PBS News Hour

AMNA NAWAZ: Good evening.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

On the "News Hour" tonight: A group of Senate# Democr.. makes a deal with Republicans to end the# longest ever U.S.

government shutdown.

AMNA NAWAZ: From al-Qaida to the White House,## militant leader turned Syrian President# Ahmed al-Sharaa announces his country## is joining an anti-ISIS coalition during# an historic meeting with President Trump.

MOUAZ MOUSTAFA, Executive Director,# Syrian Emergency Task Force: Syria itself,## which was under the influence# of China, Iran, North Korea,## Russia, is now coming and wanting to# be an ally of Western democracies.

GEOFF BENNETT: And we speak with# FDA Commissioner Marty Makary about## the agency's decision to lift warnings on# hormone replacement therapy for menopause.

(BREAK) GEOFF BENNETT: Welcome to the "News Hour."

At 41 days and counting, the longest government## shutdown in U.S.

history is not over# yet, but the end could be in sight.

AMNA NAWAZ: A group of Democrats and one# independent crossed the aisle last night## to make a deal with Republicans.# It still needs final approval,## but the government could# reopen as soon as this week.

Congressional correspondent# Lisa Desjardins has more.

LISA DESJARDINS: In the Senate# today, a question of time,## Majority Leader John Thune pushing for speed.

SEN.

JOHN THUNE (R-SD): Mr.

President, after 41# days, I'm grateful to be able to say that we are## close to getting the government reopened.# And, again, I ask all of my colleagues on## both sides of the aisle of both parties to make# it possible for us to quickly pass this bill.

LISA DESJARDINS: This after# a breakthrough last night.

MAN: On this vote, the yeas# are 60 and the nays are 40.

LISA DESJARDINS: A shutdown deal getting# exactly the votes needed to get over a Senate## hurdle.

Seven Democrats and one independent# voted with Republicans to advance the idea.

SEN.

ANGUS KING (I-ME): It was# our judgment, after six weeks,## going on seven weeks of this shutdown,# that that path wasn't working.

SEN.

CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO (D-NV): We can open## the government and we .. LISA DESJARDINS: The deal is multifaceted.

It# funds most of government through January 30,## but funds some things like Veterans# Affairs, the SNAP food program,## and Congress itself through next fall.

The deal reverses thousands of mass# layoffs ordered in the shutdown and## blocks more until at least February.

But it# does nothing on expiring health care subsidies,## instead promising a Senate vote on the issue# next month.

And that's why most Democrats,## including Leader Chuck Schumer, were hard no's.

SEN.

CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): I cannot support# the Republican bill that's on the floor,## because it fails to do anything# of substance to fix America's## health care crisis.

We wanted to fix it.# Republicans said no, and now it's on them.

LISA DESJARDINS: This has been the longest# federal shutdown in history.

In the past week,## with air traffic controllers and TSA# agents calling out sick, thousands## of flights have been canceled, with social# media capturing one pilot's plea this weekend.

MAN: I don't really care what# your political persuasion is,## but you should really call your senator.

LISA DESJARDINS: More than a million# federal workers have been without pay,## some turning to food banks.

Furloughed# NIH researcher Theresa Kim used her time## to volunteer.

This charity called Comfort# Cases helps foster kids.

She has wanted the## shutdown to end, but as a private citizen,# sees this deal in her word as a betrayal.

THERESA KIM, Furloughed Government Worker: I don't# view this as a victory when something is promised,## even though it was already a law.

And then when# I hear stories such as, we won't have any more## furloughs -- or sorry -- or RIFs Until the end of# January, again, I find that to be such a low bar.

LISA DESJARDINS: All eyes remain on the Capitol,## as lawmakers work out exactly# when this shutdown ends.

Today, I followed up with a large number# of other federal workers who I have been## keeping in touch with.

They are sharply# divided.

One of them said to me, frankly,## this was the worst way, in her# words, for Democrats to cave.

But another said this was 100 percent a smart# move by the eight who broke ranks.

Still,## a third said their feelings# about this are complicated.

AMNA NAWAZ: Lisa, I know you're talking# to your sources up on Capitol Hill.

When## it comes to the shutdown and the# deal to end it, what's the latest?

LISA DESJARDINS: Yes, the news is happening.

Let's take a look at the Senate floor.# This is what we see .. senators voting.

This is the moment that we# have been waiting for in the U.S.

Senate.## This is a series of eight votes.

Senate# procedure is complicated, so they're going## to compress all of that procedure.

They're able# to speed this up because all senators agreed.

That especially includes Kentucky Senator Rand# Paul.

He had a decision to make.

Was he going## to string this out over a couple of days?

He# has a problem with the provision about the## hemp industry in it, but he's agreed# to let this go forward more quickly.

So what this means, Amna, is, we expect# these votes to make it through the Senate,## the entire deal through the Senate# tonight.

Then the House must pass it.## We don't expect the House back until Wednesday.# But if everything stays on track, if members## are able to make it back in town by Wednesday# night, this shutdown could end Wednesday night.

And, Thursday, we could have government open# for the first full days in well over a month.

AMNA NAWAZ: Lisa, what about all the things# that were disrupted during the shutdown,## like air travel, as you reported?# When can those get back to normal?

LISA DESJARDINS: Right.

Transportation Secretary Duffy said tod.. for air travel to normalize again.

Now, as# for worker pay, that could be flowing more## quickly.

But as we saw with the DOGE disruptions# earlier this year, there could be some technical## glitches because we're talking about massive# payment systems, not only for federal workers,## but for things like Head Start and SNAP,# all that have been rung up for a month.

So all of those things could get started# quickly, but we just don't know where## there could be some problems.

We're# also watching the Democratic Party,## of course.

There are a lot of questions about# Senator Chuck Schumer, his leadership through## this, but he will have another chance# because there will be a vote on something,## on health care in December, and it will# be the next test for Senate Democrats.

AMNA NAWAZ: All right, Lisa Desjardins# reporting from Capitol Hill tonight.

Lisa, thank you.

LISA DESJARDINS: You're welcome.

GEOFF BENNETT: And, as Lisa mentioned,# the vote to end the shutdo.. Senate Democrats.

Tonight, we will get two views.

I spoke earlier this afternoon# with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.## He's among those voting in favor# of the deal to end the stalemate.

Senator Tim Kaine, welcome# back to the "News Hour."

SEN.

TIM KAINE (D-VA): Great to be with you.

GEOFF BENNETT: So why deliver your vote to end#.. believe they're winning the politics of this# fight?

Even President Trump acknowledged the## other day that Republicans, as he put it, were# getting politically killed over this shutdown.

Why give up what many Democrats believe to be the# moral and strategic advantage and make a deal now?

SEN.

TIM KAINE: Well, Geoff, politics is one# thing, but I represent 8.5 million Virginians,## and the vote that I cast was very good for them.

When we got into this shutdown, it was because# President Trump ordered the Republicans to write## a bill without us, and then refused to# engage.

And when presidents don't engage,## you get into a shutdown.

During October, I# was very focused on the Virginia elections,## and I was talking to the negotiators# about my particular issue.

I wanted protection for federal employees.# After we delivered a big win in Virginia## last Tuesday night, President Trump had# a breakfast the next morning and realized## this shutdown was hurting him, and they were# blaming him, and at that point he engaged.

I looked at the lay of the land that# day, and it was obvious there was no## path forward on health care unless we# opened the government.

The Republicans## that said no discussions on health# care unless you opened government,## and we had tested them 12 or 13 times with my# support, and they hadn't backed off on that.

And I also knew that SNAP recipients,# America's most vulnerable people,## 45 million, one in eight Americans, were# losing benefits, with the money in the## contingency account scheduled to run out before# Thanksgiving.

So no path forward on health care,## SNAP recipients suffering, we# needed to change the equation.

And what we ended up getting is full-year# funding, robust funding for SNAP recipients,## repairing some of the reconciliation bill# damage, a path forward on health care,## and then what I negotiated into the# bill, dramatic protection for two## million people who are federal employees# who are tired of getting kicked around.

GEOFF BENNETT: On the issue of the Obamacare# subsidies, the very issue that triggered the## shutdown, there isn't much in this# deal that delivers tangible relief.

Of course, Senate Republicans promising# a vote in the future isn't the same as## Senate Republicans promising a result.# So how do you explain your support?

SEN.

TIM KAINE: Would there have been a# tangible relief in a week?

Would there## have been tangible relief in a month?

Would# there have been tangible relief in two months?## There was zero evidence to suggest -- this was# my assessment.

Some assessed it differently.

There was zero evidence to suggest that# Republicans would even talk about health## care until the government was open, while# there was complete certainty that there was## pain every day of a shutdown, people losing# paychecks and their credit being impaired,## people losing SNAP benefits,# air traffic control in chaos.

So what we had, Geoff, look, what we had, last# Wednesday, I got involved in the negotiations## Friday, was no path forward on health care# unless we open government and the absence## of an open government punishing America's# most vulnerable.

That's why I negotiated## for provisions to protect federal workers and# then embraced the path of full funding for SNAP## and other safety net programs and a path forward# to a health care vote, which I think we can win.

GEOFF BENNETT: In supporting this deal, you're# breaking ranks with most Senate Democrats,## to include the Senate Democratic leader,## Chuck Schumer.

Should that be read as a# message about your view of his leadership?

SEN.

TIM KAINE: No, look, I love leaders,# but I'm not a good follower.

I voted for## Chuck to be leader and I want him# to be leader and he will be leader.

But I don't need a permission slip from# anybody to do what's best for Virginians## because Virginians gave me that permission slip# when they reelected me for a third term last year.

GEOFF BENNETT: This agreement sets up a new# funding deadline, January 30, if this passes## both houses.

What's the plan, is there a plan to# ensure that we're not back here again in January?

SEN.

TIM KAINE: Here's -- so ensure --# if you want -- if you want guarantees,## the United States Congress ain't# the place, but here's the plan.

The good news is, we have gotten three of# the full-year appropriations bills done## and included in this bill.

So that# means about a third of the work is## already done.

And in the remaining bills,# much of those bills are already done too.## So the appropriators go back to the table# to find the deals on that remaining work.

Meanwhile, in December we will have a high-stakes# debate on this health care tax credit issue.

And,## Geoff, the debate will take place without# the background noise of the shutdown,## SNAP benefits going away, people losing# checks, air traffic disasters.

The background## noise of shutdown won't drown out the very# important battle about people's health care.

We will put a good proposal on the table that# will protect people's health care and make it## affordable and be appealing to the Republicans who# are hearing the same thing from their constituents## I'm hearing from mine.

Then we will have a debate# and vote.

There's not a guaranteed outcome.

But I will tell you this.

If the Republicans# don't fix this problem of their own creation,## the midterm election next November# will be a lot worse even than the## November 25 elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

GEOFF BENNETT: Democratic# Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia,## thanks again for joining us this evening.

SEN.

TIM KAINE: You bet.

AMNA NAWAZ: On the other side of the debate,# Senator Chri.. the Democrats who voted against the# deal.

I spoke to him earlier today.

Senator Murphy, welcome back to the# "News Hour."

Thanks for joining us.

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): Thanks for having me.

AMNA NAWAZ: So, as you just heard ther.. supporting the deal.

He says it ends# the pain that Americans are feeling,## it gets a path to a health care vote.

And he says# previously there was no evidence Republicans would## even talk about a health care vote without# the government back open.

Is he wrong?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Well, Tim and I just have a# disagreement about this.

I think we actually lose## leverage in our fight for Americans now that# we have capitulated Donald Trump without any## real protections for people's health care or# our democracy in the short-term funding bill.

The fact the matter is, these premium# increases were just being noticed to## Americans.

The pressure was going to# mount on Donald Trump and Republicans## over the next few days and weeks to do# something about this oncoming catastrophe,## premiums going up by 75 percent, 100# percent, 200 percent on many Americans.

I think the problem here is that the old rules# don't apply.

President Trump is likely to be## emboldened by winning the acquiescence of eight# Democrats.

His illegality is likely to grow.

We were split on this vote last night,# as we will be again later today or later## this week when we vote, but we're going# to have to find a way to come together,## because we're going to have even tougher, more# important fights ahead of us on health care,## on the president's unconstitutionality,# on his illegal war-making overseas.

And I'm sure Senator Kaine and I will# be back on the same page fairly soon.

AMNA NAWAZ: The deal does extend SNAP funding,## WIC funding.

It prohibits the mass firings# of federal workers over the next few months.## Is it fair to say the Democrats did# get some of what you wanted in this?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Well, I mean, SNAP funding# just starts when the government reopens,## so that's not a special provision in this budget.

I mean, listen, what did we say when# this fight began?

We said that we were## only going to vote for a budget# that stopped these health care## premium increases from going into# effect.

Eight Democrats decided to## change their position, and now these premium# increases are likely going to go into effect.

I'm rooting for my eight colleagues.

They# believe that Republicans are going to now## come to the table and engage in# a good-faith negotiation to try## to prevent these premium increases from# going into effect.

Anything that I can do## to try to help make that a reality,# I will.

We just had a disagreement.

I just don't really believe Republicans# when they say that they're going to sit## down at the table.

I think that# they were just using any excuse## to try to get a handful of Democrats# to vote to reopen the government.

But,## again, I'm rooting for this to be true, and I# will do whatever I can to get that agreement.

AMNA NAWAZ: But it sounds like you# don't trust Senate Majority Leader## John Thune to hold up his side# of the bargain.

What do you do## then?

Are Democrats prepared to# shut the government down again?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: That's a# question for my colleagues## who are voting now to reopen the government.

Listen, I just don't believe that our party has# an obligation to vote for an immoral, corrupt## budget.

This budget, in my view, especially# if it becomes a long-term budget -- remember,## we just voted to reopen for two months.

If# this budget becomes permanent and there's## no relief for health care consumers,# and it funds Donald Trump's illegality,## it literally funds the Department of Justice's# work to try to lock up Democratic United States## senators, that would be an abdication# of our constitutional responsibility.

So I know that there was a lot of pressure on# some of my colleagues to temporarily reopen the## government, but I hope that we are united to# say we are not going to vote for a full-year## budget that doesn't have real, serious checks# on Donald Trump's corruption of his power.

AMNA NAWAZ: Democrats did draw the# line at the health care subsidies## being extended.

Why wasn't Leader Schumer# able to hold Democrats together on this?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Well, listen,# I think we have a lot of work to## do.

This is not an acceptable# way for our caucus to operate,## just a handful of eight or nine or 10 Democrats# crossing over regularly with Republicans.

We have got to show some solidarity if we are# going to save this republic.

When we are divided## like this, it accrues to the benefit of someone# like Donald Trump, who is trying to destroy our## democracy.

So I know that Senator Schumer# has a hard job, but this can't happen again.

We have got to find a way to# stay united.

We aren't this week,## and that doesn't help anybody# except for President Trump.

AMNA NAWAZ: Are you worried it could happen# again?

Do you have confidence in Leader Schumer?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Well, I certainly# do worry that it is going to happen## again.

And I think we have to have a# hard conversation inside the entire## caucus to come to some conclusion# on how to make sure we stay united.

People came out last Tuesday# and said loud and clear,## we want Democrats to stand and fight.# We know the shutdown is hard, but we## don't want you to sign on to a budget# that doesn't protect our health care.

So I think, especially when we get# these mandates from the public,## we have got to listen and we have got to# try to stay together inside the caucus.

AMNA NAWAZ: To be clear, is that# a conversation among Democrats## that could include a change in leadership?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Well, I think, right now,# that conversation just has to happen behind## closed doors amongst the 47 of us.

I think we can# come to a conclusion.

My hope is that we can come## to a conclusion that keeps us together the next# time we hit a really important moment like this.

AMNA NAWAZ: That is Democratic Senator# Chris Murphy joining us tonight.

Senator Murphy, thank you.

It's always# good to see you.

Appreciate your time.

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: As President Trump continues to# push the lie that the 2020 election was stolen,## he's taken a new step to protect# former administration officials and## his allies who have been accused of working# to overturn the election that Joe Biden won.

White House correspondent Liz# Landers reports on a series of## pardons the president has granted.

LIZ LANDERS: The Justice Department## announcing late Sunday evening that a slate# of people involved in the alleged scheme## to overturn the 2020 election results# have been pardoned by President Trump.

Special attorney Ed Martin posting on# social media that the list of people,## including Trump's former personal attorney# Rudy Giuliani, former White House Chief## of Staff Mark Meadows and attorney# Sidney Powell, were pardoned Friday.

In it, President Trump grants a -- quote -- "full,## complete and unconditional pardon" to nearly# 80 people in order to end a -- quote -- "grave## national injustice perpetrated upon the# American people after the 2020 election."

EDWARD MARTIN, U.S.

Pardon Attorney: # They were being shut down.

They were## being silenced.

And why?

And the question# was, what happened to the 2020 election?

LIZ LANDERS: The president continues to maintain# without evidence that the 2020 election was rigged## and he won.

After the 2020 election, Trump allies# allegedly worked together in a coordinated effort,## according to the House January 6 Select# Committee, to submit alternate electors## in key swing states like Arizona and Georgia# that falsely certified Trump won the election.

One of those pardoned, Jeffrey Clark,# a former top Justice Department lawyer## who pushed to keep Trump in power.

He# was indicted in Georgia in August 2023,## along with Trump and more than a dozen others# in an election racketeering scheme.

He took## to social media on Monday morning# to say Trump had personally called## him to tell him about the pardon, but also# acknowledged his legal woes were not over.

Presidential pardons only apply to federal# crimes, making Trump's move largely symbolic.## Giuliani, Clark and others still# face charges at the state level.

LIZ OYER, Former DOJ Pardon Attorney:# These are very unusual pardons,## because the way they're written is very broad.

LIZ LANDERS: Liz Oyer served as the Department of## Justice pardon attorney appointed# during the Biden administration.

Oyer says it's about the message Trump is sending.

LIZ OYER: They have all been charged with# crimes under state law.

That's actually## an area where the Constitution is very clear# that the president does not have pardon power.

LIZ LANDERS: So do you think# these pardons really matter?

LIZ OYER: The thing that's very concerning and# alarming about them is that the president is## clearly messaging to his supporters that, if# you commit crimes in the name of Donald Trump,## Trump will have your back.

It is essentially a# call to MAGA supporters and Trump loyalists to## do whatever it is that they feel that they# need to do in the interest of Donald Trump.

LIZ LANDERS: For the "PBS# News Hour," I'm Liz Landers.

GEOFF BENNETT: Also today, the U.S.

Supreme Court# decided not to revisit its 2015 decision that## legalized same-sex marriage.

The justices, without# comment, turned away in appeal from Kim Davis, a## former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue# same-sex marriage licenses on religious grounds.

Separately, the High Court today agreed to# hear a challenge over Mississippi's counting## of mail-in ballots that are received after# Election Day.

More than a dozen states and## the District of Columbia allow such votes to be# counted, a practice long criticized by President## Trump.

The outcome of the case could have a# major impact on next year's midterm elections.

The U.S.

military has carried out two new# strikes on alleged drug boats in the Eastern## Pacific Ocean, killing six people.

Defense# Secretary Pete Hegseth posted video of the## strikes,saying they were carrying narcotics and# traveling along a known narco-trafficking route.

This brings the total number of known attacks to# 19 since September.

At least 75 people have been## killed.

The Trump administration has provided# little evidence to back up its claims about the## boats, and some lawmakers have pushed for more# information on who's being targeted and why.

President Trump's lawyers are threatening the# BBC with a $1 billion lawsuit.

That's if the## broadcaster doesn't retract a documentary# that includes an edited portion of his## speech to supporters on January 6.

The BBC's# chair apologized today for what he called an## error of judgment in omitting a section where# Mr.

Trump called for a peaceful protest that day.

The documentary aired in the lead-up to# last year's election.

The legal threat## follows the resignation last night of two top BBC# executives following criticism of bias at the BBC.

In the Philippines, officials say Super# Typhoon Fung-wong killed at least eight## people and forced over one million to# evacuate.

The storm's fierce wind and## rains isolated several towns and swamped one of# the country's biggest rice-producing regions.

In## low-lying areas, rescue trucks transported# residents, as most roads remained flooded.

The typhoon comes on the heels of a separate storm# that caused widespread damage last week and killed## more than 200 people.

Locals described# a terrifying night as the storm passed.

FILOMINA MARIANO, Philippines Resident# (through translator): I was not able## to sleep last night.

I told my.. safety.

I was just sitting the whole# night waiting for the storm to pass.

GEOFF BENNETT: The typhoon has now cleared# the Philippines and is heading north.## It's expected to hit Taiwan later this week.

Global climate talks got under way in Brazil# today with the U.S.

notably absent from the## proceedings.

The meeting known as COP 30 comes# during another year of record heat and extreme## weather around the globe.

The absence of top# U.S.

officials along with nations like China## and Russia mean that this year's talks will# likely end with no major agreements.

Instead,## attendees are aiming for smaller# goals to help address climate change.

On Wall Street today, stocks rallied to# start the week.

The Dow Jones industrial## average added nearly 400 points.

The# Nasdaq jumped more than 500 points.## The S&P 500 also ended sharply higher on the day.

And three-time NBA Hall of Fame# inductee Lenny Wilkens has died.## Wilkins was a nine-time All-Star during# his 15 seasons as a player and is widely## considered one of the finest point guards of# his era.

He then transitioned to coaching,## racking up more than 2,400 games as# a coach, a record that still stands.

ANNOUNCER: And the Supersonics win their first## ever NBA championship.

The# ball sails high in the air.

GEOFF BENNETT: Wilkens brought an# NBA title to Seattle in 1979 and## also coached the U.S.

to gold in the '96# Atlanta Games.

He is one of only five men## to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as# both player and coach.

His family says## Wilkens was surrounded by loved ones when# he died yesterday.

He was 88 years old.

Still to come on the "News Hour": the head# of the FDA discusses new guidance around## hormone treatment for menopause; Tamara# Keith and Amy Walter break down the deal## to end the longest government shutdown# in U.S.

history; and paintings by the## late PBS legend Bob Ross go on sale to help# fill funding gaps for public broadcasting.

AMNA NAWAZ: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa# met with President Trump today, the first## White House visit by a Syrian leader since the# country became independent nearly 80 years ago.

GEOFF BENNETT: And, as Nick Schifrin reports,# today, Damascus joined the global alliance## countering ISIS, and the Trump administration# extended temporary sanctions relief.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Today in the Oval Office, a# once unthinkable partnership, Ahmed al-Sharaa,## former prisoner of U.S.

forces,# welcomed to the seat of us power.## His path from warrior to the West Wing# praised again today by President Trump.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: We want to see Syria become a## country that's very successful, and I think# this leader can do it.

I really do.

I think## this leader can do it.

And people said he's# had a rough past.

We have all had rough pasts.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Just one year ago, Abu# Mohammad al-Julani led Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham,## a U.S.-designated terrorist group,# with a $10 million bounty on his## head.

From 2005 to 2011, he was detained# by U.S.

forces as an insurgent in Iraq.

But, last December, HTS toppled Syria's# half-century of tyranny, ending 14 years## of bloody civil war and beginning al-Sharaa's# transformation from jihadi soldier to statesman## to sportsman of sorts.

With the U.S.'

top Middle# East officer in the background, this weekend,## al-Sharaa shot hoops with the men who, a few years# ago, would have been responsible for his arrest.

MOUAZ MOUSTAFA, Executive Director, Syrian# Emergency Task Force: It's historic in## its own right, right?

This is the fi.. NICK SCHIFRIN: Mouaz Moustafa leads# the Syrian Emergency Task Force that## advocates for Syrian democracy and met# al-Sharaa as recently as this weekend.

MOUAZ MOUSTAFA: Syria itself, which was under# the influence of China, Iran, North Korea,## Russia, is now coming and wanting to be# an ally of Western democracies and the## first Syrian president ever visits the White# House ever.

That, I think, is the big story.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Today, Syria# announced it would become## the 90th partner in the Global# coalition against ISIS.

Already,## U.S.

troops train with Syrian forces to# try and ensure Syria can help prevent an## ISIS resurgence.

And a U.S.

official tells "PBS# News Hour" the U.S.

has -- quote -- "advised,## assisted, and enabled" 22 operations against# ISIS over the past month with Syrian forces.

This weekend, Syria's Interior# Ministry announced a massive raid## targeting ISIS militants, and Syria# enables U.S.

airstrikes.

This year,## the U.S.

military has targeted an ISIS or# al-Qaida leader in Syria at least eight times.

MOUAZ MOUSTAFA: These joint counterterror,# counter-ISIS, sometimes counter-al-Qaida## operations are ongoing and have been# successful.

But they have been going on## kind of under the table in a way.

Today, both the# U.S.

military and the Syrians will have the tools,## the ability to publicly and privately work# and coordinate on counterterror operations.

NICK SCHIFRIN: But what is# not being announced today,## the repeal of punishing sanctions on Syria# known as the Caesar Act imposed against## Bashar al-Assad for waging a war of brutality# and torture against his own people.

Today,## the administration extended its suspension of the# Caesar Act implementation for another 180 days.

And a senior administration# official tells "PBS News Hour":## "The Trump administration supports the# full repeal of the Caesar Act.

Removal## is key to allow U.S.

business and# regional states to operate in Syria."

But only Congress can do that.

And Republican# Senator Lindsey Graham has resisted.

SEN.

LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): But Syria has much to# prove to me in the region before that can happen.

MOUAZ MOUSTAFA: Millions of Syrian refugees want# to go home, and they can't rebuild as long as## Caesar is even a shadow of being snapback# sanctions or existing as an authority.

And## if Caesar remains, it is shattering to the# Syrian economy, despite all the other things.## And we don't want to see a failed state# in Syria.

That's bad for the whole world.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Also not announced today,# a de-escalation agreement with Israel,## whose soldiers continue to occupy# strategically important land in## Southern Syria after a series of airstrikes# on Syrian military and government targets.

MOUAZ MOUSTAFA: The goal here is to, if anything,## stop the bombardment and the incursions that# have happened by the Israelis.

And he also## did say that this would open the door for a# permanent peace with Israel in the long term.

NICK SCHIFRIN: There is also no peace yet inside# parts of Syria.

Bedouins in the south accuse the## government of committing violence and making# sectarian clashes worse.

Syria's Christians## blame the government for failing to protect them.# Kurds in the north are worried about government## pressure.

And former ruling Shiite Alawites# accused government forces of a sectarian massacre.

DR.

MORHAF IBRAHIM, President, Alawites# Association of the United States: The only## actually reason thes.. these people were killed because of# the fact that they were Alawites.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Dr.

Morhaf Ibrahim is the president# of the Alawites Association of the United States.

DR.

MORHAF IBRAHIM: It's just an al-Qaida# mentality and Islamic Jihadist mentality as well,## that if you believe in different God or if# you practice your faith in different ways,## you have to be killed.

And this is the# background of Ahmed al-Sharaa and his## government, and this is why U.S.

government# should be careful in dealing with this guy.

NICK SCHIFRIN: But today, outside the White# House, al-Sharaa received a hero's welcome.## They celebrated a man who's come a long way,# even if others say he's got a long way to go.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.

GEOFF BENNETT: ## Today, the FDA announced it would# begin asking drug companies to remove## so-called black box warnings for hormones# prescribed to treat symptoms of menopause.

AMNA NAWAZ: The FDA says the warning has# dissuaded generations of women from taking## advantage of the medication that could help them.

Ali Rogin digs into the details.

ALI ROGIN: That's right.

Companies added .. a large women's health study that the drugs# carried an increased risk of breast cancer.## Many experts say that risk does not exist for# many menopause hormone therapy candidates.

To help explain today's announcement, I'm# joined by FDA Commissioner Dr.

Marty Makary.

Commissioner Makary, welcome# back to the "News Hour."

DR.

MARTY MAKARY, FDA Commissioner:# Good to be with you.

Thank you, Ali.

ALI ROGIN: Why is the FDA# making these label changes?

DR.

MARTY MAKARY: Well, the fear machine# that started 23 years ago with this tragic,## misinterpreted study and the results has# resulted in a distorted perception of risk.

And about 50 million women since that# time have been denied, never offered or## convinced out of hormone replacement therapy,# including all of its short-term and long-term## benefits.

And some of those benefits are# profound, including reducing the risk## of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.# That's the number one cause of death in women.

And no study subsequently has ever found, no# clinical trial has ever shown that the risk of## breast cancer mortality is increased with hormone# replacement therapy.

So women deserve all the## facts, and women's health issues have historically# not gotten the attention they deserve.

In this administration, we are# working hard to make sure issues## of women's health get the attention they deserve.

ALI ROGIN: Now, in terms# of the perception of risk,## I want to break it down.

There's two types# of estrogen, broadly speaking.

There's local,## which can be a cream.

It's applied directly# to an area.

And then there's systemic,## which takes the form of a pill or a patch# and works its way through the bloodstream.

This announcement today is going to apply to# label changes for both.

Some experts say that## that is too broad of a move, because the# risk-benefit ratio for systemic estrogen## is a little bit more nuanced than that for# local, and that actually these two types## of estrogen should be classed completely# differently.

How do you respond to that?

DR.

MARTY MAKARY: Well, that's right.

Tragically, the black bo.. be it local or systemic.

Now, for# the systemic estrogen products,## there is an important nuance that will# be in the package insert, and that is,## if you start it more than 10 years after the onset# of menopause, that risk-benefit ratio inverts,## and most doctors do not prescribe it after age 60# or after 10 years after the onset of menopause.

And that's an important distinction, because# maintaining a continuous level of intrinsic## estrogen or exogenous estrogen through these# hormone replacement products is probably critical## to maintaining a high level of nitric oxide that# keeps the blood vessel wall soft and healthy.

And that may be why we see such a dramatic# drop in heart attack rates long term,## in one study in circulation from two years ago,# a 48 percent decline in heart attacks that were## fatal and a 30 percent decline in all-cause# mortality, also a significant reduction in## the rate of bone fractures later in life# and a reduced rate of cognitive decline.

Those are the long-term benefits on top# of alleviating the short-term symptoms## of menopause, the hot flashes, night# sweats, mood swings, and weight gain.

ALI ROGIN: Right.

And there's broad agreement# that all types of estrogen do affect the## side effects of menopause, but some experts# will point out that the preventive elements## of it are less well-established.# There are certainly studies that## point to it being indicated.

There# are some that point against it.

So what do you say to folks who say that# why not just put the applications where## there is the clearest evidence?

Why not# highlight those and not the other ones?

DR.

MARTY MAKARY: Well, there's an old# guard in the medical establishment.

They## got hormone replacement wrong.# They created the fear machine.

Remember, we got as a medical field# opioids are not addictive wrong for 15## years.

We got saturated fat causes heart# disease wrong for 50 years.

We got kids## should avoid peanut butter until they're# 3 years of age wrong for 13-plus years.

And so the groupthink really got this# so tragically wrong.

This is maybe one## of the greatest mistakes in modern medicine.# The data are overwhelming.

The systemic meta## analyses are in.

They have been published.# Who are treated by OB-GYN doctors who## are more comfortable understanding# and prescribing hormones in women,## they have been really at the forefront of# the correct understanding of the literature.

But there's an old guard dogma that lingers.# And if you talk to primary care doctors today,## some of them will still say, I don't ever# prescribe it because of that breast cancer risk,## even though no clinical trial has ever found# an increase in breast cancer mortality.

ALI ROGIN: The FDA is moving to# remove these warning labels from## hormone replacement therapy, citing the# needless fear that it instilled in women.

But the FDA is also calling for a label change to# acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, citing an## association between use and pregnancy and autism# in children, although no causal relationship has## been established.

Does the FDA have a consistent# standard here in the application of these warning## labels?

And how do you respond to people who# might see those two examples as contradictory?

DR.

MARTY MAKARY: So, first of# all, no comparison whatsoever.

We, in the pregnancy section of the package# insert, include all the information that's## known about a medication and pregnancy.

And so# there are different studies about acetaminophen## and pregnancy.

The dean of the Harvard School# of Public Health has stated very clearly he## believes there's a causal relationship with# neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.

There was a study out of Mount Sinai and# Harvard that did show an association.

So## all of that information is going to# be there.

There will be references## to studies that support and studies that# don't support that association in the label.

But hormone replacement therapy for# postmenopausal women is at a totally## different level.

There has been a black box# warning, which scares women out of taking it,## even after they get the prescription.

And if you# look at the long-term profound health benefits## for women, there may be no other# medication in the modern era,## except perhaps antibiotics or vaccines,# that may improve the health outcomes of## women on a population level more than hormone# replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.

ALI ROGIN: I want to just say that you have cited# Harvard.

You have done it on several occasions,## saying that the Harvard dean# cited a causal relationship.## He has not said that.

I reached# out to Harvard to confirm that.

What he said was -- quote -- "This biological# evidence lends support to the possibility of a## causal relationship between prenatal acetaminophen# exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders."

DR.

MARTY MAKARY: He said that later.

In 2018, he said -- quote,.. ALI ROGIN: I asked Harvard, and they said this is## the most accurate reflection.. However, what is the basis on which the FDA is# making these decisions?

It seems like you're## making one decision based on ending fearmongering,# and you're making another that increases the risk## that women might perceive and go to their# doctors and call and be worried about it.

DR.

MARTY MAKARY: Well, over 20 studies# have shown an association.

And the dean## of the Harvard School of Public# Health -- and this is important## to get this correct -- has stated# that there is a causal relationship.

ALI ROGIN: He has not.

DR.

MARTY MAKARY.. and they'll tell you some party line.# But we'll send you the reference,## and it is a very clear statement in 2018.

I can read it to# you now if you give me 30 seconds## to pull it up.

But he has said# there's a causal relationship.

Once it was said recently, then he ran for# the hills and was hiding behind a fig leaf## and had no public statement, except the# generic statement that you're reading.

So, look, I don't know whether or not there's an# association, but he clearly is on record saying## there is.

And he was one of the authors of the# Mount Sinai Harvard study that said there is## a relationship, an association between prenatal# acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders.

ALI ROGIN: Well, the hormone replacement# therapy announcement was changed because## of the warnings of one doctor with# the Women's Health Initiative.## And now you're citing one man in# making the acetaminophen reference.

FDA Commissioner Dr.

Marty Makary,# thank you so much for joining us.

DR.

MARTY MAKARY: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, it has been a busy Monday here in#Washington following a late-night vote to## clear a path to end the longest# ever U.S.

government shutdown.

We're joined now by our Politics# Monday duo.

That's Amy Walter of## The Cook Political Report With Amy# Walter and Tamara Keith of NPR.

It's great to see you both.

So, Tam, how do you interpret this deal by the# se.. who caucuses with the Democrats to join with# Republicans and ultimately reopen the government?

TAMARA KEITH, National Public Radio:# So, as Senator Kaine put it, he was## sort of factoring in what they could# possibly get.

And these moderates seemed## to believe that there wasn't much more# that could come from a longer shutdown,## but there was a lot of pain happening.# So that is what they're out there saying.

I will note that all of them who signed on to# this, all of the Democrats who signed on to it## are either retiring or don't have an election in# the coming year.

So that is also a significant## marker that they felt that they could go out# on this limb in a way that others could not.

And the wrath of the party, the rest of the# party has been pretty immediate and quite strong,## that there are just a lot of Democrats# out there up and down from leadership## in the House to people who are potentially# running for president to just normal people,## regular people who are saying, what# did they get?

What was the deal?

And I think that that is something that# is roiling Democrats.

Dems were in total## array last week when they were winning and# now they are back in disarray this week.

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, pick up on that point,# Amy, because the message from the Democratic## base has been clear.

They want to see a fight.# And there's a recent poll by NBC which shows## why Democrats broadly speaking are -- take# issue with the way this all came together.

When you look at these numbers, what do you see?

AMY WALTER, The Cook Political Report:# Right.

So this is back in Trump's first term.## Most Democrats tell the NBC poll we# think that Democrats should work or## compromise with Donald Trump over sticking on# principles and potentially doing more damage.

Now, we're going to put up the# next slide.

The next slide,## you will see is in 2025, those# numbers have completely flipped,## and so now 65 percent of Democrats saying# Democrats should put up a fight no matter what,## and only a third of Democrats saying we think# you should compromise with Donald Trump.

We talk a lot about how much the Republican# Party has changed in the 10 years since## Donald Trump has come on the scene.

We# don't spend as much time talking about## how much the Democratic Party has changed in# the years since Donald Trump hit the scene.

And this poll is a great reminder of# that.

This is a party that is much## less interested in giving the benefit# of the doubt to this administration.## They're much less interested in believing# that there is compromise to be had,## and they want that fight, which is why the# roiling is going to continue for some time.

And it is kind of remarkable.

It's# across the ideological spectrum.

It's## not just liberals who are upset.

You# saw moderate groups like The Third Way## come out with a statement also saying they# shouldn't have done this, that those eight## Democrats shouldn't have compromised# or given their votes to Republicans.

I think the bottom line though, Geoff, and all of# this is that in the short term, what Democrats are## seeing is they lost a political fight that they# thought they could win and they come away -- after## 40 days with nothing tangible to show their# base.

There's no extension of the ACA credits.

However, for Republicans looking at# this, I don't think they should feel## entirely comfortable saying they won,# because if we learned anything from## Tuesday's election and looking at the# polling up until then and continuing,## the number one challenge for Republicans# in 2026 is this issue of affordability.

And without a vote -- I mean, one way to fix their# affordability problem is actually to take a vote## on extending Obamacare subsidies.

That doesn't# look likely to happen in the House, but Democrats## are still going to make that affordability# issue a top one in their campaign next year.

GEOFF BENNETT: And that was my next# question for you, Tam, in fact,## that the Democrats did come out of# this 41-day shutdown and counting## and the election this past Tuesday with this# clear, consistent message on affordability,## which they hoped, they would say, to# use as a cudgel against the president.

TAMARA KEITH: Yes, and I think that they# -- Democrats who are upset about this## deal take some solace in the fact# that the issue of these Obamacare## subsidies is front of mind for a lot of people.

The shutdown extended through the start of open# enrollment and people seeing what their health## plans would cost without these subsidies.

And# so some of the Democrats I'm talking to say,## well, they did tee up this fight to# potentially hurt the president and## Republicans, making it clear who would be# responsible for these costs being higher.

And you see President Trump,# pivoting to affordability in## a big way.

He is literally using# the word affordability far more## in the days since that election than he# did in the weeks and months before it.

AMY WALTER: Yes.

TAMARA KEITH: He is now .. way than a lot of people absorb it.

But it# is clear that the White House realizes that## is an issue and that is a problem.

It's# also why you see the president trying to## offer some sort of health care solution,# not one that health care experts would## say is particularly practical, the# idea of just giving people money.

However, the fact that he's offering that is# a sign that it is an issue facing Republicans,## remarkably, eight years after they# failed to repeal and replace Obamacare.

AMY WALTER: Yes.

And that I think gets to the heart of it.

I# was texting with a Republi.. the Tuesday elections who said, boy, this# seems like a really good opportunity for## Republicans or a wakeup call for Republicans# on what to do with this health care issue.## Take a vote on Obamacare subsidies.# There are plenty of Republicans who## would like to say that they voted for# something that reduces costs for people.

GEOFF BENNETT: Amy Walter and Tamara# Keith, our thanks to you both.

TAMARA KEITH: Thank you.

AMY WALTER: You're welcome.

AMNA NAWAZ: ## More than 30 years after his death,# the work of artist, educator and public## television icon Bob Ross continues to engage# audiences in the U.S.

and around the world.

So, when Congress rescinded $1.1 billion# allocated for public broadcasting this fall,## Bob Ross Incorporated saw a chance# to fill some of the funding gap by## selling 30 of his paintings.

The first# three are set to be auctioned tomorrow.

Deema Zein has more on this most unusual pledge# drive for our arts and culture series, Canvas.

DEEMA ZEIN: You may never guess that hidden# in a warehouse in Northern Virginia sits some: BOB ROSS, Artist: Happy accidents.

DEEMA ZEIN: A small fraction of the 30,000# paintings Bob Ross is esti.. created in his lifetime, many made famous and# valuable by his TV show, "The Joy of Painting."

BOB ROSS: Let's do the reflections here.

DEEMA ZEIN: Which originally# aired from 1983 to 1994.

JOAN KOWALSKI, President, Bob# Ross Inc.

: My mom took a class## with him when he was nobody and she# thought he was so remarkable that## she went home at night and told my dad we need# to help this guy because he's really amazing.

DEEMA ZEIN: Joan Kowalski is president# of Bob Ross Inc.

founded in 1982 by Ross,## his wife and Joan's parents, Annette and Walt# Kowalski.

The company says it's committed to## keeping his legacy alive through the sale of# all things Bob Ross and now through an auction.

JOAN KOWALSKI: Took me a couple weeks to# decide which were just the best paintings.

DEEMA ZEIN: We caught Kowalski at# the warehouse packing up some of the## paintings to be shipped for sale by the# auction company Bonhams, but not before: JOAN KOWALSKI: "PBS News Hour"# is going to see them first.

DEEMA ZEIN: Selling Ross' work was something# Kowalski had never thought to consider until## Congress called back the Corporation for# Public Broadcasting's funding last July.

JOAN KOWALSKI: In the middle of the night,# when I was sleeping, it just occurred to me,## Bonhams had auctioned off a couple of Bob's# paintings that were privately owned and they## raised a lot of money.

And I thought# we could do something like that.

And## then the funds from those auctions will then# trickle down to all the local TV stations.

DEEMA ZEIN: And why was that important to# auction for public television specific?

JOAN KOWALSKI: It's where Bob started.

BOB ROSS: Let's get crazy.

JOAN KOWALSKI: He was fiercely devoted# to public television.

He loved.. it was set up, where it's really# just him and the viewer.

Honestly,## if he had been here, it would# have been his idea, I think.

DEEMA ZEIN: Born in 1942 in Daytona, Florida,# Bob Ross grew up loving the natural world.## But it was as a young airman# stationed at the Air Force base## in Alaska that he first learned to# paint the beauty he saw around him.

BOB ROSS: This is another one of# those big decisions you have to make.

DEEMA ZEIN: Having discovered his# signature wet-on-wet style that utilizes## layers of wet paint to softly blend, bleed# and diffuse colors and passionate in his## belief that anyone could learn to paint,# in 1982, Ross recorded the first episode## of "The Joy of Painting" at Falls Church,# Virginia, public television station WNVC.

BOB ROSS: There we go.

Just let# him wander around, play, have fun.

DEEMA ZEIN: Over the course of 12 years and# more than 400 episodes, Ross' soothing voice... BOB ROSS: Barely touching the canvas here.

DEEMA ZEIN: ... took viewers on a# step-by-step journey of creation,## a formula combined with a# distinctive perm that led to fame,## transcending public television# even into shows like "Family Guy."

ACTOR: And we're going to put# a happy little bush right down## over here in the corner there.

And# that will just be our little secret.

BOB ROSS: A little roll of paint on the knife.

DEEMA ZEIN: Now more than 30 years# after Ross recorded his last episode,## 100 percent of net proceeds from the# upcoming auctions will be donated,## so local PBS stations can continue to air programs# like "America's Test Kitchen," Julia Child "French## Chef" classics and "This old House," as well as# the original and remake of "The Joy of Painting."

How did you choose the 30 to donate# and then the six that are here today?

JOAN KOWALSKI: Actually, our appraiser# told us that the ones that will likely## raise the most are the ones that Bob did# on television.

I was careful to make sure## that most of them were the exact paintings# that he did on TV.

And so you will have a## painting hanging on your wall and you will be# able to see Bob painting it stroke for stroke.

MARK BOULTINGHOUSE, Appraiser of Art and# Antiques: This is a man who's got a voice## of a God who can paint little happy trees and# make you smile.

And it translates to his art.

DEEMA ZEIN: Mark Boultinghouse is an appraiser# of art and antiques who works with Kowalski.

How much are you expecting# to raise from the collection## of 30 that are being donated for this auction?

MARK BOULTINGHOUSE: Hmm.

Because# I want to say $5 million.

DEEMA ZEIN: How are you coming up with that?

MARK BOULTINGHOUSE: It's based on what I have# seen in the market, especially the .. auction.

One of them sold for $118,000.

These are# paintings that have not seen the light of day.

BOB ROSS: A little more of# the color and off we go.

DEEMA ZEIN: What do you think Bob# Ross would have made of this auction?

JOAN KOWALSKI: I think he would# have been kind of giggling.## I don't think he realized that his# paintings would ever become this## big of a deal.

He was more interested in# the process of painting.

So the idea that## we're all hovering around his paintings would# crack him up, I think.

He would be laughing.

You don't realize how gorgeous they are.

DEEMA ZEIN: Surrounded by happy and,# it turns out, valuable mistakes... BOB ROSS: But just stick in a twig here and there.

DEEMA ZEIN: ... for the "PBS# News Hour," I'm Deema Zein.

BOB ROSS: Shoot.

We got to finish painting.

GEOFF BENNETT: And there's more online from Deema# and Joan about Bob Ross, his iconic hairstyle,## his favorite hobby outside of painting and a# few more fun facts.

That's at PBS.org/NewsHour.

AMNA NAWAZ: And be sure to join us back# here tomorrow night for the kickoff of## our series Rethinking College with a look at how## universities are navigating unprecedented# demands from the Trump administration.

And that is the "News Hour"# for tonight.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

For all of us here at the "News Hour,"..