Podcasts about Congressional Progressive Caucus

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, argues that Elon Musk will remain active in government despite President Trump saying the billionaire would likely be leaving his administration within months. Vice President JD Vance touts crypto deregulations at a Bitcoin event. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary speaks with NBC News after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces a major change to Covid vaccine guidance.

Representative Adam Smith of Washington's 9th Congressional District, who made headlines recently for his pointed criticisms of progressive urban governance, joins us to talk about what Seattle should expect in the era of Trump.Smith believes local governance failures and missteps in blue cities like Seattle contributed to Trump's big win in 2024. But he joined Seattle Nice to talk about the aftermath. We get into the impact of Trump's MAGA agenda on Seattle and King County, including potentially devastating funding cuts to transportation, education, and social services. Smith explains why he thinks Trump's MAGA movement is a looming disaster for the region. The conversation also gets into strategic resistance to Trump, coalition building, and the complexities of running a liberal stronghold like Seattle. Smith, who has a foot in both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the more centrist New Democrat Coalition, also delves into the evolution of his own political philosophy. Finally, the Congressman explains his endorsement of Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison, a Republican.  Our editor is Quinn Waller.   Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comHEARTH Protection: Do not let fear make your world smaller. Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Representative Ro Khanna is a leading progressive voice in the House, representing California's 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving his fifth term. He serves as vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, on the House Armed Services Committee as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems (CITI), is a member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and on the Oversight and Accountability committee, where he previously chaired the Environmental Subcommittee. Rep. Khanna and I get into the impact of Trump's tariffs and trade wars; our broken healthcare system; DOGE's devastating federal spending cuts; the threats to our national security from SecDef Pete Hegseth and SignalGate; the Kilmar Abrego Garcia 'disappearance' case; the administration's overall attacks on the rule of law, due process, and democracy itself; and the congressman's town hall road show, where he's hitting red districts across the country to help win over disaffected Americans on both sides of the aisle in advance of the critical 2026 midterm elections. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

In February, Congressman Ro Khanna penned a New York Times op-ed noting that to persuade Americans that transformative government is capable of improving their lives, we must reverse what many have experienced as decades of stagnation and decline. "With the establishment of both parties defeated, we are, as you may have heard, at a fork in the road." Khanna wrote, "Either the country will continue to succumb to a burn-it-all-down political nihilism and disillusionment, or Democrats can use this moment of crisis to reframe the terms of the debate."rnrnBut what are the terms of that debate? And what are the initiatives and solutions that will heal our divides during uncertain times?rnrnRo Khanna is a United States Congressman from California's 17th District in the heart of Silicon Valley. He has a vision to transform America into a modern manufacturing and technology superpower, and he partners it with a commitment to passing Medicare for All, a $17-dollar minimum wage, and free public college and vocational school. Congressman Khanna is Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and served as co-chair of Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign.

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Elon Musk's DOGE logo House advances Trump agenda with narrow passage of republican budget bill against democratic opposition Congressional Progressive Caucus says Musk must leave in 50 days, when his special employee status expires under law State senate committee approves bill to create California science research agency in wake of Trump cuts to science funding US Citizenship and Immigration Service to begin monitoring social media accounts of immigrants for signs of antisemitism The post Congressional Progressive Caucus says Musk must leave government role in 50 days; House advances Trump agenda with passage of Senate budget resolution – April 10, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

Trump's back in and tearing up the Constitution, the Federal Government and the World Order. What can elected Democrats do? In this pod, Bill talks with Congressman Mark Pocan of Wisconsin. He is a a long-time advocate for progressive policies. He was sworn in as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's second congressional district in 2013. A small business owner, union member, Rep. Pocan fights for policies that promote economic and social justice. In the current Congress, he serves on the House Appropriations Committee where he sits on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee; and the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. He is Chair of the Equality Caucus, Co-Chair of the Labor Caucus, and Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's News Day Tuesday! Sam and Emma speak with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) to discuss what to expect from the upcoming Trump administration's immigration agenda, and how the Republican-controlled Congress might govern. First, Sam and Emma check in on Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary, with Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine putting the screws to him on the allegations against Hegseth regarding numerous instances of infidelity and sexual misconduct (to say nothing of the financial mismanagement!) Then, they speak with Rep. Jayapal, first discussing her role on the Judiciary Committee as ranking member of the immigration subcommittee, her thoughts on the Laken Riley Act that is making its way through the Senate, and what to expect from the incoming Trump administration when it comes to mass deportation efforts. She then discusses what to expect from the Congressional Progressive Caucus now that she is no longer chair (she is chair emerita however!) under Rep. Greg Casar's stewardship, and where Democrats can go in terms of messaging to have more success then they did in November's elections. And in the Fun Half, Sam, Emma, and the MR Crew discuss the late night unveiling of former Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on Trump's supposed election interference in the 2020 election and on January 6th, 2021, the continued apathy coming from the likes of Speaker Johnson & Sen. Tommy Tuberville about conditioning wildfire aid to California, the prospects of a Trump-brokered ceasefire (and how upsetting that is to the Israeli right), and, finally, a Morning Joe guest shocking a panel by discussing the prospects of class war. Plus, your calls & IM's! Follow Rep. Jayapal on Twitter here: https://x.com/RepJayapal Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: Prolon: Just in time for the new year, Prolon is offering The Majority Report with Sam Seder listeners 15%  off their 5-day nutrition program for your post-holiday glow-up when you go to https://ProlonLife.com/MAJORITY.  That's https://ProlonLife.com/MAJORITY for 15% off. Blueland Cleaning Products: Blueland has a special offer for listeners. Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to https://blueland.com/majority. You won't want to miss this! That's https://blueland.com/majority to get 15% off. Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/

Representative Ro Khanna of California is in the Democrats' Congressional Progressive Caucus. And although his district is in the heart of Silicon Valley—and he once worked as a lawyer for tech companies—Khanna is focussed on how Democrats can regain the trust of working-class voters. He knows tech moguls, he talks with them regularly, and he thinks that they are forming a dangerous oligarchy, to the detriment of everyone else. “This is more dangerous than petty corruption. This is more dangerous than, ‘Hey, they just want to maximize their corporation's wealth,' ”he tells David Remnick. “This is an ideology amongst some that rejects the role of the state.” Although he's an ally of Bernie Sanders, such as advocating for Medicare for All and free public college, Khanna is not a democratic socialist. He calls himself a progressive capitalist. Real economic growth, he says, requires “a belief in entrepreneurship and technology and in business leaders being part of the solution.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Representative Ro Khanna of California is in the Democrats' Congressional Progressive Caucus. And although his district is in the heart of Silicon Valley—and he once worked as a lawyer for tech companies—Khanna is focussed on how Democrats can regain the trust of working-class voters. He knows tech moguls, he talks with them regularly, and he thinks that they are forming a dangerous oligarchy, to the detriment of everyone else. “This is more dangerous than petty corruption. This is more dangerous than, ‘Hey, they just want to maximize their corporation's wealth,' ”he tells David Remnick. “This is an ideology amongst some that rejects the role of the state.” Although he's an ally of Bernie Sanders, such as advocating for Medicare for All and free public college, Khanna is not a democratic socialist. He calls himself a progressive capitalist. Real economic growth, he says, requires “a belief in entrepreneurship and technology and in business leaders being part of the solution.”

First up on today's wide-ranging show, Ralph speaks to political scientist Adolph Reed about how American politics has started taking its cues from professional wrestling and how the left can rebuild itself. Then, we welcome Steve Silberstein from National Popular Vote to update us on their interstate compact's progress. Finally, we're joined by three interns from the American Museum of Tort Law—Dylan Bird, Gabriel Duffany, and Rachel Donovan discuss a rather unique summer assignment.Adolph Reed is Professor Emeritus of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and an organizer with the Debs-Jones-Douglass Institute's Medicare for All-South Carolina initiative, and co-host of Class Matters Podcast. His most recent books are The South: Jim Crow and Its Afterlives and (with Walter Benn Michaels) No Politics but Class Politics.One of the things that struck me, especially, is during the pandemic it was striking to see how much full-blown animus toward government— or toward the idea of public and public goods—that there is out there in society at large. And we know Heritage (and the rest of the reactionary, the Koch brothers) have been fueling that and stoking that kind of resentment for as long as they've been around, frankly, right…But what's different is that since the Clinton years, the Democrats have been just as likely to attack the idea of government or public goods and public services, right? And they're more likely to do it backhandedly…So there hasn't been any space for people to connect even the fact that they like to go to the public library or like to use the public park with this bipartisan, full-bore attack on the idea of government. And that has gone so far and so deeply within society.Adolph ReedSteve Silberstein founded and served as the first president of Innovative Interfaces Inc., a leading supplier of computer software for the automation of college and city libraries. Mr. Silberstein sold his interest in the company in 2001 and now devotes his time to philanthropic and civic matters, one of which is sitting on the Board of Directors of National Popular Vote.Of the states that have passed [the National Popular Vote compact], it's mostly been with Democratic votes. Because for a while there's been a theory that Republicans couldn't win the national popular vote. That's why they opposed it. But now that they have actually won the popular vote this time around, that theory which caused some of them to oppose it has gone by the wayside.Steve SilbersteinThere's no reason for [Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan being “swing states”]. You know, those states didn't even exist when the constitution was established. It's just purely an accident…Those states are not typical of the United States—each state is unique in some way. So, Wisconsin has a big dairy industry. Pennsylvania has coal mining or fracking or something like that. So the candidates just concentrate on those—what are really very obscure issues to most of the people in the country. These states are not typical. They are not representative in any way shape or form of the rest of the country.Steve SilbersteinDylan Bird is a sophomore at St Lawrence University, pursuing a double major in Global Studies and Spanish on a Pre Law Track. Gabriel Duffany is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a double major in Human Rights and Communication also on a Pre Law Track, and he is an intern at the American Museum of Tort Law. Rachel Donovan is the Outreach Coordinator at the American Museum of Tort Law, and she is pursuing studies in education. All three recently worked as summer interns at the American Museum of Tort Law in the VoxBox Civic Engagement Summer Course, and they participated in Ralph Nader's Dictionary Pilot.It's a very daunting task when somebody hands you a full dictionary—over a thousand pages or so—and asks you to read it front-to-back. Once you start to actually sink your teeth into it…I actually found it to be a very positive experience. Rather than simply looking up individual words and ending your journey there, the goal really becomes the exploration of knowledge.Dylan BirdFor me, what really did stand out wasn't the individual words. It was more so the process of defining that I found the most compelling. So it showed up to me in the linguistic sense that these aren't exact definitions here. They're more so measurements, gauges of people's public opinions and definitions that would shift over time. So it was interesting to see how the evolution of words came, how meanings evolved over time with new technologies, new cultural moments. And as a news writer, I found that fascinating—the complexities of a word, the connotations that go with it, they can make or break the framing of any certain topic.Gabriel DuffanyI think that this project could be very important for students of all ages because it's not often that you would use a physical dictionary very much anymore—versus just going online and looking up a word. And now multiple definitions could come up—you may not even find exactly what you're looking for, because words undergo new meanings on a near-daily basis. And I think having the chance to read the original definition may give students new meanings to words that they may have thought they had the knowledge of due to social media.Rachel DonovanNews 12/25/241. On December 19th, the Teamsters announced they would launch “the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history.” This strike covers nearly 10,000 Amazon workers who have joined the Teamsters, with workers taking to the picket line in New York City Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco and Skokie, Illinois. Teamsters President Sean O'Brien is quoted saying “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon's insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it…This strike is on them.” Scenes from this strike went viral over the holidays; one video posted by Labor Notes journalist Luis Feliz Leon shows NYPD officers guarding a path for Amazon trucks to depart after clearing away a blockade by striking workers – in case you were wondering whose side the cops are on.2. In more Amazon union news, INDY Week's Lena Geller reports that on December 23rd Amazon workers filed for a union election at the RDU1 warehouse in Garner, North Carolina. These workers are organizing under the auspices of Carolina Amazonians for Solidarity and Empowerment, aka CAUSE, which states that “despite an illegal campaign of intimidation by Amazon, which is desperate to keep unions out to continue paying poverty wages and failing to improve dismal work conditions,” the union believes they have “easily” exceeded the 30% card check threshold to demand an election. If successful, RDU1 would become the first unionized Amazon facility in the South.3. Independent investigative journalists Ken Klippenstein and Dan Boguslaw are out with a report on a potential conflict of interest in the Luigi Mangione prosecution. Apparently, “Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker, who is overseeing pre-trial hearings for…Mangione, is married to a former Pfizer executive.” Judge Parker's husband, Bret Parker, had served as Vice President and assistant general counsel at Wyeth, and held the same titles after that company was purchased by Pfizer. According to financial disclosures, Mr. Parker still collects a pension from Pfizer in the form of a “Senior Executive Retirement Plan.” The Parkers also own hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of stock in Pfizer itself, along with other pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare companies. These holdings raise grave questions about the impartiality of this judge.4. In more news from New York, Gothamist reports New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed a bill which would have “reversed New York's longstanding ban on jury service for anyone convicted of felonies at any point in their lives. If enacted, the bill would have allowed people with felony convictions to serve only after completing their sentences, including parole.” This bill passed with the support of the New York Civil Liberties Union and Phil Desgranges, an attorney at The Legal Aid Society, called this bill “common-sense legislation.” State Senator Jabari Brisport wrote “Fun fact about [New York] politics. The Governor has until end of year to sign bills so she usually waits until [the] holiday season and vetoes a bunch right before Christmas, hoping no one notices.” The Gothamist piece notes that Hochul vetoed 132 bills over the weekend.5. Turning to Israel, a remarkable story in unfolding around the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. According to Democracy Now!, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to skip the anniversary “out of fears he might be arrested for committing war crimes in Gaza.” As we have documented on this program, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant in November, and since then various countries have grappled with their obligations under international law to arrest the pair. While certain ICC signatory nations like Germany and France have sought to weasel out of these commitments, according to this report, “Poland's deputy foreign minister recently confirmed Poland would comply with the ICC arrest warrants if Netanyahu visited.”6. On the domestic front, newly elected Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar has sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding that the Biden administration withhold new transfers of offensive weaponry to the Israeli military. In this letter, he and other progressive members of Congress make clear that the administration itself has “correctly identified steps the Israeli government must take in order for continued transfers…to be in accordance with U.S. law,” and that “the Israeli government has failed to take sufficient action or change course.” This letter is signed by 20 members of Congress including Casar himself along with Summer Lee, James McGovern, Mark Pocan, Pramila Jayapal, Sara Jacobs, AOC, Rashida Tlaib, and others.7. In a stunning story picked up by POLITICO, Republican Congresswoman Kay Granger – chair of the critical House Appropriations Committee until last April – has been missing in action for months. Despite continuing to hold her Texas seat, she has not cast a vote at all since July. Calls to her office went unanswered and unreturned. Visits to her office found it vacant. And when investigative reporters sought her out, they wound up finding her in an assisted living facility wracked with dementia. This story is tragic; Granger's son has spoken out since publication, addressing how rapidly his mother's mental decline has progressed. Yet, this is just the most striking example of the gerontocracy that has gripped Capitol Hill. And at least Granger had the sense remaining to recuse herself from votes; rebellious Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky is quoted saying he's “more concerned about the congressmen who have dementia and are still voting.”8. Moving to some good news, the Federal Trade Commission announced last week that they, along with the Attorney General of Illinois, have reached a $25 million settlement with food delivery giant GrubHub, stemming from the firm's engagement in “an array of unlawful practices including deceiving diners about delivery costs and blocking their access to their accounts and funds, deceiving workers about how much money they would make delivering food, and unfairly and deceptively listing restaurants on its platform without their permission.” In addition to the monetary penalty, the company must make significant changes to its operations model, including “telling consumers the full cost of delivery, honestly advertising pay for drivers, and listing restaurants on its platform only with their consent.” This is a victory for consumers, workers, restaurants, but perhaps above all, the rule of law. As FTC Chair Lina Khan puts it “There is no ‘gig platform' exemption to the laws on the books.”9. On December 23rd, President Biden announced that he would commute the death sentences for 37 out of the 40 federal prisoners on death row, in a major victory for ending executions by the state. These sentences have been commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In a statement, Biden wrote “I've dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system…Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss. But… I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.” He ends this statement by alluding to the fact that as president he has imposed a moratorium on federal executions and fears that the incoming Trump administration will resume state-sponsored killings. Per AP, the three inmates whose sentences were not commuted are: Dylann Roof, the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooter, Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Tree of Life Synagogue shooter Robert Bowers.10. Finally, on Christmas Eve, Bernie Sanders issued a statement laying out “How to Make America Healthy Again,” echoing the language used by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Under Bernie's plan, this initiative would include Medicare for All, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, paid family and medical leave, a 32-hour work week, raising the minimum wage, and reforms to the food industry itself, such as banning junk food ads and stronger warning labels on high-sugar products. As with Bernie's qualified embrace of the “Department of Government Efficiency” this should be seen as a savvy move to call the Trump team's bluff. Will they really go after big sugar? Or will they bend the knee to their corporate benefactors yet again?This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

There are a few weeks left until the Democratic Party faces Republican majorities in Congress. After a decisive loss in the presidential election, Democrats have been at odds over their future and direction during the new Trump era. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas was elected as the new chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and discussed his vision for the party with Lisa Desjardins. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There are a few weeks left until the Democratic Party faces Republican majorities in Congress. After a decisive loss in the presidential election, Democrats have been at odds over their future and direction during the new Trump era. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas was elected as the new chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and discussed his vision for the party with Lisa Desjardins. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Dr. Gee has an honest discussion with author and Minnesota Attorney General Kieth Ellison. Their conversation starts with southern cooking and how food provides insights into our histories and continues into how race relations impact policing. Ellison has written a book about his experience leading the prosecution when the Derek Chauvin case came to trial involving the killing of George Floyd. Hear what he saw when he looked into the eyes of Derek Chauvin. They also discuss Ellison's involvement in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Read Keith Ellison's book: Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence  From 2007 to 2019, Keith Ellison represented Minnesota's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he championed consumer, worker, environmental, and civil- and human-rights protections for Minnesotans. He served for 12 years on the House Financial Services Committee, where he helped oversee the financial services industry, the housing industry, and Wall Street, among others. Among his legislative accomplishments are passing provisions to protect credit-card holders from abusive practices and protect the rights of renters and tenants. While in Congress, he founded the Congressional Antitrust Caucus and the Congressional Consumer Justice Caucus. He also served as co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which he helped build to more than 100 members. Before being elected to Congress, Attorney General Ellison served four years in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Prior to entering elective office, he spent 16 years as an attorney specializing in civil-rights and defense law, including five years as executive director of the Legal Rights Center. As the leader of this public-interest law firm, he oversaw a team of attorneys focused on delivering justice for Minnesotans who had nowhere else to turn. He was also a noted community activist. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme Join the Black Like Me Listener Community Facebook Group

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Ken Paxton's lawsuit against a doctor based in New York who prescribed and delivered abortion-inducing drugs to a Texas woman may lead to consequential decisions about how U.S. states regard the laws of other states: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/12/texas-new-york-doctor-abortion-lawsuit-civil-war.html ...New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemns Ken Paxton for attempting to impose Texas' policies on New York's medical professionals: https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/12/16/texas-attacks-n-y-law-attorney-general-ken-paxton-must-fail-in-going-after-new-york-doc-for-abortion-pills/ ...All of this likely to end up before the same U.S. Supreme Court that started all of this by overturning Roe V Wade: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/texas-ken-paxton-new-york-abortion-pill-lawsuit-rcna184410 Congratulations to Austin U.S. Congressman Greg Casar, who was recently (and unanimously!) elevated to the leadership position of the Congressional Progressive Caucus: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/greg-casar-congressional-progressive-caucus-chair/ Holiday shopping for your progressive pals is easy and fun at our web store! Grab your goodies at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@progresstexas.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work this election year at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Lubbock State Rep. Dustin Burrows has defied the House GOP Caucus, announcing that he has enough votes from both parties to win the race for Speaker - despite the Republicans officially nominating Mansfield Rep. David Cook: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/07/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dustin-burrows/ Austin U.S. Rep. Greg Casar has been elected to lead the Congressional Progressive Caucus: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/u-s-rep-greg-casar-to-lead-progressive-caucus-says-dems-must-recenter-workers/ar-AA1vlTsW Texas is already a shambles when it comes to healthcare coverage, and expected Medicaid cuts under Donald Trump are likely to make the suffering of low-income Texans even worse: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/04/trump-medicaid-cuts-texas-residents/ Travis County Constable Stacy Suits demonstrates the true nature of Christian teachings, stepping up to defend an Austin homeless service center under attack by Ken Paxton: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/homeless/austin-constable-sunrise-homeless-navigation-center-fundraiser/269-f015c4ae-fdb9-4eeb-a2fc-06e298539c41 Great to see everyone at our first holiday gathering in Austin! The second is in Dallas on December 16 - there are sponsorship opportunities available, and individual tickets are now on sale here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2024⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Holiday shopping for your progressive pals is easy and fun at our web store! Grab your goodies at ⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠. We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@progresstexas.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work this election year at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

National Progressive Townhall Meeting with phone questions answered by U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA, 17th District) / Vice Chair-Congressional Progressive Caucus. Listeners of the Thom Hartmann show ply the representative with queries on Congressional; strategies with the return of Trump, the apparent leadership vacuum in the DNC, and will exponential reforestation blunt planetary tipping points for climate change.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WW can you write the notes in plane text and not bullets Title: Billionaire's Call to Abolish Consumer Protection Agency Ignites Policy Debate: An Analysis of the CFPB's Impact and Future Show Notes: The introduction segment opens with Elon Musk's recent statement on X regarding his desire to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This section provides context about Musk's new role in the Department of Government Efficiency and introduces the CFPB's achievement of returning $20 billion to consumers since its inception. The key background information establishes the CFPB's creation following the 2008 financial crisis. This portion explains the agency's fundamental mission, regulatory authority, and includes the notable statistic that for every dollar spent on the agency, four dollars are returned to consumers. The central controversy elements detail Musk's potential conflict of interest regarding his platform X's payment services development. This section covers the acquisition of money transmitter licenses in more than three dozen states and examines new CFPB rules affecting digital payment services. The expert commentary section presents analysis from Robert Weissman of Public Citizen, data points from the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and discusses statements made by Marc Andreessen during his appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. The historical context portion examines previous administration attempts to restructure the CFPB. This includes information about Mick Mulvaney's leadership period and the constitutional challenges to the agency's funding structure. Current operations coverage focuses on Director Rohit Chopra's leadership initiatives. This section incorporates findings from the American Economic Liberties Project and details recent consumer protection enforcement actions. The technical analysis segment explores the digital payment regulation framework, financial technology oversight measures, and consumer complaint resolution systems implemented by the agency. Supporting data presents enforcement action statistics, operational efficiency metrics, and international regulatory comparisons that demonstrate the agency's effectiveness. The key quotes section preserves exact statements including "This is systemic corruption at a grand and intolerable scale" and "There are too many duplicative regulatory agencies," along with other primary source quotations. The conclusion summarizes the current state of debate, presents evidence of CFPB effectiveness, and examines future implications for consumer protection. Reference materials include legal precedent documentation, enforcement action records, consumer recovery statistics, and agency operational metrics for fact-checking and further research.

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. President-elect Donald Trump set to tap Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Dorton Arena, Nov. 4, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Marco Rubio poised to become top diplomat in the Trump Administration. Congressional Progressive Caucus welcomes seven new members to the capitol. Dozens killed throughout Gaza in Israeli onslaught Tuesday. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – November 12, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageCould America be on the brink of another political transformation akin to the seismic shifts of 1980 or even 1932? Join me, David Kaiser, on the Theory to Action podcast for another MOJO Minute as we dissect the 2024 presidential election's potential to redefine the political landscape. We explore the notion of America's "bender" from 2006 to 2024, a period marred by intense social and political upheaval. Witness Donald Trump's astonishing comeback, not only reclaiming battleground states but also winning over working-class voters, minorities, and regions that once stood firmly under the Democratic banner. This episode examines the unraveling and destruction of the radical Obama-era Democratic coalition and the profound changes reshaping America's political soul.Check out this episode as we are watching--what could be the most pivotal realignment in American Politics in over 100 years. Key Points from the Episode:The Republican Party's metamorphosis under Trump's leadership since 2015 marks a departure from the old GOP, with fresh strategies and ideological shifts challenging the status quo. We critique the policies of past Republican leaders, pondering how different economic approaches might have turned the tide in elections gone by.Alongside, we trace the roots of radicalism within the Democratic ranks, from the rise of the Congressional Progressive Caucus in 1991 to its impact today. This episode also shines a light on the zero influence of GOP endorsements and coalitions like Republicans for Harris as well as Never Trumpers, emphasizing the cultural and economic forces driving party ideologies and the dynamic political currents of our time.Other resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly, thank you so much!Because we care what you think about what we think and our website, please email David@teammojoacademy.com, 

On this week's episode of 'The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart': Capitol control. Who will hold the majority in the next House of Representatives remains unclear, but Democrats are already gearing up for life in Trump's Washington. Rep. Nanette Barragan, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Barbara Lee, former chair for the Congressional Black Caucus, and Rep. Marc Pocan, chair emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus will take us inside how Democrats will confront a second Trump administration. Never mind? Donald Trump's MAGA allies insist he has no plans to seek revenge. Brendan Buck and Ashley Etienne will Sound Off on whether they actually believe that -- because I sure don't. And Sunday Solace. This election has many Americans feeling frustrated, angry or even afraid. Bishop Gene Robinson and Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis will offer some reflections on finding hope for the future. All that and more on “The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart.” 

Congressman Jerry McNerney, a former 16-year Congressman from California now serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at Pillsbury Winthrop, LLP where he is in the process of creating an AI trade association, The AI Trust Foundation. In Congress, McNerney focused on energy, technology and veterans' issues, was the author of the AI in Government Act, and was chair of the Congressional AI and Grid Innovation Caucuses. Before coming to Congress, he spent 20 years developing renewable energy technology. McNerney is a PhD Mathematician. Former Missouri Congressman William Lacy Clay Jr. advises and advocates on behalf of clients whose interests intersect with the federal government. In guiding clients, Congressman Clay draws upon his 20 years as a member of the House of Representatives during which he served on the following House Committees: Financial Services, Natural Resources, and Oversight and Reform.  During that time, he also served as Chair of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions; the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives of the Oversight and Reform Committee. Congressman Clay was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (which his father co-founded), the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus, the Congressional Arts Caucus, and a current board member of The National Democratic Club. In this episode, you'll hear about: Importance of diversity in the AI workforce and role of HBCUs and community colleges. AI's potential to reduce biases, especially in financial services like housing and credit. The need for international standards and legislation for AI policy. Prospects of bipartisan immigration reform in relation to AI talent recruitment. Dual-edged nature of AI in education, balancing enhancement and depersonalization. AI's impact on social justice, environmental justice, and sustainable energy solutions. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-mcnerney-6484501/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lacy-clay-jr-aa37b2213/ Website Jerrymcnerney.org https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/jerry-mcnerney.html  https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/lacy-clay.html  Other Guest URLs www.theaitrust.org URLs mentioned in podcast recording https://www.nist.gov/standards  Alcorn Immigration Law: Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter Sophie Alcorn Podcast: Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3 Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook Alcorn Academy course for best practices for securing the O-1A visa, EB-1A green card, or the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card—the top options for startup founders. Use promotion code EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

National Progressive Town-hall Meeting with Representative Mark Pocan, U.S. Congress (D-WI, 2nd District) Chair Emeritus - Congressional Progressive Caucus. Also a new study, published in the journal Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome found that people on low-carbohydrate, high-fat, and high-protein diets have increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Sarah Jones, the Editor-in-Chief of Politicus USA, to analyze how racism is affecting this year's presidential contest and Vice President Kamala Harris. Then, Brad Bauman, a Principal in the Raben Group's Strategic Communications practice, joins the show to help preview tomorrow's debate between Harris and Trump. Sarah Jones' handle on X is PoliticusSarah and the website for Politicus USA is www.PoliticusUSA.com. Before joining Raben, Brad Bauman was at Fireside Campaigns, where he helped grow the company from a three-person operation to a full-service communications shop with more than 70 employees within four years. He previously served as executive director of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he oversaw the caucus' legislative, communications, and political operations for over 80 members of Congress.  The website for the Raben Group is www.Raben.co and Brad Bauman's handle on X is @bradbaumn.

Kamala Harris is just hours away from making history as the first Black woman and first woman of Indian descent to accept a party's nomination for president. Amna Nawaz speaks with Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the first Indian-American woman in the House and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, about Harris' historic nomination. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Kamala Harris is just hours away from making history as the first Black woman and first woman of Indian descent to accept a party's nomination for president. Amna Nawaz speaks with Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the first Indian-American woman in the House and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, about Harris' historic nomination. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

PDA conference Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country. We seek to build a party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites-with policies that serve the broad public interest, not just private interests. As a grassroots organization operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice, PDA has played a key role in the rise of the progressive movement. Our inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles. For many decades, the Democratic Party declined as its leadership listened more to the voices of corporations and the donor class than those of average Americans. PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up " from every congressional district to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, where we cooperate with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. In its short history, PDA has succeeded in shaking up the political status-quo with its stated opposition to the Iraq war and to excessive military budgets; advocacy for universal single-payer healthcare, racial and economic justice; fighting environmental racism and the climate emergency; support for voter rights and the Equal Rights Amendment; and, notably, being the first national organization to ask Bernie Sanders to run for President as a Democrat, launching the Run Bernie Run campaign in early 2014.

PDA conference Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country. We seek to build a party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites-with policies that serve the broad public interest, not just private interests. As a grassroots organization operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice, PDA has played a key role in the rise of the progressive movement. Our inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles. For many decades, the Democratic Party declined as its leadership listened more to the voices of corporations and the donor class than those of average Americans. PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up " from every congressional district to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, where we cooperate with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. In its short history, PDA has succeeded in shaking up the political status-quo with its stated opposition to the Iraq war and to excessive military budgets; advocacy for universal single-payer healthcare, racial and economic justice; fighting environmental racism and the climate emergency; support for voter rights and the Equal Rights Amendment; and, notably, being the first national organization to ask Bernie Sanders to run for President as a Democrat, launching the Run Bernie Run campaign in early 2014.

This Day in Legal History: Lincoln Signs the Second Confiscation ActOn July 17, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Second Confiscation Act into law, marking a significant legal development during the Civil War. This act allowed for the seizure of property owned by individuals engaged in rebellion against the Union. Unlike previous measures, it did not require due process or provide an opportunity for the accused to defend themselves. The act targeted Confederate supporters, intending to weaken the rebellion by stripping resources from those aiding the Confederate cause. The legislation also declared that enslaved people who escaped from rebel owners or were captured by Union forces would be considered free. This move was a precursor to the Emancipation Proclamation and signaled a shift in Union policy towards a more aggressive stance against slavery. The Second Confiscation Act was controversial, as it raised significant legal and constitutional questions regarding property rights and due process. Critics argued it overstepped executive powers and violated the Fifth Amendment.Despite these concerns, the act was a critical step in undermining the Confederate war effort and advancing the Union's moral and strategic objectives. It reflected the growing commitment of the Lincoln administration to not only preserve the Union but also to end slavery. The Second Confiscation Act thus played a pivotal role in the broader legal and political landscape of the Civil War.President Joe Biden is preparing to introduce proposals for significant Supreme Court reforms, including imposing term limits on justices, who currently serve for life. This marks a notable shift for Biden, who has previously resisted such reforms despite pressure from within his party. The proposals also include an enforceable ethics code for justices and a constitutional amendment to overturn a recent Supreme Court decision granting broad immunity to presidents for official actions.However, these changes are expected to face considerable challenges in becoming law, especially with Congress unlikely to address major legislation before the upcoming election. Biden's proposals come amidst a tight race against former President Donald Trump, who leads in public opinion polls. Congressional Republicans are expected to oppose the reforms, viewing the current conservative Supreme Court as a significant political achievement.The White House has yet to consult with key lawmakers about the plans, and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has declined to comment. Biden hinted at these proposals in a recent call with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, aiming to garner support after a poor performance in a presidential debate. The Democratic push for Supreme Court reform has grown following several controversial rulings, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the rejection of Biden's student loan cancellation plan. Justice Clarence Thomas has also faced scrutiny for not disclosing expensive gifts from conservative donors. The court's decision granting presidential immunity for official acts has further complicated efforts to prosecute Trump. Biden criticized this decision, arguing it contradicts the founders' intentions. In response, Trump accused Democrats of undermining the Supreme Court and interfering in the presidential election. Biden to Propose Supreme Court Reforms, Including Term LimitsBiden seriously considering proposals on Supreme Court term limits, ethics code, AP sources sayFederal prosecutors in Alaska have identified 23 criminal cases with potential conflicts of interest involving former U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred, who resigned following sexual misconduct allegations. The 9th Circuit Judicial Council reprimanded Kindred for creating a hostile work environment and engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a law clerk. Although the clerk did not work on cases before Kindred, potential conflicts existed in other cases.Bryan Wilson, head of the U.S. Attorney's Office's criminal division, detailed the conflicts in an email to Alaska's federal public defender. These conflicts included interactions between Kindred and several attorneys, such as a senior prosecutor who sent him nude photos and another attorney who exchanged flirtatious texts. These undisclosed conflicts could lead defense lawyers to challenge convictions or sentences from cases Kindred oversaw.The U.S. Attorney's Office had taken steps to mitigate conflicts since late 2022 by notifying the district's chief judge and reassigning cases from Kindred. However, Federal Public Defender Jamie McGrady criticized the office for not disclosing the conflicts sooner and noted that the recusal of Kindred did not eliminate prejudice against defendants. Her office plans to investigate all cases involving attorneys who interacted with Kindred to ensure justice.Former Alaska judge had potential conflicts in 23 cases, prosecutors say | ReutersA federal appeals court ruled that Minnesota's law requiring individuals to be at least 21 to obtain a permit to carry a handgun in public for self-defense is unconstitutional. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the law violated the Second Amendment rights of 18- to 20-year-olds. U.S. Circuit Judge Duane Benton, writing for the panel, emphasized that the Second Amendment does not specify an age limit.The court upheld a previous ruling in favor of the Second Amendment Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition, and the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which had challenged the law. The decision referenced the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which set a new standard for evaluating firearm regulations, stating they must align with the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation.Judge Benton noted that Minnesota failed to show that 18- to 20-year-olds posed specific risks that justified the age restriction. Despite this, the Supreme Court had recently upheld a federal ban on gun possession for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders, indicating that certain modern firearm restrictions could be valid without historical precedent.Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing it complicates efforts to reduce shootings and enhance public safety. This decision is part of a broader trend of gun rights groups challenging age-based firearm restrictions in various states.Minnesota cannot bar adults under 21 from carrying guns, court rules | ReutersTesla has replaced its long-time law firm, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, with Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr in a California class action antitrust case. This change, noted in court records, comes as Tesla faces allegations of monopolizing the market for vehicle parts and services, which has purportedly led to consumers paying higher prices. The reason for the switch was not disclosed, and neither Tesla nor the involved law firms commented.The class action case saw a significant development in June when a judge refused to dismiss the claims against Tesla. Shortly thereafter, Wilmer attorneys made their debut appearance for Tesla, continuing to deny the plaintiffs' allegations. Tesla and Musk have a history of legal representation by both Cravath and Wilmer in various high-profile cases.Musk is also represented by Cravath in a Delaware lawsuit challenging his $56 billion pay package, a case that faced a setback in January when a judge invalidated the compensation. Despite a shareholder vote in favor of Musk's pay in June, the Delaware litigation continues, with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan recently joining the defense team.Wilmer is defending Tesla in another antitrust lawsuit in New Orleans, where it seeks to overturn a ban on direct-to-consumer car sales. The new Wilmer team for the California case includes partners David Gringer and Ari Holtzblatt, while the departing Cravath team comprised David Marriott and Vanessa Lavely.Tesla swaps law firms in antitrust case as Cravath exits | ReutersThe questioning of former bankruptcy judge David R. Jones, who resigned after revealing a secret relationship with a partner at Texas law firm Jackson Walker, has been postponed. The US Trustee's office is investigating to recover over $13 million in fees Jones approved for Jackson Walker without disclosing the relationship. Chief Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez of the Houston bankruptcy court is deliberating on whether the questions about Jones' recusal decisions and his relationship with the attorney violate judiciary policy.Jones, who resigned last year, had a relationship with Elizabeth Freeman, who left Jackson Walker in late 2022. The deposition, originally set for July 18, is on hold until Judge Rodriguez determines the appropriateness of the questions. Jones' attorney, Benjamin I. Finestone, argues that questions about Jones' conduct are a distraction and that the focus should be on what Jackson Walker knew about the relationship.Jackson Walker's attorney, Jason Lee Boland, asserts that understanding the timeline of Jones and Freeman's relationship is crucial for defending against the US Trustee's efforts to reclaim the fees. Judge Rodriguez emphasized the complexity of addressing questions about judges' recusal decisions, stating that such decisions should not be publicly questioned. US Trustee attorney Laura Steele argued that Jones' public statements about his recusals allow for relevant inquiries.The case, known as Professional Fee Matters Concerning the Jackson Walker Law Firm, continues as the court navigates the boundaries of questioning a judge's conduct and recusal decisions.Bankruptcy Court Likely to Pare Back Probe into Ex-Judge Romance This is a public episode. 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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit the.inkToday we present for our subscribers the full audio recording of our conversation with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.Rep. Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has been one of the most visible progressives in Congress; she's long been a defender of immigrant rights and an outspoken voice for reproductive freedom and called early on f…

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Edwith Theogene, Director of Racial Equity and Justice at CAP Action. The two discuss President Biden's robust whole government approach to equity, his commencement speech this past weekend at Morehouse College, which is predominately attended by African-American students, and how the Supreme Court's SFFA vs Harvard decision has hurt DEI efforts around the country. Edwith also details 'Project 2025,' a right-wing effort to weaponize a potential second Trump term.   Then, Brad Bauman, a Principal in the Raben Group's Strategic Communications practice, talks presidential politics with Brad. Specifically, he examines President Biden's re-election efforts, and what messaging that Democrats should be using to convince voters to given Biden a second term over Trump. In her role at CAP, Edwith Theogene leads American Progress' efforts to develop, communicate, and implement policy ideas that provide a new way forward for a range of equity challenges in an increasingly diverse America, with a particular focus on race and equity. Her handle on X is @WhoIsEdwith. Before joining Raben, Brad Bauman was at Fireside Campaigns, where he helped grow the company from a three-person operation to a full-service communications shop with more than 70 employees within four years. He previously served as executive director of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he oversaw the caucus' legislative, communications, and political operations for over 80 members of Congress.  The website for the Raben Group is www.Raben.co and Brad Bauman's handle on X is @bradbaumn. Brad Bannon writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'  He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon. You can watch the show's livestream at any of the following three links: X: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1ZkJzjLejWaJv Facebook:https://fb.watch/sbLGyFV5hd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/9xH4EI_aeaw?si=pIbf48exNBdORSf7

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales called out MTG and her posse like no other. I saw a hearing aid ad that seems like a scam. Progressives have an agenda all should read. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/message

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales called out MTG and her posse like no other. I saw a hearing aid ad that seems like a scam. Progressives have an agenda all should read. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/message

Congressional Progressive Caucus Unveils New Legislative Agenda to Deliver Equality, Justice, and Economic Security for Working People The Congressional Progressive Caucus released its Progressive Proposition Agenda, a vision for Congress to meet everyday Americans' urgent needs and rebuild the American dream for the poor, working, and middle class.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/message

With Biden trailing Trump in the polls and thousands of Democrats casting votes for “uncommitted” in the primaries, can the president make his case for a second term to frustrated progressives at the State of the Union?  Guest: Pramila Jayapal, U.S. representative from Washington's 7th congressional district and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Biden trailing Trump in the polls and thousands of Democrats casting votes for “uncommitted” in the primaries, can the president make his case for a second term to frustrated progressives at the State of the Union?  Guest: Pramila Jayapal, U.S. representative from Washington's 7th congressional district and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Biden trailing Trump in the polls and thousands of Democrats casting votes for “uncommitted” in the primaries, can the president make his case for a second term to frustrated progressives at the State of the Union?  Guest: Pramila Jayapal, U.S. representative from Washington's 7th congressional district and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Biden trailing Trump in the polls and thousands of Democrats casting votes for “uncommitted” in the primaries, can the president make his case for a second term to frustrated progressives at the State of the Union?  Guest: Pramila Jayapal, U.S. representative from Washington's 7th congressional district and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) of the Congressional Progressive Caucus visited Cuba to strengthen ties with the Communist nation. In a unanimous ruling this morning, the Supreme Court has guaranteed former President Trump ballot access in in all U.S. states after multiple states attempted to prevent his name from appearing on primary ballots. We're joined by John Dombroski, founder and president of Grand Canyon Planning. Immigration as a result of abortion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prominent figure in the push for the re-election of United States President, Joe Biden, expresses discord regarding the administrations stance on border security measures. The individual at the center of this differing opinion is none other than Democratic Texas Representative and leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Veronica Escobar, who simultaneously shoulders the role of co-chair for Biden's 2024 campaign. This week saw her voice raised in contrast to Biden's pro-border security deal sentiments. President Biden recently assured the nation of his intent to reinforce the southern border control regulations, provided that the ongoing negotiations regarding the border security agreement are given a green light by Congress. Veronica Escobar, on the other hand, communicated her belief that the administration and the Democrat party could have, and should have, taken initiative to develop immigration reforms in a more timely fashion. Escobar points out what she describes as a 'strategic error' in the lack of swifter response on key migration issues. Not only did she express her dissatisfaction towards the timing, but also voiced concerns over the substance of the present border bill, which has been on the table among Democrats and Republicans alike since the last month of the previous year. While transparency regarding the details of the Senate bill has not been fully established, Escobar has already outlined pressing concerns, forming her own non-negotiables. 'With the details of the Senate bill still under wraps, it is hard for me to make a conclusive opinion. However, certain elements will act as deal-breakers for me,' Escobar candidly admitted in a statement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus gives frank answers to listener questions- from watching the civil war between the Republicans to ending the Senate filibuster... from supporting Israel to the Chevron doctrine- what is her prescription for what ails America?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pramila Jayapal, a Democratic representative and leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has been sounding the alarm about President Joe Biden's reëlection prospects.  She fears that the fragile coalition that won him the White House in 2020 – which included suburban swing voters, people of color, and younger, progressive-leaning constituents – is “fractured” over issues like immigration, and his support for Israel's war in Gaza. Gaza in particular “is just a very difficult issue because we don't all operate from the same facts,” Jayapal tells David Remnick. “It is probably the most complex issue I have had to deal with in Congress. And I certainly didn't come to Congress to deal with this issue.” But Jayapal sees a longer-term problem facing the Democratic Party. “The problem I think with a lot of my own party is we are very late to populist ideas,” she says. “The two biggest things people talk to me about are housing and childcare. They saw that we had control of the House, the Senate, and the White House—and we didn't get that done. And I can explain till the cows come home about the filibuster . . . but what people feel is the reality.” Of the political struggle that accompanied President Biden's Build Back Better plan, she thinks, “a road or a bridge is extremely important, but if people can't get out of the house, or they don't have a house, then it's not going to matter.”

Pramila Jayapal, a Democratic representative and the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has been sounding the alarm about President Joe Biden's reëlection prospects. She fears that the fragile coalition that won him the White House in 2020—which included suburban swing voters, people of color, and younger, progressive-leaning constituents—is “fractured” over issues like immigration and Biden's support for Israel's war in Gaza. Gaza in particular “is just a very difficult issue, because we don't all operate from the same facts,” Jayapal tells David Remnick. “It is probably the most complex issue I have had to deal with in Congress. And I certainly didn't come to Congress to deal with this issue.” But Jayapal sees a longer-term problem facing the Democratic Party. “The problem I think with a lot of my own party is we are very late to populist ideas,” she says. “The two biggest things people talk to me about are housing and child care. They saw that we had control of the House, the Senate, and the White House—and we didn't get that done. And I can explain till the cows come home about the filibuster . . . but what people feel is the reality.” Of the political struggle that accompanied the President's Build Back Better plan, she thinks, “A road or a bridge is extremely important, but if people can't get out of the house, or they don't have a house, then it's not going to matter.”

CNN's Dana Bash's producers likely made her a propaganda agent for Netanyahu and the IDF by changing the narrative as she interviewed Rep. Pramila Jayapal, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/politicsdoneright/support

The House on Tuesday passed a Republican-led resolution reaffirming its support for Israel with strong bipartisan approval — an implicit rebuke of a leading Democrat who, over the weekend, called the country a “racist state” but later apologized. The resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, passed with over 400 lawmakers backing the measure. It did not mention Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., by name, but was clearly a response to her recent remarks about the Jewish state. The measure was drafted soon after she criticized Israel and its treatment of Palestinians at a conference on Saturday. Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, walked back the comments the next day, insisting her comments were aimed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and not the state of Israel. Related article: https://apnews.com/article/israel-republican-vote-pramila-jayapal-racist-state-congress-isaac-herzog-b591b1063e955f22176a22cbef3f6667 Our Guest For This Week: Saadia M: https://www.instagram.com/saadia___m/ Independent Thought is joining with Counterpoint Politics, Cocktails and Capitalism & Power Is Taken Not given, to create a brand new show - The Left Wing Firstly, yes, Independent Thought is still going to continue, this is an additional show that I'll be a part of. It's a weekly show, geared towards discussing major news stories with other content creators on the Left. We have a brand new YouTube channel where you can find all of these episodes, but I also wanted to release a few of our older episodes on the podcast. To see our latest episodes, head to the YouTube link below. *** The video of the episode is attached for all Spotify users *** Follow - The Left Wing: YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheLeftWingPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow - TJ Whitehead: TIK TOK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@poweristakennotgiven⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow - Counterpoint Politics: INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/counterpoint_politics/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow - Cocktails & Capitalism: INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cocktailsandcapitalism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow - Independent Thought: INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/independentthought/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/indethought/support

Israel and Rep. Pramila Jayapal. On Sunday, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, apologized for calling Israel a "racist state." Jayapal's comments came during a conference for progressive activist organization Netroots Nation over the weekend. For weeks, we've been hyping the first-ever live Tangle event in Philadelphia on August 3rd. I am thrilled to announce our three guests and the topic: We'll be joined by Mark Joseph Stern of Slate, Henry Olsen of The Washington Post, and Anastasia Boden of the Cato Institute. On stage, I'll be moderating a discussion on the biggest Supreme Court decisions from this term and the current state of the high court. As we've said in the past, our goal with this event is to gather the Tangle community and bring the newsletter live to the stage. Please come join us! Tickets here. You can read today's podcast here, today's “Under the Radar” story here, and today's “Have a nice day” story here. You can also check out our latest YouTube video here. Today's clickables: Quick hits (0:56), Today's story (2:57), Left's take (5:51), Right's take (10:06), Isaac's take (14:13), Listener question (18:29), Under the Radar (20:37), Numbers (21:25), Have a nice day (22:15) You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our podcast is written by Isaac Saul and edited by Jon Lall. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.  Our newsletter is edited by Bailey Saul, Sean Brady, Ari Weitzman, and produced in conjunction with Tangle's social media manager Magdalena Bokowa, who also created our logo. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tanglenews/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tanglenews/support

A fiery comment from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) quickly led to a backlash, putting Democrats on defense. Find out what the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said about Israel and how her own party is responding. The Biden campaign is reportedly off to a slow start in donations. And Democrats voiced concerns over potential third party candidates as Sen. Joe Manchin spoke at a bipartisan political event Monday. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen again tried to dismiss concerns about a recession. Is the economy out of the woods? Is the Chinese regime the biggest threat to America? A Republican presidential candidate says so in his latest campaign ad. Biden administration climate envoy John Kerry is in China for talks. But it comes amid national security concerns over Chinese investments in America. Is the United States doing enough to address such risks? ⭕️ Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV

In the last year, a lot has changed in Washington for progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). In 2021 and 2022, with Democrats controlling the House, she and her allies could block any piece of legislation if they held together. Their big fights were with moderate Democrats over how many trillions of dollars to spend on President Joe Biden's agenda.  And they had easy access to the White House with Ron Klain as Biden's chief of staff. Now they are in the minority and far from the negotiating room where Joe Biden is trying to make a budget deal with Kevin McCarthy to get him to raise the debt ceiling. Their main fight is trying to stop the president from caving to McCarthy on what they view as draconian budget cuts and policies that would weaken the social safety net. And over at the White House, it's not really clear who they should call anymore.  AOC is keenly aware of these changed circumstances. She's been carefully watching the debt limit debate play out and she has a clear view of what it's all about: power, not policy.  In this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tells host and Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza how House progressives can flex their muscles right now; and how she's learned to use her unique influence to affect legislation, even when she's not at the table. Finally, she has some advice – and a warning – for Joe Biden as we approach the endgame of the debt limit. Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the representative for New York's 14th district.  Afra Abdullah is an associate producer for POLITICO audio. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio.  Alex Keeney is a senior producer for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer for POLITICO audio.

In this podcast episode of the Work From Home Show, former Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich is interviewed about his experiences fighting against a utility monopoly and corporate interests in Cleveland. He discusses his book "The Division of Light and Power" and the importance of protecting public ownership and assets from corporate interests. The conversation then shifts to Kucinich's role as the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and his experiences working with Republicans during his time in Congress.  Dennis Kucinich's background and book [00:01:22] Congressman Dennis Kucinich talks about his book "The Division of Light and Power" and his experiences fighting against a utility monopoly and corporate interests in Cleveland. How citizens can fight back against privatization efforts [00:09:14] A third person asks how citizens can fight back against privatization efforts and Kucinich discusses the importance of asking questions and making issues out of undervalued public assets. The Cost of Privatization [00:10:24] Congressman Kucinich discusses the negative impact of privatization on taxpayers and rate payers in Cleveland. Corporate Interests and Political Corruption [00:13:15] Congressman Kucinich talks about the attempts of corporations to buy off politicians through campaign contributions and his personal experience with a bank's offer. Combatting Income Inequality [00:18:51] Congressman Kucinich suggests creating a jobs program to combat income inequality and ensure every able-bodied person has an opportunity to make a living. Full Employment Economy [00:20:03] Congressman Kucinich discusses the challenges of finding meaningful work with benefits, especially during COVID-19, and advocates for a full employment economy. Working Across the Aisle [00:21:17] Kucinich shares his experience of working with Republicans in Congress, including Tom Delay, to achieve common goals and emphasizes the importance of looking beyond party lines. Campaign Contributions and Community Organizing [00:24:54] Kucinich discusses the corrupting influence of campaign contributions and suggests that candidates should be careful about who they accept money from. He also highlights the power of community organizing to overcome the influence of money in politics. Speaker 1 (00:00:29) - Hey everybody. Welcome to The Work From Home Show. I'm Naso with Adam Schrader. Shout out to all our homies, homeboys, homegirls, home trans, all the work from Homers out there. Today. We have Congressman Dennis Kucinich on the show. You've probably heard of him, uh, if, if, if you've been around a few years, if you were around in 2004, 2008, that he was a presidential candidate for the Democrat Party. He's a Ohio Congressman from 1997 to 2013. He's the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. We'll talk a little bit about that. He's the author of the new bestselling book, the Division of Light and Power. So without further ado, Mr. Dennis Kucinich, thank you for joining us on the Work From Home Show. Speaker 2 (00:01:22) - Uh, thank you very much for the invitation. And you know, I know people sometimes have trouble with my name. I, it took me a year to learn how to pronounce it, but it is Kucinich and I did represent, um, uh, Cleveland area in the United States Congress for 16 years. The book that I've written, the Division of Light and Power, is the story of, uh, the beginning of my career when I went to, um, uh, this Cleveland City Council and had the opportunity, uh, as a young councilman, 23 years old, to, uh, explore the depth of involvement of various interest groups, and in particular, the, uh, political corruption that was going on to undermine the city's municipal electric system. And I was quite alarmed when I saw that. And I started to take very careful notes about, uh, the machinations of the political system working with a monopoly, uh, utility, uh, conspiring to, uh, sell, uh, the city's, uh, municipally owned electric system. So the book begins there at, uh, on, on with a blackout in December of 1969. And the lights keep going out. And when you find out why the lights keep going out, it's shocking. And so the story opens there, and it goes right until my election is mayor. And through those years, which, uh, describe the, the tremendous battle that took place between my office, the utility of monopolies, the banks, and the mob. Speaker 1 (00:03:05) - Wow, that sounds, that sounds scary. Let's, uh, let's talk a little bit more about that. I'm especially curious to learn more about, uh, just a little more detail on how you fought. Sure. Beat, uh, this utility monopoly and also the corporate espionage, espionage, and sabotage, bank co-conspirators, uh, organized crime. There were even assassination attempts, I believe. Speaker 2 (00:03:36) - Right? Exactly. Well, here's, here's the way it came out. Uh, Cleveland has had its own, uh, municipal electric system, public power, uh, since the turn of the 20th century. And, uh, it, it has competed side by side in a third of the city with a private investor owned utility. The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, uh, no, also known as C Ei. C EI tried to block the formation of Muni light right in its inception. At its inception. They were not successful in doing that. Over the years, though, they began to secretly plan and then execute a strategy to undermine the city's municipally owned utility by blocking repairs in the Cleveland City Council, which were needed to, um, uh, uh, to, uh, help the city's, uh, capacity to generate electricity. Uh, they, uh, also, uh, started a PR campaign with the general media who they, where they advertised heavily to attack and undermine the city's, uh, utility and public ownership. Speaker 2 (00:04:50) - Furthermore, uh, the city wouldn't, when the private utility successfully blocked any repairs to the city generators, the city had to turn outside and said, we've gotta buy power from somewhere else. The c e I blocked the city from buying power outside the city, and then the city could only get power from c e I and c EI tripled the cost, so they would run up the, uh, city's operating expenses. And then, uh, finally, we, we were fighting for connection, you know, in Texas, uh, Texas found out about, uh, the, uh, importance of being able to connect outside your territory for power if you know you have, uh, a shutdown as you know, your experience with Ercot in, you know, in the early part of this year, . Yeah, that was fun. And so what happened is that, here's the thing, every, you know, being connected to the grid nationally was vital for the city of Cleveland. Speaker 2 (00:05:54) - But c I blocked us from getting connected to the national grid, so we were isolated. So we had to rely on them for backup power in case we had an outage, which, you know, it was became likely because we weren't able to fix our equipment. And the book documents how some of the blackouts that the city experienced were actually created by C EI so that they could try to use that as an excuse to push the sale. And the public didn't understand this. They didn't understand why when the city needed a transfer of power from C ei, c e I operated that transfer in such a way to deliberately create a blackout on muni system. And that's all documented in the book. And so, you know, the kind of dirty tricks that went on were extraordinary. And c e I got their, you know, they got their comeuppance because the, uh, they were found by the nuclear regulatory commission to have violated numerous provisions of antitrust law. Speaker 2 (00:06:59) - And they, you know, they, they tried price fixing cutthroat competition. And in the midst of all this, the city council was going to sell our municipal electric system, even though they knew that, uh, c EI had been undermining it and was trying to buy our system for a fraction. I mean, this is, this is a story of something that is unprecedented in US history, that this would come out, uh, the kind of underhandedness that was going on with this utility, uh, all in the, in their plans to try to take over the city owned electric system. And so, it, it, some people have compared the book to the movie Chinatown, uh, which involved water, whereas this involves electricity. So I was elected mayor on a, on a platform to save our municipal electric system. I got elected, I canceled a sale, which had been, um, uh, consummated, uh, and, uh, you know, just, we, we just won that by the skin of our teeth, uh, uh, won the issue by the skin of our teeth. And the second part of the book opens up on this, uh, on the saga that happened, and how the, the utility monopoly, the banks and other corporate interests, uh, put a tremendous squeeze on the city to try to force me as the mayor to give up our electric system. Speaker 3 (00:08:24) - This sounds very similar to a lot of other bigger, not bigger necessarily, but other issues going on, on a, a national scale where the push towards privatization, where it seems like there's a lot of issues where politicians nationally are willing to let some programs just deteriorate and get worse and get worse, so that they can kind of push the whole, well, if the private sector did it, it would be better. Let's get it out of the hands of, uh, the government and give it to, um, private companies. How do we as citizens push back against that? Because, you know, like, if I don't agree with it and I need to talk to my congressional representative, I'm one of, you know, a couple million that they represent, or a hundred thousand that they represent, and I feel like just a, you know, throwing a pebble in a river, how does a normal citizen fight back against that? Speaker 2 (00:09:14) - Well, first of all, I wanna say that you have, uh, correctly identified the, uh, urgency of this book at this time, because there, there is, uh, increased privat, there are increased privatization efforts underway, and they will accelerate once the American rescue plan money, uh, dries up, uh, you know, in city after city. So first of all, you have to, you know, when you see a privatization effort underway, uh, start asking questions right away, like, why, uh, I will promise you that every privatization effort results in the public, uh, public assets being stolen, uh, you can make an issue out of how much is being paid for that, uh, electric system, water system, whatever. Because I will, I will guarantee you every municipal asset that's ever up for privatizations being undervalued. That was part of our story. It was, uh, for example, uh, the c EI was ready to purchase, uh, muni light in Cleveland for 88.1 million. Speaker 2 (00:10:24) - Uh, and, uh, we, we determined that the value of it was at, uh, at least a quarter of a billion dollars plus, uh, the loss to the taxpayers that would come when they, the taxpayers would've to pay the full rate. Plus the rate increases to the private utility would've to, uh, pay for street lighting and service to the city facilities to private utility, you know, and pay a premium price. And so taxes were gonna go up and, uh, rate payers who were forced to buy the private power would also see their, uh, budgets cut into by increased utility costs, privatization, uh, can, uh, and, and is often a nightmare for communities. This book shows how to fight it. But you, and the biggest and most important way is you have to do your homework. You have to do the research, and you have to pay attention to what's going on, not to what the media's saying, because all too often corporate media ignores the needs of the people and instead serves the needs of, of narrow economic interests that are gonna capitalize on a privatization. Speaker 2 (00:11:34) - Now, this battle in Cleveland, which was unprecedented, drew in a bank, uh, which told me on December 15th, 1978, that either you, the mayor, the bank will not renew the city's credit on loans. I hadn't been taken out. And so I had to make a decision what I stood for. I told them, no, it turned out the bank was a business partner of the utility. They stood to profit as well from the privatization, shocking. And the banks will check this out. So the people of Cleveland followed my leadership and, and increased their taxes. They taxed themselves more. They pay off the defaulted notes on loans I hadn't taken out. And when the tax passed, the banks who had proposed the tax to pay off the notes, and who said that if you pass the tax, we'll take out a default, they were Ned on their commitment and kicked the, kept the city into default until I left office. Speaker 2 (00:12:29) - And, uh, and in addition to that, uh, they had agreed to abide by the decision of the voters. And the question of people voted two to one to keep muni light, the banks in the corporate community turned around after the people voted two to one to say, Nope, you gotta sell that system, . I mean, this is, so I stood, I was 31 years old, and I stood against this crude, uh, extortionate exercise of corporate power that really was, you know, was so intent on having its way that they were prepared to destroy the city to get a, uh, a monopoly on electricity. But, you know, we stopped them , Speaker 1 (00:13:15) - First off, did the corporation, the electric company, did they try to pay you or buy you off? And how easy is it for corporations to buy off politicians? Speaker 2 (00:13:28) - Oh, it's called campaign contributions, big ones. No, I, I, I, you know, what, what happened was this, uh, uh, the, the day of default, the biggest bank told me, Hey, look, uh, if you go ahead with this sale, we'll give, we'll, we'll loan, loan the city 50 million, and you can do whatever you want with it. You know, you, it was like a, a express pass to reelection, you know, all of a sudden you could start paving the streets in gold. And, uh, but of course, you know, I knew, you know, they, they were asking, I mean, it was a fraud. They were, they wanted, uh, me to give up an electric system that was worth more money than the monopoly was ready to pay for it. And they were gonna let the city borrow more money. I mean, give me a break, you know, I was, as I said, I was a very young person. Speaker 2 (00:14:19) - I suppose they felt they could roll me at that point. You know, I looked younger than I, I was, and I think they probably, I had a certain amount of disbelief, cognitive dissonance, saying, oh geez, how can this be happening with this kid who's the mayor? You know, I was the youngest mayor in America at the time of any big city. But I, my, the task that I took on, uh, was one where I had to take a stand against these corporate interests that were determined to have their way, even if it meant, uh, uh, smearing the very city in which they operated. Speaker 3 (00:14:54) - I want to touch on you becoming mayor there. How, what made you, and it always amazes me, when people go into politics in general, like, I have a friend who's one of my best friends, is a mayor of a city here in Texas, but it's like a 2000 person town, so it's nothing like Cleveland. What made you decide, like, what was, I mean, was it the electric situation that made you think you should go into public office? Or what led you to think I should get involved in politics? Speaker 2 (00:15:22) - Well, you know, I, I entered politics at the age of 20 as a candidate for city council. Uh, and I, I got involved because, you know, growing up in the air of the sixties, uh, the change was in the wind. And I felt the best way to change things was to go inside the system. And I've always felt from a spiritual standpoint that my life didn't belong just to me, uh, that all of our lives belong to community, that, uh, you know, while we can make our own choices, that we should always try to do something for the betterment of society and not just, uh, take care of, you know, take, yeah, we have to take care of our sal and you also need to think of others as well. So that was the spirit that I brought into public life, uh, not to, uh, uh, uh, do well, but to do good. Speaker 2 (00:16:17) - And I'm, um, uh, that brought me into, uh, contest for city council. I was elected on my second try by 16 votes. I beat an entrenched democratic machine to be elected to the council. And the story opens up on, uh, at Christmas time in 1969 with this holiday season blackout, which as we found out later on, uh, these blackouts were being created by this, uh, uh, private utility in their, as part of their scheme to take over the public system. So, you know, I, I started very early. I made a choice early to go on the inside. Um, and, you know, so I was motivated by, you know, wanting to be of service. And I still am. Speaker 1 (00:17:02) - Shifting gears just a little bit. You chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus to lessen income inequality way back in the early two thousands. The latest figures I've seen, income equality has only gotten worse. Can you explain why that is and what the initial goal of the C P C was and what's gone wrong with it? Speaker 2 (00:17:28) - Well, you know, first of all, uh, the Congressional Progressive Caucus has had, uh, you know, a number of really important leaders, including Bernie Sanders, uh, uh, Pete DeFazio, uh, and others. And the purpose of the caucus was to present, um, a different approach to management of the government's resources. So we presented our own budget, which emphasized healthcare and education and housing, uh, and Deemphasized war and, and, you know, and military spending. Uh, the whole idea was about, you know, revisiting our, uh, what's what is necessary to support people in our society, uh, to support their, their existence. So this, this caucus, uh, has members who are quite diverse in their politics. Uh, and occasionally they'll vote as a block on certain issues in Congress. Uh, you know, it, it may happen less and less now, uh, there's a lot more pressure in Congress now that things are much more polarized, and, uh, every organization within the Congress is perhaps more fractionated than it's ever been. And so that, that is indeed a problem. Speaker 3 (00:18:47) - So how did, how do we combat income inequality today then? Speaker 2 (00:18:51) - First of all, every able-bodied person should have an opportunity to make a living. Um, and if the private sector doesn't, can't provide the jobs, the public sector has to, I mean, we're in an interesting position right now in the Covid era where, uh, the economy is starting to move ahead. But, you know, there's so many job openings now. People, uh, are just, you know, getting back into a, a mode of, um, of, well, first of all, work's being redefined. And secondly, uh, there's a lot of jobs out there that are wanting. So, you know, it's a little bit different than it was a few years ago where the economy was being managed in such a way that a certain amount of unemployment was seen as being necessary, the proper functioning of the economy. We don't seem to have that right now, but I think that it would be good if the government, uh, created a jobs program and gave people an opportunity to do long-term productive work in restoring our environment and in, uh, in helping to repair our infrastructure. Speaker 2 (00:20:03) - Uh, you know, I'm, I I, and the other thing is that having work with no benefits is, you know, quite a challenge. Uh, people, uh, uh, are finding that the cost of healthcare is extraordinary, and being able to meet your healthcare needs of your family might be almost impossible, even though you may have a job that is paying you more than $15 an hour. So you, you know, it's, it the, um, COVID added a, uh, a layer of complexity to this question of, uh, of employment and, and meaningful work. And, um, it's gonna, I think, take a while to sort that out. But I think our polar star has to be a full employment economy with, uh, meaningful, productive work available to all those who are able to work and with, uh, supportive systems for those who can, for no fault of their own, cannot work. Speaker 1 (00:20:58) - You touched on the polarization in Congress right now. When you were in Congress, was it more friendly? Were people more friendly? Were Republicans more friendly to you? Did people, were politicians more willing to work together, or? Well, Speaker 2 (00:21:17) - Let, lemme tell you, it, it, you know, yes and no, uh, uh, you know, there's always a certain amount of political polarity that that exists. I mean, the very basic, the very basis of a two-party system is by its definition polarized. You have Democrats have Republicans, and for some people, never the twin shall meet. Uh, I did it differently. I worked on both sides of the aisle, and as a result, I had the opportunity to make, uh, uncommon friendships with, uh, people on the Republican side, including those in the Texas delegation. Uh, you know, when I, I mean, I'll tell you a story. To give you an example. The Clinton administration was looking for authorization to continue the bombing of, um, Serbia. Uh, and they were, you know, and to keep the war going over there. And I was, I was opposed to that. So, uh, they, the authorization I think, was Senate Joint Resolution 21 came up in 1999, and I was trying to figure out a way to defeat it. Speaker 2 (00:22:26) - And finally, I came upon a plan that would've required the help of the Republicans. So I went to Tom Delay and I explained to him, uh, what my objective was. Now, he may have had some political, uh, strategy in mind, but the long story short is we put together a coalition of Republicans and Democrats, and we stopped the war. Now, somebody would say, well, delay would never go along with something like that. Well, he did, and we worked together, and we stopped a war that was, that should have never been fought by. And so, uh, you know, I'm, what I'm saying is that forget about party, forget about ideology, look to what your goals are and see if you can find a way to get alliances at certain times and places. And you might be surprised. So I never, um, you know, when, when people, you know, when I'm looking for Ally, I don't care about Party at all. Speaker 2 (00:23:24) - I mean, I've worked with Ron Paul on so many of Texas, so on so many issues of foreign policy. And we found that, well, we had differences in domestic policy. We work together to try to limit us involvement in these, in these wars. And, you know, the, that's why I'm saying there might be polarization today, but it's often mindless people, you know, need to talk to one another and find out what they actually stand for. . And like in any family, you may not agree even within a family with each other on something. And it could be very important, you look to those things you can't agree on, and that's where you do your work. And so that's what, you know, that was my approach in Congress, and I think that approach could still work. Today. Speaker 3 (00:24:10) - We've talked about kind of money in politics being an issue in buying off politicians. You look at what's happening today in, you know, congressional races, especially presidential races. I mean, you see campaigns spending, you know, a billion plus dollars for a job that makes $400,000 a year. And, you know, there's a whole lot more to it than, you know, just that, just the job and the salary. You know, obviously being president has so much power in it, and you also see it in congressional races where money from all over the country flows into one specific state. How do we keep our politicians in a way that the community can still show their support for them, but they're not being completely bought off? Speaker 2 (00:24:54) - Well, you know, going back to the book, uh, the Division of Light and Power, uh, when these corporations had their interest, I never went to them for money. So nobody forces an elected official or somebody running for office to go to a certain group and say, Hey, give me money. I mean, that's where it begins. And when they do give money, nobody forces you to take that money if they offer it to you. So, you know, it's not as though, uh, we're just helpless cuz those who aspire off have to be very careful about, uh, who is, uh, providing contributions to them. And to make sure that you can be independent of those contributions and function autonomously with, without, uh, um, without the, uh, large Jess, which comes into campaign coffers. And that is very tough. And what I'm prescribing here is not easy, but the book that, you know, the Division Light and Power points out, that when people organize at a community level, they can overcome almost any interest group. Speaker 2 (00:26:02) - But, you know, it's the organization and the knowledge of what is actually happening that empowers people to overcome the influence of money. I mean, I was, you know, we were heavily outspent in Cleveland on the, uh, on, on every election that involved either, either, um, uh, you know, either with my name on the ballot or an issue oriented election. We were heavily, uh, outspent, but because we aligned with the popular interest and how people understand their interest, we won anyway. Now, I eventually was defeated in 1979 because the banks kept the city into default, and people at that time did not understand why despite having paid, uh, uh, more money on their taxes, we were still in default. But years later now, the people of Cleveland understand it. So yeah, campaign contributions have, can totally corrupt the system, but no one forces these candidates to take that money. And if they do take the money, then that needs to be noted by the voters, uh, to see if those interests align with the, uh, more specific concerns of, uh, the electorate. Speaker 1 (00:27:15) - That's Congressman Dennis Kucinich. Dennis Kucinich, thank you so much for joining us on The Work From Home Show. Your latest book is called The Division of Light and Power, the Division of Light and Power and your website dot, uh, Speaker 2 (00:27:31) - Well, they, they, they can, uh, go to, um, finny avenue books.com, uh, where they can purchase a book through many different links, or they can go to, um, Barnes and Noble, target, Amazon. There's a whole list of, uh, of places you can get the book, go to your local bookstore and ask for it. And then if you don't, they don't have it, uh, in stock, they'll order it. Uh, and you'll have it shortly. Speaker 1 (00:27:59) - And your website is percentage.com Congressman Dennis Kucinich, any final thoughts you want to share with our listeners or anything else you wanna promote? Speaker 2 (00:28:08) - No, I mean, I appreciate being on your show and, you know, and this virtual book tour that I'm doing from house to house, uh, with your help is, is very important. I mean, this book, uh, it took me 40 years to write it. Uh, it is thoroughly documented and I've been told that there's never been a book quite like this that explains, uh, the political process from an insider's point of view. And again, you know, it's one thing to fight City Hall from the outside. Uh, try fighting City Hall when you're the mayor. . Speaker 1 (00:28:42) - Yeah, completely understood. This is a wild, wild story. I'm gonna have to check out the book. So, once again, the Division of Light and Power, get the book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, wherever you get your, your books. Congressman Dennis Cinj. Thank you once again for joining us on the Work From Home Show to all our listeners. Check us out at work from home show.com. Email us if you have any questions. Hello, at work from home show.com. You can follow us on all social media, leave us a review on whatever podcasting platform you use. And until next week, keep on working from home.

This week, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., brought forward a war powers resolution, backed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, that would bring U.S. troops home from Syria. On Wednesday night, the resolution was rejected by Democrats and Republicans alike. During the debate, some advocated for an endless occupation, while their arguments unwittingly made the point that the U.S. government may not be the best group to solve the crisis. This week on Deconstructed, Ryan Grim is joined by Robert Ford, who was President Barack Obama's ambassador to Syria up until 2014. Although he was known inside the White House as a hawkish supporter of arming the Syrian opposition, this week he came out in support of Gaetz's resolution to pull out U.S. troops. Ford describes some of the political maneuvering and behind-the-scenes conversations taking place in 2013 and why he is calling to remove U.S. troops from Syria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus has agreed with Nancy Pelosi's plan to enforce Biden's rail deal. Mentally ill individuals will now forcefully be taken off the streets of New York City. Tucker Carlson tells his viewers that Apple is always watching, and sending your personal information to the Chinese government.Host: Ana Kasparian Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.