Senate’s ACA vote; Fed cuts rates; Venezuela : NPR

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Today's top news

The Senate is set to vote today on two health care policy plans, one from Democrats and one from Republicans. — aimed at reducing costs for individuals Buying health insurance on Healthcare.gov. Meanwhile, some House Republicans want to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire in less than three weeks. They warn that Republican leaders risk losing voters and their majority if they allow the subsidies to expire without replacement.

• 🎧 Republicans have a slim majority in the Senate, and since bills require 60 votes to passNPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports Up first that none of the options will most likely be implemented. This is unfortunate news for people currently undergoing open enrollment and hoping for some relief. Yesterday, Simmons-Duffin spoke with Ellen Allen of Charleston, West Virginia, who said she signed up for the bronze plan without vision or dental insurance. The plan costs Allen a monthly premium of $1,967.50, four times the cost of a plan with less coverage this year. The survey shows that expanded subsidies are quite popular across party linesAccording to Simmons-Duffin. She predicts that the vote is unlikely to be the end of the story and that Congress may continue to work on a solution.

Yesterday, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point in a vote of 9 to 3. The Fed made this decision in an effort to support the weakening labor market. Stubborn inflation and lagging economic data complicated the decision-making process. The rate cut came as a relief to investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points.

• 🎧 In updated forecasts, Fed policymakers say they plan to cut interest rates again in 2026.. According to NPR's Scott Horsley, inflation has dropped significantly but remains above the Fed's 2% target. Presidential tariffs have led to higher prices for imported goods. While Fed officials don't believe tariffs will have a long-term impact on inflation, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says they're not taking any chances. Powell says that best way to help with accessibility The goal is not only to reduce inflation, but also to ensure a stable labor market.

President Trump said yesterday that US forces had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Attorney General Pam Bondi released video showing U.S. forces and Coast Guard personnel descending from a helicopter onto the tanker. Congress is demanding answers over U.S. strikes on suspected drug ships, especially the Sept. 2 incident in which the military killed two men who survived the initial strikes. Admiral Alvin Halsey, who oversaw the strikes, is retiring this week.

• 🎧 Officials have not publicly provided details about Halsey's departure, but it is unusual. According to Steve Walsh of NPR network station WHRO, the top commander must leave one year behind a typical three-year assignment. Halsey appeared in closed session before lawmakers this week to express concerns about the ongoing boat strikes. Reports hint that he was diplomatic in his messagessays Walsh. Meanwhile, lawmakers' concerns remain as they continue to demand video of the Sept. 2 strike and the administration's legal justification for carrying out some 22 strikes on suspected drug vessels that killed 87 people.

Today's audition

As 2025 comes to an end, it's time to rock the jams and celebrate the best music of the year. The NPR music team started the party by tackling the biggest question: What were the best albums of the year? Although one album took the desired place NPR Music's No. 1 Album of 2025the team did not stop there. They were tasked with creating a personal list of the 10 best albums of the year and highlighting one album they would recommend to everyone. Get ready to immerse yourself in the team's elite without skipping a beat. set of 12 best albums they would recommend.

Also, visit NPR Music favorite songs of 2025And listen to the playlist on the streaming platform of your choice. Get more information about the best music of 2025. Here.

Deep Dive

Black bears have historically been West Texas' top predators. But overhunting and habitat loss have led to their decline for decades. Now, black bear sightings have increased in the state, and researchers believe their populations are growing elsewhere. While West Texas celebrates the return of bears, their presence is causing problems and concerns as they enter neighborhoods, enter yards and threaten livestock and pets. Here how some states cope:

• 🐻 In states like Montana and Colorado, residents are installing bear-resistant trash cans and trash cans. In some cases, they may use alarm systems or sprinklers to scare away the bears.
• 🐻 Wildlife biologists emphasize that residents should remove their food and anything that might attract hungry bears from the area.
• 🐻 Biologists are also working to prepare and educate people to live with black bears in hopes of reducing conflicts between bears and people.

3 things you need to know before your trip

1. “Involution,” a little-known term used in agricultural economics, is NPR's “Word of the Week.” This is how it jumped out academia in Chinese meme culture — and how it ultimately influenced government policy.
2. This week's postcard series, Outer Spaces, takes you to a food stall in the Indian town of Marikawalasa, where working women go. enjoy a meal and relax in the evening before returning to work.
3. Sophie Kinsella, author of the hugely popular book Shopaholic series of books, yes died at the age of 55. Last year, she announced that she would be diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2022.

This newsletter has been edited Suzanne Nuyen.