NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-09-2025 11AM EDT

Episode Date: March 9, 2025

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A lot happens in Washington every day, from the White House to Capitol Hill and everywhere in between. That's where we come in. On the NPR Politics Podcast, we keep you up to date on what happens inside Washington and what it means for you and your community. The NPR Politics Podcast. Listen wherever you listen. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm.

House Republicans are attempting another stopgap extension to avoid a partial government shutdown this week. They released a bill yesterday that would pay for the government through September 30th. NPR's Tamara Keith has more. It basically punts the big decisions, the deep cuts the conservatives want until later this year. It keeps the top line budget number the same as the last fiscal year, but shifts around some funding.

It increases defense spending and decreases non-defense spending. It boosts funding for immigration enforcement, but doesn't include additional disaster assistance for the California wildfires or the hurricanes last year. In short, it's meant to keep congressional Republicans content and buy time for them to work on what President Trump really wants, which is big tax cuts and a significant boost

in immigration spending. NPR's Tamara Keith reporting. The Secret Service says a man brandishing a firearm in Washington, DC was shot by Secret Service officers near the White House this morning. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. By mid-morning, in the shadow of the Eisenhower Executive Office building near the White House, only remnants of yellow police tape remained. Around midnight, Secret Service officers saw

a man who looked like someone local police had warned them about, described as a suicidal individual, possibly on his way from Indiana. Officers went up to him and saw he had a gun. The Secret Service says officers shot the man just steps away from the White House grounds. He was taken to a hospital. His condition is unknown. President Trump was at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, during the shooting. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. Canada's ruling Liberal Party is selecting a new leader today to replace Prime Minister

Justin Trudeau. He announced earlier this year that he's stepping down after serving a decade as the country's leader. As NPR's Jackie Northam reports, the new Prime Minister will have to focus on Canada's economic challenges and President Trump's tariffs. There are four candidates vying to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The front-runner is Mark Carney. The 59 year old comes from the world of finance including stints as head of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. That expertise could be

critical to tackle Canada's economy. But Carney says he will also be tough with President Trump and his seemingly chaotic trade policies. Trump has helped energize the Liberal Party's leadership contest. His taunts about turning Canada into a 51st state have sparked a wave of nationalism. They have also helped burnish Trudeau's legacy. Two months ago he was deeply unpopular. Now he's seen as standing up to Trump. Jackie Northam, NPR News. The State Department says Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Saudi Arabia this week for talks on ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

He's to meet with his Ukrainian counterparts there tomorrow and Tuesday. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. France says it will send Ukraine an additional $200 million in military aid to help Ukraine fight Russian forces. Officials say the money will come from interest on Russian assets frozen by France. France and other European countries are trying to compensate for cuts in assistance by the U.S. The mayor of San Jose is offering a plan to help people who are experiencing homelessness.

Unhoused people will be offered shelter three times before being arrested. Elise Minucchia of Member Station KQED reports. San Jose resident Jacqueline Eden says she hopes the effort to reduce homelessness will be productive. They're not just telling them, hey, we're going to arrest you. They're giving them three chances to, maybe the first time they don't accept it. Do they say, okay, well, just think about it. Mayor Matt Mahan's plan would make San Jose the latest California city to attempt to reduce unsheltered homelessness. The move comes

after the US Supreme Court ruled last year to allow arrests of people who are sleeping in public. Critics of Mahan's plan point to a report from February that shows most city shelter beds are already full. They say the mayor's proposal won't help unhoused people get what they need, permanent stable housing. For NPR News, I'm Elise Minuchin. Civil rights activists will march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama this afternoon.

It was 60 years ago that hundreds of civil rights advocates marched to demand their constitutional right to vote. They were beaten by Alabama state troopers, an event that became known as Bloody Sunday, and helped galvanize the civil rights movement. The Federal Voting Rights Act passed later that year. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington. Making time for the news is important, but when you need a break, we've got you covered on All Songs Considered, NPR's music podcast.

Think of it like a music discovery show, a well-deserved escape with friends, and yeah, some serious music insight. I'm gonna keep it real. I have no idea what this story is about. Hear new episodes of All Songs Considered every Tuesday, wherever you get podcasts.