Federal spending talks ground to a halt this week, with Democrats wanting healthcare subsidies to be included in any approved funding bills. Republicans are opposed and refusing to negotiate. President Trump does not appear interested in working out a compromise. He canceled a meeting last week with Democratic party leaders, and the White House says that it will order federal agencies to fire employees permanently if Democrats do not vote to approve a stopgap spending measure now. We talk about the stakes and what a government shutdown could mean for California.

Guests:

Adhiti Bandlamudi, housing reporter, KQED

Russell Berman, staff writer, The Atlantic

Sarah Wire, senior national political correspondent, USA Today

Nicholas Wu, congressional reporter, Politico

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