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Middle East Ceasefire and U.S. News Surge 0:00 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington, DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and0:12 newsmakers, all from a biblical world view, sitting in for Tony as today's host, Jody Heiss.0:18 We're close to a deal. We're gonna go on very well with the new Iranian leaders. It really is a regime change. These are people that are a lot different than we were dealing with at the beginning. We have a very good0:29 relationship, and I think there's a very good chance that we're gonna make a deal. Also, Israel and Lebanon, I think there's a good chance that they'll make a good deal.0:40 Well, that was president Trump earlier today announcing a ceasefire deal between between Israel and Lebanon. Welcome to this Thursday, April sixteenth edition of Washington Watch. I'm Jody Heiss. I'm honored0:52 today to be filling in for Tony, and thank you for joining us as well. Alright. Coming up, a 10 day Lebanon Israel ceasefire could pave the way for historic White1:03 House talks within weeks. Plus president Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to almost everything in a potential deal that he may sign in Islamabad. Now we'll get the1:16 latest from expert Peter Doran from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Plus, Alabama congressman Robert Aderholt will be joining us in just a little while to1:27 discuss the potential passing of a reconciliation bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security. To all that and more, straight ahead.1:42 Earlier today, president Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10 day cease fire. This comes after weeks of attacks between Israel and Iranian backed Hezbollah. And joining us1:54 now to discuss the latest developments is Washington stand reporter, Casey Harper. Alright. So, Casey, what's the latest? Does this ceasefire potentially clear the way for, possible2:06 breakthrough with talks between the United States and Iran?2:10 Thanks, Jody. That's that's the right way to think about it. I mean, this is a big breakthrough today, and US officials do say that that began at 5 PM eastern time. So we're officially in that ceasefire. And, Pakistani2:22 mediator has said that those for Lebanon that ceasefire in Lebanon is crucial for those talks in Iran. As you mentioned, Islamabad was where the peace talks are, which is, of course, in Pakistan. So they were, right2:33 there at courtside for these negotiations. Now president Trump said he had great conversations with the Israeli prime minister and the president of Lebanon. In fact, we have a clip of the president earlier today on the2:44 deal.2:45 So we just made a deal with Lebanon. They'll be meeting probably coming to the White House over the next 4 or 5 days. Happy to hear you. That'll be the first time they've met in 44 years, which is2:57 pretty unneighborly. We're considering they're neighbors, but, there's a really good chance that that'll work out with Lebanon and Israel.3:05 Now you hinted at this, Jody, but many are hopeful that this could be the missing piece to kick starting or re kick starting those Iran peace talks as that naval blockade is underway. But importantly, an Israeli3:17 official says that Israel does not currently have plans to pull their troops out of 7 Lebanon during the ceasefire, so that's gonna be a key point of negotiations going forward.3:27 I sure will, but every step forward is a a good possibility of hope. Thank you, Casey. Yep. I wanted to, throw out to you as well a new poll that is indicating a possible shift in the spiritual land escape3:39 of things. I actually found that there was a significant rise in young men who were Mhmm. Turning to religion as the poll indicated. What's, the latest in the the details there?3:51 Yeah. We live in spiritually tumultuous times, and this poll shows that in a very interesting way. It's a new Gallup poll, and it showed that young that American men, say that religion is, quote, very important to them.4:03 Polls found that 42 percent of young men, that's ages 18 to 29, said that religion is, quote, very important in their lives. That's a 28 percent increase, Jody, from just 3 years ago. On the other hand,4:15 only 29 percent of women in that same age bracket called religion very important, which, you know, since the year 2000, this is the first time that young men have substantially surpassed women on this4:27 metric. So very interesting, but overall, a good sign to see, men getting more serious about their faith.4:33 Wow. That's, likewise extremely encouraging above all things. What we need is a spiritual awakening here in the United States and beyond. So encouraging news there. 1 more before I let you go. Casey, yesterday in4:45 an interview, president Trump said that he's got a list of names ready in the event that there's a vacancy in the Supreme Court. That's, pretty interesting news right there. Was there any other news that the4:57 president said there was, significant?5:00 Yeah. I mean, the the reason this is news is maybe why he would have to answer that question in the first place. Why are we talking about potential Supreme Court vacancies? And there's a rumor that it may be justice5:10 Alito is thinking about retiring. Now, you know, Joe, do you know more about rumors in DC than I do, but they're not always, worth much. But this this is a real rumor that's flying around. And in response to that,5:20 president Trump said in this interview, that he if he did have a list of potential nominees, he said there's a short list, and he's, open to filling as many as 3 seats and already has people in5:32 mind for that. So, the Supreme Court currently holds that 6 3 conservative majority. Right now, Republicans have a majority in the Senate. So there's always that dynamic to, consider. But, just an interesting5:44 development, something to keep an eye on.5:47 I'll say, no lack of news coming out these days. Casey, thank you as always for keeping us updated on on it all. Alright. We wanna go now to Capitol Hill to discuss the latest developments in the effort to fund the5:59 Department of Homeland Security. And joining us now by phone is Congressman Robert Adderhold. He's a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, where he chairs the subcommittee on labor6:11 health and human services and education. He represents the fourth congressional district of the great state of Alabama. Congressman Naderhold, always great to have you. Welcome back to Washington6:22 Watch.6:23 Hey, Jody. It's always good to be with you. Hope you're doing well.6:28 Doing great. And, listen, I thank you. I know you've got, votes on the floor, and you've stepped off the floor to join us. So thank you very much. Let's begin with the latest developments on the battle to fund DHS. Where6:39 do things stand?6:41 Well, as you know, the, Democrats, just going back to where, the shutdown. Unfortunately, the president has agreed to pay the employees there because they were6:53 missing, like, 2 paychecks and, things like most Americans missing 2 paychecks is, you know, that's that's not a good thing. And so, they were they were and they had to7:05 work, and come to work every day in addition not getting paid. So the president stepped up to the plate and and made sure they're paid. The problem is though right now, the the7:17 technically, the Department of Homeland Security is shut down because the Democrats will not agree, to, the funny. We have agreed on the house side. We've said over the senate, and the senate's7:29 holding it up. So that's who we are right now. And the solution that has been, and it's it's not not a perfect solution, but 1 of the things7:40 that that the administration wants to do is to pass a reconciliation bill, which as you know, and I know many of your listeners know, reconciliation bills bypasses the,7:53 filibuster rules so it could pass with majority vote, pass a reconciliation bill that would fund the Department of, Homeland Security and, therefore, sort of8:04 bypass the appropriations process. I have mixed emotions about that. That's I I I think that's probably what we'll end up doing, and it may be the only option we have. But the option we8:16 have. But the senate needs to pass something, and they need to agree to something even if they have to tweak the filibuster rule a little bit because it's setting a bad precedent8:28 that that a well, 1 of the parties can, bypass the appropriations process. And, I really think that, you know, the American8:39 people deserve that, we every year, we vote on the appropriations process to fund it. So it's not a perfect solution, but at least it will open up the department. And,8:51 hopefully, we'll, get, the wheels back turning because this is a crucial time for us to make sure that we have a a robust homeland security, operation, through the department.9:04 It certainly is. So if if it goes that path of a reconciliation bill, and I understand the senate is making preparations to move forward in that direction. What kind of timeline are we looking at9:15 for that to come about?9:19 Well, there's I understand that they could as early as next week. And, of course, you know how that things are very fluid in in DC and especially on the senate side. But I understand that it would probably be, could9:31 come to the floor as early as next week on the senate side, and then it would be sent over here to the house side. And we would try to get it, done get it passed as as soon as possible on the on this on the,9:43 house side. So, but, and it would be for right now, they're talking about for a 3 a funding for a 3 year period. And, so it would be the funding for the Department of Homeland Security for the9:55 next 3 years. And again, you know, that's we in a perfect world, you won't the funding to end and after the after the fiscal year, because that10:06 way, if you, you know, we we can trust president Trump and his administration to do the right thing. But if you get into another administration, then who knows what they10:18 might do? And, there's no recourse if the funding is already there.10:24 Yep. Well, yeah, I think it's worth noting, and you you alluded to this a moment ago, but house Republicans and appropriators have certainly been pushing forward on on spending bills. I think sometimes it is swept under10:35 the carpet or overlooked, but Republicans in congress have really been working hard to restore regular order and move these, funding bills, haven't they?10:46 We've got we got 11 of the 12 passed, and the the homeland security was the only 1 that we didn't. And and let me just add as as I know you're the house is near and dear to your heart because, we10:58 served there together, but the house did its part in passing all 12 appropriation bills. And it was, it got, blocked in the senate. And that's where, you know, as as house members, we can say that it's always11:10 comes down to the senate dropping the ball somewhere.11:14 Yep. Absolutely. Real quickly, we've just got a couple of minutes left, but some other news, there's a new investigative report that was published yesterday that, details how11:25 California taxpayers are funding so called gender transition services for homeless illegal aliens in San Francisco. I mean, that's kind of a head scratcher. What's your thoughts on that 1?11:36 0, that I mean, that is a head scratcher. I mean, you can't make this stuff up. I mean, obviously, we've gotta make sure that there's is no federal dollars going, you know, for any11:48 kind of transition surgeries. I mean, it doesn't matter if certainly, if you're illegal, but but I don't support it even if you are a citizen, that the federal government needs to be paying for12:00 transition surgeries.12:03 Yeah. It's it's stunning. And I I you know, right away12:06 not heard this report, so thank you for calling my attention.12:09 I'll try to12:10 look into it.12:10 I will go check it out.12:11 Find out.12:13 Yeah. Well, maybe you heard this that the the Trump administration is seeking to obtain medical records of youth transgender patients, and they've they've actually issued some 20 subpoenas12:26 to hospitals and clinics, that have been providing so called gender affirming care for minors. And among those is Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, but Democrats, as you can imagine, have been12:37 pushing back. But shouldn't there be congressman at her hold? Shouldn't there be accountability for medical professionals and organizations that mutilate children?12:49 Well, the the the great thing about the Trump administration, and I just got out of a hearing with, secretary Kennedy, is that they have they're not funding any,13:01 federal dollars going for the trend for gender transition for minors. That, and, that is something that, matter of fact, I I today in the13:13 hearing, I told the secretary, secretary Kennedy, of how important that was that the federal government is not spending the taxpayer dollars in the mutilation of minors.13:25 Absolutely. So we need to check-in with what this hospital is doing. And, you know, if it's if it's a private hospital or something, you know, the law doesn't currently prohibit that. But, obviously, if they're13:37 getting federal dollars, then they're they're breaking the law.13:41 As always, thank you so much, Alabama congressman Robert Aderhold. Great to have you. I know you're on the floor. We'll see you later.13:48 Thanks. Thanks, Jody. Good to13:49 be with13:50 you and look13:51 Likewise. Alright. The US Supreme Court could be looking at a vacancy. We'll discuss that next. Stay with us.14:03 250 years ago, our founding fathers signed a death warrant, pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred14:15 honor to the idea that our rights do not come from men, but from God. Protected by providence, they brought forth14:26 a new nation, 1 nation under God, whose word rings beneath every law and liberty. Family14:38 Research Council believes in preserving this rich history, the grounds of our freedom, our undeniable foundation of faith.14:59 I think all people really need to have this type of education.15:03 Well, I can tell you that it's been an amazing course period.15:05 I think this course is a reminder that a biblical worldview should really impact everything. It impacts our government from the federal to the state to the local. It should impact what we're doing with our families and15:17 with our work.15:18 God and Government is a video driven bible based training course from Family Research Council that explores the connection between biblical principles and American government. In this15:30 6 session video series, FRC president Tony Perkins equips participants with a practical understanding of civil government from a biblical world view.15:41 I would encourage all people to take it. I almost wish I would have took it earlier that I could have taught my kids this.15:46 I wish I had known these things when we were homeschooling because I think children and my adults now would just greatly be influenced by that information.15:54 So I'm an attorney and for me, it gives me some direct practical knowledge of what I can do to try to impact my legal community to make better legislation, to try16:06 to encourage legislators to make choices that have a biblical worldview, which is what we really want.16:11 Any pastor would benefit from taking this course because we are dual citizens. Right? We are citizens of the kingdom of God, but16:17 we're also seated citizens of this great land and that that comes with responsibility. Even as someone who has been involved in these types of issues for a while, you're learning little bits and pieces of new stuff all16:28 the time. But it's also approachable enough that newer people, younger people, high school, college students, they can really glean something from this. So I would encourage everybody to take this course, whether it's16:39 the videos, whether it's doing it in person, bring your bible study group through it, bring your homeschool group through it, and equip yourself for these challenging days ahead.16:47 View the course at f r c dot o r g slash god and government or on the stand firm app.Supreme Court Shake-Up Speculation 17:03 Welcome back to Washington Watch. Great to have you. I'm Jody Heiss filling in today for Tony, and so glad to have you with us as well. Alright. Before I bring on our next guest, I wanna invite you to17:14 join FRC's whom will you serve challenge. Whom will you serve? This is coming, of course, from Joshua 24 15. And like Joshua, we are calling on believers17:26 to choose this day to serve the Lord rather than man. Everything from defending the unborn to raising families with biblical values. It is time17:39 for America believers American believers to make a choice. You can join the challenge, and you can stand with us financially. Text the word challenge to 6 7 7 4 2. And catch this,17:51 thanks to a generous challenge match, any gift given through the end of Friday will be tripled. Triple, triple, triple. So please text challenge18:03 to 6 7 7 4 2. Alright. President Trump says that he's prepared to appoint a new Supreme Court justice if there's a vacancy or perhaps 2 or18:14 maybe even 3. His remarks during a sit down interview with Fox Businesses, Maria Bartiromo, came as some have speculated that, justice Samuel Alito may18:26 retire before the upcoming midterm elections, and he would be retiring to ensure that his successor is confirmed by the senate's current Republican majority.18:37 In theory, it's 2 or 3, they tell me. If you just read statistics, it could be 2, could be 3, could be 1. I don't know. I'm prepared to do it.18:48 So what would a retirement in the Supreme Court mean for the court? Well, joining us now to discuss this is constitutional law and Supreme Court expert, Elias Shapiro.19:00 He's a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute and also the author of Supreme Disorder, Judicial Nominations and the Politics of America's19:12 Highest Court. Ilya, welcome Watch. An honor to have you.19:17 Good to be with you. And, first of all, I should say, unless you hear about a retirement from the justice or maybe his wife, I would discount all of it. It's just rumors based on rumors based on19:29 speculation.19:31 Excellent point. Excellent point to start with. And within that context, if you were to just kinda speculate, are there any justices out there who might be considering or19:43 likely to retire in the somewhat near future, do you think?19:47 Well, justice Thomas, is the oldest. He's, 77. And if he serves through May of 28, he would become the longest ever serving19:58 justice. So he's also said that they're gonna have to carry him out. So I doubt he's gonna retire, certainly not this year. So that's why all the focus right now is on justice Alito, who's a couple of years younger than20:10 than Thomas. And, you know, he reads the political, tea leaves the same that all of us, they're they're not, immune from understanding these different currents. But at the same time, he's20:22 at the height of his powers, and he seems to be enjoying his job. So, I don't know. I I would still not bet on retirement this year.20:35 Okay. I I do know. Let me let me just throw this out to you. Obviously, president Trump has not revealed any of his pres preferences if there was a,20:47 retirement. But if there was, do you think he would go back to the same people that were on his list during the first term, or do you think that he may go to a broader list?20:59 Well, he hasn't put out a new list. He hasn't updated it. Some of the folks on his previous list have effectively aged out. I mean, there's no there's no age limit, of course, but, no, there's21:11 only been 1 person the last 55 years who's been confirmed older than age 55, and that's Ruth Bader Ginsburg. So it's gonna be someone younger than 55, probably going to be 1 of the judges,21:23 who he appointed, in his first term. Could be someone else. Could be someone like like the solicitor general John Sauer, who Trump likes a lot, is doing a a good job defending administration policies. But there are a lot21:35 of very good solid judges, who Trump appointed, whom he likes, and who, for that matter, clerked for Alito and and Thomas. So there's some symmetry there. Kavanaugh clerked for Kennedy.21:47 Justice Barrett clerked for Scalia. So maybe there's, some parallels there, but the there there's a good bench.21:56 On a little bit different twist with all of this discussion, recently, liberal justices, if we can so characterize them, so do Maior, Maior and Jackson have criticized22:08 some of their considered conservative colleagues. And, you know, that's kinda taboo as I understand. As a constitutional scholar, how would you characterize these actions? Is this22:20 acceptable?22:21 Well, justice Sotomayor, criticized justice Kavanaugh, not just his opinions, but saying that maybe he was raised too privileged to understand, some of these issues. But then she apologized, yesterday,22:34 which is the way things should work. You don't hear too much too many apologies in the political branches, but the Court is different. Justice Jackson gave a speech where she is22:46 criticizing the Court as a whole for its actions on the so called emergency docket. That's an unusual kind of speech, to give. She didn't name anyone, in particular, but clearly, the22:58 justices on the left side of the court are frustrated, in in in many ways. They don't always lose. The court still rules unanimously in about half the cases. But in a lot of the politically23:09 salient ones, certainly, those on the left are are in dissent.23:15 Wow. It's interesting to say. You you can't help but think that that impacts the court, at least behind closed doors. Final question. What are what are some of the landmark decisions the Supreme Court23:27 is expected to be making this year?23:30 Well, there are a few that we're waiting for. There's a voting rights act, gerrymandering case. How much, and can you use, race into account when drawing districts? That could23:41 affect even this fall's elections, although most states many states have already had primary, so it's really, more for, for 20 28. That's the Calais case out of Louisiana.23:53 Birthright citizenship was just argued a couple of weeks ago. Can the president, through an executive order, change the long standing rule that, anyone born here, automatically becomes, a citizen?24:05 Removal of agency heads. President Trump has removed, many heads of so called independent agencies. I think the the court is likely, to go, with the president on that 1 and probably go against him on24:17 birthright citizenship. Bit of a a balancing act there. We have some second amendment cases. We have, some other cases that when they come down, could be as early as tomorrow. We'll make some news.24:29 Wow. Well, thank you so much, Ilia Shapiro, senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute. Fascinating discussion. We deeply appreciate you coming on Washington Watch and24:41 breaking this down for us.24:43 Thanks so much for having me.24:46 Alright, friends. Coming up, we'll discuss how you how you can be equipped to engage the public square more effectively, more biblically, more prayerfully. So stay tuned. We'll break it24:58 down right after the break.25:01 Proverbs 22 6 says, train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old, he will not depart from it.25:29 For know that my redeemer lives. Job 19 25. Thou raised Jesus from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep hold25:41 on him. Acts 2 24.25:45 Join Family Research Council in standing on the word. Visit frc dot org slash bible for free resources to help your family follow the way. Jesus, the risen savior of25:57 the world.26:01 When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for 1 people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,26:08 and to assume among the powers of the earth26:11 The separate and equal station to which the laws of nature26:14 And of nature's God entitle them.26:17 A decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes26:22 Which impel them to the separation.26:24 We hold these truths to be self evident.26:27 That all men are created equal.26:29 That they're endowed by their creator. With certain unalienable rights. And among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men.26:41 Deriving their just powers from the consent26:44 of the governed.26:45 Happy 200 and fiftieth.26:47 Happy 200 and fiftieth.26:49 Happy 200 and fiftieth.26:50 Happy 200 and fiftieth birthday, America.26:53 May God bless America.Show more In this video 0:00 Middle East Ceasefire and U.S. News Surge17:03 Supreme Court Shake-Up Speculation27:03 Faith in Action: Pray Vote Stand39:29 Iran's Economic Crisis and Peace Prospects
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