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6 episodes with Problem Solvers Caucus
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7 episodes with Problem Solvers Caucus
2 episodes with Problem Solvers Caucus
5 episodes with Problem Solvers Caucus
Chuck Todd begins by trying to make sense of the Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump public feud and why Trump will likely be muted in his criticism. Chuck also weighs in on the NYC mayoral race, why Andrew Cuomo shouldn't be allowed to run this soon after resigning in disgrace and why voters were deprived of closure in the Cuomo scandal.Then, Chuck sits down with Lindsey Williams Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing America's newest third-party movement. Williams discusses the party's "purple" approach to politics, rejecting traditional left-right labels while focusing on governance over party affiliation. The conversation covers the significant barriers third parties face, from institutional pushback to the infrastructure advantages held by Republicans and Democrats, who have "pulled the ladder up behind them" through restrictive ballot access requirements and partisan primaries.Looking ahead to the 2026 and 2028 elections, Drath outlines the Forward Party's strategic approach to building from the ground up at the state level, targeting swing districts and disaffected voters from both major parties. The discussion touches on fusion voting, potential mergers with other independent groups, and the party's unique challenge of maintaining unity without a rigid ideology. Williams also addresses whether candidates with contradictory positions can coexist under one party banner, the role of money in politics, and how the Forward Party plans to avoid becoming a spoiler while building toward federal party status and meaningful electoral competition.Finally, Chuck answers listeners' question in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding whether he'd ever consider working in the White House comms shop, what type of leader could best correct the erosion of American democracy, and who he thinks are the top 3 candidates to be at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028.Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:30 There is tremendous dissatisfaction with both political parties04:00 What to make of the Elon Musk vs Donald Trump feud?05:00 One party governance breeds bad governance07:30 Trump vs Musk was always going to be a test of wills08:30 Trump isn't as aggressive with people wealthier than him10:15 Democrats likely won't forgive Elon if he turns on Trump11:30 Winner of the Democratic NYC mayoral primary will be the mayor12:45 Andrew Cuomo hasn't lived in NYC in 35 years13:45 Cuomo shouldn't have resigned because we never got closure on accusations15:45 If you resign in disgrace, there needs to be an electoral penalty16:30 Cuomo never faced an impeachment trial18:30 Multiple governors have resigned in order to dodge investigations21:00 We never got an accounting of Al Franken's ethics committee report23:00 Cuomo shouldn't be able to run again so soon24:00 Lindsey Williams Drath joins the Chuck ToddCast! 24:50 What is the Forward Party and what do they believe? 26:30 Barriers to entry for a third party 27:10 There's growing sentiment for the need for a third party 28:30 There's major institutional pushback to third parties 29:30 Republicans and Democrats have an infrastructure advantage 30:20 10-year goal. What is success? 31:15 Built the party from the ground up at the state level 32:30 Andrew Yang's role in building the party 35:30 Administrative roles in Forward Party 37:45 Goal for the midterms is not a third party spoiler; but party-building; state level 40:15 Working toward federal party status; looking at seats in 2026 & 2028 42:10 What districts will they be targeting? 44:30 How Forward candidates can register for ballot access 47:00 Major parties have pulled the ladder up behind them. 47:50 Partisan primaries are unconstitutional 49:30 Defining fusion voting 51:30 Merging with the Independence Party? 53:15 There are lots of disaffected voters; and many "formers" in the Forward Party 55:45 We need to prioritize governance over party affiliation 57:30 What did the Problem Solvers Caucus fail at? 59:00 Lisa Murkowski building trust from her base while caucusing with both parties 59:45 John Cornyn missing opportunity to be more independent from GOP 1:01:45 What's stopping candidates from working with the Forward party? 1:03:45 What candidates do they want to target? What's the win? 1:05:30 Voters have closer relationships with mayors & governors1:08:50 The Forward Party is planning a convention 1:10:45 Can you be a political party that doesn't have an ideology or candidates that contradict? 1:14:30 Money in politics & government debt are linked1:27:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Lindsey Willams Drath 1:30:30 Ask Chuck 1:30:45 Would you ever want to work at the White House in communications? 1:34:15 What type of leader can fix the erosion of our democracy and civic unity? 1:38:30 Which three democrats are most likely to win the nomination in 28?
In this era of executive overreach, Jon is joined by Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), co-chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus, to examine how bipartisanship might still be possible. Together, they explore the caucus's approach to building consensus across party lines, discuss what leverage remains with the legislative branch, and consider what reforms could help Congress better serve the American people. This podcast is brought to you by Fast Growing Trees, America's largest online nursery. Visit http://fastgrowingtrees.com/weekly and use code WEEKLY for 15% off. Follow The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart on social media for more: > YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weeklyshowpodcast> TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > X: https://x.com/weeklyshowpod > BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/theweeklyshowpodcast.com Host/Executive Producer – Jon Stewart Executive Producer – James Dixon Executive Producer – Chris McShane Executive Producer – Caity Gray Lead Producer – Lauren Walker Producer – Brittany Mehmedovic Video Editor & Engineer – Rob Vitolo Audio Editor & Engineer – Nicole Boyce Researcher & Associate Producer – Gillian Spear Music by Hansdle Hsu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
PAC managers: secure your seat at "Across the Aisle," the must-attend Capitol Hill event where Problem Solvers Caucus members and corporate government relations leaders reveal how to drive real results in today's divided climate. Sarah Bonk from Business for America joins the podcast with details on this exclusive opportunity to network with lawmakers who make things happen beyond the headlines. Discover actionable strategies to mobilize your PAC's influence, build effective coalitions, and show value to your stakeholders. NABPAC members register free—your investment of time will pay dividends in PAC effectiveness.Episode Sponsor: Chain Bridge Bankhttps://www.chainbridgebank.com/
This week on Face the Nation, President Trump's tariff threats rattle allies and adversaries alike, plus, the latest on the administration's immigration crackdown. The administration hopes the tariffs will pressure Canada and Mexico to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into the U.S. We ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem if it's working, and the latest on the president's mass deportation mission. Kirsten Hillman, Canadian Ambassador to the US also weighs in and breaks down the costs and consequences of the growing trade war. Plus, with just days to go before a possible government shutdown, lawmakers unveil a new bill to avoid it. We hear a bipartisan conversation from the co-chairs of the congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick and New York Democrat Tom Suozzi. Finally, Russia expert Fiona Hill, who served as a top National Security Council official during the first Trump administration, joins us to discuss Trump's diplomatic pivot on Ukraine. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jim talks with Nancy Jacobson, the founder and CEO of the No Labels political organization, in the last of four conversations featuring non-partisan thinkers on the upcoming US presidential election. They discuss No Labels's mission, the Problem Solvers Caucus, the common sense platform, the quality of No Labels volunteers, the power of party leaders, issues with the current parties, Nancy's vote for the 2024 election, what's next for No Labels, and more. Episode Transcript No Labels - Books and Reform Proposals JRS EP 219 - Katherine Gehl on Breaking Partisan Gridlock The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy, by Katherine Gehl and Michael Porter JRS EP 262 - Cliff Maloney on a Libertarian's Case for Trump Nancy Jacobson is the Founder and CEO of No Labels, a non-profit political organization in Washington D.C. that uses bi-partisan approaches to bring people together to solve today's toughest political problems. She previously held senior roles on political campaigns for President Bill Clinton, Senator Al Gore, and Senator Evan Bayh.
Navigating Politics, Business, and Legacy with Suzette Valladares In this episode, a special joint broadcast of the Voices of Business: SCV and Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other, Suzette Valladares shares her personal journey from a background in the nonprofit sector to politics. We discuss the LCOAL Santa Clarita Valley community, her career, the formation of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus at the STATE level, and her experience running for the California State Senate. Suzette delves into her family's storied history, explains her fiscal conservatism, and reflects on the significant influence of her parents and grandmother. We also cover the challenges of running a small business in California, the importance of mentorship, and finding common ground in political discourse. We're on Patreon! Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/politicsandreligion It would mean so much if you could leave us a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan. Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com https://suzettevalladares.com/ https://www.thevoicesofbusiness.com/
Navigating Politics, Business, and Legacy with Suzette Valladares In this episode, a special joint broadcast of the Voices of Business: SCV and Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other, Suzette Valladares shares her personal journey from a background in the nonprofit sector to politics. We discuss the LOCAL Santa Clarita Valley community, her career, the formation of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus at the STATE level, and her experience running for the California State Senate. Suzette delves into her family's storied history, explains her fiscal conservatism, and reflects on the significant influence of her parents and grandmother. We also cover the challenges of running a small business in California, the importance of mentorship, and finding common ground in political discourse. We're on Patreon! Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/politicsandreligion It would mean so much if you could leave us a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan. Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com https://suzettevalladares.com/ https://www.thevoicesofbusiness.com/
This episode makes a powerful case for compromise and pragmatism as crucial ingredients in passing laws and getting things done. Our guests are Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, who are both members of the Problem Solvers Caucus: 62 Members of Congress, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. Although you wouldn't know it from national media coverage, The Problem Solvers meet frequently when Congress is in session to discuss bipartisan legislation. They're often successful in moving bills forward. We hear a substantive, compelling, personal conversation with two lawmakers who work together and put country before party. We first recorded our conversation nearly four years ago. Despite their party labels they agree with each other much more than you might think.
In the latest episode of Politics & Risk from The Council's government affairs team, SVP Joel Kopperud interviews Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who has represented Colorado's 7th Congressional District since 2023. Having served in the Colorado state legislature for a decade prior to becoming a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pettersen shares the top issues for Coloradans, including housing and climate change. As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Pettersen also dives deep into the systematic issues that Congress faces when getting work done.
In this episode, recorded live at NLC's Congressional City Conference, U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) and U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA), both members of the Problem-Solvers Caucus, discuss the benefits of listening and working with members from across the political aisle to address our nation's most pressing challenges. The conversation was moderated by Irma Esparza Diggs, NLC's Senior Executive Director for Federal Advocacy.For more information, visit us at nlc.org.
Election season is in full effect!Join us for a special afternoon fireside chat with Congressman Dean Phillips as he discusses his decision to run for President in 2024.This will be an oppertunity to meet one of the many candidates running for office in 2024 and ask Congressman Phillips questions.Manny's never turns away anyone for lack of funds. To receive a complementary ticket just email the word "grapefruit" and the title of this event to luis@welcometomannys.com.Want to support community members? By purchasing a "Pay It Forward" ticket you will allow us to provide free tickets to those who may not be able to afford entry otherwise and ensure we can create a diverse socio-economic audience that represents San Francisco. About Congressman Dean Phillips:Dean Phillips is a father, businessman, civic leader, eternal optimist, and Representative for Minnesota's Third Congressional District in Congress.A Gold Star Son who lost his birth father, Artie, in the Vietnam War, Dean was adopted into the Phillips family when his mother DeeDee married Eddie Phillips, who raised Dean to work hard and always share success.Dean was raised in Edina, attended Brown University, and returned to Minnesota to earn his MBA from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Business. After working at a variety of small startups, he worked his way up and eventually led his family's business, Phillips Distilling. He later went on to help build Talenti Gelato into one of the top-selling ice cream brands in the country and opened Penny's Coffee, a small business in the Twin Cities. Dean is active in the philanthropic community in Minnesota through the Phillips Family Foundation.In Congress, Dean is focused on restoring Americans' faith in our government. He's on a mission to inspire a new era of collaboration in Washington, pursue common ground for the common good, and end the corrupting influence of special interest money in our politics. Dean is Vice Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Middle East, Northern Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee.Dean has shown leadership and a commitment to working across the aisle during the COVID-19 pandemic. After hearing from struggling small business owners in the summer of 2020, Dean wrote the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act with Texas Republican Chip Roy. Signed into law by President Trump, this critical piece of legislation helped small businesses keep their doors open and saved thousands of American jobs. Dean has also been a voice for oversight and transparency of trillions of pandemic-related stimulus dollars, and has led the Problem Solvers Caucus in negotiations with the White House and Congressional leadership to deliver bipartisan solutions for the American people
Welcome to a captivating episode of the Common Bridge, where we sit down with the three-term congressman and Democratic presidential candidate, Dean Phillips. Prepare to be inspired as Phillips shares the story of his unique journey - from growing up fatherless due to the Vietnam war to becoming a successful entrepreneur. His resolve to bridge the partisan divide in America's political landscape fuels his desire to run for president. You'll hear about his daughter's inspiring battle with cancer and her advocacy for healthcare reform and paid family leave.Get ready to unpack the essence of effective leadership and innovative housing solutions with our former vice chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus. Here's a leader who passionately believes that the key to solving our nation's issues lies in effective collaboration. Listen to how his versatile professional journey - from a CEO to involvement in healthcare and education - has equipped him for the presidency. Be prepared to learn about the importance of empathy, listening, and a diverse, bipartisan cabinet in leadership.We then shift gears to dissect pressing issues like healthcare reform and firearm control. Hear us evaluate the prospect of a single-payer healthcare system and a capitated model for health outcomes. Tune in for our guest gun owner's perspective on the NRA, firearm safety, and the importance of dialogue in finding solutions. Our talk on gun violence and the Second Amendment will underscore the need for respectful discussions to resolve this issue. Get ready to delve into these thoughtful discussions as we strive to bridge divides and build a better America.Support the showEngage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!
The Republicans are in a real mess in Congress and Donald Trump's continued dominance in the GOP presidential sweepstakes is only complicating matters, so in this episode of the Dixie Dems, we take a look at the drama in the GOP Trump world and how it's unfolding.There's a lot to talk about, from the debacle of the Republicans' drama of picking a new speaker of the House of Representatives and controversies surrounding him, to continued drama in Trump world with former allies flipping on him in court, jockeying among Trump challengers, to a Supreme Court case based on Trump's “size” or lack thereof, a new Democratic challenger for Biden, redistricting in both Georgia and North Carolina that could change the power structure in those states, and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville blocking a bunch of military types being confirmed by the Senate because of abortion objections.Who are the Dixie Dems, you ask?If you've followed this blog and our podcast, you know that the Dixie Dems include myself, a Marylander transplanted into South Carolina and Lean to the Left podcast host, Arthur Hill, vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC Democratic Party, and Robert Thompson, founder of Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals.Here are the highlights of this episode as we review the drama in the GOP Trump world that continues, seemingly, to worsen by the day:Trump court cases: Ellis pleading guilty in Georgia…Others include former Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, plus the guy who put up bail money for Trump, Atlanta bail bondsman Scott Hall. What's this mean for Trump?Mark Meadows: Trump is pissed at his former chief of staff Mark Meadows over reports that he might flip on him in the 2020 election case against him. On Truth Social, Trump called people who cut deals against him with the prosecutors “weaklings and cowards.”Trump Challengers – Trump continues to dominate the GOP sweepstakes, but things are starting to thin out with Pence dropping out and reports indicating that SC's Sen. Tim Scott could be next, as SC's Nikki Haley appears to be overcoming DeSantis as number two.Jennifer Rubin writes in the Washington Post, “Her “path” — so slim, it's more akin to a thread — to victory would go like this: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), short on money, follows former vice president Mike Pence in exiting the race. In a signal to the “normal” GOP crowd, both endorse her. Haley finishes second in Iowa and/or New Hampshire, chasing out former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and making it impossible (if he is still in the race) for DeSantis to continue. She then gets to be the single alternative to Trump. (There is no sign that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin or Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp are going to wage a campaign.)And then? Well, Rubin writes, “that's where things get murky, to say the least. Simply being better than all the clumsy, weak, unprepared and obnoxious alternatives still leaves Haley facing the overwhelming favorite of the GOP base. This is not 2016, when Trump could get by with winning 35 percent or so of the early primary electorate to beat back a crowded field. This time, he's got roughly a 30 percent lead in Iowa in the Des Moines Register poll and about the same in CNN's South Carolina poll.”New Biden Dem Challenger: Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips has announced that he's challenging Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination, saying that the party needs to look to the future, and, of course, Phillips, 54, would like to be that future. Who is this guy, anyway?(He's a 54-year-old, third-term congressman from Minnesota, where he represents the suburbs west of Minneapolis. The millionaire Phillips was heir to his family's distilling company, and he also led the gelato manufacturer Talenti. He's Jewish, and he's argued in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict that the U.S. needs to support Israel, although he backs a two-state solution long-term. In Congress, Phillips has been a fairly moderate member of the House Democratic caucus. He falls to the right of about 80 percent of his party colleagues in VoteView.com's ideological data, and he belongs to the center-left, business-oriented New Democrat Coalition and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.) Stalking horse for somebody else who might have a better chance? Damage to party?Trump's Size: Hilariously, the U.S. Supreme Court actually is hearing a case involving issues of Donald Trump's size – and I'm not talking about his obesity. Some guy in California wants to trademark the phrase “Trump Too small” for use on T-shirts and elsewhere. Georgia Redistricting – Positive developments as the result of a new Supreme Court decision that could mean additional Democratic representation in Congress.NC Redistricting – Negative developments following changes in the political makeup of the state legislature that are expected to cost Democrats at least a couple of seats in Congress.Tuberville Military Holds – The case of Sen. Tommy Tuberville of alabama blocking nearly 400 military officers from being confirmed by the Senate, pissing off members of his own party, who say he's jeopardizing national security. It's all about Tuberville's objection to the Pentagon's policy of paying for travel when a service members must go out of state for an abortion or other reproductive care.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.
The Republicans are in a real mess in Congress and Donald Trump's continued dominance in the GOP presidential sweepstakes is only complicating matters, so in this episode of the Dixie Dems, we take a look at the drama in the GOP Trump world and how it's unfolding.There's a lot to talk about, from the debacle of the Republicans' drama of picking a new speaker of the House of Representatives and controversies surrounding him, to continued drama in Trump world with former allies flipping on him in court, jockeying among Trump challengers, to a Supreme Court case based on Trump's “size” or lack thereof, a new Democratic challenger for Biden, redistricting in both Georgia and North Carolina that could change the power structure in those states, and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville blocking a bunch of military types being confirmed by the Senate because of abortion objections.Who are the Dixie Dems, you ask?If you've followed this blog and our podcast, you know that the Dixie Dems include myself, a Marylander transplanted into South Carolina and Lean to the Left podcast host, Arthur Hill, vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC Democratic Party, and Robert Thompson, founder of Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals.Here are the highlights of this episode as we review the drama in the GOP Trump world that continues, seemingly, to worsen by the day:Trump court cases: Ellis pleading guilty in Georgia…Others include former Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, plus the guy who put up bail money for Trump, Atlanta bail bondsman Scott Hall. What's this mean for Trump?Mark Meadows: Trump is pissed at his former chief of staff Mark Meadows over reports that he might flip on him in the 2020 election case against him. On Truth Social, Trump called people who cut deals against him with the prosecutors “weaklings and cowards.”Trump Challengers – Trump continues to dominate the GOP sweepstakes, but things are starting to thin out with Pence dropping out and reports indicating that SC's Sen. Tim Scott could be next, as SC's Nikki Haley appears to be overcoming DeSantis as number two.Jennifer Rubin writes in the Washington Post, “Her “path” — so slim, it's more akin to a thread — to victory would go like this: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), short on money, follows former vice president Mike Pence in exiting the race. In a signal to the “normal” GOP crowd, both endorse her. Haley finishes second in Iowa and/or New Hampshire, chasing out former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and making it impossible (if he is still in the race) for DeSantis to continue. She then gets to be the single alternative to Trump. (There is no sign that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin or Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp are going to wage a campaign.)And then? Well, Rubin writes, “that's where things get murky, to say the least. Simply being better than all the clumsy, weak, unprepared and obnoxious alternatives still leaves Haley facing the overwhelming favorite of the GOP base. This is not 2016, when Trump could get by with winning 35 percent or so of the early primary electorate to beat back a crowded field. This time, he's got roughly a 30 percent lead in Iowa in the Des Moines Register poll and about the same in CNN's South Carolina poll.”New Biden Dem Challenger: Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips has announced that he's challenging Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination, saying that the party needs to look to the future, and, of course, Phillips, 54, would like to be that future. Who is this guy, anyway?(He's a 54-year-old, third-term congressman from Minnesota, where he represents the suburbs west of Minneapolis. The millionaire Phillips was heir to his family's distilling company, and he also led the gelato manufacturer Talenti. He's Jewish, and he's argued in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict that the U.S. needs to support Israel, although he backs a two-state solution long-term. In Congress, Phillips has been a fairly moderate member of the House Democratic caucus. He falls to the right of about 80 percent of his party colleagues in VoteView.com's ideological data, and he belongs to the center-left, business-oriented New Democrat Coalition and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.) Stalking horse for somebody else who might have a better chance? Damage to party?Trump's Size: Hilariously, the U.S. Supreme Court actually is hearing a case involving issues of Donald Trump's size – and I'm not talking about his obesity. Some guy in California wants to trademark the phrase “Trump Too small” for use on T-shirts and elsewhere. Georgia Redistricting – Positive developments as the result of a new Supreme Court decision that could mean additional Democratic representation in Congress.NC Redistricting – Negative developments following changes in the political makeup of the state legislature that are expected to cost Democrats at least a couple of seats in Congress.Tuberville Military Holds – The case of Sen. Tommy Tuberville of alabama blocking nearly 400 military officers from being confirmed by the Senate, pissing off members of his own party, who say he's jeopardizing national security. It's all about Tuberville's objection to the Pentagon's policy of paying for travel when a service members must go out of state for an abortion or other reproductive care.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4719048/advertisement
On this week's episode, I am talking with Kierstyn Zolfo from Bucks County Indivisible. Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is getting lazy this Halloween. He's dressing up as a "moderate" once again. Trick or treat? We'll let you be the judge. We'll be talking about her new article in the Bucks County Beacon, “Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick's Support for New House Speaker Mike Johnson Shows Voters Who He Really Is.” In that piece, Kierstyn writes about how Fitz was selling the new Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, to the so-called “moderate” Problem Solvers Caucus and big donors tied to No Labels. Fitzpatrick went to lengths to help rebrand Johnson as a 'Reagan Republican' and tried to lend some of his "moderate" vibes to Johnson, who we all know is a MAGA extremist Kierstyn Zolfo is a resident of Bucks County and a volunteer organizer with Indivisible Bucks County. She also serves on the steering committee of Pennsylvania Indivisible as the Legislative Chair, and in that position edits and contributes to the Pennsylvania Member of Congress Tracking report, an effort that keeps an eye on the votes and quotes from the Commonwealth's 20 Members of Congress. Kierstyn is originally from New Jersey but moved to PA when she was an undergrad at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster and has stuck around the area ever since. If we want a progressive future, we need progressive media. Support pull-no-punches, homegrown progressive media today by becoming a patron of Raging Chicken for as little as $5/month. Simply go to Patreon.com/RCPress. Join our Discord to continue the conversation all week long: https://discord.gg/BnjRNz3u
It has been over 20 days since the House of Representatives ousted, and then successively failed to re-elect, a speaker of the House. The dysfunction could not be coming at a worse time: war in Europe, war in the Middle East, rising danger in the Pacific. Budgets are not getting passed, much less additional aid packages for Ukraine and Israel. The House cannot even convene to condemn the Hamas terrorists – what the hell is wrong with our country? One infuriating piece of information from our podcast today: a large portion of representatives voting against aid to Ukraine are “voting no, hoping yes,” an indication that partisanship has truly eroded the very fabric and efficacy of government. America desperately needs intellectual consistency, good-faith politics, and honesty. How can we right this sinking ship?Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick represents Pennsylvania's first district. In the 118th Congress, Congressman Fitzpatrick sits on the Ways and Means Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In addition, he co-chairs the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and Congressional Ukraine Caucus, while also serving on the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force and NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Prior to serving Congress, he was an FBI Special Agent and a Federal Prosecutor.Download the transcript here.
Anytime Matt Lewis joins us, we have a grand ole' time! In this free flowing conversation, we make a pitch for how to solve the dumpster fire known as U.S. Congress: In light of the #Barbenheimer summer, Congress should consider the #FitzpatriHeimer fall. (cf. Co-heads of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ.) We also cover how to talk to some friends and family in one information bubble, and other friends and family in a whole other political news silo. We get into his latest book FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS and how it's a bipartisan problem. Matt shares how he prepares for interviews; how driving is a great time to write notes and even take a nap (...just kidding); we do some rank prognostication on the Speaker Sweepstakes; and we even talk some baseball! Matt Lewis is a senior columnist at the Daily Beast and the author of Too Dumb to Fail: How the GOP Betrayed the Reagan Revolution to Win Elections (and How It Can Reclaim Its Conservative Roots) and his new book Filthy Rich Politicians: The Swamp Creatures, Latte Liberals and Ruling-Class Elites Cashing in on America. You might recognize Matt from his appearances on MSNBC's Morning Joe and prior to that as a CNN political contributor. Matt's also provided political commentary on Real Time with Bill Maher, Face the Nation on CBS, the NewsHour on PBS, and ABC's Nightline. Matt's writing has appeared in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, GQ, the Washington Post, and Politico among others. Matt previously served as senior contributor for the Daily Caller and, before that, as a columnist for AOL's Politics Daily. Matt is also the host of Matt Lewis and the News and is the co-host of The DMZ along with Bill Scher. Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion www.threads.net/@coreysnathan www.thedailybeast.com/author/matt-lewis twitter.com/mattklewis mattklewis.com/books-articles-media mattklewis.com/matt-lewis-and-the-news
Anytime Matt Lewis joins us, we have a grand ole' time! In this free flowing conversation, we make a pitch for how to solve the dumpster fire known as U.S. Congress: In light of the #Barbenheimer summer, Congress should consider the #FitzpatriHeimer fall. (cf. Co-heads of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ.) We also cover how to talk to some friends and family in one information bubble, and other friends and family in a whole other political news silo. We get into his latest book FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS and how it's a bipartisan problem. Matt shares how he prepares for interviews; how driving is a great time to write notes and even take a nap (...just kidding); we do some rank prognostication on the Speaker Sweepstakes; and we even talk some baseball! Matt Lewis is a senior columnist at the Daily Beast and the author of Too Dumb to Fail: How the GOP Betrayed the Reagan Revolution to Win Elections (and How It Can Reclaim Its Conservative Roots) and his new book Filthy Rich Politicians: The Swamp Creatures, Latte Liberals and Ruling-Class Elites Cashing in on America. You might recognize Matt from his appearances on MSNBC's Morning Joe and prior to that as a CNN political contributor. Matt's also provided political commentary on Real Time with Bill Maher, Face the Nation on CBS, the NewsHour on PBS, and ABC's Nightline. Matt's writing has appeared in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, GQ, the Washington Post, and Politico among others. Matt previously served as senior contributor for the Daily Caller and, before that, as a columnist for AOL's Politics Daily. Matt is also the host of Matt Lewis and the News and is the co-host of The DMZ along with Bill Scher. Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion www.threads.net/@coreysnathan www.thedailybeast.com/author/matt-lewis twitter.com/mattklewis mattklewis.com/books-articles-media mattklewis.com/matt-lewis-and-the-news
Democrats learned much from the Obama years: we are DONE cleaning up Republican messes and then getting blamed when we do. You got elected, GOP, learn to govern, or go home. More at proleftpod.com. Support the show
U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino (R, NY2) talks about his work in Congress, including as a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, as the House Republicans grapple with passing a plan to fund the government without the support of some extreme right members.
With next weekend's looming government shutdown, the Republicans' more right-wing Freedom Caucus is seeking to reign in its more moderate Problem Solvers Caucus. On Today's Show:U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino (R, NY2) talks about his work in Congress, including as a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, as the House Republicans grapple with passing a plan to fund the government without the support of some extreme right members.
With next weekend's looming government shutdown, the Republicans' more right-wing Freedom Caucus is seeking to reign in its more moderate Problem Solvers Caucus. On Today's Show:U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino (R, NY2) talks about his work in Congress, including as a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, as the House Republicans grapple with passing a plan to fund the government without the support of some extreme right members.
We are 9 days away from September 30th... the day that Congress needs to pass a bill to fund the government... or else we shut down. Where do things stand? Boyd breaks down why Republicans are fighting as well as a bipartisan spending alternative being proposed by the Problem Solvers Caucus, of which Utah's very own Rep. John Curtis is a member. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's Headlines: In the ongoing government shutdown saga, the House Republicans' 30-day funding stopgap is no longer on the table, as the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, featuring centrists from both parties, is now working to find a solution. Meanwhile, at the UN General Assembly, President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discussed the importance of global unity against Russia's nuclear weapons and potential threats related to AI and food supply. Pennsylvania has become the 24th state to automatically register voters when they obtain a driver's license or ID card. A former White House aide revealed that Donald Trump frequently wrote to-do lists on classified documents, drawing attention to their content. Finally, the United Auto Workers union, in the midst of a strike, intends to expand strike locations if negotiations do not yield significant progress, requesting minimal White House intervention. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: Centrists plot shutdown Plan B as House GOP flails on spending bills BBC: Evil cannot be trusted, says Zelensky in speech to UN NBC News: Pennsylvania rolls out automatic voter registration ABC News: Trump wrote to-do lists for assistant on White House documents marked classified: Sources AP News: United Auto Workers threaten to expand targeted strike if there is no substantive progress by Friday Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Representative (D, NJ-5), co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, argues how New York's congestion pricing will take a toll on his Bergen County constituents. Then, Tom Wright, president and chief executive officer of the Regional Plan Association, explains a measure he's proposing in which New Jerseyans might stand to benefit.
Photo: No known restrictions on publication. @Batchelorshow #Israel: The JCPOA in 2023 & What is to be done? Josh Gottheimer, Fifth Congressional District of New Jersey. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 Josh Gottheimer represents New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District in the northern part of the state, which includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties. In Congress, Josh serves on two Committees, including the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Ranking Member of the National Security Agency and Cyber Subcommittee, and is a member of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee. Josh also serves on the House Financial Services Committee, where he is a member of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion, and the Subcommittee on Capital Markets. Josh serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, where he promotes common sense over extremism, and works across party lines on key issues, including lowering taxes, protecting our environment, making healthcare more affordable, protecting America's national security, and improving infrastructure to help the American people.
In this weekend episode, three segments from this week's C-SPAN's Washington Journal program. First –Jean Lee of the Wilson Center's Center for Korean History and Public Policy discusses South Korean President Yoon's visit to the U.S. and Biden administration policy toward Asia. Then, Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska – a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus – talks about what's needed to break the stalemate in the debt ceiling debate Plus, Democrat Al Green of Texas – sponsor of the 2022 Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act – talks about the death this week of Till's accuser - Carolyn Bryant Donham and the Congressman's "Conscience" Agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Last night, House Republicans were able to narrowly pass Speaker McCarthy's debt ceiling plan, which would reduce government spending, cut funding for federal agencies, and block parts of the President's agenda. The Democrats, however, want to raise the debt ceiling without conditions, so this bill is unlikely to pass the Senate or survive a likely veto from President Biden. Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and is pushing for a bipartisan compromise on this issue. Rep. Fitzpatrick joins the podcast to discuss the need to solve two crises at once: raising the debt limit to avoid a default and creating guardrails around government spending to prevent this problem in the future. While millions of Americans will be tuned in to this week's NFL draft, FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer is focused not only on the player picks but on his mental health as well. In his book, Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety into Motivation and You Can Too, he opens up about his lifelong battle with anxiety and depression. Glazer joins the Rundown to discuss how he uses acts of service to cope with negative thoughts, why he speaks out so strongly on the topic of suicide, and how he combines physical training with mental health discussions to encourage combat veterans and athletes to open up about their struggles. Plus, commentary from Outkick's Tomi Lahren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Last night, House Republicans were able to narrowly pass Speaker McCarthy's debt ceiling plan, which would reduce government spending, cut funding for federal agencies, and block parts of the President's agenda. The Democrats, however, want to raise the debt ceiling without conditions, so this bill is unlikely to pass the Senate or survive a likely veto from President Biden. Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and is pushing for a bipartisan compromise on this issue. Rep. Fitzpatrick joins the podcast to discuss the need to solve two crises at once: raising the debt limit to avoid a default and creating guardrails around government spending to prevent this problem in the future. While millions of Americans will be tuned in to this week's NFL draft, FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer is focused not only on the player picks but on his mental health as well. In his book, Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety into Motivation and You Can Too, he opens up about his lifelong battle with anxiety and depression. Glazer joins the Rundown to discuss how he uses acts of service to cope with negative thoughts, why he speaks out so strongly on the topic of suicide, and how he combines physical training with mental health discussions to encourage combat veterans and athletes to open up about their struggles. Plus, commentary from Outkick's Tomi Lahren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Last night, House Republicans were able to narrowly pass Speaker McCarthy's debt ceiling plan, which would reduce government spending, cut funding for federal agencies, and block parts of the President's agenda. The Democrats, however, want to raise the debt ceiling without conditions, so this bill is unlikely to pass the Senate or survive a likely veto from President Biden. Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and is pushing for a bipartisan compromise on this issue. Rep. Fitzpatrick joins the podcast to discuss the need to solve two crises at once: raising the debt limit to avoid a default and creating guardrails around government spending to prevent this problem in the future. While millions of Americans will be tuned in to this week's NFL draft, FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer is focused not only on the player picks but on his mental health as well. In his book, Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety into Motivation and You Can Too, he opens up about his lifelong battle with anxiety and depression. Glazer joins the Rundown to discuss how he uses acts of service to cope with negative thoughts, why he speaks out so strongly on the topic of suicide, and how he combines physical training with mental health discussions to encourage combat veterans and athletes to open up about their struggles. Plus, commentary from Outkick's Tomi Lahren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bears Ears National Monument is over 1 million acres in size, but only 2 federal employees manage it. After talking with the Interior Secretary, Rep. John Curtis says it's being neglected, and Utah would do a better job of preserving it. Plus, House Republicans have introduced a plan to raise the debt limit. Rep. Curtis breaks down what's in the plan and what the Problem Solvers Caucus is proposing as a backup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
First: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg touts the takedown of the suspected Chinese spy balloon and previews President Biden's State of the Union address. Next: Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Marco Rubio questions why the Biden administration didn't act sooner to shoot down the Chinese balloon. Then: In an exclusive joint interview, Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), co-chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, discuss their work on a 'failsafe' to prevent a debt ceiling crisis. On today's panel: Rep. Pramila Jayapal, CNN's Jonah Goldberg, CNN's Karen Finney, CNN's David Urban. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy
The 31 trillion dollar debt limit was hit earlier this month, and Congress and the White House barrel closer to a fiscal showdown coming this spring. Republican legislatures want significant spending cuts and budget reforms, while Democrats push for spending that was already approved. The Problem Solvers Caucus is seeking a bipartisan solution and is proposing a change in the way the debt limit is measured. GOP Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) explains the proposal and reveals whether he thinks it can win bipartisan support. How much COVID-19 fraud has actually been committed? The United States government has been aggressive in pursuing charges against Americans that they believe committed fraud by exploiting pandemic relief. Partner at the Arnold & Porter law firm Jonathan Green and former House Ways and Means Committee and Chief Oversight Counsel Mark Epley weigh in on what they're seeing as their firm tracks fraud cases, questions the government's decision-making abilities in administering such relief programs, and share what they think will come out of government oversight hearings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 31 trillion dollar debt limit was hit earlier this month, and Congress and the White House barrel closer to a fiscal showdown coming this spring. Republican legislatures want significant spending cuts and budget reforms, while Democrats push for spending that was already approved. The Problem Solvers Caucus is seeking a bipartisan solution and is proposing a change in the way the debt limit is measured. GOP Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) explains the proposal and reveals whether he thinks it can win bipartisan support. How much COVID-19 fraud has actually been committed? The United States government has been aggressive in pursuing charges against Americans that they believe committed fraud by exploiting pandemic relief. Partner at the Arnold & Porter law firm Jonathan Green and former House Ways and Means Committee and Chief Oversight Counsel Mark Epley weigh in on what they're seeing as their firm tracks fraud cases, questions the government's decision-making abilities in administering such relief programs, and share what they think will come out of government oversight hearings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the first Friday Hangover with Pete Kaliner of 2023 on the Brett Winterble Show! Brett and Pete talk about the progress (or lack thereof) being made as congress attempts to select a new Speaker of the House including the concessions made so far and why someone "eventually has to drive The Titanic," + the failure of the Problem Solvers Caucus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today we welcome Senator Josh Newman. Newman represents Senate District 29. We discuss environmental protection, alternative fuel, elections, the democratic process, and more.SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!(01:07) Newman's path to becoming Senator(08:41) The bear suit story and effective political advertising(19:34) The Problem Solvers Caucus (23:50) Alternative fuel vehicles(30:28) Climate change and California's impact(41:26) Fundamental democratic process and elections
As we speculated in last week's podcast, Donald Trump spent most of his two-hour diatribe in Macomb County talking about … Donald Trump, dedicating about 5% of his speech to actually supporting the BIg Lie believers leading the GOP state ticket. Also in the political headlines this week: longtime Republican powerbroker Bob LaBrant calls this year's GOP ticket “the most unqualified state-level ticket in recent Michigan history” as he actively supports the entire Democratic statewide slate; the state Legislature takes a small step towards a less chaotic election with bipartisan support for making the counting of Absentee Ballots more timely; and the rhetoric is becoming more heated from opponents of the the Voting Rights and Reproductive Freedom ballot proposals. Early voting has begun and the battleground races in Michigan have the attention of the nation. Four of Michigan's 13 congressional districts are considered tossups.We'll talk with one of the candidates in that spotlight: mid-Michigan two-term Representative Elissa Slotkin. Representative Slotkin defied the political odds in 2018, ousting Republican Congressman Mike Bishop even as Donald Trump was winning in her congressional district. She was reelected in 2020, again in a district carried by Trump, downing challenge Paul Junge. Slotkin was raised on the family farm in Holly. She has been in public service since graduating with a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University. After graduate school she was recruited into the Central Intelligence Agency. Fluent in Arabic and Swahili, she served three tours in Iraq as a CIA analyst. During the George W. Bush administration, she worked on the Iraq portfolio for the National Security Council. During Barack Obama's presidency, she worked for the State Department and the Department of Defense. Slotkin was acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 2015 to 2017. In Congress she is recognized as an expert on national security issues, and also for her ability to work across party lines as a member of the bipartisan Problem-Solvers Caucus. ________________________________________________ This week's podcast is underwritten by Practical Political Consulting and EPIC-MRA. We thank them for supporting "A Republic, If You Can Keep It."
On today's episode, California State Assemblymember Heath Flora details the Problem Solvers Caucus' goals for California ag. Additionally, a Sacramento Valley grower talks about the "unprecedented" possibility of receiving zero water deliveries and the long-term effects of this. Supporting the People who Support Agriculture Thank you to our sponsors who make it possible to get you your daily news. Please feel free to visit their websites. The California Walnut Board – https://walnuts.org/ Soil and Crop – https://mysoilandcrop.com/ Phycoterra -https://phycoterra.com/
They are the ones who are born with the remarkable desire to serve and protect their community or country. It is a calling ingrained in them. Every day, law enforcement officers wake up, put their uniform on and leave their loved ones behind to go out in their community, not sure if they will be coming back home. Now, more than ever, the law enforcement community needs the full support of our communities and elected officials. In this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Representative Abigail Spanberger, from the 7th Congressional District of Virginia, to discuss her tireless work on Capitol Hill to ensure that law enforcement officers and their families receive what they have rightfully earned and deserve. ⬛️ ⬛️ ⬛️ WATCH THIS EPISODE ➡️ https://youtu.be/gm_GdbcMyMs ⬛️ ⬛️ ⬛️ 00:00 - Intro 01:08 - About Abigail Spanberger 02:40 - Navigating the Waters 06:50 - Fighting for Fairness 18:35 - COPS on the Beat 24:03 - A Looming Crisis 32:04 - Final Thoughts ⬛️ ⬛️ ⬛️ U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger is proud to represent the people of Virginia's Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House. Abigail’s career has been defined by public service — first serving as a federal agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, working money laundering and narcotics cases. She then served at home and abroad as a CIA case officer, focusing on counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts. Following her time at CIA, Abigail worked in the private sector, helping colleges and universities diversify their student bodies and increase graduation rates. First elected to the U.S. House in 2018, Abigail serves on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. She is also Vice Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Abigail grew up in Henrico County, Virginia and is a proud graduate of Henrico County Public Schools. Abigail and her husband Adam have three school-aged three children. ⬛️ ⬛️ ⬛️ SUBSCRIBE: Blue View Podcast ➡️ https://blue-view.castos.com/ Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop/id1609211746 Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/3OZzhTEcwf3e2y0sPqdsew Amazon ➡️ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aad56de4-4a9a-46d2-a71f-ba46ea487797/blue-view-by-the-fraternal-order-of-police-fop
During this episode, you'll join Sharon as she sits down to two members of the US Congress: Representatives Dean Phillips and Brian Fitzpatrick. Phillips is a Democrat from Minnesota and Fitzpatrick is a Republican from Pennsylvania. Together, they have used their time in congress to work across the aisle, serving on the Problem Solvers Caucus and promoting bipartisan collaboration. Listening to understand, especially when holding a government office, isn't just a nicety, it can be a matter of national security and the cornerstone to preserving the nation's democracy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
From the outside, Congress appears broken. Bills get bogged down in partisan fights, leaders openly smear each other, and animosity between members is at an all-time high. But our guests show that if you look closer, you'll find a group of dedicated politicians working together across the aisle to craft workable legislation and get things done. Republican Congressman Don Bacon represents Nebraska's 2nd District. Democrat Kurt Schrader represents Oregon's 5th District. Both are members of the congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, a group equally split between Democrats and Republicans who are committed to finding common ground on key issues. In our surprisingly candid conversation, we get a peek behind the curtain at what's really going on in Congress, how the infrastructure bill was passed into law, and the harmful effect the media has on Americans' view of politics.
First, Jake talks to House Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-chair Rep. Josh Gottheimer about liberals' threat to block the bipartisan infrastructure deal if there isn't an agreement on Democrats' sweeping $3.5 trillion reconciliation plan. Then, Jake presses Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the Biden administration's response the surge in Haitian migrants at the southern border. Next, Jake interviews Republican Sen. Pat Toomey about his party's refusal to raise the debt ceiling. Finally, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker joins Jake to discuss the collapse of bipartisan police reform negotiations. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy
First, Dana talks to Budget Committee Chairman Sen. Bernie Sanders about Democrats' two-track push to pass infrastructure and other top priorities. Next, Dana interviews the co-chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, about their efforts to push a bipartisan infrastructure deal through Congress. Then, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan joins Dana to respond to bipartisan criticism of President Biden's response to Russia. Finally, Dana sits down with Virginia Del. Danica Roem to her trailblazing role as the first openly transgender person to be elected to and serve in a state legislature. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy
Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome former Colts Wide Receiver Rep. Anthony Gonzalez to the show to talk about his life in the NFL, his career in Congress and where the two overlap. Before things get serious, Gonzalez breaks the ice with a tale of the night he and his Colts teammates “may have” parked an unnamed coach's car on the 50-yard line… loaded with packing peanuts (2:40). The podcast matures when MRob asks Anthony to outline his journey from football to the U.S. House of Representatives (4:22), and Gonzalez explains “the call to serve” that led him to the halls of Congress. How do the lessons learned in a diverse NFL locker room inform his role as a U.S. Representative? Coach Billick wants to know and asks just that (6:51), and finds out what it takes for Republicans, Democrats and Independents to work together without the assistance of game tape. Got a problem? Anthony explains how the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus gets things done (11:28). MRob asks Anthony about his decision to vote to impeach President Trump, a decision unpopular with his “team” (12:36), and Gonzalez explains that “you have to be willing to lose your job in this job” when you take an oath to uphold the Constitution. In a first for this podcast, Coach Billick tackles pork barrel spending (14:53). Then Rep, Gonzalez gives an honest account of his experience being in The Capitol Building under siege on January 6th (17:09), and how there just might be a silver lining to the event. Things lighten up when Coach reveals that Anthony once dated his daughter (19:25), and Gonzalez reveals he was just hoping it wouldn't affect his draft position. Things wrap up with talk about Anthony's old QB, Peyton Manning, and his entrance into the Hall of Fame… and what he hated to hear on 3rd downs (20:28). NFL Total Access: The Locker Room is part of the NFL Podcasts Network. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome former Colts Wide Receiver Rep. Anthony Gonzalez to the show to talk about his life in the NFL, his career in Congress and where the two overlap. Before things get serious, Gonzalez breaks the ice with a tale of the night he and his Colts teammates “may have” parked an unnamed coach's car on the 50-yard line… loaded with packing peanuts (2:40). The podcast matures when MRob asks Anthony to outline his journey from football to the U.S. House of Representatives (4:22), and Gonzalez explains “the call to serve” that led him to the halls of Congress. How do the lessons learned in a diverse NFL locker room inform his role as a U.S. Representative? Coach Billick wants to know and asks just that (6:51), and finds out what it takes for Republicans, Democrats and Independents to work together without the assistance of game tape. Got a problem? Anthony explains how the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus gets things done (11:28). MRob asks Anthony about his decision to vote to impeach President Trump, a decision unpopular with his “team” (12:36), and Gonzalez explains that “you have to be willing to lose your job in this job” when you take an oath to uphold the Constitution. In a first for this podcast, Coach Billick tackles pork barrel spending (14:53). Then Rep, Gonzalez gives an honest account of his experience being in The Capitol Building under siege on January 6th (17:09), and how there just might be a silver lining to the event. Things lighten up when Coach reveals that Anthony once dated his daughter (19:25), and Gonzalez reveals he was just hoping it wouldn't affect his draft position. Things wrap up with talk about Anthony's old QB, Peyton Manning, and his entrance into the Hall of Fame… and what he hated to hear on 3rd downs (20:28). NFL Total Access: The Locker Room is part of the NFL Podcasts Network. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Accountability, integrity, commitment. These values provide the lens through which ALPS realizes its vision. To live these values requires a culture of authenticity, a place where people can be true to themselves. In this episode of ALPS In Brief, ALPS President and CEO David Bell meets with ALPS Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte to reflect on how the company navigated the pandemic, the success of which David credits to the company's healthy culture and its ability to remain transparent. Join them as they discuss the implications of 2020 and their effect on ALPS in 2021. Transcript: MARK BASSINGTHWAIGHTE: Hello and welcome. I'm Mark Bassingthwaighte, and you're about to listen to the next episode of ALPS In Brief, the podcast that comes to you from the historic Florence Building in beautiful downtown Missoula, Montana. Over the years, David Bell, the CEO of our company and I have got together and chat periodically about what's happening internally, looking at vision and just trying to share some things. And the point of it has been... I think it allows you as the listener and our insureds to learn a little bit more about us each time. And I also hope to have the discussion of vision and what ALPS does, in this regard educate lawyers as to the value of, and a little bit about the process of creating a corporate or a firm vision. So before we jump into it, I'd like to spend a little bit of time here and introduce David a little more formally than I have in the past. David Bell is the president and CEO of ALPS Corporation and ALPS Property & Casualty Insurance Company. David joined us here at ALPS in 2012. Prior to that, he was previously with Allied World Assurance Company, and that's a publicly traded global reinsurance company. David was a founding executive and served as the chief operating officer. After graduating from the University of Montana in 1996 with a degree in finance, he began his career with the Chubb Corporation. David also co-founded and serves on the board of Grateful Nation Montana, a first of its kind in the nation organization that provides tutoring, mentoring, and college education for the children of Montana soldiers killed while on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also appeared on NBC Nightly News, Fox & Friends, and numerous other television and radio outlets talking about the need to make funding education for the children to fallen soldiers, a national priority. And that's just an outstanding and excellent organization David has been involved with you. I'd also like to share that that David has recently been appointed chair of the board of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center. This is a center that promotes better understanding of Asia and of U.S. relations with Asia. And we'll talk about that a little bit here shortly. So David, always a pleasure. Welcome to the podcast. DAVID BELL: Thank you, Mark. I appreciate you taking the time. I always enjoy our conversations about life and business. MARK: It has been fun and I've been surprised, pleasantly surprised and I'm sure it's... these visioned podcasts have had a lot of attention over the years, so it's always a pleasure to get back into it. I thought I would start out. In a prior podcast we set up 2020 and going into 2020, we had a vision and a strategic plan and things were rocking and rolling. And then, the rest of the world, we got hit upside the head with an unexpected global pandemic. I would... Let's start out. How did ALPS survive? How did we do in terms of how did this impact the vision? Let's just explore the impact of all of this. DAVID: Sure. Well, certainly 2020 was not what any of us envisioned. As we began the year, this time, last year, the year threw us a lot of curve balls and the nation and families and everyone, curve balls. And it's been an interesting, at times tragic example of what can happen unexpectedly. But in terms of the company, 2020 was and is closing to be a very good year both in our strategic objectives, largely having been accomplished, not withstanding COVID and our financial objectives as well. And so I think it gave us an opportunity to put some of our core values into practice. They look great on paper and they were fun to talk about when they're not being tested. But a lot of what COVID included necessitated really leaning on those core values as our employees had unexpected needs, as our insureds had unexpected needs and how we had to kind of plan for those and around those and line up in partnership with our different stakeholders. So it was definitely an interesting year. Now, I certainly feel grateful and for us as an organization, that we are not in the type of business that would have been directly in the cross hairs of some of COVID more problematic after effects. And that's frankly... it has as much to do with luck as it hasn't to do with anything else. So, 2020 almost saying with the tone of guilt was a really good year for the company. MARK: Did it impact where we go in 2021? Did it make some changes in terms of how you approach the corporate vision, the strategic plan? DAVID: In terms of the strategic and financial milestones and our vision of where we're taking the company, I really don't think that it played a meaningful role in any detours. MARK: Mm-hmm (affirmative). DAVID: I think it did forever change the landscape of a lot of aspects. Internally, I think the way that we had to rearrange our business, where we did it from- MARK: Right. DAVID: ... to how we handled the various different circumstances that our employees had and have had to co-exist with. Some of those changes will be permanent and so I think that it certainly wasn't a business as usual year by any stretch of the imagination. But I do think we will emerge better in a lot of ways as a company. And I can't really think of any ways that we would come out of 20 and into 21 weaker. MARK: Mm-hmm (affirmative). DAVID: And that was... Again, I attribute a lot of that to the fact that we just aren't in the many types of businesses that have had such a profoundly problematic impact. MARK: Yeah. DAVID: And I think our employee base... I'd like to believe that our employee base is stronger in 21 than in 20, because we experienced some pretty profound things together. And I think for evidencing that core values comment, when people have an opportunity to see some of those values put in action, I'd like to believe that they emerged from the other side of that with a stronger bond with one another and more confidence in the organization that they work for. MARK: Well, let me comment about that because speaking as one of these employees that has gone through all of this, I absolutely agree with you. My own personal experience was such that, this transition to the remote work setting for all of us for quite a while, we had to accelerate new tools, using Microsoft Teams as an example, and the communication ability and in terms of just being able to see each other talk. I felt closer now to everybody in the company than I have in... I'm coming up on 23 years here. So it really is... I do want to underscore that it's been a good thing. Initially my response was, everybody's coming. Wow, this is... We've got to get used to it. I used to walk into our world as some of us there have been remote all along, but now it's, I truly do, I feel much closer as part. Okay. Maybe a quick moment, since we're on the topic, do you want to share a summary of your own observations about what we saw in terms of the population we ensure that we are in service to? Any thoughts about that? DAVID: Sure. I mean, we've seen the results of COVID impact our insured firms at both ends of the extremes. For some firms they have seen overall, the COVID dynamic result in more business and more growth. MARK: Right. DAVID: On the other end of the extreme, particularly when the courts are closed and the economy is frozen up, there is not the commerce occurring that creates billable hours. And it has created significant challenges in... and has created a great deal of fear financial and otherwise by particularly some of the smallest firms. And so we've had to... We've reacted based on what our insured partners are coming to us with. We came out for example, for those that that found a reduction or virtual for time, virtual elimination of billable hours revenue, right? We came out and had opportunities to postpone premium payments. And well before the state regulatory bodies entered the scene and started to require insurance companies to do that, we did it. I'd like to think because it was the right thing to do. MARK: Right. DAVID: Right away when we saw that it was going to be necessary, it was clear in the very early stages of COVID, that this was going to create a problem for blocks for lawyers and a problem paying premiums, both because of financial constraints and because of just the tactics of being in a whole office and not being worried, your mail comes and all of that type of stuff, so that part of it was interesting. And I think the survey results that we've gotten back as we survey our insureds based on their experience that they've had with us each year, would suggest that our folks here who bring a great deal of compassion and empathy, many people, and I hope so lawyers themselves, had been in the shoes of our insurance. And so, I'm pleased that by all accounts, it seems we've done that well. On the landscape of what our insureds are seeing from a claims perspective, we definitely saw what I call a significant reduction in the volume of claims. MARK: Yes. DAVID: And we've actually seen a reduction in the severity of the claims that we did get. And so, that will clearly be a temporary phenomenon, right? MARK: Yeah. DAVID: When commerce has stopped and the courts are closed, then it's... You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that you're going to have at least a temporary lull in claims activity. Now the big question is, as this thing ramps up, will it hockey stick up? And as businesses fail coming out the other end of COVID, and tragically as marriages and other institutions fail, we effectively "make up" for lost ground on the claims picture. I think that there are pretty reasonable predictions on both sides of that ledger but it's an interesting dynamic to be looking at- MARK: It is. DAVID: ... and talking about. MARK: Yeah. Well, time will tell on that one. When I think about how ALPS has survived or navigated through the pandemic thus far, and seeing wins and losses in terms of some of our insureds from struggling in some ways, and profiting very much in other situations, I really start to believe that the... One of the ways that we navigated this so well, was because we had a solid strategic plan. We had established core values that people understand and live by. Our culture is important. And so to the degree that sharing some of the insights about what we've done, I guess I'd say... How do I say, I'd like to talk about some of this stuff as a tool, as a way to give firms that may be struggling a little bit, one path to try to move forward and come out of this. So if we could take a little bit of time, just briefly, let's start with this whole concept of core values. Can I just... What does that mean to you and where do they come from? And perhaps let me share,folks, the core values that drive us, that David has talked about already here today, as are driving some of this conversation. We ask, is this the truth? Is it fair? Does it benefit our people and the company? And does it help us make a profit? So, those are our core values. So again, David, how do we get to them? Why are they important to you? DAVID: Sure. Well, I think the core values are kind of the went through, which we all hope everything else that we're doing is filtered. And we didn't hire consultants to- MARK: Right. DAVID: ... I'm sure these could be worded differently. I'm sure there are core values that could be added and there are ways that we could word the ones that we have better. I've been in the learning sessions that many people listening to this, have been with great companies that have come up with very different ways to approach this and I'm convinced that there's no right or wrong way to do it. I felt like there was a lot of the golden rule kind of baked into this. MARK: Yes. DAVID: And our stakeholders include the people inside this company who labor every day on our common mission. It includes the people who we insure, right? We make a promise to transfer the risk of something bad having happened, the financial risk of something bad having having happened from their balance sheet to our balance sheet, right? MARK: Mm-hmm (affirmative). DAVID: And so we need to make that promise clear in the contract. We need to represent it accurately. We need to fulfill it justly when our claims attorneys are working on the claims. And we need to have the financial stability to be able to fulfill the promises as well. And then of course we do have shareholders too, and so we have kind of different stakeholders. But I think these four points which we've repeated so many times, I think most people probably know by memory. But is it the truth? It's kind of self-explanatory- MARK: Yeah. DAVID: ... a bit self-evident. I do believe that relationships are the headquarters to everything, including financial and business transactions. Without a healthy relationship, it's very difficult to get anything else constructive done. And without truth, it's almost impossible to have a healthy relationship. If you have reason to believe, but the person on the other end of your negotiation or discussion is being dishonest. MARK: Mm-hmm (affirmative). DAVID: I mean, I can't imagine how you can have anything constructive come out of that. And so we have to ask ourselves, is it the truth? Is what I'm telling my employees the truth? Is what our people are telling our insurers the truth? Right? MARK: Right. DAVID: And so that is in some ways, so obvious that it could be glossed over, but boy, is it essential in just everything that we do. The second one is, is it fair? Is it fair? Is it equitable? That's trickier because it's obviously a subjective question, right? Fairness to one is not seeing the same as fairness to other, and so when I look at that is, it's kind of thinking about it from my own perspective, as a leader, as a flawed human being who brings the bias of my experiences that I've had in my own life, into my decision-making. Many of those biases being unconscious, right? And so, the question that I ask for me and the decisions that I'm making, and then I would ask others is, are you in pursuit of fairness and of equality? And it doesn't mean that you'll be perfect all the time. It doesn't mean that everybody... When you feel that you've done something fair, it doesn't mean that everybody else will feel that way. In fact, I think a truism of leadership and arguably one of the ways that you can know whether you'll be successful in leaders, if you're comfortable with the fact that something that you believe is the right thing to do, will not be shared by other people who are important to you. MARK: Yeah. DAVID: We're just going to have people who believe differently about this. But I think if we say, Hey, look, I'm trying my best, I'm going to be truthful and transparent. I'm happy to explain the reasoning for what I'm doing. And I'm using my best efforts to seek fairness and equality. I think if there's a genuine, recognized effort to do that, there's room for shades of gray, as people have their own interpretations. MARK: Yeah. DAVID: That's number two. Number three, as you pointed out, is, does it benefit our people and the company. By the company, obviously it means our insureds- MARK: Right. DAVID: ... and the various people, right? But we don't want to do something to serve people outside this company that hurts our own people. And we don't want to do something that helps or enriches our own people at the expense of folks externally, who we serve as well. And that's also a prioritization question, right? I mean, there's a lot of things to distract us. There's a lot of places that we can spend time and money. And I think sometimes we just need to ask ourselves, is what we're about to do going to benefit our people and the company? Because if the answer isn't an unqualified yes, maybe that's not the best allocation of time or financial resources. And then fourth, which I include unapologetically but also intentionally include last, is, does it help us make a profit? MARK: Right. DAVID: We're a for-profit business. Our ability to fulfill the promises that we make now and in the future, is entirely dependent upon us being a profitable company that is financially strong. But that being said, it's not profit above all else. There are clearly numerous ways that this organization could have, and could today make a lot more money than it is making. And if this were number one, there might be an organizational temptation to do that. Profit is important. It is not the most important. MARK: Right. Yeah. DAVID: And I think if you do everything else well, profit will come. It might not come as much or as fast as some people would like but it is a function of where it sits in your order of priorities. MARK: What I like about this, and it's something I've learned as a result of my experience as an ALPS member. I think a lot of companies, when you sit down and they talk about core values, and they list, these are the things we value and it becomes this thing you put on the wall and you want to advertise, and sort of pound your chest a little bit. These are not things that are symbols. What I like about these values, I've transitioned from a list of things that we value, to a list of things that enable us. They become the lens if you will, of how we view the vision, how we view who we are, how we view what we're trying to do. And I think that distinction, at least for me was very, very important. And I just share that with all of you listening, to approach core values from this perspective of, how do we want to set the view of where we are going? Of who we are? That's what core value is. It's defining us, not defining what we value in the sense of making a profit or... and that's important but we value diversity. And again, I'm not trying to dismiss any of that as relevant, but in my mind, there's a distinction there, I've set up the food for thought. Culture, let us just take one or two minutes. How is culture important in this process from a CEO perspective? DAVID: I've actually evolved as I've gotten older in years and had more experiences, made more good decisions and made more poor decisions, and lived with the consequences of both. I've always been a very metric driven person and would probably define my default management style as in a kind of a KPI terms, right? Key Performance Indicators. I've recognized over the years that if you had to pick, culture is frankly not only more important than the financial metrics, but the financial metrics are more dependent upon a healthy culture to produce them over the long-term, then the people realized that, then I probably appreciated it in the early chapters of my profession. And I'm really... We've hired quite a few people in the last year or two as the company continues to grow and expand in different parts of the country and write more business and in States all around the country. Culture, I think is sometimes the most misunderstood word that's commonly used. And people say, well tell me about your culture. And I say, I can give you kind of my culture speech, but if you want to know what the culture... If people have the opportunity to come to the company, we're not all but most of the employees are based and you walk around, the question that I've asked people to observe for themselves without any ability by me to influence it, is walk around, look at the way that people engage with one another, do their mannerisms show that they are genuinely interested in the discussions that they're having? Are they smiling? Are they able to have a little fun? Are they self-deprecating? Is their energy... Is it a library or look at where it feels like a professional salt mine? Or is it a place where there's vibrancy and laughter but it's also professional and it's very intentional. And so I think that if you have an organization where people feel safe, which has a lot to do with these core values, right- MARK: Right, right. DAVID: ... They feel safe because it's not politicized, there is an expectation that what you hear is honest. Then I think it gives people the ability to be their unguarded cells and be comfortable. And to me, that's culture, that's the culture you want. Because that's where you start to get true performance out of folks- MARK: Right. DAVID: ... because they feel that they can spread their wings, take some risks. And sometimes the risk for somebody who's just putting themselves out there to suggest something, where that might be not in their default picture. MARK: The way I describe this as again, a member of the ALPS family, culture in my mind... A healthy culture encourages, enables, allows, et cetera, mutual investment so that all of us regardless of position, are able to increase to invest in what we're doing as a group. But the organization also invests in us. It's a two-way street. And perhaps it's another way of saying, I think, culture when it's really working, is the... So I've talked about the lens. Core values is the lens that we look at vision, all this. The culture is living the vision. It is walking the talk of what our values say at our... and it is moving towards something, a common goal. Now, I'd love to hear your comment on vision planning in general. ALPS is a corporation. We don't all sit down, all of us and get together. And what's the vision. How do we get to our vision? Can you just give a brief overview of the process? What does that look like? DAVID: Sure. I mean, I think in order to have a vision that you can communicate in order to get the people who you depend upon to make the vision a reality on board, you first have to have a very clear and honest reckoning with where you are right now, right? You can't portray yourself as something other than what you are, or other than the state in which you are in. And so when you say this is who we are, this is where we are. And then this is where we're going. And this is why, right? Because I think, in private enterprise too often, the objective is more. MARK: Yes. DAVID: More is a lot of things, but sustainably inspiring to an employee population. It is not, right? People need to understand what's in it for me? Why, should I be as excited about the vision casting and where we're going? You've told me where we are, you've shown me where we're going. You've outlined some way station milestones in between here and there. Tell me why I should be fully bought in to this pursuit, because it is easier to just do what we're doing right now. Well, and not really venture out with all of the risks and work that are involved with going out onto the vision timeline. And so, I think one of the key approaches is to bring clarity to what those points look like and bring transparent explanation for the reasons, because you are asking people to do more and, or do different than what they are doing right now. MARK: Right. DAVID: And people need to know why they should do that. MARK: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Mm-hmm (affirmative). And I can also share, it includes, sort of measurable metrics. It's one thing to say, well, my vision is to be the most profitable family law firm in greater Montana or something. But if you don't have a pass, we need to sit down and I can assure you folks, we do. That's part of this strategic planning process. David, I want to give you a little bit time, if we still have some time to talk about the Mansfield Center. But before we get to that, can you just... Share what you feel comfortable sharing. What does the future look like for ALPS? DAVID: Sure. We are- MARK: In terms of your long-term vision? DAVID: Yeah, well, so ALPS, it's got such a great three decades of history. MARK: Yeah. DAVID: It started in the wake of the S&L crisis, when there was a genuine crisis of a complete lack of availability for legal malpractice insurance, particularly for the smallest firms. MARK: Right. DAVID: Right? ALPS was one of a handful of kind of white Knights that were created by State Bars in order to solve this problem. Obviously the market has evolved in different cycles over the last three decades. The crisis went away. We've had times when it's been very, very competitive and at times where has been very problematic from a loss perspective. And so, what ALPS has always been is, a direct carrier, a direct insurer of legal malpractice, the GEICO or Progressive, of lawyers malpractice. And it's far more common to have these commercial lines of insurance traded through brokers or agents. And I do believe that brokers and agents provide an important value proposition- MARK: Oh, yes. DAVID: ... for midsize and larger commercial risks in general. But they add a very significant cost as a percentage of the full transaction. And so I think one of the reasons why we've been as successful as we have been particularly in the last five to 10 years, is because we've been able to take the economics that traditionally go to brokers and agents, and share those economics between insureds and the company, really more to the benefit of the insurance. We didn't make this up. It's how Progressive and GEICO- MARK: Right. DAVID: ... permanently disrupted the Personal Lines Industry several decades ago. So, we are not pioneers, I think we've done things differently- MARK: Yeah. DAVID: ... and in many ways done things better as it relates to Commercial lines. But that's been our journey. So, in brief, Mark, to answer your question, the States that we are not in, we need to be in, now there are only a very small number of States that we have no appetite to be in, right? But for the 47 States where we do have an appetite, the States that we're not in, we need to be in. The States that we are in, we need to have critical mass in. MARK: Yes. DAVID: There are States where we're in, but we're not a substantial player. I mean, there are States where we are the undisputed largest- MARK: Right. DAVID: ... LPL carrier by policy count in the state. And there are multiple States where we are that. But there are also a lot of States where we have a very small market share. We need to have critical mass. And then eventually, as we gain more critical mass in places where we don't yet have it, we can start to look laterally and offer products other than legal malpractice. Right now we do legal malpractice, Cyber and EPL, Employment Practices Liability. But our attorneys who buy from us, arguably, the most important risk transfer product that they buy, they trust us directly with. And so we can bring to them offerings of other insurance products whether or not our balance sheet specifically is protecting or not, that's a step. And then eventually, we have ambitions to get into other lines of commercial business beyond legal malpractice. It could be accountants, it could be miscellaneous errors and emissions. I mean, we are now... What I'm describing now, I would put in the intermediate to long-term time horizon- MARK: Yes, right. DAVID: ... not in the short to early intermediate. But those are... When we have vision, I have a timeline illustration that I'm sure both of you and I are picturing in our minds right now, because we've both seen it, that shows for the purpose of employees. These are the steps along our path, going to this place, here is why we're doing this. This is why we think it's important. And I think just as important as that, and I guess, I think the next observation that maybe the final one that I'll offer will kind of wind in almost all of your questions. For me, I think it's important to acknowledge what we are and what we aren't. I think some companies love... And I'm not criticizing this, it works for them. They create almost a cult like atmosphere right there, where you just bleed the color of the company. And I think that that's great and cool, and for some companies. I don't believe that for what we do, right? We are a lawyer's malpractice insurance company, right? So we are not ending homelessness, we are not feeding- MARK: Right. DAVID: ... hungry kids, right? To be sure, the money that we're making enables us to be generous to others- MARK: Absolutely. DAVID: ... and that is a significant priority for us. I think we've had the ability to do a lot of really wonderful things- MARK: Yeah, yeah. DAVID: ... with that, but our core business isn't digging wells in impoverished nations. And so, I think it's not only okay to me, it's important to say, this is a job, a career, it's a place to labor alongside of people who you trust and hopefully who you enjoy. And I think the reason why people at ALPS, why we have so little turnover and why by all of our measuring techniques, people seem to have a very positive perspective of being here, because they can get up and look in the mirror and whether or not legal malpractice was necessarily the job they dreamt up when they were a wee lad, they can nonetheless look in the mirror and say, "We're doing great work." Right? MARK: Yeah. Yeah. DAVID: We create our product honestly and ethically, we sell it transparently. And the instructions that we get from the top on down is, if we owe it we pay it, if we don't know we fight it. We don't really have to get much more complicated than that, right? MARK: Right, right. DAVID: If we've made this promise, keep it. If we haven't made this promise, then we have a responsibility to the other stakeholders to dig in. And so we do dig in and do battle, on occasion. So, that I think is an important aspect of who we are, because it lets people feel... It lets people contextualize the purpose of their role here. I tell people often that I view, I love my job, I love the people who I work with. I look forward to it every day. It is not my life. I take vacation. I largely view the time that I spend here as giving me the means and the ability to do other things, and with other people who I care deeply about. MARK: Yeah. DAVID: So, if you are here 24-7, and on the weekends, you should not be- MARK: Yeah, I agree. DAVID: ...right guys? This should not be your life. MARK: Right. Yeah. DAVID: It should be an important part of your life because of the hours we spend together. But it should not define who you are and it definitely should not be your identity. So, those are kind of, some of the aspects of life under the ALPS umbrella. MARK: Yeah. We're kindred spirits in this regard. If we have a little bit of time and if you need to go, David, you need to go, but I would love if you have a few minutes, you were sharing prior to starting lists, the Mansfield Center. And I suspect a lot of people really have no clue what the Mansfield Center is, and what incredible stuff is happening here in Montana. So, I would love if you could just give a few minutes and share what you'd like to share and fill us in a little bit about what's going on with the Mansfield Center. DAVID: Sure, sure. I mean, I've been on the Mansfield Center Board for probably 15 years. Mansfield Center was created... Mansfield Center and the Mansfield Foundation was created by an Act of Congress, actually. MARK: Oh, wow. DAVID: Senator Mike Mansfield was, I think still to this day, the longest serving Senate president in U.S. history. He and I actually probably don't share ideologically many of the same priorities, but that's the beauty of this whole thing. I mean, Mike Mansfield was... He had kind of epitomized the good old days of bipartisan friendships, deep lasting friendships with people who felt very strongly in opposition politically to aspects of Mike. I recently became the chair of the Mansfield Center Board. Mainly I had a ton of time for the Executive Director. She's wonderful. And I believe that we're in a very... We all know that we're in a precarious time in our country. We all know the dangers that are around us. MARK: Yeah. DAVID: But I also think that there is a national yearning for bipartisanship, for civility, for cooperation. And the Mansfield Center is an ideal national and regional too in the Rocky Mountain West, but national vehicle to channel those types of things. So for example, we have, Dr. Fauci coming up in event that we've planned. We've got the chair of the Problem Solver Caucus, chairs. And if you're not familiar with the PSC which goes under "new labels" sometimes, it's worth a Google. PSC, Problem Solver Caucus, 50 Republicans, 50 Democrats in the house. They are a force now, four key legislation really needs to involve the Problem Solvers Caucus. And you have... It's just such an under-reported wonderful example of what is actually going on, which is, the two chairs, a Republican and a Democrat, who probably don't agree on anything politically, but when you listen to these two people talk, it's very clear that they definitely trust one another, that they, I think soundboard and value the opinions of one another as much, or in some cases more than the members of their own party. And so, they are opportunities, I think to harness this yearning. I just did a call with the U.S. Chamber. I'm also on the board there, and the Mansfield Center. And so, my hope over the next 24 months, is to try to play some small role in tethering together organizations like the Mansfield Center and the Chamber and the Bipartisan Policy Center. And these organizations who have this, we have to work together mission, because I think there is an opportunity right now even where people, even who aren't interested in politics, recognize that we have to start to treat one another better. We have to start respecting the opinions of people who we don't agree with more. We have to talk about things. And so, that's why I'm currently kind of somewhat jumped in the deep end of Mansfield Center activities. I think that there's a good opportunity, and I'm privileged to be a part of it. MARK: Well, I'm really pleased that you shared all of this. I absolutely agree with you in terms of the political situation we're in and the amount of discord is going on just crazy. But just hearing this, it brightens my day. I mean, it so does, it's just... I can just speak as a citizen at this point and say, it's hard, it really is hard, to find the bright spots of hope. And this is one, so I really appreciate. DAVID: Yeah, hopefully we'll see more example. I believe that media, social and mainstream, is the greatest threat to our nation's mental health that exists today. And so I just, I hope that there will be more and more opportunities to witness the current examples of healthy bipartisan dialogue that's going on and more, perhaps just as important, lots of opportunities to create, make, and be a part of new ways for people who have been camped for a long time to extend a hand, to be friends. It doesn't mean you have to agree. MARK: Right. Yeah. DAVID: Right? It just means that you have to just listen for a bit and maybe a little give and take, negotiations. Everybody listening to this podcast, they're likely in a profession where negotiation is a central part of what they do. And give and take is an absolute essential ingredient. We need more of that- MARK: Right, right. DAVID: ... political discourse as well. MARK: Yeah. DAVID: It should not be whoever's in control when the pendulum swings that way, as an absolute. So thank you, Mark for that. MARK: Well, you're welcome. And thank you. This is where we're going to need to leave it folks. I know David has got quite a busy day. David, it truly, it's always a pleasure to get together and spend a little time chatting. I thank you for fitting us in today. Folks, I hope you found something of interest and value in this podcast. And as always, if any of you have any additional thoughts about podcast topics or something you'd like to hear about, someone you'd like us to try to visit with, please don't hesitate to reach out. You may reach me at MBaaS, M-B-A-A-S @alpsinsurance.com. So that's it folks. Bye-Bye. Thanks again, David. DAVID: Thank you.
Nearly nine months since the CARES Act became law, ensuring that an economic recession didn't become a depression, Congress is finally close to a successor bill. Dan digs into the negotiations, and what took so long, with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which has taken the lead in crafting new legislation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Washington mourns the tragic passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this past week, Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for the battle to come over filling this Supreme Court vacancy. Editor and CEO of The Dispatch, Stephen Hayes, joins The Fox News Rundown to discuss Republican leadership's goal to push a Supreme Court nomination through the Senate, the impact of President Trump's intentions to nominate a female judge, the options Joe Biden and the Democrats have for this contingency and how the Supreme Court vacancy will influence both the presidential and congressional elections in November. The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled its $1.5 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill last week in hopes to bring both Republican and Democratic leadership back to the negotiating table following last week's rejection of the Senate Republicans' COVID-19 proposal. Jared Halpern spoke to three members of the caucus, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) about what's included in the common ground proposal, how it will impact the deficit and if they are satisfied with the overall negotiations between their party's leadership. Plus, commentary by Former Director of the CDC, Dr. Tom Frieden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bitter partisanship was on full display this week in Washington. Tuesday's State of the Union was full of political theater. President Trump accused of snubbing Speaker Nancy Pelosi's attempt at a handshake. Speaker Pelosi ending the night by dramatically ripping of the President State of the Union speech. And all of that took place just hours before only the third presidential trial in American history where Trump was acquitted of two impeachment charges and avoided removal in a near party-line vote. So, how does America heal and move forward as the 2020 election heats up? This is what we asked Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) earlier this week on the Rundown. He co-chairs the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, whose members all wore purple ties or scarves to State of The Union to symbolize unity. Rep. Reed told host Jessica Rosenthal how he is working with Democrats to get bipartisan bills passed despite a very divided country and Congress. The New York Congressman also laid out a plan to bring down the temperature and bring civility back to Washington D.C.. Because of time, we could not include our entire conversation in our original Fox news Rundown segment. On the Fox News Rundown Extra you will hear our full conversation with Congressman Reed where he addresses more of this week's tense political movements, but explains why he believes most of the country still wants unity, civility and less heated rhetoric. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Senate voted to acquit President Trump on Wednesday clearing him on both articles of impeachment and ending the long process. So, how does America heal and move forward as the 2020 election heats up? Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), who co-chairs the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, and former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN) join the Rundown to discuss if there's a way to resolve America's bitter divide. If you watched the Super Bowl you may have noticed the variety of electric car ads from companies like Audi, Ford and Hummer. But the acceleration of Tesla on Wall Street at the start of 2020 has many confused. FoxNews.com automotive editor Gary Gastelu joins the Fox News Rundown to discuss Tesla's stock fluctuation and what the future of electric cars looks like. Plus, commentary by FOX Business Network's Charlie Gasparino. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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