This is a transcription of the Daily Dispatch from October 1, 2025, hosted by Chris Mosser.
The Daily Dispatch, hosted by Chris Mosser on Progress Texas Podcasts network, is posted every weekday, M-F, and takes less than ten minutes to catch up on the news you need to know. Click here to listen.

As October begins, so begins a federal government shutdown that Steve Peoples at the Associated Press calls a rare moment of unity against Donald Trump as far-left activists, Washington moderates, and even rural conservative Democratic leaders appear to agree—for today anyway—that a shutdown is needed to push back against Trump and his Republican puppets in Congress. It comes after months and months of the Democratic delegation coming up short in stopping the Trump agenda. 

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are insisting in tandem that any government spending package must extend health care subsidies that are set to expire at the year’s end. 

At the end of the day, Trump’s party controls the White House and both chambers of Congress and only the most brainwashed, whitewashed elements of MAGA will willfully ignore the fact that the GOP owns this BS—not that there aren’t tens of millions of those, who will predictably do exactly that. 

Texas Congressional Democrats weigh in

El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar notes that “House Republicans aren’t even at the Capitol. . . Republicans created a healthcare crisis with massive Medicaid cuts to fund tax breaks for millionaires, and the president has ignored the law by cutting congressionally funded programs and firing employees. We have another healthcare crisis: expiration of Obamacare subsidies.”

She continued saying, “Americans are already dealing with increasing grocery costs and utility bills. Despite Trump’s promise to lower costs ‘on day one,’ and usher in ‘a golden age,’ the opposite is happening. And this looming healthcare crisis—once it hits—will be catastrophic for Americans. If Americans get slapped with higher healthcare premiums, which will happen if we don’t act now, they won’t be able to afford their care. Even Republicans know these higher premiums would be devastating… Republicans are acting like passing their short-term continuing resolution is business as usual. What’s happening in America is anything but business as usual.” 

Dallas Congressman Marc Veasey said, “This is a Republican shutdown. This is a Republican manufactured health crisis. And without even concept of a plan - they are fleeing town while your healthcare costs skyrocket.” 

Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher shared, “I am in Washington with my Democratic colleagues, ready to keep the government open and to save our health care.  But the reality is, with control of the House, the Senate, and the presidency, 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙪𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣.  And they're not here.” 

And San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro stated, “Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House—they have only themselves to blame for a shutdown. They need to negotiate with House Democrats to pass a budget, stop a shutdown, and protect healthcare for American families.” 

What does this mean for Texas? 

The Texas Tribune lines it out as civilian federal workers in Texas head to work this morning without the promise of a paycheck. We have more than 130,000 of those workers in Texas, employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Army, the Air Force, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Treasury. Workers who perform critical functions, say air traffic controllers and TSA agents at Texas airports, will probably be required to work without pay until after the shutdown ends—be extra nice to the security folks at the airport while this is happening. 

Others expected to show up include those working in veterans’ health care and providers at VA hospitals, active-duty service members and most civilian personnel at Ford Hood, Fort Bliss and other military installations, and yes—Border Patrol and federal law enforcement operations including ICE. How many gung ho newly recruited ICE agents are now unsure when that next paycheck is gonna show up? 

Workers considered non-essential during past shutdowns are likely to see their jobs suspended—that’s staff at Big Bend National Park, the Veterans Benefits Administration regional offices in Houston and Waco, and Department of Agriculture Service Center officers all over Texas. 

The last government shutdown in 2018 lasted 35 days, and this one appears set to potentially go longer—both sides are very much dug in. For now, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid remain in business though administrative help for Texans depending on those programs could be disrupted. SNAP, or food stamps, is set to continue for about a month, but WIC, which provides food and immunization aid to pregnant or postpartum mothers and children under 5 will likely run out of funding faster than that—so of course, our most vulnerable Texans will feel the pinch first. 

In August, Republicans shut down the US House of Representatives to stop the Epstein Files investigation. In October, Republicans shut down the entire government to stop Americans from getting affordable healthcare. Who do these extremists work for? Vote them out.

What’s Next?

• The voter registration deadline is next Monday, Oct. 6! Check your status and prepare to vote using our helpful resource, GoVoteTexas.org! (available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, and Hindi)
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