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Addressing the Fertility Crisis 0:05 Good afternoon. I'm Victoria Marshall, and welcome to a special edition of the Washington Watch news desk. Today, we're going to discuss the West fertility crisis and what some governments are doing to0:17 help reverse the trend. The government of Tokyo recently announced that it is giving its employees a 4 day work week in an effort to boost fertility rates and help working mothers. The Tokyo0:29 Metropolitan government says the new arrangement which begins next April could give employees 3 days off every week. Japan has 1 of the lowest fertility rates in the world. In June, it0:41 reached a record low of 1.2. For a population to remain stable, it needs a fertility rate of 2.1. Thomas Simmons, a Canadian living in Tokyo, told Global News that a 40:53 day work week would definitely encourage him and his wife to have more children.0:58 There's just not enough time in in a day to to really balance both. So, having an extra day would be like a a godsend.1:06 Many sociologists attribute the ever plunging birth rates to Japan's unforgiving work culture and rising costs of living. Simmons says people's lives are centered around their jobs. But Tokyo is1:18 hoping to change that with this new policy. They're even offering city employees with children's grades 1 to 3 the opportunity to trade some of their salary to leave early to be with their1:30 kids.1:31 I'm personally facing and a lot of couples I know are are facing is is childcare. Right? Getting daycare availability.1:40 Other advocates of the 4 day work week champion the model not because of the fertility crisis, but to combat employee burnout. Here's what economist Juliet Shore had to say about it during a TED talk.1:52 The research shows that people are less stressed, value their jobs more, and have better lives outside of work. In most cases, they are as productive in 42:04 days as they are in 5. Companies can also see benefits through lower turnover and a higher quality applicant pool. Less burnout reduces health care costs,2:16 mistakes, and poor service.2:18 So switching to a 4 day work week model could help boost a country's fertility while also boosting its citizens' happiness and productivity. But not all countries grappling with decreasing fertility are taking this2:30 approach. Hungary is trying to boost its fertility rate by telling Hungarian women with 4 children or more, they will be exempted for life from paying income tax. The2:41 government is also offering young married couples interest free loans of 36000 dollars to be canceled once they have 3 children.3:09 Since the government offered this in 20 19, there has been an 8 percent rise in marriages. Hungary is now spending 5 percent of its total gross domestic product on pro family3:20 fertility boosting policies. Now, what effects are these policies having on its birth rate? Hungary's fertility rate has increased in the past decade from when it was the lowest in the European Union at 1.23:32 births per woman. But at the current level of 1.6, it's still far from self sustaining. But another European country offering cash to its citizens in order to entice them to have3:44 children is France. Cash subsidies start at the second child but actually more than double with the third child. Pension payout is also increased by 10 percent for parents with3:56 3 or more children. And are these policies working? Well, France is the number 1 country by fertility in the European Union. At 1.8, it's not yet a replacement level but it's the4:08 closest. And what about the United States? Our birth rate is at historic low of 1.6 percent and besides state and federal child tax credits, the US does not really have any4:20 policies meant to reverse our declining fertility rate as of yet. And that's today's segment. Thanks for joining me today for a special edition of the Washington Watch news decks.Navigating Government Funding and Debt 4:32 For more news and commentary, check out the Washington stand at Washington stand dot com. Up next is Washington Watch with Tony Perkins. We'll see you next time with more news.4:50 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 Friday edition of Washington Watch. I am Jody Heiss, senior vice president here at the Family Research Council and president of FRC Action. An honor5:22 to be with you here on this Friday, and thank you so much for joining us. Wow. Yet again, we've got a lot of breaking news and information bring your way. Let me give you some of the highlights. It has been5:34 yet another frantic day of activity on Capitol Hill as lawmakers have raced to work out another agreement that will fund the federal government past tonight's midnight5:45 deadline.5:47 We have a unified Republican conference. There is a unanimous agreement in the room that we need to move forward. I will not telegraph to you the specific details of that yet because I've got a couple of things I gotta5:58 wrap up in a few moments upstairs, but I expect that we will be proceeding forward. We will not have a government shutdown, and we won't meet our obligations.6:06 That was speaker Mike Johnson, speaking to reporters before heading into a meeting to work out some of the final details for that new deal. So what is the new deal? It looks like it's,6:18 the text just came out literally probably 30 minutes ago, but it appears to be about a hundred and 18 page bill. And according to reports, there are plans to begin the debate6:30 immediately. In fact, we're hearing right now, debates are underway. So probably, we can expect votes within the next hour. If those results come in during the program, we6:42 will most certainly let you know. But so much is going on. It could be hard to keep up with, so we'll be getting the latest here in just a few moments when I'm joined by Lindsay, Lindsay McPherson, who's Capitol Hill6:53 reporter for the Washington Times. So she'll be with us here in just a moment. And looking at all that's been unfolding over the past few days, what do we need to be keeping in mind, and how should we be praying?7:05 Well, we'll discuss this later in the program when I'm joined by Cana Gonzalez, a senior director of government affairs here at FRC. And while there seems to be so much chaos and7:17 uncertainty in so many of the headlines today, it's good that there's also some good news. So take a sigh, a big deep breath. We have yet another retail giant that7:29 has removed the abortion drug from its website after media outlets like the Washington stand drew a great deal of public attention. We'll talk about this when I'm joined later by Mary7:41 Zock, who's the director of FRC's Center for Human Dignity. And then to close out the program today, I'll be joined by David Clawson for our weekly biblical worldview segment. And this week,7:52 we're going to, be taking very close look at, some of the issues that have been facing our nation all week and even as we speak right now. How should8:04 Christians be looking at these things from a biblical perspective? We'll talk about that with David Clausen later on. So as always, we've got a lot coming your way. You don't wanna miss any of it. But if in case you8:16 do, you can go check it out at tony perkins dot com. And 1 more reminder before we jump into the program today, this Christmas season, Family Research Council is inviting you to join us in8:28 shining the light of biblical truth here in Washington DC and beyond. These certainly are difficult times, perilous times. And, we here at FRC really8:40 see ourselves kind of as watchmen on the wall. We're here to try to protect faith, family, and freedom from all sorts of attacks from multiple fronts. And thanks to a 1 and a half million dollar challenge8:52 match, every single dollar that you give to FRC before December 30 first will be doubled. Doubled. What an impact you can have. So9:04 we encourage you to come stand alongside of FRC as we continue to be a strong biblical voice here in this city. You can join us by texting the word light to 6 79:15 7 4 2. And together, we can all have an eternal impact. Alright. Let's jump into the program for tonight. As I mentioned just a few moments ago, we9:27 have a brand new tech text, a hundred and 18 page bill, and it would, protect the federal government from a deadline shutdown tonight, and a vote9:39 could happen literally within the next hour. And, the clock is ticking. I mean, as of now, we are less than 7 hours away before that government shutdown would take place. So joining me now to9:51 discuss the latest developments is Lindsay McPherson. She is a Capitol Hill reporter for the Washington Times. Lindsay, welcome to Washington Watch. Long time no see. Good to see you again.10:02 Good to see you again too.10:05 Okay. So, Lindsay, tell us. What's the latest? What is going on right now?10:10 So as you mentioned, that bill has just been released probably in the last half hour. We finally have the text. They have a plan to vote on it within the next hour as you have said. And the big question is whether they10:21 can get democratic support. They've decided to bring this bill forward under processing. As you know, suspension of the rules, which requires 2 thirds support of the house rather than a simple majority. That means10:32 Democratic votes will be needed if they're gonna successfully pass it. Democrats having just got the text along with everyone else are trying to come through and decide what they're gonna do. It is largely identical to a10:42 bill that was brought to the floor yesterday and failed, and that with, that was all Democrats and 38 Republicans all but 2 Democrats, I should say, and 38 Republicans voted against. But the major difference is that it10:54 strips out a 2 year extension in the debt limit that president Donald Trump president-elect Donald Trump had demanded. So largely, other than that, the bill is mostly identical. There is at least 1 change11:05 we noticed, that would drop an extension of child and family services programs. There's a brief section to extend some of those programs through the duration of the CR of March fourteenth.11:17 That section was dropped. Not clear why. Not sure if that'll bother Democrats. So everything's evolving, but, basically, this vote set for some time in the next hour, and we'll find out soon enough whether they have11:27 enough votes to pass. House Democrats are currently huddling as we speak to kinda decide what they're gonna do. And as their votes are needed, that is kind of the crucial junction at this point. And if it gets11:39 through the house, it'll probably get through the senate, and then we'll get to a conclusion here sometime in the next 24 hours or so depending how quickly the senate can come together and speed up their own process.11:49 Okay. So last night, we had 38 Republicans vote against it. 2 Democrats voted for it. The rest of the Democrats voted against it. And yet this is going to need, 2 thirds,12:02 votes, because it's a a suspension bill. So if virtually all Democrats voted against it last night along with 38 Republicans, are the12:13 changes sufficient, you think, to bring the Democrats on board? That raises, serious questions for me as to whether or not that would make a difference.12:24 Potentially, I the Democrats had 2 issues. 1, they were really upset that the original bipartisan deal they negotiated, which included a ton of other measures that are not in this version or yesterday's version,12:36 you know, were dropped. They had a bipartisan agreement among the so called 4 corners, which are the top 4 congressional leaders in Congress. And they are upset that that was scuttled effectively. You know,12:47 president-elect Donald Trump didn't like it. They said it he said it gave way to beneath it to Democrats. And they he wanted he also started to demand an increase in the debt limit to be added. So that was added12:59 to yesterday's version and then dropped. So I think the the dropping of the debt limit will help Democrats to some degree and that they did not wanna deal with that now. They are worried about approving a debt limit,13:09 right, before Republicans take up an extension of the tax cuts that they worry will add a lot to the deficit, and other things. So that could help. We don't but we don't know yet. They're they're just getting this bill13:20 and meeting now on it, so we we'll find out soon enough whether they will back us or not.13:25 Okay. Yeah. That's interesting because I 1 of the big question marks I had about this was what would be the reaction of the Democrats on the, the debt ceiling issue. But you believe,13:37 that, taking that out of the equation right now will actually help the Democrats come on board. Is that right?13:43 I believe it will just because they did not wanna deal with that now before Republicans come into office and pass, through reconciliation. They're planning a lot of things to tax cuts and spending cuts and different13:54 things that will impact the deficit. And the debt limit, while officially January first, will be unsuspended. It's been suspended since, June 20 23. It doesn't actually14:06 the statutory borrowing limit's not gonna hit. Treasury has extraordinary measures that they can use to kinda continue paying down debt obligations. So it's not really an issue until sometime experts estimate in June14:17 when treasury runs out of that wiggle room. The congress has time to deal with this. The democrats didn't wanna deal with it now. Republicans also kinda had some concerns about dealing with it now without spending cuts,14:28 and that's why they agreed to drop it for now. And they did have a tentative agreement, that coming out of the Republican conference where they discussed that they will deal with the debt limit next year as part of these14:38 reconciliation bills where they're dealing with the other things, spending less than14:42 tax. So what are you expecting on the Republican side? I I would think there probably are some that, are going to struggle with this because the the lack of pay force,14:54 with the disaster relief and the farm bill. Do you still think there may be 38 opposing it, or you think that number will go down on the Republican side?15:03 I I think it could go down a little, but there definitely are a good at least that more than a dozen, I would say, if fiscal conservatives who wanted the disaster relief to be paid for and probably will still oppose15:14 this. There are also any numb a handful of Republicans who always oppose CRs, the, you know, don't like CRs. So it but I do think it will be slightly lower than 38. I I think the debt limit15:25 without the spending reforms was a big issue for a lot of Republicans and as well, and that's why that number is was as high as it was. But, you know, you were colleagues with these people, so you might have better15:35 insight.15:36 I don't know if I ever hear better insight or not. I mean, it's a it's a lot of moving parts right now. But let me ask you this. Now I think this is important for our our viewers and our listeners to kind of have a15:46 perspective on this. Obviously, considering tomorrow is Saturday, how bad would it be if the government does have a shutdown after midnight tonight, but a deal is worked out15:58 before Monday, let's just say? What would, it would have Yeah.16:03 Go ahead. Minimal impact if they get this passed before Monday or even if they're on track. So if it passes the house and the senate is just jumping through procedural hoops, the office of management budget doesn't16:14 typically initiate their full shutdown procedures. In that case, they know that the you know, it's just about matter mechanics and getting it passed. Particularly over the weekend when most government workers aren't16:25 working, it's not like they have to jump to work anyways, so it doesn't matter too much. And all the people that typically work on the weekends in the government, most of those people are essential and would continue to16:36 go to work TSA agents, border agents, all that stuff.16:40 Okay. I think that's good for for people to kinda understand this. Alright. So so let me just push a little bit further, Lindsay, if I can on this. So what would be the most likely scenarios16:52 if the vote tonight fails? What would happen?16:56 Well, the Republicans did have an alternative to plan that they were debating, which they could try to do, which is basically to split these pieces up, and they were gonna do 3 separate bills. This was an offer that they17:07 discussed during their conference meeting today to have a separate bill that has the funding extension through March fourteenth, a separate bill that has the disaster aid, and a separate bill that has the economic aid of17:18 farmers. And then to have both those all separately under a rule that might combine them when they send them to the senate, but then they would have separate votes.17:25 So I17:26 guess that would be potentially the next plan to go back to that, but that does have some issues where the disaster aid will still need democrat support, for example, because like we talked about, the conservatives here17:37 can don't like that that's not offset.17:40 So what are your expectations? I mean, here, the the votes virtually can be starting here any moment. What do you what do you anticipate in your in your heart?17:49 I think in my heart that given the closeness to the funding deadline, the Democrats will accept this and, you know, look to fight another day on the other stuff that they were upset that got excluded. But18:02 I don't wanna speak 100 percent certainty because this past couple days have been pretty wild.18:10 Yes. They have. Lindsay McPherson, thank you so much. Reporter with the Capitol, Capitol Hill reporter with the Washington Times. Thank you so much. Good to see you again. Hope you have a wonderful merry Christmas.18:20 Thanks. You too. Merry Christmas.18:23 Alright, friends. A lot still unfolding even as we speak, so you don't wanna go anywhere. After the break, we're gonna get another perspective on the events unfolding on Capitol Hill. I'll be joined by18:35 FRC senior director of government affairs, Kana Gonzales. So much more coming your way here on Washington Watch. Trust me. You don't wanna go anywhere. We'll be back right after the18:46 break. Stay tuned.18:52 During these challenging times for our nation, Family Research Council continues to serve as a watchman on the wall for faith, family, and freedom. And together, thanks to your support, we're making an eternal19:04 impact. 20 24 has been another year of shining the light for biblical truth in Washington DC. This fall, over 1000 spiritually active governance engaged conservatives gathered for19:16 the pray vote stand summit to pray for our nation and ensure that the issues impacting sage cons were understood and advanced. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins marked a major19:28 milestone this year, its 9 hundredth episode, and added the Washington Watch news desk, a new production that presents the top news each day from a biblical worldview. The Washington19:40 stand published 2000 articles of news, commentary, and podcasts in 20 24, garnering over 5000000 views. FRC's outlet for news and commentary19:52 continues to pursue the truth on the issues that matter most to you and your family. And with the launch of the Stand Firm app, you can listen to, watch, and read our content in 1 simple20:04 place. Pray for current issues, stay rooted in the scriptures, and engage the political sphere with a community of believers on our new platform. In 20 24, FRC shaped20:15 public policy and culture, organizing the national gathering for prayer and repentance, where members of congress and Christian leaders came together to seek God's intervention in America.20:27 In May, FRC called upon believers to pray for and stand with Israel by dedicating a portion of their worship services to pray for Israel's peace, prosperity, and protection.20:40 With pray vote stand decision 20 24, FRC and Real Life Network led a powerful evening of election night coverage to analyze the election results and pray that our nation would turn back to20:51 God. We also filmed a transformative educational course, God and govern. Launching in January 20 25, this series will explore the biblical and historical foundations of our21:03 government, empowering you to stand confidently in your role as a citizen of heaven and earth. Family research council, thanks you for partnering with us for another year of standing for21:15 faith, family, and freedom.21:20 Looking to grow closer to God in the new year? FRC stand on the word spiral bound journal is here to help. Dive deeper into scripture with thought provoking questions, note taking space, and context for21:31 each book and author. This second edition covering Isaiah 2 Revelation will guide you in tracking your journey through God's word while deepening your faith in Christ. Order now at frc dot org21:43 slash store or text journal to 6 7 7 4 2. Perfect for you and your loved ones.21:54 Well, good good afternoon. Welcome back to Washington Watch on this last Friday before Christmas. I'm your Friday host, Jody Heise. Glad to have you on board with22:05 us. Alright. As lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to work against the clock to try to keep the federal government open, I I want to bring in my next guest, and22:17 together, let's try to provide another perspective on all of the unfolding events. So joining me now is Cana Gonzalez. He's a senior director of government affairs here at Family Research Council.22:29 Cana, welcome back to Washington Watch. Thank you so much for joining me.22:33 Merry Christmas, Jody.22:35 Merry Christmas. Listen. If there has ever been a time that we needed a Christmas celebration, now is the time. What's so much going on, and now would be a great time to get a a nice Christmas22:47 present under the tree from Washington DC. Look. I know you have been on Capitol Hill all week on and off. You've got so much that, you have been tracking. What's your overall22:59 thoughts on how the battle regarding government funding has been playing out?23:04 Well, folks, if your hope is in Washington DC, it is misplaced, and we are watching that happen in real time. I don't we'll have something under the Christmas tree. I'm sure. That that23:16 seems to be the only certainty in Washington is that congress will not be working over Christmas. And I think for all of us, those on the hill, those like us, you and I off the hill, but observing and, folks at home,23:27 that's a good thing, that congress will not be working. What's going to emerge from this as Lindsay laid out so well just now? We really don't know. There have been several attempts.23:40 I think it's important to to step back from the urgency of the moment. Certainly, the the the hype and the news media, that drives ratings sort of the fear. Will the government shut down and will that23:52 affect you? That kind of thing. And take a longer view at what a longer look step back and take a longer view look at what's going on. You have several different factions24:03 even within the Republican Party, right, as this plays out, angling for different things. There are great many Republicans who have come to Washington, served in Washington for many years, and,24:16 are very happy with business as normal and are are are not that concerned really at the end of the day that we continue to drive up the national debt and the deficit every year. Deficit24:28 spending doesn't bother them. There are few who that really does bother and they're they're working to try to reverse that. And then there are some that are saying those that are working to reverse that aren't working24:38 fast enough. So the Republican party is not unified. In a normal year, which I'm not sure we'll ever see again, you would have a large enough margin of either a Democrat24:49 majority in Congress or Republican majority in Congress that a few discontents here and there around the fringes may or may not impact every debate. But with with margins so narrow, each of these factions now25:01 becomes really critical, to these kinds of debates and they have competing goals. And that's what we're seeing playing out in congress right now is an actual debate in real time about the future of our25:13 country.25:14 Yeah. Well said. And I and I couldn't agree with you more. I don't know that we will ever see large majorities, again, at least not for a long, long time. Even the way they redrawn the district line almost ensures25:26 across the country that whoever's in the majority will be so by a razor razor thin majority. So what's your take have been what's going on? As you mentioned, Lindsey, just a few moments ago, I mean, she has described25:38 now we have a plan a which failed, plan b failed. Now we're looking at plan c, which is very much like plan b. And if that doesn't work, we have a plan b hanging out there. I mean,25:50 what what are we looking at here, particularly as you mentioned the rising national debt? It all, to me at least, doesn't seem at this point to be addressing the problem.26:02 Yeah. And, and and there's disagreement over which problems to address first, when, and how. It's it's, picture, if, if you're part of a of26:14 of of a family discussion, maybe a husband and wife negotiating over the budget, you might have some disagreements. Now, take those 2 people and multiply that by 535. That's what we have26:26 on Capitol Hill. There's just disagreement about what comes first, what comes second, what to do. And as I said previously, differences over the ultimate gains goals, that people are trying to gain.26:38 So, that's what we're witnessing on TV. And we need to understand some of the over the top rhetoric that we're hearing right now, is is is people some of it, not all of it.26:50 Some of it is quite passionate and quite principled, but some of it is just pushing to see how much they can get and and how close, Congress has been playing chicken frankly with several deadlines for a very, very long27:01 time for decades. These funding fights always come up at Christmas time. It's always about funding the government. It's always about a government shutdown, and it's frequently about raising the the the debt limit so that27:13 we don't default on our national debt. Very few times do we have a substantive conversation on reducing the the national debt, reducing and getting rid of the deficit, and driving toward true reform in the27:25 long term. So as Christians, as we're observing that, we should be prayerful. And, Jody, I think Christmas time is a great time for that. We we think of Christmas carols, we think of joy at Christmas. But if you think of27:36 the Christmas hymn, the great Christmas hymn, oh come, oh come, Emmanuel, that is based on an old testament lament when the children of Israel were looking forward to the coming of Christ. And where did Christ come?27:48 Not only to lowly Bethlehem to a poor family and born in a manger, but he came to a a nation that was occupied under occupation by the Roman Empire. And America in a very different way has28:00 has, come, I believe, into a a spiritual bondage to debt. Our current debt limit is over 31000000000000 dollars. That's the legal limit beyond which we cannot borrow28:12 and spend. And we're about to bump up against that and deciding whether to raise it or to just suspend it, meaning ignore it for the next 2 years. It's really insane what we're doing. And so I pray and I28:24 hope our viewers are praying with us that god will, move on the hearts of our leaders and of our country to bring about real and lasting change.28:34 And stuck right in the all the middle of this, of course, is speaker Mike Johnson. He's been taking a lot of shots obviously from the media, from some within his own party, from conservative groups, from, the other28:45 side of the aisle all across. And we absolutely need to be praying for him. We need to be praying for congress. We need to be praying for all of them who even as we speak, they have this vote looming.28:58 So real quickly, Kano, if you why don't we just pray together? And, we've got just a few seconds, but let me just join with me. Lord, we do pray for your good hand29:10 right now to be upon our members of congress, upon our leader, upon our national leaders as, this time is flicking. Lord, we just ask29:22 for your intervention in a powerful way. In Jesus' name, amen.29:27 Amen.Show more In this video 0:05 Addressing the Fertility Crisis4:25 Navigating Government Funding and Debt29:28 Victories for Life and the Role of Retailers38:41 Developing a Biblical Worldview
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