Wednesday morning news: October 1, 2025

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Government shutdown latest » On Capitol Hill last night: The Senate voted on whether to keep the government funded into November.

AUDIO:  On this vote, the yeas are 55 and the nays are 45. The bill upon reconsideration is not passed.

The yeas were the majority but did not meet the 60-vote threshold. And with that, the federal government partially shut down at midnight.

Two Democrats joined the Senate’s 53 Republicans, voting yes on a clean stopgap funding bill. That would have extended current government funding until just before Thanksgiving.

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons voted ‘no.’

COONS:  This is about healthcare. This is about my party saying Enough is enough.

Democrats charged that provisions in what President Trump called his “one big beautiful bill” cut healthcare benefits for many Americans. Republicans say the law cuts waste, fraud, and abuse in healthcare.

And GOP Sen. John Kennedy said Democrats wouldn’t agree to fund the government unless Republicans agreed to make it bigger.

KENNEDY:  We want you to commit to spending $1.5 trillion more than you're spending now.

After the vote, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued a memo saying “affected agencies should now execute their plans for an orderly shutdown.”

Gaza peace latest »

Hamas says it is studying President Trump’s new 20-point proposal to end the war in Gaza.

But the president says the terror group will have to provide an answer soon.

TRUMP: We are going to do about three or four days. And we’ll see how it is. All of the Arab countries are all signed up. The Muslim countries are all signed up. We’ll see how it is. Israel’s all signed up. We’re just waiting for Hamas.

Numerous countries in the Middle East and beyond have thrown their support behind the deal, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, hostages released within 72 hours, and Israel pulling back troops while keeping a security perimeter.

It also requires Hamas to effectively disarm.

Israel latest » In Israel, some residents are expressing cautious optimism about the peace plan … while others are taking a wait-and-see approach. Adi Nissim was a visitor at the Nova Music Festival memorial …

NISSIM : I believe that it can go both ways. I think that it's definitely an effort to change something, but there have been efforts the whole time during this whole war and change hasn't really happened, so I think it's all up in the air.

Meanwhile Palestinians in the West Bank city of Nablus were less than enthusiastic about the plan.

PALESTINIAN: [Speaking Arabic]

One resident calls the people behind the plan liars who care nothing for peace … and want to force Palestinians to leave the land and hand it over to Israel.

However, Palestinian Authority, which oversees portions of the West Bank, has welcomed the peace plan.

Trump-Pfizer announcement » At the White House, President Trump on Tuesday announced a new deal between his administration and Pfizer. Under the deal, the drug-maker will provide many of its drugs to the federal government at the same lower prices … at which they're sold in Europe and other developed nations.

TRUMP: In terms of pricing, it's gonna be great for Medicare, Medicaid, social security. It's gonna be great for everything 'cause you're. Medicine costs are coming way down.

Trump made the announcement alongside Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and top health officials in the Oval Office.

He also rolled out a new website, “Trump Rx,” where Americans will be able to purchase medicines directly from drugmakers.

The president says additional deals with other companies are expected soon.

Hegseth combat standards » And in Quantico, Virginia Tuesday … the president addressed a rather extraordinary gathering of some 800 military generals and admirals

TRUMP:  To each and every one of you. I thank you for your unwavering devotion to the armed forces and to the country … that we've all sworn a sacred oath to defend. We all have that oath, every one of us.

He did so alongside Pentagon chief Pete Hegeseth.

Hegseth, of course, was confirmed by the Senate as the Secretary of Defense — still his official title. But the president now calls him the Secretary of War … a ceremonial title change that made sense in light of Hegseth’s message to commanders.

HEGSETH:  From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this war, fighting, preparing for war, and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit.

He added that at his direction, each branch will ensure that every combat role returns to the highest male physical standard—because, he said, those jobs are life or death.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Washington Wednesday with Hunter Baker. Plus, a special report on World Tour, and later, learning to communicate clearly.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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