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December 24, 2024 · 59 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video
Andrew Clyde, Quena Gonalez, Andy Biggs, Elijah Crane, Matt Rosendale, Bob Good, A.J. Nolte ...more Show the full description Show less Andrew Clyde, Quena Gonalez, Andy Biggs, Elijah Crane, Matt Rosendale, Bob Good, A.J. Nolte
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Government Spending and Political Tensions 0:06 Good afternoon. I'm Victoria Marshall with the latest news from the Washington Watch news desk. Last night, house and senate leaders released a 1500 page short term spending0:17 bill that funds the government through March. The federal government is set to shut down midnight Friday if lawmakers don't pass a spending bill. While house speaker Mike Johnson originally intended to put0:29 forward a simple funding bill, he said a historic hurricane season required him to add things like disaster aid to the package, boosting his price tag.0:40 Then we had circumstances outside of our control. We had these emergencies that are required. So we had, as you know, a record hurricane season. We had Helene and Milton, and they just did massive destruction across our0:51 red states, frankly, in the southeast and the and the eastern side of the country. And then we've had farmers who are in jeopardy of permanently going under. They've had 3 lost years in a row because of Bidenomics and1:02 inflation and other circumstances outside of their control. And so when you cobble those 2 things together, there's a desperate need for that aid and that's what adds another hundred plus billion dollars to the bill1:14 and that's why everybody's uncomfortable with it. I am too.1:17 Johnson's additions have angered many GOP lawmakers. They say the spending package is just another massive omnibus. The bill includes nearly a hundred billion in disaster relief for hurricane victims,1:29 10000000000 in economic assistance for farmers, and other pricey additions that appease Democrats. Vivek Ramaswamy, who's been tapped to lead president-elect Trump's gut commission on cutting1:41 government waste with Elon Musk has also criticized the bill. In a post on x, Ramaswamy wrote, the bill is full of excessive spending, special interest giveaways, and pork barrel politics. If1:53 congress wants to get serious about government efficiency, they should vote no. The bill could have easily been under 20 pages. Instead, there are dozens of unrelated policy items crammed into it.2:05 While while Ramaswamy has come out publicly against the bill, he told Johnson last night he understood he was in an impossible situation.2:14 Elon and Vivek and I are on a text chain together. And I was explaining to them the background of this. And Vivek and I talked last night about almost midnight. And, he said, look, I get it. He said, we understand you're2:24 in an impossible position. Everybody knows that. Remember, guys, we still have just a razor thin margin of Republicans. So any bill has to have Democrat votes.2:32 Because of GOP opposition to the bill, Johnson will most likely need House Democrats to help him pass it. And in other Capitol Hill news, yesterday, Trump's pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert2:44 f Kennedy Junior, met with GOP senators on Capitol Hill to discuss his confirmation. Kennedy must secure a simple majority of senators to be confirmed to the position. Several GOP lawmakers arePolitical Maneuvering and Confirmation Hearings 2:56 worried about Kennedy's views on abortion. Yesterday's meetings allayed their fears.3:02 Well, I just asked him. I said, you know, in the past, you've been you've been pro abortion. And he said, well, you know, it's it's basically, he and president Trump has sat down and talked about it, and both of3:14 them came to an agreement. Hey. Roe Wade is gone. Going back to the states, let the people vote on it, and, that's been mine mine all along. I'm I'm I'm pro3:26 life, but I am glad that the our the American citizens have a chance to vote in their state, and he's the same way.3:33 And this is a conversation we had yesterday. I said, where does that put you when it comes to pro life? He goes, I'm serving at the will of the president of the United States, and it's his policies that I'll put forth.3:45 And and so we may not agree on every single issue, but we agree a hundred percent. We shouldn't even be having abortions in this world anyways. But my policies are not what I'm pushing forward. It's3:56 the presence. And I think the country knows where the president is on that, and so, therefore, that's my position. You know, I'm I'm good with that.4:05 Missouri senator Josh Hawley released a thread on x about his meeting with Kennedy. Hawley said that Kennedy committed to reinstating Trump's pro life policies at HHS, including reinstating the Mexico City4:17 policy and ending taxpayer funding for abortions domestically, reinstating the ban on title 10 funds going to organizations that promote abortion and reinstating conscience protections for health care4:28 providers. And those are today's headlines. I'm Victoria Marshall. Up next is Washington Watch with Tony Perkins. We'll see you tomorrow with more news.Washington Watch and Legislative Updates 4:51 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 and5:02 newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Sitting in for Tony is today's host, Jody Heiss.5:10 Well, good afternoon, and welcome to this Wednesday edition of Washington Watch. I am Jody Heiss, senior vice president here at the Family Research Council and president of FRC Action. It is an5:22 honor as always to be filling in for Tony and deeply honored and thrilled to have you joining us today as well. We've got a lot to bring your way. In fact, some breaking news as we enter the program. Let me give you5:34 some of the highlights. Of course, we've been waiting for it for the past couple of days, and now we finally have it. I'm referring to the text for the continuing resolution that would keep the federal5:46 government open through March fourteenth. With this agreement, we are now on our way to avoiding a government shutdown. The sooner congress acts, the better.5:59 Well, that was senate majority leader Chuck Schumer on the senate floor a little bit earlier today, but now there's some breaking news. It came out just, minutes before the program started.6:11 And how is that breaking news going to affect things? Well, I'll be joined here in just a few moments by Georgia congressman Andrew Clyde to discuss all of this, so you wanna be sure to stay tuned as all this6:23 unfolds as we speak. And earlier today, the senate voted 85 to 14 to pass the National Defense Authorization Act moving it along now to president6:34 Biden's desk to be signed. So was it a victory for conservatives? Well, I'll be discussing this later in the program with FRC's senior director for government affairs, Kena6:47 Gonzalez. And Democrat congressman Jerry Conley beat out congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez for the top Democratic position on the House6:58 Oversight and Accountability Committee. Now Conley is making it clear to Republicans that there will be what he refers to as trench warfare in the next7:10 congress. So what in the world are we to make of that comment? I'll be joined a little bit later in the program with congressman Andy Biggs who also serves on that committee,7:22 to continue that discussion. And then in the Middle East, Hamas is now signaling its willingness toward a potential hostage and ceasefire agreement. So is a deal7:34 really closer than ever as some have been saying?7:38 Ultimately, at the crux of this, at the crux of what of of getting a ceasefire in Gaza, what we're talking about is a deal that would be implemented in phases. And we're all currently focused on trying to get to that7:48 first phase, which is about hostages being released, a temporary ceasefire, and a surge in humanitarian assistance.7:56 Well, that was US state department principal deputy spokesperson Patel earlier today, and doctor AJ Nolte from Regent University will return to continue our discussion from yesterday8:07 regarding the latest developments in the Middle East. So friends, we have a ton of information to bring your way today, and you don't want to miss any of it. But if by chance you do, you can always8:19 go back and catch it at our website tony perkins dot com, where not only this edition of Washington watch can be found, but past editions as well. And, of course, you know, there's a lot of8:31 resources also available there at the website. So be sure to bookmark that page and keep it handy. Also, during this Christmas season, Family Research Council invites you to join us8:43 in shining the light of biblical truth here in Washington DC and across the country. It's a a dangerous leadership transition and lame duck session and on8:55 and on and on and on we go right now. These are perilous times. And FRC is literally serving as a watchman on the wall. We're here protecting faith, family, and freedom from all sorts of,9:07 attacks coming from the left. But thanks to a 1 and a half million dollar challenge match, every dollar you give to FRC from now till December 30 first, it will9:19 be doubled. So you can double your impact. We encourage you to, help FRC continue to literally having a prophetic voice for biblical truth. You can do so by9:31 texting the word light, l I g h t, light. Text that to 6 7 7 4 2, and together, let's have an eternal impact. Alright. Let's9:43 jump into the news today, and trust me, it is unfolding as we speak. So to begin with, late last night, house speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a government spending bill that would carry9:55 the federal government through March fourteenth of next year. And as you may be aware, without passages, this continuing resolution as it's called, the federal government will shut down10:06 after midnight this Friday. So there's a lot at stake, but just in the last within the last hour, certainly, president-elect Trump has10:18 himself now rejected the CR plan. So what does this mean for lawmakers on Capitol Hill? Now to discuss this with me is congressman Andrew Clyde. He is,10:30 on the House Appropriations Committee. He represents the ninth congressional district of the great state of Georgia. Congressman Clyde, my good friend, welcome back to Washington Watch. Great to see you.10:42 Oh, great to see you too, Jody. Always, always good to be with you.10:46 Well, thank you so much. Boy, we got breaking news. I as we speak, it's unfolding, unfolding, unfolding. Thank you for taking time out of what must just be, an incredible10:58 schedule right now to come join us. So what is the latest? What does the breaking news of president Trump rejecting the CR? What does this mean?11:09 Well, I'm very, very thankful that the president decided to weigh in. You know, initially, Elon Musk weighed in and said, via tweet that this bill should not pass. And then, Vivek came in after that,11:20 after he said he'd read the bill. And, it is not something that that should be passed. And and, Elon came back in again and said, you know, anyone who votes for this bill should be primaried. And then11:32 president Trump finally, a little while later or a little bit later just came in and said, hey. You know, I'm not supporting this bill. And and I'm very thankful for that because we have, read through this bill and11:44 it is full of, Democrat priorities. It is, it's terrible on the financial side because you have a hundred and 10000000000 dollars, up to a hundred and 25000000000, depending11:56 how you look at it, in government money, in borrowed money that is not paid for. That is not being financially responsible. You know, the American people sent president Trump to the White House12:08 and gave us the majority in both houses, the house and the senate, so that we could get our fiscal house in order. And this bill does not do that. It goes the exact opposite way. This is not a win for the president or or12:20 a win for the American people. It it is a win for the swamp, and it has firmly been rejected right now. So we are waiting to see what is gonna happen out of our leadership. Speaker Johnson. I believe it will be a12:32 much trimmer bill that will come out, and, we'll see. We're we should have 72 hours to to read it and vote on it. I don't think that's probably gonna happen. But, but right now, we're it's the waiting game.12:44 Wow. Well, I know you are 1 of the hardest working members of the Appropriations Committee, and I know you as an extremely detailed individual. I doubt if you've had time to read through all12:56 1500 plus pages of this thing in the short time that you've had it. But that said, just continue your train of thought there. What are some of the most concerning provisions that you have seen so far as you've13:08 been going through this?13:10 Well, we've not completely finished reading it, but from what I have read so far, it is simply unacceptable. The biggest issue that I have is the hundred and 10000000000 dollars, a hundred billion of of13:22 disaster aid, 10000000000 going to the farmers that is not paid for. You know, it's 1 thing when if you don't have any rescissions, any advanced appropriations that you can claw back the money, but we do. We've got13:33 billions and billions of dollars of advanced appropriations that we could reallocate and actually have this disaster money paid for, but it's not. And and and that's just not being responsible. That's not why13:45 people sent us to congress, you know, to do the same thing and have the same result and add more money to our national debt, which is killing us. So that was the number 1 concerning thing. There are so many other13:57 just just things that are democrat priorities. The global engagement center for 1 thing, which is literally taxpayer funded, you know, first amendment violating censorship of your14:09 of of free speech. That is is has a 1 year extension. You know, I thought it was gonna die this month that, you know, a hopeful pain a painful death, but it's being resurrected by this bill, and it it needs14:21 to be killed.14:24 So it sounds like and tell me if if this would be a proper assessment from your perspective or not. But it sounds like this is probably more of a win for woke Democrats than it is for the14:36 GOP.14:37 Yes. That is a great way to say it. It is more of a win for woke Democrats. I mean, you've got RFK Stadium being transferred in this bill. You've got, you know, preferences to the, to the14:50 Haiti in this bill. I mean, you have, our, ethanol 15, e 15, you know, getting subsidy in this bill. All sorts of things are are getting15:01 subsidies in this bill that just are not necessary and shouldn't be rushed through on a, continuing resolution. It's really an omnibus, actually, if you really look at it.15:13 It's an omnibus on a continuing resolution.15:16 Yeah. And when you look at the fact as you referenced 36000000000000 dollars now in our national debt, we, as Republicans, we need to be going the other direction in terms of stopping, slowing down at least suspending15:28 and stopping it wherever necessary rather than continuing, yet you said a hundred and 10000000000 dollars, of not paid for money. So let let me just ask you this, congressman15:40 MacLeod. What what happens now? What do republicans need to do now? What is going to happen now? Are there scheduled meetings, to go back to the drawing board? What's the game plan now?15:52 Well, I think leadership is meeting to determine that, as we speak. But, what I believe should happen is a short term, a clean CR literally taking funding into March of16:04 next year where we will have Republican territory, Republican house, senate, and president, where we can then have Republican priorities, Republican spending levels. We can trim this down and get real numbers, real16:15 disaster aid numbers as opposed to, you know, these bloated estimates. And then, we should we should be able to vote on it then when we have it in Republican territory. And for the rest of this that's in16:27 there, the Democrat priorities, kick them to the curb.16:31 Okay. So what's the chances of that plan that you just suggested passing? It it sounds like what you're saying just a an absolute clean CR, which means nothing16:43 added, nothing taken away, just current spending levels. Just keep it going till March fourteenth. Don't change anything until we have a new president and then come back and change it. Would that pass, do you think?16:56 If if we added some disaster relief to that and and some ag relief to that but had it paid for, I think that would that would certainly, I believe, pass the house, especially after what, what Vivek17:08 and Elon have weighed in on. And, you know, we're supposed to be about government efficiency here. That was the whole point of why the people reelected president Trump and gave us,17:20 you know, gave him rather such a mandate. We should be listening to that, and we should be moving forward in that direction. And and if we do, I think things will go well, and I think the Republicans will17:32 come together and be able to do that. But17:35 So so as you're talking to your so so as you're talking to colleagues, you do think there is there would be the support for a clean CR, maybe perhaps some, supplements for disaster relief, but,17:47 paid for. And you think that would probably pass?17:51 I think it would pass. I think it would, you know, definitely. Well, I think it would pass the house, the senate. I don't know if it will pass them, but, you know, our concern is the house. We should pass it and go home.18:02 And and and if the senate doesn't wanna pass that, then a government shutdown would be on the senate. It would be a Schumer shutdown. And, and I don't think that they can actually handle that.18:12 That's got a good ring to it, actually, a Schumer shutdown. Congressman Andrew Cloud of Georgia, always great to see you, my friend. Thank you for joining us on Washington Watch. I know you've got a long night ahead of18:23 you, and, godspeed to you.18:25 Thank you. Great to be with you, Jody.18:28 Alright, friends. Don't go anywhere. On the other side of the break, FRC's Cana Gonzales is gonna be joining me to discuss the latest intel on the passing of the National Defense Authorization18:40 Act just moments ago. So a lot to find out about what's in that bill. We'll cover it right after the break. Stay tuned.Show more In this video 0:06 Government Spending and Political Tensions2:46 Political Maneuvering and Confirmation Hearings4:51 Washington Watch and Legislative Updates18:42 Middle East Tensions and International Diplomacy
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