Up First from NPR DHS Shutdown, Ukraine Peace Talks, Olympics Stars Stumble
88 snips
Feb 16, 2026 
Brian Mann, reporting from Cortina d'Ampezzo, gives updates on Olympic results and athlete psychology. Charles Maines, based in Moscow, covers Geneva peace talks and shifting diplomatic pressures. Sam Greenglass, congressional reporter, explains the DHS funding lapse and the politics behind missed deadlines. They discuss negotiations, territorial demands, and how pressure affects top athletes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Shutdowns Signal Systemic Congressional Dysfunction
- Frequent funding lapses reflect Congress's chronic inability to pass timely appropriations.
- Political tribalism and diminished rewards for compromise make deadlines repeatedly missable.
Crisis Momentum Fades Before Deals Form
- High-profile crises prompt short-term talk but rarely sustain bipartisan deals.
- Once the shock fades, lawmakers retreat to their corners and compromise wanes.
Watch For Practical Signals During A Partial Shutdown
- Prepare for limited immediate effects unless the DHS lapse drags on by monitoring agency notices.
- Stay alert for return-to-work calls from Congress if negotiators reach a deal quickly.