The Daily

A showdown between House Republicans and their leader, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is heading toward a government shutdown. Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for The Times, explains the causes and consequences of the looming crisis. Guest: Carl Hulse [https://www.nytimes.com/by/carl-hulse], is chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: * How a small minority of right-wing Republicans succeeded in sowing mass dysfunction, spoiling for a shutdown, an impeachment and a House coup [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/23/us/republicans-congress-freedom-caucus.html?smid=pc-thedaily]. * As a government shutdown looms, Speaker McCarthy is toiling to turn the fight over federal spending into a battle over border security [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/us/politics/shutdown-mccarthy-immigration-border.html?smid=pc-thedaily]. * President Biden’s shutdown strategy is simple [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/us/politics/biden-government-shutdown-strategy.html?smid=pc-thedaily]: Avoid one, if possible. But if not, make sure Americans know where to place the blame. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily] Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Although one major strike, against Hollywood studios, was finally resolved this past week, another, against U.S. vehicle makers, is expanding. The plight of the autoworkers has now become a major point of contention in the presidential race. Jonathan Weisman, a political correspondent for The Times, explains why the strike could be an essential test along the road to the White House. Guest: Jonathan Weisman [https://www.nytimes.com/by/jonathan-weisman], a political correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: * A day after President Biden appeared on a picket line with United Automobile Workers, former President Donald J. Trump spoke at an auto parts factory [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/us/politics/trump-autoworkers-detroit.html]. * The U.A.W. strike could either accelerate a wave of worker actions or stifle labor’s recent momentum [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/19/business/economy/strike-autoworkers-labor.html]. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

After 148 days on strike, writers of movies and television are returning to work on Wednesday with an agreement in hand that amounts to a major win for organized labor in Hollywood. John Koblin, a media reporter for The Times, explains why the studios acquiesced to writers’ demands and what the deal means for the future of American entertainment. Guest: John Koblin [https://www.nytimes.com/by/john-koblin], a media reporter for The New York Times. Background reading: * After Hollywood’s bitter monthslong labor dispute, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/media/hollywood-writers-strike-deal.html]the Writers Guild of America got most of what it wanted [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/media/hollywood-writers-strike-deal.html?smid=pc-thedaily]. * Now the focus turns to actors [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/media/actors-strike-negotiations.html?smid=pc-thedaily]: The studios and the actors’ union haven’t spoken for more than two months, and a deal is needed before the entertainment industry can fully return. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.