The huge legal fight over the legality of the individual and employer mandates within the new health care laws was hotly debated before the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The state of Virginia is seeking to defend a state law forbidding the federal government from forcing its residents to purchase health insurance – or force them to buy anything for that matter. So how did the oral arguments go on Tuesday? What did the questions suggest about how the judges are approaching this critical case? And how did Virginia improve its standing in the case? We discuss it all with Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who is leading the effort to prevent the health care mandates from being applied in his state.
Archives for May 10, 2011
GOP and the Debt Limit
On Monday night, House Speaker John Boehner gave a speech in which he vowed to block any extension of the debt ceiling unless trillions of dollars in guaranteed spending cuts are part of the deal. So where is the House GOP on this critical question? What conditions are non-negotiable for Republicans? And what else is part of the GOP economic agenda? We ask Wisconsin Rep. Reid Ribble, a member of the House Budget Committee.
Immigration Laws Head to Supremes
On Monday, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announced she would appeal an appellate court decision against the Arizona immigration laws to the Supreme Court. Cochise County Arizona Sheriff Larry Dever is strongly supportive of the laws. He says allowing the full implementation of SB 1070 would end sanctuary cities for illegals and make life much safer for people throughout his state. Dever also fires back against critics who suggest the laws amount to racial profiling. And we get his thoughts on President Obama’s latest push for “comprehensive immigration reform”. Listen here for our conversation with Sheriff Dever, who is also co-chair of bordersheriffs.com.
Want Jobs? Clear the Red Tape!
The latest jobs data shows more jobs being created by the unemployment rate still rising. So what would unleash massive job creation? According to Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford, a big part of the answer is doing away with many of countless, burdensome government regulations. So what type of regulations create the most problems? How much are they stifling job growth? What are House Republicans prepared to do on this front? And how is the GOP preparing for the debt ceiling debate? What is acceptable and what is not? And why is there some hope for consensus on taking on spending and runaway entitlements? We discuss it all with Rep. Lankford, a member of the House Budget Committee.
Three Martini Lunch 5/10/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review applaud John Boehner’s speech on spending and the debt ceiling. We also slam the Nevada secretary of state’s decision on a special Congressional election. And we pour some cold water on the impending Newt Gingrich presidential bid.