the lawsuit's outcome, I think it shines light on how U.S. tech firms face a real moral problem and strategic risks when operating inside authoritarian systems. If you're operating within China, if you're operating within Russia or other maligned countries, this is the kinds of things that you're going to wind up getting yourself into in some way or another if you're not extremely careful. This serves, I think, as a reminder that American innovation should never, ever enable oppression abroad, and we need to take active steps to make sure that that doesn't occur. Risk of aiding and malign persecution and activities by regimes like China, indeed a very serious consideration for American businesses, as we are discussing everything including chip exports as well in today's time and day. Thank you so much, Rick, for your insights. I appreciate it. A former U.S. Army intelligence sergeant has been sentenced for selling national defense secrets to China. What information did he hand over? Find out more tonight on China In Focus with Tiffany Meyer at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Coming up, President Trump urging Senate Republicans to kill the filibuster to pass funding bills with a simple majority. Our panelists Josh Lafazan and Rosemary Becke will join us with the analysis after the break. Election season is back. Socialism is on the ballot in New York, and Trump-backed Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey face their Democratic opponents for governor with results that could impact each party's future. Watch these key races and more during our live special coverage with live data analysis and on-the-ground teams. Join NTD's Steve Lance and Tiffany Meyer on Election 2025, Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern, only on NTD. Being a cowboy, I don't know anything different from when I was 34 years old. I did tough things. I thought everybody needed to do tough things, and if you didn't, I didn't have time for it. I had a very successful career at a very young age, and life is fast. I was preparing physically. I wasn't doing anything mentally on the inside, and then I got hurt. I wanted to be better as a person, and I really dug into mental health. I start my day with 20-minute workouts. I live life eight seconds at a time. Horses are so therapeutic. They know what you're feeling. When you're nervous, they're nervous. He won't say it back, but we're pals. I take a lot of responsibility in taking care of my kids, my family, being there for them. You're gonna have tough days. Everybody does. Find a place to stop and just breathe. Love, you're mine. During high school, I hung with the wrong crowd, and I never graduated. I helped Santiago in many different ways, like all fathers do, because he always wanted to go to college. I felt a little embarrassed to come back to school, but eventually, once I came here, I knew that it's for a bigger goal. He was very dedicated, hardworking. He connected with his teachers. He connected with other students. That was one of the key reasons why he was able to keep forging ahead. It was amazing to see him graduate. This was one thing that meant so much to him, and of course, it meant so much to us, too. With the help of my father and having my son, that was all the motivation that I needed. That support is everything. Find free adult education classes near you at finishyourdiploma.org. You see certain things get reincarnated in your children. My daughter is very much inspired by my wife's artistic pursuits, so my daughter started making necklaces. She makes what we call affirmation fashion. I tell her every day that you're black is beautiful. You're black is beautiful. You're black is beautiful, and if there's anything better than being beautiful, it's being smart, and if there's anything better than being smart, it's being kind, and reaffirming that every day is our method of making sure her chin never drops. My dad wasn't around, and I remember riding a bike and falling off and cutting myself, and me never would just want to get back on it. People ask, how your children learn how to ride a bike, and you did. I didn't teach them. I just created an environment where they taught themselves, and all I had to do was be there. Welcome back. I'm Iris Tao. The Senate is now adjourned until Monday, which further prolongs the government shutdown, now in day 31. What will break the stalemate? Joining me now to discuss is our panelist, Josh Lafazon, a Democratic strategist, as well as Rosemary Becky, a former tax counsel to the Senate Finance Committee and a former IRS attorney. Thank you both so much for joining us tonight. With the government shutdown now dragging on seemingly without an end in sight, President Trump has urged Senate Republicans to use what he calls the nuclear option and kill the filibuster in order to pass a funding bill with a simple majority. Of course, we have heard some GOP senators say that they're actually opposed to the measure and will keep their stance on keeping the measure. First, Josh, how do you see this affecting bipartisan cooperation in the long term? Sure. Thanks, Iris, for having me. I will tell you, it's time to end the filibuster. I'm a Democrat, and I'm glad that Donald Trump, a Republican, agrees, and I hope more Republicans come on board. First off, it's absurd that the filibuster even exists in 2025. The filibuster is not some proud American tradition for centuries. It was historically used, as we know, to block or delay civil rights legislation. It was used to block anti-lynching bills. The Civil Rights Act of 1957, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, the filibuster makes Senate, and thus the Congress, completely useless. The 118th Congress, that was 2023 to 2025, which concluded this past January, passed a historic low number of bills, the least bills of any Congress ever, only to be surpassed by the uselessness of this current Congress, which is on pace to pass a record low number of bills as well. This Congress is useless because you can't get anything done. If you get something done in the House, it's going to be blocked in the Senate. In terms of the government shutdown specifically, I agree with Trump here. The party in power, in my opinion, should be held responsible for keeping the lights on. It's pretty simple. If Republicans control the majority in the House and the Senate, then they should be responsible for keeping the government open. This gamesmanship, this blame game, and this 53 plus 7 to get to 60 is ridiculous. Yes, I'm a Democrat, and I agree with Trump. It doesn't happen often, but when it happens, I'm not afraid to admit it. He's right here. I hope Democrats and Republicans get on board. So Rosemary, of course, we have heard both Democrats and Republicans in Congress in the past advocating for potentially getting rid of the filibuster when their policy priorities need to advance. But of course, there's a lot of caution against doing so as well in past administrations, and now, of course, this one as well. Talk to us more about what you think. Do you think it's to increase efficiency, or do you think it's a break from traditions and could potentially lead to more issues down the road? I agree that it could lead to a lot more issues. I worked in the United States Senate, and the filibuster serves a very important role. We could cause such damage to our process and to the institution if we do away with the filibuster. Again, it serves a very, very important role. Look, this is so easy to fix this current situation. Just pass the CR. It is a clean CR. That is all that needs to be done in these circumstances. Frankly, in past shutdowns, it always ends with the passage of a clean CR. Once the CR is done, the parties can come to the table and can negotiate and talk about those tax credits and the tax subsidies and other issues and resolve them. Again, while I typically always agree with the President on this one, I think it is really important to preserve the filibuster. Otherwise, we're going to do great damage to the Senate as an institution. Very interesting discussion here. As we see, our Democratic panelists actually agreeing with President Trump, and you actually think that's not a good move. Let's keep going on here. Of course, we know that a big concern surrounding the shutdown is, of course, what everyday Americans are experiencing. The federal SNAP benefits are set to expire tomorrow due to the shutdown running out of funds, prompting some states like New York, for example, to tap into their emergency funds. It's also raising fears among some vulnerable families. A judge has now ordered the Department of Agriculture to tap into their emergency funds, despite the Department previously saying that they require action from Congress before doing so. Josh, how urgent do you think is federal intervention in this case to prevent potentially broader instability, or should the states handle them themselves? Urgency is the answer. Iris, I will tell you, this is infuriating because we are speaking about SNAP as a political issue when it's an issue of basic human rights. Come this weekend, and come this week, people in this country will go hungry. People in this country will enter starvation and malnutrition, and people in this country will lose their lives. Let's contextualize this. Thirty-nine percent of SNAP recipients are children. Is this the MAGA, America First policy to give $40 billion to Argentina, but let American children go hungry? I will tell you, if we can't protect our children, I don't know what we're doing, but it gets worse. One in five SNAP recipients are senior citizens. What should they do? Should they get another job? Should they learn to code? Maybe go to the steel mill? Over a million veterans get SNAP. Do these heroes no longer matter once their service is completed? The greatest irony I find is the majority of SNAP beneficiaries in this country live in Trump states, not in Democratic states. Outside of this being a very clear moral urgent issue, it's also, in my opinion, a very clear legal issue. The president, by law, must spend the contingency fund if the SNAP benefits are extinguished. He disagrees, and that's okay, because a federal judge in Boston ruled that Trump and his administration are basically unlikely unlawful in terms of benefits cut off. A further case in Rhode Island was decided where the judge ordered the administration to release the emergency SNAP funds. One judge, two judge, I don't know how many more judges we need here. People are starving in this country. If the role of government is not to protect the basic needs of the most vulnerable, children, seniors, and veterans, then I don't know why we have a government in the first place. Rosemary, we have heard, for example, Agriculture Secretary Rollins saying that their contingency funds are really meant for natural disasters. For a situation like this, Congress should instead step in to act first. What do you think? Should the federal government tap into its emergency funds to at least address the short-term issue that we're facing as early as tomorrow when the SNAP benefits run out? Any other steps you see that could help avoid escalating tensions? The secretary thought they did not have the authority to use those contingency funds. Frankly, I think that the White House is going to welcome these judges telling them that they should use them, frankly. I think the White House completely recognizes that this is an urgent matter and that we need to get these benefits to Americans. Again, it's super simple. Just pass the CR, just pass the clean CR, reopen the government, and get to the table and start to have a conversation. We've now passed a clean CR 13 times, or at least voted on it, excuse me, 13 times, and can't seem to find the rest of the votes to pass it. Again, I agree this is a really urgent matter, but I think the answer is pretty simple. Of course, we're now on track to seeing the longest government shutdown, now already at 31 days, but could potentially surpass a higher record very soon in just a few days. Of course, all eyes on that in the coming days. Meanwhile, shifting gears now to the New York City mayoral race with Azharan Mamdani remaining ahead in polls, but Andrew Cuomo was saying that if he gets elected and Mamdani wins, then New York City won't have a future. Let's take a look. Socialists believe the NYPD is racist, his words, wicked, his word, corrupt, his word, anti-queer, that they are a threat to public safety. They are anti-public safety, anti-law and order, anti-business. New York does not have a future if that's the governance. So first, Josh, you're a Democrat and you are also, of course, you have New York roots and have been though criticizing Mamdani. So talk to us more about what you think here. Do you share Cuomo's concerns and what impact do you think a potential Mamdani win will have on the city? I do. And like Governor Cuomo said, I'm a Democrat. I'm not a democratic socialist or whatever Mamdani is. The idea that he's about to be the next mayor is an embarrassment to what is, in my opinion, the greatest city in the world. I'm a Long Islander and I'm a proud Long Islander. I can't vote in the city. And thank goodness I don't vote in the city because what's happening is crazy here. And at least on Long Island, we understand basics. This is a man so profoundly anti-Semitic that he refuses to condemn the term globalize the intifada, which should be the bare minimum. And while he'll accuse Israel of the blood libel of genocide, he only accuses Hamas of war crimes on October 7th. A man who hangs out with Hassan Piker, who calls Jews inbred and says America deserves 9-11, was just at his rallies of the IP. This is a man who's so remarkably stupid that he says ending bus fares will reduce violence. That social workers are better equipped to handle 9-11 calls. Freeze the rent will magically fix the housing market. A man so ignorant of basic law, he threatens to arrest Bibi Netanyahu under an ICC warrant when the United States doesn't even recognize the ICC's jurisdiction. Iris, that would take a Google search of about five seconds. And a man remarkably so unaccomplished that he failed to pass any major piece of legislation before seeking the mayor's office of America's biggest city. The governor is correct here. Learning to be the New York City mayor, you don't learn on the job here. This is one of the most important jobs in the world. And so all eyes are on New York City. If New York City elects not only a democratic socialist, but somebody with hostility to the basics of what has made the city great and the country great, I think it's a mockery of our system. I think it's an indictment on America's public education system. It's an indictment on our great city here in New York. And we should take a deep look inward as to how we, the greatest democracy in the history of civilization here, could possibly elect an ignoramus to this job. And if this guy, this doofus can get elected, where's the bottom? I don't know what the answer is. So Rosemary, I see you nodding your head actually along. So of course, we have heard a lot of Democrats, including Josh here, saying that, well, we're a Democrat, we're not a democratic socialist, and Mamdani is really going too far here. And actually, in the latest interviews, Mamdani, he admitted himself that his proposal for free bus fares actually will be hard to achieve. So talk to us more about your take, Rosemary. Given New York City's unique economic and political significance here, how do you think the results from this mayoral race will impact other cities? If Mamdani really wins, say according to the polls, how will his policies and his win even affect national politics? So first of all, I have to say I completely agree with Josh. I really do. I think that this is horrific that New York is about to elect this man as the mayor. And I do think it'll have a profound effect on other places, because I think throughout this country, we're going to start to see very similar candidates like him pop up across the country. I also think it actually impacts other elections. You know, I sit here in New Jersey, and frankly, we have a very contentious governor's race here. And I got to tell you, people look across, you know, across the bridge, and they see what's going on in New York, and they say, we don't want that here in New Jersey. One of the slogans is, don't New York our New Jersey. So I think it is going to have a very profound effect. And I actually find it very refreshing that there are Democrats like Josh out there that really speak their mind, because it is true. It is a travesty. I think this gentleman is a communist. I think this is so scary for our nation. And I think somehow we've kind of glorified socialism and communism, and people don't really understand what that could mean. The consequence of socialism and communism that a lot of Americans might not actually comprehend yet. Definitely a serious consideration here. Josh Lafazan and Rosemary Becky, thank you so much for joining us tonight. Of course, all eyes on next Tuesday when the election actually kicks in. We appreciate your insights. Coming up, a Republican-led Ohio panel approves new House districts today. Arlene Richards has more on the latest moves by a state legislature in the battle for congressional majority. More on that after the break. Shen Yun Creations, the streaming platform from Shen Yun, featuring world-class dance, past programs, and all original music. Masterclasses, behind-the-scenes, comedy, and more. Explore ShenYunCreations.com. Is deep-sea fish oil really healthy? Due to pollution in the oceans, most fish contain heavy metal elements and radioactive substances. That's why it's so important to choose a pure source of omega-3. Puritan Green Vegetable Omega-3 is made from porcelain and forensics, which are rich in nutrients and minerals. It effectively improves brain power and is beneficial to the heart's health. Puritan Green Vegetable Omega-3. Eat two a day and you'll feel brand new. This land, our America, built on hard work, determination, and grit. Sometimes the days run long, but hope, it never runs out. Even when the food does, for America's veterans, working parents, even kids. Because in every corner of every town, even yours, millions of hard-working neighbors are facing a hunger crisis. Many for the very first time. In this land of plenty, affording food shouldn't require second jobs and third shifts or choosing between your groceries and bills. Today, you can help change that. Call or go online to helpfeedingamerica.org and give $19 a month, less than 63 cents a day, to help every neighbor get the food they urgently need. Because taking care of each other is what makes America strong. We're Feeding America. Not just a name, but an action. Working with over 200 local food banks like the ones in your community. And demand is soaring. You go to the grocery store, you spend $100 and $100 is a new $20 bill. Even with two full-time jobs, it's hard to make ends meet. These are tough times, but when we stand together, we become the very best of a strong America. Please call or go online to helpfeedingamerica.org. Just $19 a month can feed a family today. And your first gift can double in impact. Plus, we'll send you this free canvas bag as a reminder of the hope you're delivering. When it comes down to it, it's about taking care of your family first and the loved ones that you need to provide for. Because you're not just giving food, you're fueling resilience for people across the nation. You're Feeding America. Call or go online today to helpfeedingamerica.org and your gift can double in impact. Welcome back. I'm Iris Tao. More than a billion dollars in Medicaid funds have been spent on illegal immigrants nationwide. That's according to an audit conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. In a 2024 and 2025 year span, five states and D.C. spend money to cover health care for illegal immigrants. Among them, California alone spent a staggering $1.3 billion. In a statement to the Epoch Times, the Department of Health and Human Services says, quote, CMS is auditing aggressively, recovering every dollar and holding states accountable. Roughly 78 million Americans are Medicaid recipients. Federal law makes the program available for citizens and certain immigrants with legal status. Another Republican-led state adopts new house districts, Ohio. Meanwhile, Virginia's Democrat lawmakers advance their own plans for redistricting. NTD's Arlene Riches has the details. Ohio Republicans on Friday entered the intense battle over congressional seats taking place across several states. The Ohio Redistricting Commission adopted new U.S. House districts that could boost the GOP's chances of winning two additional seats in next year's elections. Having received a unanimous vote by members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, as well as two affirmative votes from members of each of the two largest political parties in the Ohio General Assembly, as required by Article 19, Section 1E of the Ohio Constitution, the congressional district plan for the state of Ohio is adopted and will remain effective until the year 2031. Before the final vote, local Democratic citizens criticized the new map. We expect you to do right by the voters and create fair voting districts. Our redistricting process remains deeply flawed, lacking fairness, collaboration, and transparency that true representation demands. Several Ohioans said the new map is gerrymandered more for Republicans than the one it is replacing. Ohio's state auditor said the map was fair because 55 percent of the population is Republican and 45 percent is Democrat. This citizen disagreed. Because you're saying, under your theory, then every single district in Ohio would end up being Republican and we would have 15 Republican representatives in Congress and zero Democrat, even though 45 percent, almost half the population, is Democratic. Meanwhile, Virginia's Democratic-led Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment on Friday that would give the Virginia General Assembly the authority to temporarily bypass a bipartisan redistricting commission and gerrymander their maps. The amendment leaves the commission intact but provides an option for the legislature to act between January 1, 2025 and October 31, 2030 if another state redraws its congressional districts before the next census. The measure would still need to pass the General Assembly again next year, then go before voters in a statewide referendum. Marlene Richards, NTD News. Only four days to go until the New York City mayoral election. Candidates are still making their last-minute pitches to voters today, as 480,000 New Yorkers have already cast their ballots in early voting. NTD's Dave Martin asked some New Yorkers for their takes on the candidates. Take a look. I'm voting for Cuomo because I really don't know Mandani. I don't know enough of him and I don't him enough to run the city. His promises is like a little bit outlandish. Like, I just don't, I just think it's too much like, you know, free busing. I don't think that's gonna happen. I think in Cuomo, you know, I felt like he is a fair governor. His personal business does not have to do with his work ethic. Yeah, I'm planning on voting for Zora Mandani. I think he's great for the people. He really makes me think of, like, myself as a New York resident. I feel very connected. I especially like how what he wants to do with the MTA. I really think that's a good thing, especially because so many New Yorkers here, like, are dependent on commuting, whether that's for work, for school. I'm 23. I've got 23 years of living. You always hear politicians going to do this, going to do that. Then when you get into office, something happened and they do a fraction of what they actually said they were going to do. $30 minimum wage, freezing rent, that sounds good. Who wouldn't want that? But I don't really think it's going to happen. Sliwa, I hear, I think he's the man for the job. I don't think he's going to win either. But what I know about him, he's been in the streets of New York since, like, the 70s. I heard he got shot over it. I think he really is in New York's best interest. I don't think there's enough dollars behind him that's going to actually help him win. President Trump and First Lady handed out candies on the South Drive. The USDA provided a photo op with a giant pumpkin and miniature pumpkins from American farmers. And that's part of the White House's Halloween celebration this week. And in just about a month, the White House will reopen its doors for public tours. Tourists will have updated routes, offering guests the opportunity to experience the history and beauty of the People's House. All December tours will feature the White House's Christmas decorations by First Lady Melania Trump on the state floor. And that's all we have for you tonight on the Capitol Report. For round-the-clock original news coverage, visit us at ntd.com slash live or download our NTD app. I'm Iris Tao. Have a nice evening. We'll see you back here on Monday.