Rep. Brad Schneider, Democrat of Illinois, gives Joan Esposito the latest details on the late-hour legislative maneuvering to fund the government before the House and Senate recess for the year. 

Asked what his confidence level is that Congress will pass a budget deal and avert a government shutdown, Schneider said: "I have 100 percent confidence that my colleagues in the Democratic Party, that Leader Jeffries are all committed to find a way to keep the government open and get a deal. We had that agreement. [Democrats] all stand by that. And if Speaker Johnson wants to reach out to Leader Jeffries -- maybe they're talking right now. If there's a will, there's a way.

"I'm less confident on Speaker Johnson; he says he wants to get a deal. I'm not sure he has the ability to deliver a deal, because he may have to negotiate and then hope that Donald Trump doesn't sink it. And I have zero confidence that Elon Musk is going to do what's in the best interest of the American people. He's always going to do what he thinks is in his own personal interest.

"So given all of that dynamic, I'm probably 50-50."

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

Rep. Brad Schneider, Democrat of Illinois, gives Joan Esposito the latest details on the late-hour legislative maneuvering to fund the government before the House and Senate recess for the year.&nbsp;
Asked what his confidence level is that Congress will pass a budget deal and avert a government shutdown, Schneider said: "I have 100 percent confidence that my colleagues in the Democratic Party, that Leader Jeffries are all committed to find a way to keep the government open and get a deal. We had that agreement. [Democrats] all stand by that. And if Speaker Johnson wants to reach out to Leader Jeffries -- maybe they're talking right now. If there's a will, there's a way.
"I'm less confident on Speaker Johnson; he says he wants to get a deal. I'm not sure he has the ability to deliver a deal, because he may have to negotiate and then hope that Donald Trump doesn't sink it. And I have zero confidence that Elon Musk is going to do what's in the best interest of the American people. He's always going to do what he thinks is in his own personal interest.
"So given all of that dynamic, I'm probably 50-50."
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

Here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Chicago), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics.  

A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

Here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT Chicago</a>), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics.  
A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

"Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Chicago) is a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

"Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT Chicago</a>) is a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

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