--:-- Rylan Barton: Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton.
--:-- Rylan Barton: A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP food benefits during the government shutdown. The ruling comes after the administration said it would only partially fund food aid after initially saying it wouldn't at all.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Last week, two judges ordered the government to pay for the benefits using an emergency fund. This is day 37 of the record-long government shutdown.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Earlier this week, some Democrats suggested they were searching for a way out. But as NPR's Sam Greenglass reports, victories at the ballot box Tuesday have emboldened many of them to hold firm.
--:-- Sam Greenglass: Over breakfast at the White House, President Trump told Senate Republicans the shutdown hurt their party on election night.
--:-- Sam Greenglass: The results have given some Democrats, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, confidence to hold out for an extension of expiring health care subsidies.
--:-- Sam Greenglass: The election results were not vague. They were a lightning bolt.
--:-- Sam Greenglass: Bipartisan talks among rank senators are continuing but it unclear if eight Democrats will back a funding measure without a firm plan to extend the subsidies that can also pass the House and get the president's signature.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.
--:-- Rylan Barton: The government shutdown is threatening to disrupt air travel nationwide with fewer staff on duty. The FAA is warning of delays and limited airspace starting tomorrow.
--:-- Rylan Barton: NPR's Windsor-Johnston has more on what travelers can do to avoid getting grounded.
--:-- Windsor Johnston: The Federal Aviation Administration is urging passengers to plan for longer security and boarding times.
--:-- Windsor Johnston: Some regional control centers could operate with reduced staff, meaning fewer flights allowed through at once.
--:-- Windsor Johnston: Airlines are advising customers to check flight status early and sign up for text alerts.
--:-- Windsor Johnston: The Transportation Security Administration says arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three for international is even more critical during the shutdown.
--:-- Windsor Johnston: Travel experts recommend booking early morning departures.
--:-- Windsor Johnston: The FAA says it's working to minimize disruptions, but until funding is restored, even clear skies could mean crowded airspace.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Former Speaker of the House and California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi says she won't seek re-election.
--:-- Rylan Barton: NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports.
--:-- Barbara Sprunt: First elected in 1987, Pelosi would go on to become one of the most effective leaders of the Democratic Party.
--:-- Barbara Sprunt: She cemented her place in the history books in 2007 when she was elected to become the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House.
--:-- Barbara Sprunt: She could reliably deliver Democratic votes on must-pass legislation when necessary, although her first speakership came at a complicated time with a looming financial crisis.
--:-- Barbara Sprunt: She reclaimed the gavel in 2019.
--:-- Barbara Sprunt: During her 10 years as Speaker, she oversaw the passage of landmark legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, and enacted trillions in new spending as part of the American Rescue Plan.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Barbara Sprunt, NPR News, Washington.
--:-- Rylan Barton: You're listening to NPR News from Washington.
--:-- Rylan Barton: The Senate is voting on legislation to check President Trump's ability to launch an attack against Venezuela.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Lawmakers, including top Republicans, have demanded the Trump administration provide them with more information on the military strikes against alleged drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean.
--:-- Rylan Barton: The U.N. Security Council has removed sanctions on Syria's new leader.
--:-- Rylan Barton: This comes just days before President Ahmad al is due to meet President Trump at the White House as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
--:-- Michelle Kellerman: The U drafted the resolution which passed 14 to 0 China abstained saying the U.S. did not take into account its concerns about terrorist groups in Syria.
--:-- Michelle Kellerman: Al-Shira led insurgents who toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year.
--:-- Michelle Kellerman: U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz says now that Al-Shira and Syria's interior minister have been taken off the U.N. sanctions list, they can help give Syria a chance for greatness.
--:-- Michelle Kellerman: With the adoption of this text, the council is sending a strong political signal that recognizes Syria is in a new era.
--:-- Michelle Kellerman: He says al-Shirah is working hard to counterterrorism and promote regional stability.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Solar storms may bring colorful auroras to several northern U.S. states tonight.
--:-- Rylan Barton: The sun emitted a huge burst of energy that's currently on its way to Earth.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Once it gets here, it could cause colorful light displays.
--:-- Rylan Barton: Authorities say they don't expect major disruptions to radio communications.
--:-- Rylan Barton: The sun's at its maximum phase of its 11-year activity cycle.
--:-- Rylan Barton: This is NPR News from Washington.
