President Obama is pushing hard for quick passage of a financial regulatory reform bill. He says it will prevent the meltdown we saw in 2008, while Republicans say it will usher in a permanent bailout culture. Also, Arizona Sen. John McCain says it’s time for the U.S. to actually make good on a threat against Iran for it’s nuclear defiance.
Reports suggest Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern will be stepping down after many years on the job. What is his real legacy? How has his leadership impacted the lives of union and non-union workers? Why is he leaving now? and just how much influence does he have on President Obama and Congressional Democrats? We ask Katie Packer of the Workforce Fairness Institute.
One of the promises behind the new health care laws was that it would drastically reduce the amount of waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system. But the new plan will probably make things even worse, according to former Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Tevi Troy. So why will fraud increase? Why is President Obama misleading us when he talks about the amount of money that will be saved in the next 10 years? What would really slash waste, fraud and abuse?
Last year, the tax filing deadline also marked the launch of the Tea Party movement against deficit spending and greater government control over the economy. So how surprised are Tea Party leaders with the rapid growth of the movement? What triggered this frustration with government? Is the movement deflated over passage of the health care plan? What is the next big battle that will get the Tea Party fired up? And is the Tea Party in league with the Republicans, or will all incumbents feel the wrath of the activists come November? We ask Matt Kibbe of Freedomworks, a major force behind the Tea Party movement.
Obama claims significant progress at nuclear summit, Gates claims Iran a year away from nuclear weapon but some say it will be much sooner, Senate rumbles again over whether extended unemployment benefits should add to the deficit, more bad news coming in wake of Obamacare passage.
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul Vallely says we shouldn’t expect China to help us deter Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Why is it not in China’s interest to help us? Why does Vallely see Obama’s nuclear policy leading us down a dangerous road? Why does Vallely believe Iran is much closer to a nuclear weapon than the Obama team estimates? And what new venture is Vallely promoting to defend the homeland?
A familiar fight has returned to the U.S. Senate. Democrats say unemployment assistance is so vital, it does not need to be offset by spending cuts. Republicans also say the aid is vital but MUST not be adding to our already monstrous debt. So who is right? How hard is it to find the money to pay for these benefits? And how often will we see this fight? We ask James Sherk, Bradley Fellow in Labor Policy at the Heritage Foundation.
South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson says Congress needs to change course immediately on health care as more unsavory components of the new laws come to light. Wilson says many parts should be taken out, other provisions should be preserved and new patient-centered policies should be implemented. Listen to our discussion with Rep. Wilson to learn what his SWAP plan would do.
Republicans are poised to make gains in the House of Representatives in this year’s midterm elections. One of the most targeted districts is in central Florida, where freshman Democrat Alan Grayson may be in big trouble. Why are so many Republicans flooding into this race. Why does Bruce O’Donaghue believe he should be the next Congressman from this district? What issues will define his campaign? Does he want to repeal the health care bill?
President Obama opened up a nuclear summit in Washington on Monday, but some lawmakers want a tougher U.S. stance towards Iran. Key senators already preparing for tough Supreme Court confirmation fight. West Virginia mourns fallen miners and Poland grieves deaths of president, first lady and many top dignitaries.
