Next Shutdown Threat, Portable Mortgages, Thanksgiving Flights and more

Summary of Next Shutdown Threat, Portable Mortgages, Thanksgiving Flights and more

by CNN Podcasts

6m•November 13, 2025
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Overview of Next Shutdown Threat, Portable Mortgages, Thanksgiving Flights and more

This CNN Podcasts episode (host Charlie Drever) runs through five news items for Thursday, November 13: a potential new federal shutdown tied to expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies; court challenges to indictments against James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James based on the appointment of the prosecutor who brought the charges; proposals for “portable” or very long mortgages to ease housing mobility; an ammonia gas leak in Weatherford, Oklahoma; and rising Thanksgiving airfares driven in part by troubles at Spirit Airlines. The episode also includes ads (Ka'Chava) and a promo for the Chasing Life podcast.

Key takeaways

  • A temporary truce ended the recent shutdown, but another funding fight could reappear by Jan. 30 over expiring ACA premium subsidies.
  • Defense attorneys for James Comey and Letitia James argue indictments were brought by an unlawfully serving interim U.S. attorney (Lindsay Halligan); if successful, the cases could be dismissed.
  • The administration is exploring “portable” mortgages (and previously floated 50-year loans) to boost housing mobility; experts warn of possible unintended consequences for mortgage rates and securities.
  • Anhydrous ammonia leaked from a tanker in Weatherford, OK, prompting evacuations, hospitalizations and school closures; the leak has been stopped and air quality is being monitored.
  • Thanksgiving domestic airfares are projected to be at least ~6% higher year-over-year, largely because Spirit Airlines’ flight reductions (bankruptcy/restructuring) remove a low-fare competitor from the market.

Story details

1) Next shutdown threat — ACA subsidies and the January deadline

  • Context: Congress passed a funding bill that ended the 43-day shutdown, but the deal did not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies that expire at year’s end.
  • Political dynamics: Senate Majority Leader John Thune reportedly agreed to a Senate vote on a health-care bill, but the House Speaker opposes extending the subsidies. That opposing stance could set up a renewed funding showdown around the next government funding deadline (reported here as January 30).
  • Why it matters: Without an extension, millions could lose premium assistance and Republicans and Democrats may clash again over spending bills and health-care policy.

2) Legal test for indictments — challenge to prosecutor’s authority

  • Who’s involved: Former FBI Director James Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James are defendants in separate criminal matters.
  • The argument: Attorneys claim U.S. Attorney Lindsay Halligan was serving unlawfully in her interim role (alleged to have exceeded the 120-day temporary limit without Senate confirmation) when she approved the indictments.
  • Potential consequence: If a judge finds Halligan’s appointment improper, defense lawyers say the indictments could be thrown out. The Justice Department counters that indictments should stand even if Halligan is later deemed to have been improperly appointed.
  • Note: The episode highlights the narrow procedural/legal focus (appointment authority) rather than the underlying merits of the charges.

3) Portable mortgages and housing policy

  • Proposal: The administration is evaluating “portable mortgages” that would allow homeowners to take their current mortgage rate with them when they move—similar in intent to previously discussed very long (e.g., 50-year) mortgages.
  • Rationale: The aim is to unclog lower-end housing supply by reducing the incentive for owners to stay put to keep favorable low rates.
  • Concerns: Analysts warn this could raise mortgage rates overall and disrupt mortgage-backed securities markets.
  • Broader context: Bank of America Institute analysis cited that nearly one-quarter of U.S. households are living paycheck-to-paycheck in 2025 and many see homeownership as increasingly out of reach.

4) Weatherford, Oklahoma — anhydrous ammonia leak

  • Incident: A tanker truck leaked anhydrous ammonia in a hotel parking lot in Weatherford, OK.
  • Impact: Hundreds evacuated, several nursing homes emptied, schools closed, and dozens hospitalized. Authorities report the truck has stopped releasing gas and air quality monitoring is ongoing.
  • Product note: Anhydrous ammonia is commonly used as fertilizer and is hazardous when released.

5) Thanksgiving airfare rise — Spirit Airlines’ impact

  • Projection: Air travel site Going.com estimates U.S. domestic Thanksgiving-week fares will be at least 6% higher than last year.
  • Primary driver: Spirit Airlines’ financial distress and flight reductions (analytics firm Cirium predicts roughly 11,000 fewer Spirit flights) reduce low-fare competition and upwardly pressure prices on major carriers.
  • Implication: Holiday travelers should expect higher fares and may want to book earlier or look for alternate dates/routes.

Notable quotes / soundbites

  • “It’s an honor now to sign this incredible bill and get our country working again.” — Attributed to President Trump on signing the funding bill that ended the shutdown.
  • Episode sums up the legal challenge succinctly: if Halligan is removed, “the whole case should be tossed.”

What to watch next

  • Jan. 30: Next federal funding deadline that could renew the subsidy/funding fight.
  • Court ruling(s) on the Halligan appointment challenge — could determine whether the Comey/Letitia James indictments proceed.
  • Administration statements or formal proposals on mortgage portability and any regulatory or market response.
  • Airline schedule updates from Spirit and fare-tracking sites leading into the Thanksgiving period.

Ads and promos noted

  • Repeated advertiser message for Ka'Chava (whole-body meal shake) with a limited-time 30% discount code (NEWS).
  • Promo for the Chasing Life podcast hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, featuring Sumbul Desai (Apple’s VP of Health).

Sources / data points cited in episode

  • CNN reporting (Manu Raju, Caitlin Polantz segments referenced).
  • Bank of America Institute analysis on household financial strain.
  • Going.com airfare estimates.
  • Cirium data projecting Spirit flight reductions (name rendered in transcript as “Sirium”; Cirium is the likely source referenced).

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