A budget fight in Washington shouldn’t decide whether families in New Mexico can buy groceries—but that’s exactly where we are. We open with the real-world fallout of the federal shutdown: SNAP delays for roughly 460,000 New Mexicans, TSA slowdowns, and unpaid military members, all tied up in a standoff over temporary ACA subsidies that were created during COVID. We break down how those subsidies work, who actually receives them, why insurers benefit, and what reform could look like if Congress focused on affordability instead of brinkmanship.

From there, we wrestle with the Senate’s biggest pressure valve: the filibuster. Trump wants it gone to power through a reopening and a faster agenda. Many Republicans balk, warning that killing the 60-vote threshold would turn the Senate into a smaller House and supercharge policy whiplash. We walk through the unintended consequences of past rule changes, the real risk of court packing, and one bold idea to stabilize the system: protect the filibuster with a constitutional amendment so the rules can’t swing with every majority.

We also talk politics on the ground: why affordability—not vibes—will decide 2026. Voters care about grocery bills, rent, energy, and healthcare, and they won’t reward leaders who minimize that pain. We push for a clear cost-of-living plan that’s measurable and fast. Then we zoom into Albuquerque, where rising crime has become the central question of the mayor’s race. We lay out the data, challenge “not my job” answers on public safety, and argue for accountability over party loyalty.

If you’re tired of spin and want practical fixes—on budgets, healthcare costs, and public safety—this conversation lays out the stakes and the options. Listen, share with a friend who’s feeling the pinch, and tell us where you stand: keep the filibuster or go simple majority? And what’s the first, most concrete step to lower costs where you live? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

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