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Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is Interviewed about a Shutdown Deal; Supreme Court Declines to Revisit Same-Sex Marriage; Jason Waugh is Interviewed about Housing. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired November 10, 2025 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[09:31:31]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning, a deal to end the longest government shutdown in history. But a deal that has sparked a new fracture among Democrats themselves. Eight Senate Democrats voted last night with Republicans in a key vote to move this deal forward to reopen the government, fund it until the end of January. But not included in this deal is a concrete extension of the Obamacare subsidies that Democrats have been fighting for this entire time.

Also, this just in, House Speaker Mike Johnson just told Fox News that he is calling the House in immediately, in his words. Also saying that the new moves in the Senate, quote, "vindicate our position all along."

Joining us right now is one of the senators who negotiated this deal to reopen the government, one of the eight senators who -- Democratic senators who voted for the deal, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.

Senator, thank you so much for being here.

SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-NH): Good morning.

BOLDUAN: Why is this a good deal?

SHAHEEN: Well, one of the things that's happened over the last 40 days of this shutdown is that people in America understand who's on their side when it comes to health care and who is not. And it's very clear that President Trump and the Republicans in Congress have blocked the ability to extend the premium tax credits. And as I said in my statement last night, they were very clear that they don't care about this. That one more week or one more month is not going to change their position. So, we need to get the government open because we have millions of Americans who are suffering, whether it's because they're not getting their food benefits or because travelers can't get their flights because of what's happening with the aviation system and the air traffic controllers, federal employees who are not getting paid.

And this is a deal that brings back those federal employees who were let go during the shutdown. It makes sure that everybody gets their back pay. It provides protections for workers going forward. And it gets people their food benefits. Part of this deal was making sure that we could pass bills that have been already passed by both the House and Senate, and agreed to, that fund things like SNAP benefits, the food program, the WIC program for mothers and children, that fund veteran's benefits.

So, while we still have to argue about extending the premium tax credits, and I intend to be part of that fight, we're going to have a vote on the floor of the Senate to do that on a bill that the Democrats are going to write. So, that's something that we are going to keep before the American people for the next month.

BOLDUAN: If this is the best deal that could be had at this point, given the circumstances of this shutdown, not all Democrats agree. And I know that you have seen all of the statements that have been made, from Elizabeth Warren saying, "I think it's a terrible mistake. The American people want us to stand and fight for health care, and that's what I believe we should do."

Senator Bernie Sanders says, this is "about to make a horrific situation," with regard to health care, "even worse."

And the governor of Illinois, Pritzker, says, "this is not a deal. It's an empty promise."

And the head of the House Progressive Caucus called this a "betrayal," "accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn't a compromise, it's capitulation."

Can you respond to that?

SHAHEEN: Well, this is an opportunity for us to continue to fight on extending the premium tax credits and the cost of health care, and making sure that Americans know who's on their side and who's opposed.

[09:35:05]

And I introduced a bill to extend the premium tax credits. That's my legislation. I did that in the very beginning, introduced the two extensions. That was my first legislation this year. And I intend to continue to fight for that. And hopefully the Republicans may hear us.

But all those people who oppose this agreement, staying in a shutdown mode was not getting us anywhere. And they need to train their fire on the people who are responsible. That's President Donald Trump, it's Speaker Johnson, and it's the Republicans who have blocked every attempt to get health care. We need to be working together. That's what I intend to do.

BOLDUAN: You say -- you're getting a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date on a bill that, as you said, the Democrats will be writing and it will not be Republicans who will write it with regard to health care subsidies. If it needs 60 votes, Senator, what are the chances that this subsidy lives through the new year then if you have to get -- if you have to get 60 votes, the chances are what that this survives the new year? SHAHEEN: Well, I think, finally, because of the shutdown fight, we've had a number of Republicans who have figured out that this is an issue for them. This is not a red state issue or a blue state issue. It's an issue about making sure that people can afford their health insurance. And so we've heard from a number of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle that they're willing to come to the table, they're willing to work with us once the government's open to get this done.

We've heard the same thing from the White House. So, now we'll see. We'll see if they are really going to work with us to make sure that Americans can afford their health insurance.

BOLDUAN: Senator, if this vote -- if this vote comes -- I mean, as you say, it's guaranteed in December. This vote comes and fails, and the subsidies then expire, does this effort that you just went through, this vote that you have just taken, will it have been still worth it, or will this feel like a failure?

SHAHEEN: No, because we are not going to give up. We're going to continue to fight on making sure that health care costs are affordable for Americans. And they are going to know who's on their side and who is not. And we are going to take this fight into the next elections in 2026 and make sure, again, that Americans know who's fighting for them.

BOLDUAN: Senator Jeanne Shaheen, thank you very much for coming on today, as you were central in all of this and had a very late night.

SHAHEEN: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: Thank you for coming in this morning.

Still ahead for us, President Trump is suggesting a 50-year mortgage and says it should be a thing. Why? And what impact that really could have on homeowners and prospective homeowners.

And we have breaking news coming in from the Supreme Court. The justices will not take up a case that could have threatened same-sex marriage rights in the United States. Much more on that after the break.

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[09:42:36]

SIDNER: We've got breaking news out of the Supreme Court. The justices have decided they will not take up a case that could have threatened same sex marriage in the United States.

CNN chief Supreme Court analyst Joan Biskupic is joining us with more.

Give us some sense of the case and what the justices have just decided.

JOAN BISKUPIC, CNN CHIEF SUPREME COURT ANALYST: Sure, Sara, good to see you. This has just happened. The justices, without any recorded vote or

explanation, have turned down a long shot request to reconsider the 2015 decision that made same sex marriage legal nationwide. Now, under that ruling, some 600,000 couples have gotten married since then.

But a woman from Kentucky, Kim Davis, who was a county court clerk, who had refused to issue a marriage license to a pair of men who wanted to have a marriage license down there, she has been -- she was under court order to give that. She didn't. Since then, she has been liable for many damages. And she has come up to the Supreme Court, not just challenging what happened to her in her case, but asking the Supreme Court to reverse the decision known as Obergefell versus Hodges.

Now, both sides of this debate, Sara, had been closely watching just to see whether the justices would suddenly want to reconsider this landmark decision of ten years ago. And today, the justices made clear, again without any explanation, that they were not going to do that.

But what's important here is that both sides were looking at this really newly additionally conservative court that's reversed abortion rights and rolled back other precedents to see if -- if there would be appetite to do that in the area of same sex marriage. And there wasn't. And I'll tell you what's even different from 2020. In 2020, the justices had heard a request from the same Kim Davis, in a related case, asking to reconsider Obergefell. And the justices at that point said no. But two justices wrote separately to say that they were still disturbed by Obergefell versus Hodges. They were Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Two of our most conservative jurists there. And this time they didn't write at all.

So, I would say this is really slamming the door shut on reconsideration of this 2015 decision that so many Americans have come to rely on, both for marriage, and then, as several justices have talked about, you know, raising children, you know, adopting children, raising children, families have relied on this 2015 decision.

[09:45:11]

And it looks like, at this point, they can go forward with that same sense of reliance, Sara.

SIDNER: Yes, last week we talked to Obergefell himself, the case that was brought on his behalf. He will be delighted to see what happened here with the Supreme Court, as you said, shutting the door on the idea of trying to reverse same sex marriages.

BISKUPIC: Right.

SIDNER: Joan Biskupic, it is always a pleasure to have you on. Thank you so much for walking us through that this morning.

And we're following a lot of breaking news this morning. We will be right back.

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[09:50:08]

BOLDUAN: New this morning, the Trump administration is, quote/unquote, working on a plan to introduce a 50-year fixed rate mortgage as a way to incentivize young homebuyers. That's what a top official now says over the weekend after President Trump posted, we'll show you, a picture online comparing his proposal to the 30-year mortgage plan introduced by President Roosevelt as part of his New Deal during the Great Depression.

And also this morning, new data is coming out from Coldwell Banker offering a new picture of the state of the American dream, essentially, finding that a majority of Americans who want to buy a home are delaying major life decisions, like getting married, or having kids, until they can buy that home, just as the typical age of first time buyers is now climbing to an all-time high of 40 years old.

Joining me right now is Jason Waugh. He's the president of Coldwell Banker.

It's great to have you here.

Before we dive into your report, the data you have, which is important for everyone to see, a 50-year mortgage. It would be a big change, and one that the president says would help make homes more -- home buying more affordable. Does that sound like a good idea to you?

JASON WAUGH, PRESIDENT, COLDWELL BANKER AFFILIATES: Well, good morning, Kate. Thank you for having me.

You know, still a little too early to tell whether that will have much impact. Certainly affordability and inventory are issues that we have to solve for. And, potentially, this is a part of that solution.

With first time home buyers, though, most of the time the biggest obstacles is the acquisition costs, not so much the monthly payment. So, that also has to be a part of this long term solution.

BOLDUAN: That's interesting. And this is why your expertise is critical here.

Let's talk about this report coming out just releasing this morning from Coldwell Banker. Essentially the way I -- when I was reading through it, it seems to tell a story of an American dream, at the very least, delayed. Seven in ten people putting major life decisions, like I mentioned, like getting married and having kids, all on hold until they can buy a home. What does this mean? What did you learn from this?

WAUGH: Well, what we can share is 85 percent of the respondents still believe that homeownership is a part of the American dream. So that demand is there. And as you alluded to, seven in ten, or more than seven in ten aspiring homeowners are delaying major moments in life, whether that is marriage, children, changing jobs or profession until they can buy a home. And ultimately we've got first time homeowners that have these affordability challenges that ultimately are, and you alluded to it earlier today, that age 40 is the average age of first time homebuyers. And that is up significantly. Fifty-three percent of non-homeowners today believe that they will be 40 years or older before they become a homeowner.

BOLDUAN: I hear that -- I mean, to me that suggests, like, that has a bigger picture impact on the economy, I would assume, if people are waiting longer to buy a home like this.

WAUGH: It does. What it does tell us is that consumer behavior is being dictated by affordability. And so, again, going back to, is a part of that solution longer term loans. Maybe. Maybe not. Again, a part of that solution has to be these acquisition costs, settlement costs, at the time of purchase. We have to help solve that.

BOLDUAN: Yes, it seems, if people are buying later for the first time, a 50-year mortgage seems -- seems to sound maybe even more unrealistic if they're buying later and later.

You take a closer look as well at why millennials and gen z are particularly struggling to buy homes. What is going on here? And really, what is best advice if everyone's dealing with affordability issues?

WAUGH: Well, specifically, the gen zs and millennials. For those that are non-homeowners today, you have 83 percent that report they do and will intend to buy someday. Within that number, 97 percent of them are gen zers and 93 percent are millennials. So, we have that demand and that desire across multiple generations.

So, today, if you want to buy, and you can buy, then now is a good time. If not, get with a real estate professional, strategize and put together a plan that will enable you to buy at some future point in time.

BOLDUAN: Yes. Jason Waugh, Coldwell Banker president, It's great to have you here. Thank you for bringing this new data to us.

[09:55:03]

That will be releasing as we speak. It's great to see you. Thank you very much.

SIDNER: And thank you for being here.

BOLDUAN: And thank you. And thank you, darling.

SIDNER: Because it's early and it's Monday. And we made it.

BOLDUAN: It's Monday. And it was a -- it's a busy.

SIDNER: And one of us didn't make it. But I'm not --

BOLDUAN: He's coming back.

SIDNER: Fine. BOLDUAN: Maybe not.

SIDNER: Thank you for joining us. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "SITUATION ROOM," up next.

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[10:00:04]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, breaking news. Closer to a deal. A handful of Democrats come to the table, and the Senate