Mike & Jay open the show with a look at the latest development in the various investigations and requests for information surrounding President Trump. They agree that while the president’s legal strategy isn’t the strongest, his political strategy - delaying until after the 2020 election and goading the Democrats into impeachment - is a smart one. They also discuss New York’s recently passed law that would allow Congress to receive President Trump’s state tax information.
Next is a discussion of the recent tensions with Iran. Mike points out that this all stems from the Trump administration pulling out of the multilateral Iran nuclear agreement under the assumption that they could get a better deal by squeezing Iran’s economy. Jay largely agrees with the strategy and while Mike understands it, he wonders how successful sanctions are likely to be given our decided lack of success in over half a century of sanctions against Cuba and North Korea.
After that, the Guys talk about the health care conscience rule, which allows providers, insurers, and employers to refuse to provide or pay for health services that violate their religious or moral beliefs. 20 states are suing the administration over this rule, and Mike believes they have a good point, in that it’s likely to result in discrimination against certain groups, especially in underserved rural areas. Jay is more sympathetic to the new rule and feels that if there’s a legitimate need for certain services, the market will find a way to provide it.
Finally, Mike & Jay discuss the ‘Tobacco Free Youth Act’ introduced by tobacco-state Senators Mitch McConnell and Tim Kaine. Mike sees it as a positive step, but not that big of one, arguing that the real fear for the tobacco industry is a ban on flavors, which might hurt the growth of their youth market. Jay’s uncomfortable with the raised restriction, feeling that people can make an informed choice about whether or not to use tobacco. It’s not an argument Mike really buys, given the addictive nature of tobacco - he’d like to see the U.S. move to a total ban of tobacco products over time.
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Police Conduct, Afghanistan Withdrawal
Reconciliation, SALT, Gun Control, COVID Passports, Supreme Court Reforms
Infrastructure, Georgia Voting Law, NCAA at the Supreme Court
Mass Shootings, Biden News Conference, Voting Rights & The Filibuster
Border Crisis, Georgia Shootings, US / China Talks
Uzuegbunam v. Preczewiski, Biden’s Record, Voting Rights, Trump Tells RNC to Cease and Desist
COVID Bill, For The People Act, Joe Manchin, CPAC & Trump
James Morone on our “Republic of Wrath”
McConnell on Trump, COVID Bill, Equality Act, Neera Tanden, “Fake News” Hearings
Rep. Rob Wittman on The Chinese Threat and US Strategic Preparedness
McConnell v Trump, Trump's Acquittal, Politicizing the Freeze, COVID Round Three
Impeachment Trial, A New Party?, Georgia Investigates Trump
Stimulus Talks, Greene, Cheney, and the GOP, Trump Impeachment
Impeachment Part 2, Organization of the Senate, Leahy's Health, Biden's Executive Actions
President Biden’s Inauguration and Executive Actions
Capitol Riot, Republican Reactions, Trump’s Second Impeachment
The Insurrection, Trump’s Culpability, Social Media’s Role, the Future of the American Presidency
Trump Overridden, COVID Stimulus, Vaccine Rollout, Election Challenges
COVID Relief, Russian Hacking, Election Challenges, Barr Resigns
SCOTUS Rejects Election Challenge, Vaccine Approval, Facebook Antitrust, COVID Talks
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