Podcasts about senate appropriations committee

9:05 – 9:22 (15mins) Dr. Susan Pendergrass, Director of Research at Show-Me Institute, to discuss a potential showdown between the Missouri Senate and Governor Kehoe over some education items? “In a preliminary review of the spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the Senate Appropriations Committee stripped out $50 million that the Republican governor is seeking for the MOScholars program. The move sets up a showdown in the final month of the legislative session with the Republican-controlled House, which previously sided with Kehoe on the issue.”She can also discuss other education bills she is watching (like HB 711 – open enrollment) as the we enter the final week of the session. 9:25 – 9:37 (12mins) Larry Conners Weekly: "Mr. Conner's Neighborhood @LarryConnersUSAHere Is A Very Reliable Idea To Stop Mass Shootings In Schools 9:41 – 9:56 (15mins) Weekly: Jay Ashcroft, former: Missouri Secretary of StateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9:05 – 9:22 (15mins) Dr. Susan Pendergrass, Director of Research at Show-Me Institute, to discuss a potential showdown between the Missouri Senate and Governor Kehoe over some education items? “In a preliminary review of the spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the Senate Appropriations Committee stripped out $50 million that the Republican governor is seeking for the MOScholars program. The move sets up a showdown in the final month of the legislative session with the Republican-controlled House, which previously sided with Kehoe on the issue.”She can also discuss other education bills she is watching (like HB 711 – open enrollment) as the we enter the final week of the session. 9:25 – 9:37 (12mins) Larry Conners Weekly: "Mr. Conner's Neighborhood @LarryConnersUSAHere Is A Very Reliable Idea To Stop Mass Shootings In Schools 9:41 – 9:56 (15mins) Weekly: Jay Ashcroft, former: Missouri Secretary of StateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jefferson City's approximately 14,000 state employees will receive a pay increase in July. The only question is how much they'll receive. Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" this morning. Chairman Hough notes the Senate has approved a one percent pay increase for state employees for every two years of service, up to ten percent. Chairman Hough emphasizes the importance of retaining state employees. During the live interview, he also expressed frustration with a computer system that crashed on Tuesday, impacting the Missouri Senate. Chairman Hough didn't mince words during the interview, saying taxpayers have paid $250-million for a computer system that's not working. He also talked the 404 error on his computer:

It's an annual tradition to have Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Plain Talk for a baseball-only episode contemporaneous to MLB's opening day. Unfortunately, we didn't keep our promise this time, since we're in the closing weeks of the legislative session in Bismarck, and there's a lot going on. When you have the governor on in that context, you have to ask some political questions. We asked Armstrong about amendments made to the property tax plan he's backing by the Senate Appropriations Committee at the behest of Senate Majority Leader David Houge. "I spent six years in D.C. where a lot of times Republicans would walk in and step on a rake before we go vote," the former congressman said. "I think this is an unforced error," he added, "and I think this is what happens when you have a small group of people decide they're going to put amendments onto a bill without vetting it publicly." Armstrong says he objects to lowering the tax credit homeowners would receive from $1,450 to $1,250, as well as the 75% cap on how much of a property tax bill that credit could offset. He also pushed back on intent language which aims to use Legacy Fund dollars to pay for non-primary residence properties which in many cases are owned by people who live out of state. Armstrong also commented on amendments he's backing to ban cell phones in schools, saying it's not making him that popular with his own children. "I have two teenagers at home," he said. "You can about imagine how it's going." Also on this episode, Rep. Dawson Holle, a Republican, and Rep. Jayme Davis, a Democrat, talk about their new Future Caucus, which seeks to bring together a bipartisan group of younger lawmakers so that they can find ways to work together. Holle said it's helpful to coordinate these efforts, especially since older lawmakers don't necessarily understand modern issues. He described one older lawmaker who was confused about artificial intelligence issues. "AI, is that artificial insemination for cows?" Holle says he was asked. "Oh my goodness, no, that is artificial intelligence," he replied. This episode is presented by Lignite Energy Council, an organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the development of North Dakota's abundant lignite resources. Their goal is to maintain a viable lignite coal industry and support the generation of electricity, synthetic natural gas, and valuable byproducts. Visit www.Lignite.com/Podcast to connect and learn more. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

With Congress approving a plan to slash $880 billion from the federal budget, all eyes are turning to Medicaid as the most likely source of cuts. I asked Former North Carolina Health Secretary Kody Kinsley, KFF's Larry Levitt and California Health Care Foundation's Katie Heidorn to join me to discuss the likely shape and impact of proposed cuts, and take questions from UC Berkeley students. Kody called it a “self-licking ice cream cone”—cuts that destabilize the government, leading to further cuts. Larry warned of formula battles that will soon erupt. Katie laid out the devastating effects on state budgets.We've also released this episode as a full video episode on YouTube. Subscribe to The Other 80 YouTube channel for video extras, video episodes and viral healthcare policy content. Click here to watch this episode in full. Watch the full VIDEO version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X110GShMTtE&t=52sRelevant LinksKFF: The Public's View on Potential Changes to MedicaidKFF: Impact of Medicaid Per Capita Cap Kody Kinsley testimony to Congress on MedicaidPre-election episode with Larry LevittKFF: Can Republicans cut $880 Billion without Slashing Medicaid?CBPP: Impact of Medicaid CutsCHCF: Defending Medi-Cal in 2025About Our GuestsKatie Heidorn is the director of state health policy at CHCF, where she leverages the foundation's data, expertise, and partnerships to help California's state government make informed decisions about health care. Katie is based in CHCF's Sacramento office.Katie has nearly two decades of experience working in health policy, government, and nonprofits and is a skilled leader, facilitator, and communicator. She comes to CHCF after more than two years as executive director for the Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP). Before that, Katie was the government affairs advocate for Health Net and the development director and policy lead at the nonprofit California Coverage and Health Initiatives. Katie spent a decade in California state government, including as a deputy secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency and principal consultant in the Senate Appropriations Committee. She is also an alumna of the California Senate Fellows Program.Katie received her master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Comparative Literature from the University of California, Davis.Source: https://www.chcf.org/person/katie-heidorn/Kody...

With support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, AMSEcast is celebrating 250 years of American innovation with expert interviews. CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of Science, Dr. Sudip Parikh joins Alan on this episode to explore the forces shaping scientific progress. He highlights interdisciplinary collaboration, the impact of immigration on innovation, and the need for clear communication in securing research funding. Dr. Parikh also discusses the evolution of U.S. science policy, the role of private investment, and the importance of modernizing dissemination methods. He stresses inspiring future scientists and reducing financial barriers in STEM to sustain American leadership in research and discovery.     Guest Bio Dr. Sudip Parikh is the 19th CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and executive publisher of the Science family of journals, a role he assumed in January 2020. With a background in journalism and materials science from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in macromolecular structure and chemistry from the Scripps Research Institute, Dr. Parikh has built a distinguished career at the intersection of science and policy. He has served as a science advisor to the Senate Appropriations Committee, vice president at Battelle, and senior VP at DIA Global, shaping science policy and innovation.     Show Highlights (2:01) What Dr. Parikh thinks are the primary instigators of innovation and the primary obstacles (6:20) The role of immigration in bringing new ideas to the United States (8:20) Sudip's experience gathering support for scientific innovation when working in Washington, D.C. (12:55) Specific policies from Washington that helped spur innovation (16:06) How to strike a balance between disruptive innovations while maintaining our infrastructure and systems (17:43) Dr. Parikh's role as the publisher of the Science family of journals in bringing new ideas to the table versus making small changes (20:18) What processes will have to change for Science and other journals moving forward (22:15) The best ways to inspire that next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators

There is a lot going on in D.C. right now, and elected officials are working overtime to negotiate ahead of a looming government shutdown deadline. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the senior senator from Washington state, Senator Patty Murray is leading the charge on funding negotiations. At the same time, budget talks are happening about how much the federal government will spend and on what priorities. Looming over all of this is the question of whether the government will meet its obligations because federal funding expires on March 14th. Guests: Senator Patty Murray Related Links: Senate Democrat: Musk, Trump ‘proving every single day they do not know what they are doing’ — The Hil Sen. Patty Murray on the state of the Senate —1A Thank you to the supporters of KUOW. You help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Governor Mike Kehoe (R) has unveiled a $130-million pay increase plan for state employees, which would increase pay for Jefferson City's 14,000 state employees and state employees across Missouri. Governor Kehoe announced his plan during this week's State of the State address. He says his plan provides funding to support a one percent salary increase for every two years of service, up to ten percent for all state employees. The governor says state employees who work in 24/7 facilities like state prisons and state veterans homes who already have this time of service pay plan will receive a one percent cost of living adjustment. Governor Kehoe is proposing a $53-billion state operating budget. Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri". Chairman Hough is reviewing the pay plan and likes what he says. He also praises Governor Kehoe's emphasis on public safety. Guest co-host Marc Ellinger asked Chairman Hough about the Chiefs' stadium situation. Senator Hough tells listeners that he's met with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and that he believes there's a path forward to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri:

GDP Script/ Top Stories for January 3rdPublish Date: January 3rdFrom the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.Today is Friday, January 3rd and Happy Birthday to John Paul JohnsI’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. 1. Police looking for suspects in thefts at multiple gas stations 2. Georgia Falls to Notre Dame in College Football Playoff 3. Two XPress Park And Ride Lots In Gwinnett Could Close In June. Here's What We Know. All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe!Break 1: 07.14.22 KIA MOGSTORY 1: Police looking for suspects in thefts at multiple gas stationsGwinnett County police are searching for two men accused of stealing cigarettes from gas stations in four communities, including two in Gwinnett County. The suspects allegedly cut the lock to a cigarette cage at a RaceTrac near Coolray Field on Dec. 8 and stole multiple cartons. Similar thefts occurred in Snellville, Athens, and Ellenwood. The suspects fled in a black Dodge Durango. Police urge anyone with information to contact detectives or Crime Stoppers, where tips can remain anonymous.STORY 2: Georgia Falls to Notre Dame in College Football PlayoffGeorgia's football season ended with a 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl. The game, delayed due to a terrorist attack, saw Georgia take an early lead but falter after Notre Dame's strong plays at the end of the first half and start of the second. Georgia's Gunner Stockton, in his first start, threw for 234 yards but was sacked four times. Notre Dame's Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, solidifying their lead. Despite a late touchdown, Georgia couldn't rally, ending their season with an 11-3 record.STORY 3: Two XPress Park And Ride Lots In Gwinnett Could Close In June. Here's What We Know.The Atlanta Transit Link Authority (The ATL) plans to implement the "Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0" initiative in June, potentially ending XPress bus services for Dacula and Snellville commuters to Atlanta due to decreased ridership post-pandemic. The plan includes closing 10 XPress Park and Ride lots, with Dacula and Snellville commuters redirected to nearby locations. The initiative aims to optimize funding use while maintaining essential services. Public feedback will be solicited from Jan. 13 to Feb. 12. New services include a "Reverse Commute" line and a new route connecting Marietta to Sugarloaf Mills. 2 / 3We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.We’ll be right backBreak 2: 08.05.24 OBITS_FINALSTORY 4: Deadline extended for Helene victims to apply for federal benefitsThe deadline for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for Hurricane Helene victims in Georgia has been extended to February 7. DUA aids those whose income was disrupted by the disaster, including self-employed individuals and those not eligible for state unemployment benefits. Hurricane Helene caused significant damage in late September, affecting numerous counties and resulting in 34 deaths. Governor Brian Kemp plans to propose a state disaster relief package. Eligible individuals can apply for DUA benefits, potentially receiving up to $365 weekly, by applying through the Georgia Department of Labor's website or in person.STORY 5: Peachtree Ridge Grad Cameron Heyward Named to 7th Pro BowlCameron Heyward, a Peachtree Ridge graduate, was named a Pro Bowl starter for the AFC defensive line, marking his seventh career selection. At 35, Heyward continues to excel, with 70 tackles, eight sacks, and eight passes defensed this season for the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers. A team captain for a decade, Heyward has been with the Steelers since being drafted in 2011. Known for his community service, he is a six-time Steelers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year awardee. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will feature a flag football game on February 2 in Orlando. Break 3:STORY 6: Ossoff, Warnock pick up new committee assignmentsGeorgia's U.S. Senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, have secured key committee roles as the 119th Congress begins. Ossoff joins the Senate Appropriations Committee, overseeing the federal budget, while Warnock is appointed to the Senate Finance Committee, focusing on tax and trade policies. Warnock aims to protect safety net programs and oppose tax cuts for the wealthy. Ossoff will also remain on the Senate Intelligence and Rules committees, and Warnock on the Agriculture and Banking committees. President-elect Donald Trump plans to extend 2017 tax cuts and impose tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada.STORY 7: GET OUT THERE: 5 things to do this weekend in Gwinnett County — Jan. 3-5Looking for weekend activities? Check out these local events:1. **Repticon**: Visit the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds for a reptile event with vendors, live seminars, and raffles. It's family-friendly and runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3 / 32. **Frosty Fun in Duluth**: Enjoy a day of inflatable slides, crafts, and activities at Duluth Town Green on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.3. **Winter Lantern Festival**: Explore a lantern wonderland at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, open daily through January 5 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.4. **Slow Pour Sunday Market**: Discover local crafts and vendors at Slow Pour Brewing Company in Lawrenceville on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.5. **The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill**: Skate at Sugar Hill's ice rink with sessions available Friday through Sunday. Enjoy 90-minute sessions with rentals available.Break 4: Ingles Markets 1Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.comDid you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: · www.ingles-markets.com · www.wagesfuneralhome.com · www.kiamallofga.com #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textDr. Sudip Parikh, Ph.D. ( https://www.aaas.org/person/sudip-parikh ), is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Executive Publisher of the Science family of journals and has spent the last two decades at the nexus of science, policy, and business.Prior to joining AAAS, Dr. Parikh was senior vice president and managing director at Drug Information Association (DIA Global), a neutral, multidisciplinary organization for healthcare product development where he led strategy in the Americas and oversaw DIA programs that catalyzed progress globally toward novel regulatory frameworks for advanced therapies.Prior to DIA, Dr. Parikh was a vice president at Battelle, a multibillion-dollar research and development organization, where he led two business units with over 500 scientific, technical, and computing experts performing basic and applied research, developing medicines and healthcare devices, developing agricultural products, and creating advanced analytics and artificial intelligence applications to improve human health.From 2001 to 2009, Dr. Parikh served as science advisor to the Republican leadership of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, where he was responsible for negotiating budgets for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and other scientific and health agencies.As a key legislative liaison to the research and development ecosystem, Dr. Parikh was on the frontlines of many science policy issues debated during that time, including embryonic stem cell research, cloning, disease surveillance, bioterrorism, cyber security, and doubling the NIH budget.An active member of the scientific advocacy community, Dr. Parikh serves as a board member and officer for several impactful organizations, including Research!America ( https://www.researchamerica.org/ ), which he has chaired since 2023, Friends of Cancer Research, and ACT for NIH.  He also serves as co-chair of the Science and Technology Action Committee ( https://sciencetechaction.org/ ), Science CEO Group, and the Coalition for Trust in Health and Science ( https://trustinhealthandscience.org/ ).  He is also a member of the Board of Life Sciences of the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.Dr. Parikh is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations. He has also received multiple public service awards, including recognition from the Society for Women's Health Research, the American Association of Immunologists, the National AIDS Alliance, the Coalition for Health Services Research, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.Early in his career, Dr. Parikh was a Presidential Management Intern at the NIH. He was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship while earning his Ph.D. in macromolecular structure and chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif.  There, he used structural biology and biochemistry techniques to probe the mechanisms of DNA repair enzymes.  Dr. Parikh completed undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, first as a journalism major before switching into materials science. #SudipParikh #AAAS #AmericanAssociationForTheAdvancementOfScience #Science #Policy #Business #DrugInformationAssociation #Battelle #ResearchAmerica  #ScienceAndTechnologyActionCommittee #CoalitionForTrustInHealthAndScience #Appropriations #Congress #ArtificialIntelligence #DrugDevelopment #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilitSupport the show

Federal officials testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on how they're dealing with disasters, and U.S. pork exports to the Dominican Republic could reach a record high as African Swine Fever outbreaks continue across the country.

House Ethics Committee does not agree to release its report on expected Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz, Biden Admin. approves giving Ukraine anti-personnel landmines, Senate Appropriations Committee holds a hearing on the President's emergency disaster aid request, House Democrats press President Biden for wide use of clemency power in final weeks in office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate Appropriations Committee holds a high-profile hearing about disaster aid funding. House Republicans consider a one-year farm bill extension. And Republicans are mulling budget scoring avenues for tax cuts they're seeking. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Nov. 20.

On this episode of Agriculture Today, we will learn about ag discussions about disaster aid from a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that took place Wednesday, crop input availability for 2025, an uncertain future for the farm labor market, federal E15 legislation under a second Trump administration, and reports from the 2024 Dairy Summit at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11/01/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting from Regent, ND, and is joined by two rural Democrats to talk about national politics. Joel, Chris Gibbs, and Aaron Krauter cover everything from RFK Jr. potentially serving as the Secretary of Ag to former President Trump threatening Liz Cheney.  Chris Gibbs is an Ohio Farmer, and former Chair of the Republican Party in Selby County Ohio, serving for seven years until 2015. Last year, he was elected as the Chair of the Democratic Party in Selby County in Ohio. He's also the Chair of Rural Voices USA and the Chair of Gateway Arts.  Aaron Krauter served as the North Dakota Farm Service Agency (FSA) StateExecutive Director for the USDA under the Obama administration. Aaron also served in the North Dakota State Senate for twenty years, where he was electedto five 4-year terms. He sat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and from2000-2003 served as Senate Minority Leader.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boone County's longtime sheriff is hoping voters statewide approve Amendment 6 next week. Sheriff Dwayne Carey joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour this weekend on 939 the Eagle's “CEO Roundtable.” Sheriff Carey tells listeners that Amendment 6 would correct a recent Missouri Supreme Court decision that overturned a $3 fee that's been in place since 1983. Sheriff Carey addressed critics who say Amendment 6 would target the poor. He tells listeners that "what people need to realize is the (Missouri) sheriff's retirement system was established in 1983." He's referring to House Bill 81, which was signed by then-Governor Kit Bond. The $3 fund is for the sheriff's retirement as well as former sheriffs, former prosecutors and former circuit attorneys. Sheriff Carey emphasizes it was a bipartisan effort to get the issue on the ballot and thanks numerous lawmakers in both parties for assisting. Sheriff Carey praises Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) and State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City). Sheriff Carey also praises the assistance of State Reps. Kathy Steinhoff, David Tyson Smith and Adrian Plank (all D-Columbia) and State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Kansas City) for helping get the measure out of committee and on the ballot. Sheriff Carey and Mr. Parry also discussed public safety during the hour-long interview, including crime and gangs:

So far this year, the city of Boston has recorded a grand total of 8 homicides while the similarly populated city of Washington D.C has had 110. Professor Thomas Abt, founding director of the Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction explains what Boston is doing right. Plus, noted nutrition expert, Michael Jacobson reveals his latest project, The National Food Museum, to promote critical thinking about food's impact on health, the environment, farm animal welfare, social equity, global and domestic hunger, and how the food industry and politics affect what we eat.Thomas Abt is the founding director of the Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction (VRC) and an associate research professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Professor Abt is the author of "Bleeding Out: The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence—and a Bold New Plan for Peace in the Streets" His work is cited in academic journals and featured in major media outlets, both print and video. His TED talk on community violence has been viewed more than 200,000 times.Here's the important thing to remember. It's not just about police, and it can't just be about police… It's also important to have balance… So, while you're engaging these high-risk individuals, these people who are most likely to shoot or be shot, you need to back up those warnings of enforcement with offers of support and services. And that's something that's happening in Boston.Thomas AbtWhen you look at correlations between the restrictiveness of state laws and about how many guns there are, it's about the access to guns. And when access to guns is particularly easy, that's when you have higher rates of violence. Now, in D.C. they have restrictive gun laws, but they're closer to states that have much more permissive laws, particularly in the South. And no city is an island.Thomas AbtWhile you're hearing a lot of fear mongering out there about violent crime. The truth is that we have erased that massive surge that happened during the pandemic. And that's very good news.Thomas AbtMichael Jacobson holds a PhD. in microbiology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he co-founded and then led the Center for Science in the Public Interest for four decades. Dr. Jacobson is the author of “Salt Wars: The Battle Over the Biggest Killer in the American Diet.” And he is the founder of the National Food Museum.Some of the exhibits will focus on how healthier diets could improve our health, how better farming techniques could improve the climate. And there's that intersection between climate and health. I thought of making a cow a symbol for the museum. Or maybe an anti-symbol, because meat-eating is a major contributor to disease; and it's a major contributor to climate change and other environmental issues and animal welfare issues, of course. The museum will get into those.Michael JacobsonThere are so many fascinating issues related to food. You know, I think about the history of the human diet, going back to the Stone Age, say 10 or 12 ,000 years ago, and the future of the human diet. It would be wonderful to have an exhibit, showing how diet has changed and may well change in the next 75 years, when many kids just growing up will still be alive.Michael JacobsonAnd in addition to all the wonderful improvements that you're going to exhibit and inform people about once this museum gets underway, you want people to enjoy it and have fun. That's what you've always been about, Mike.Ralph NaderIn Case You Haven't Heard with Franceso DeSantisNews 8/7/241. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz who presided over the passage of an impressive list of progressive priorities in Minnesota, arrayed a broad coalition of Democratic leaders behind his bid for the VP slot, including organized labor, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. His key rival, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, faced increasing scrutiny over his support for anti-public school vouchers, his history of anti-Palestinian racism, and involvement with the shady cover-up in the death of Ellen Greenberg. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised the selection of Walz, writing in a statement “By selecting Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Kamala Harris chose a principled fighter and labor champion who will stand up for working people and strengthen this historic ticket.”2. In the UK, the new Labour government continues sending mixed signals on their Middle East policy. Last Friday, the Daily Mail reported the government had implemented a “secret arms boycott,” of Israel, supposedly “freez[ing] applications for new weapons export licences.” Yet on Monday, the Middle East Eye reported that the government has denied this report and maintains that “there has been ‘no change' in its approach to export licences.” The Guardian adds “Although [British] military exports to Israel were only estimated at £18.2m last year, an arms embargo is widely perceived as an appropriate and powerful means to register disapproval of Israel's actions towards the Palestinians.”3. The Canary, a left-wing British new outlet, reports “During the early hours of the morning of Tuesday 6 August, six Palestine Action activists were arrested after they broke inside and damaged weaponry inside the highly secured Bristol manufacturing hub of Israel's largest weapons company, Elbit Systems.” According to this report, the group “used a prison van to smash through the outer perimeter and the roller shutters into the building,” and “Once…inside, they began damaging…machinery and Israeli quadcopter drones.” As the Canary notes, “Elbit System…supplies up to 85% of Israel's military drones and land-based equipment.” Palestine Action issued a statement on this protest, writing “As a party to the Genocide Convention, Britain has a responsibility to prevent the occurrence of genocide. When our government fails to abide by their legal and moral obligations, it's the responsibility of ordinary people to take direct action.”4. Semafor reports “In January, The Wall Street Journal made an explosive claim: Quoting ‘intelligence reports,' the paper reported that not only had 12 members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, taken part in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, but 10% of the relief agency's 12,000 workers in Gaza had ties to militant groups.” Yet, “months later, the paper's top editor overseeing standards privately made an admission: The paper didn't know — and still doesn't know —whether the allegation, based on Israeli intelligence reports, was true.” As Semafor notes, the fact that this story was “based on information [the paper] could not verify is a startling acknowledgment, and calls into question the validity of the claims.” This unconfirmed story resulted in more than a dozen nations – among them the US, the UK, and Germany – freezing their funding for UNRWA, totaling $450 million.5. Federal News Network reports “The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved… funding the Defense Department at $852.2 billion, a 3.3% increase over fiscal [year] 2024.” In other words, another year, another $10 billion for the Pentagon. In 2023, the Department of Defense failed its sixth audit in a row, per Reuters.In more positive news, this has been a banner week for consumer protection action at the federal level.6. On August 2nd, the FTC reported “On behalf of the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice sued video-sharing platform TikTok, its parent company ByteDance, as well as its affiliated companies, with flagrantly violating a children's privacy law—the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act—and also alleged they infringed an existing FTC 2019 consent order against TikTok for violating COPPA.” Specifically, “The complaint alleges defendants failed to comply with the COPPA requirement to notify and obtain parental consent before collecting and using personal information from children under the age of 13.” FTC Chair Lina Khan is quoted saying “TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids' privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country…The FTC will continue to use the full scope of its authorities to protect children online—especially as firms deploy increasingly sophisticated digital tools to surveil kids and profit from their data.”7. On August 1st, the Consumer Product Safety Commission ruled that online retail titan Amazon qualifies as a “distributor” and “therefore bears a legal responsibility for recalling dangerous products and informing customers and the public,” per NPR. This report continues to say this decision “stems from a lawsuit filed by the CPSC against Amazon in 2021 over a slew of [unsafe] products offered on the retailer's platform… [including] children's sleepwear that didn't meet federal flammability standards, carbon monoxide detectors that failed to detect carbon monoxide and sound their alarms, and hair dryers that didn't protect against electrocution when immersed in water. Amazon sold more than 418,000 units between 2018 and 2021.” Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director at U.S. PIRG is quoted saying “This order is about making sure Amazon is just as accountable as every other company that sells products to consumers who often think that if something is for sale, it must be safe.”8. AP reports “Coca-Cola…said Friday it will pay $6 billion in back taxes and interest to the Internal Revenue Service while it appeals a final federal tax court decision in a case dating back 17 years.” This lawsuit began in 2015 and centered around how the beverage giant “calculate[s] U.S. income based on profits amounting to more than $9 billion from foreign licensees and affiliates.” The company has been enjoying increased profitability this quarter, reportedly “boosted by product price increases.”9. “The D.C. attorney general is suing online ticket provider StubHub for allegedly adding surprise fees onto a needlessly long checkout process in violation of local consumer protection laws,” the Washington Post reports. Specifically, this suit alleges “StubHub deceives customers by offering them an incomplete price at first, then making them go through a purchase process that can involve more than 12 pages — with a timer to impart a sense of urgency — and adding extra fees.” The office of Brian Schwalb, the D.C. AG, alleges StubHub has “[extracted] an estimated $118 million in hidden fees,” from District consumers, using “drip pricing” – described by the FTC as “a pricing technique in which firms advertise only part of a product's price and reveal other charges later as the customer goes through the buying process.” This model is illegal under the District's Consumer Protection Procedures Act.10. Finally, “The Justice Department and several dozen state attorneys general won a sweeping victory against Google Monday as a federal judge ruled that the search giant illegally monopolized the online search and advertising markets over the past decade,” per POLITICO. In a lengthy ruling U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google “locked up some 90 percent of the internet search market through a partnership with Apple to be the default search provider in its Safari web browser, alongside similar agreements with handset makers and mobile carriers such Samsung and Verizon. Mehta also found that Google disadvantaged Microsoft in the market for ads displayed next to search results, allowing it to illegally dominate that market as well.” Judge Mehta further stated that “Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly.” Attorney General Merrick Garland commented “This victory against Google is a historic win for the American people…No company — no matter how large or influential — is above the law. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce our antitrust laws.”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

For review:1. Iran State TV reports that a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh- and not an explosive device planted in the building beforehand (as previously reported by other media). The televised statement says a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation. 2. New York Times Report: Iran has arrested dozens of suspects in the investigation of the Ismail Haniyeh assassination. The arrested parties included senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff workers at the guest house where Haniyeh was killed.3. US CENTCOM Commander Travels to Region.According to a US official, General Michael Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf countries, Jordan and Israel.4. Article from Air & Space Forces Magazine: US Deploys F-22 Squadron to CENTCOM AOR.5. During comments at the funeral for Senior Military Commander Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah promised a “new phase” of conflict with Israel.6. Australia Invests in Collins-Class Submarines. A government statement reports that $2.2 billion (AUD) is for sustainment, and  part of a broader “$4 to $5 billion (AUD) commitment to keeping the Collins-class submarines as a potent strike and deterrence capability.” 7. The Royal Australian Air Force has received the first MQ-4C Triton Drone. The MQ-4C Triton will be used for high-altitude and long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting missions alongside the Royal Australian Air Force's current P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.8. USAF anticipates annual foreign military sales to grow by 60% this fiscal year to more than $46 billion- up from $23 billion in FY23.  Projected increase is due largely to F-35 and F-16 purchases. 9. Senate Appropriations Committee FY25 Spending Bill Info.Senate appropriators have put forward a $852.2 billion defense spending bill for FY25. 

Crosstalk listeners get caught up on news stories from around the world each Friday. Here's a selection of stories that Jim presented this week-----Tuesday evening it was revealed by the Wall Street Journal that President Biden is delaying the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.----The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with no rules and with no red lines if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.----U.S. military officials on June 19th confirmed that an air strike in Syria did kill a top terrorist leader in ISIS over the past weekend.----The high price of tobacco in Gaza has given rise to a cigarette smuggling industry and now threatens U.N. aid convoys.----The Biden administration's decision to spend 230 million dollars worth of hard-working American tax dollars on the humanitarian pier off the cost of Gaza seemed ill advised from the start.----Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24th. ----Over 50 synagogues in Florida were forced to evacuate on Tuesday after receiving bomb threats via email sparking a massive response from law enforcement and concerns about rising antisemitism.----Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, requested 2.5 million dollars for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound last month for the construction for a clinic.----The international shipping industry demanding action after Islamic terrorists, backed by Iran, sunk a major vessel in the Red Sea in the last several days.----The police in London do nothing as a Muslim activist led a hunt for Jews.

Crosstalk listeners get caught up on news stories from around the world each Friday. Here's a selection of stories that Jim presented this week-----Tuesday evening it was revealed by the Wall Street Journal that President Biden is delaying the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.----The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with no rules and with no red lines if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.----U.S. military officials on June 19th confirmed that an air strike in Syria did kill a top terrorist leader in ISIS over the past weekend.----The high price of tobacco in Gaza has given rise to a cigarette smuggling industry and now threatens U.N. aid convoys.----The Biden administration's decision to spend 230 million dollars worth of hard-working American tax dollars on the humanitarian pier off the cost of Gaza seemed ill advised from the start.----Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24th. ----Over 50 synagogues in Florida were forced to evacuate on Tuesday after receiving bomb threats via email sparking a massive response from law enforcement and concerns about rising antisemitism.----Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, requested 2.5 million dollars for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound last month for the construction for a clinic.----The international shipping industry demanding action after Islamic terrorists, backed by Iran, sunk a major vessel in the Red Sea in the last several days.----The police in London do nothing as a Muslim activist led a hunt for Jews.

Crosstalk listeners get caught up on news stories from around the world each Friday. Here's a selection of stories that Jim presented this week-----Tuesday evening it was revealed by the Wall Street Journal that President Biden is delaying the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.----The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with no rules and with no red lines if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.----U.S. military officials on June 19th confirmed that an air strike in Syria did kill a top terrorist leader in ISIS over the past weekend.----The high price of tobacco in Gaza has given rise to a cigarette smuggling industry and now threatens U.N. aid convoys.----The Biden administration's decision to spend 230 million dollars worth of hard-working American tax dollars on the humanitarian pier off the cost of Gaza seemed ill advised from the start.----Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24th. ----Over 50 synagogues in Florida were forced to evacuate on Tuesday after receiving bomb threats via email sparking a massive response from law enforcement and concerns about rising antisemitism.----Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, requested 2.5 million dollars for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound last month for the construction for a clinic.----The international shipping industry demanding action after Islamic terrorists, backed by Iran, sunk a major vessel in the Red Sea in the last several days.----The police in London do nothing as a Muslim activist led a hunt for Jews.

Crosstalk listeners get caught up on news stories from around the world each Friday. Here's a selection of stories that Jim presented this week:--Tuesday evening it was revealed by the Wall Street Journal that President Biden is delaying the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.--The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with no rules and with no red lines if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.--U.S. military officials on June 19th confirmed that an air strike in Syria did kill a top terrorist leader in ISIS over the past weekend.--The high price of tobacco in Gaza has given rise to a cigarette smuggling industry and now threatens U.N. aid convoys.--The Biden administration's decision to spend 230 million dollars worth of hard-working American tax dollars on the humanitarian pier off the cost of Gaza seemed ill advised from the start.--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24th. --Over 50 synagogues in Florida were forced to evacuate on Tuesday after receiving bomb threats via email sparking a massive response from law enforcement and concerns about rising antisemitism.--Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, requested 2.5 million dollars for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound last month for the construction for a clinic.--The international shipping industry demanding action after Islamic terrorists, backed by Iran, sunk a major vessel in the Red Sea in the last several days.--The police in London do nothing as a Muslim activist led a hunt for Jews.

Crosstalk listeners get caught up on news stories from around the world each Friday. Here's a selection of stories that Jim presented this week-----Tuesday evening it was revealed by the Wall Street Journal that President Biden is delaying the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.----The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with no rules and with no red lines if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.----U.S. military officials on June 19th confirmed that an air strike in Syria did kill a top terrorist leader in ISIS over the past weekend.----The high price of tobacco in Gaza has given rise to a cigarette smuggling industry and now threatens U.N. aid convoys.----The Biden administration's decision to spend 230 million dollars worth of hard-working American tax dollars on the humanitarian pier off the cost of Gaza seemed ill advised from the start.----Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24th. ----Over 50 synagogues in Florida were forced to evacuate on Tuesday after receiving bomb threats via email sparking a massive response from law enforcement and concerns about rising antisemitism.----Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, requested 2.5 million dollars for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound last month for the construction for a clinic.----The international shipping industry demanding action after Islamic terrorists, backed by Iran, sunk a major vessel in the Red Sea in the last several days.----The police in London do nothing as a Muslim activist led a hunt for Jews.

Crosstalk listeners get caught up on news stories from around the world each Friday. Here's a selection of stories that Jim presented this week:--Tuesday evening it was revealed by the Wall Street Journal that President Biden is delaying the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.--The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with no rules and with no red lines if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.--U.S. military officials on June 19th confirmed that an air strike in Syria did kill a top terrorist leader in ISIS over the past weekend.--The high price of tobacco in Gaza has given rise to a cigarette smuggling industry and now threatens U.N. aid convoys.--The Biden administration's decision to spend 230 million dollars worth of hard-working American tax dollars on the humanitarian pier off the cost of Gaza seemed ill advised from the start.--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24th. --Over 50 synagogues in Florida were forced to evacuate on Tuesday after receiving bomb threats via email sparking a massive response from law enforcement and concerns about rising antisemitism.--Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, requested 2.5 million dollars for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound last month for the construction for a clinic.--The international shipping industry demanding action after Islamic terrorists, backed by Iran, sunk a major vessel in the Red Sea in the last several days.--The police in London do nothing as a Muslim activist led a hunt for Jews.

Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) has returned from his trip to the southern border in Texas. Senator Hough joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", telling listeners that he spoke to Border Patrol agents and to Missouri National Guard troops at the border. Senator Hough says about 4,000 illegal immigrants are crossing into the United States daily and he praises the Operation Lone Star project that's been touted by Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R). Senator Hough also discussed the Kansas City Chiefs during the live interview. There are legislative efforts underway in Kansas to lure the Chiefs from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to the state of Kansas. The Associated Press (AP) in Topeka reports Kansas lawmakers will consider the proposal during a special legislative session in Topeka on June 18. Senator Hough tells listeners that Missouri is committed to keeping the Kansas City Chiefs in the Show-Me State. He also says he's met with the Hunt family at Arrowhead and that he feels like they want to make a major investment in Arrowhead Stadium, which was built in 1972:

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday to temporarily pause asylum requests at the southern border once daily encounters exceed 2,500. The shutdown begins immediately as the threshold has already been reached. Prosecutors and defense lawyers delivered their opening statements in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial. The prosecution's first witness, an FBI agent, testified about Mr. Biden's drug use. Attorney General Merrick Garland testified before the House Judiciary Committee on the work of the Justice Department. He refused to turn over audio tapes of President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur. Mr. Garland also slammed allegations that the Justice Department is being weaponized against former President Donald Trump. FBI director Christopher Wray testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on his agency's 2025 budget request. The hearing focused on current threats to U.S. national security, including terrorism, cyberattacks, and the Chinese Communist Party. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third five-year term in the general election, but his party failed to win a majority in parliament on its own, and it will likely have to work with other parties in the coalition. ⭕️Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday to temporarily pause asylum requests at the southern border once daily encounters exceed 2,500. The shutdown begins immediately as the threshold has already been reached.Prosecutors and defense lawyers delivered their opening statements in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial. The prosecution's first witness, an FBI agent, testified about Mr. Biden's drug use.Attorney General Merrick Garland testified before the House Judiciary Committee on the work of the Justice Department. He refused to turn over audio tapes of President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur. Mr. Garland also slammed allegations that the Justice Department is being weaponized against former President Donald Trump.FBI director Christopher Wray testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on his agency's 2025 budget request. The hearing focused on current threats to U.S. national security, including terrorism, cyberattacks, and the Chinese Communist Party.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third five-year term in the general election, but his party failed to win a majority in parliament on its own, and it will likely have to work with other parties in the coalition.

The Commerce-Justice-Science subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee pushes for NASA to maintain their schedule, and avoid cost overruns and hold contractors accountable for the Artemis program. A resolution to use space to boost European competitiveness has been agreed to by the European Space Agency and the European Union at the conclusion of a Space Council summit held in Brussels. Amazon's ​​Project Kuiper is actively deorbiting its two prototype satellites ahead of a full-scale deployment of its satellite constellation, and more. Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get in the running for a $100 Amazon gift card. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, Signals and Space, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Ron Birk, Principal Director for  the Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate at the Aerospace Corporation. You can connect with Ron on LinkedIn and learn more about the Aerospace Corporation on their website. Selected Reading Senate CJS Appropriators See Artemis as Top NASA Priority – SpacePolicyOnline.com ESA and the EU resolve to strengthen Europe's competitiveness through space Twelve European countries sign up to zero debris space treaty – Euractiv Amazon's Project Kuiper actively deorbits prototype satellites RFP - Space Test Experiment Platform (STEP) 2.0 House proposal could derail Air Force plan to move space Guard units Space Force wants 7 new telescopes in Hawaii. Local residents say 'no' Viasat and Azercosmos to expand satellite services across EMEA and Asia SatixFy Announces First Quarter 2024 Results- Business Wire Policewoman Lai Ka-ying is Hong Kong's first to land prestigious space role- The Standard Space Force to hold annual Tactically Responsive Space demos NASA Selects Technology Transfer Services Contractor The Tesla Elon Musk Launched Into Space Has A 22 Percent Chance Of Hitting Earth (Eventually)- IFLScience T-Minus Crew Survey We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It'll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri lawmakers have until Friday May 10 to approve a balanced budget, under the state Constitution. The Missouri House has approved an approximately $49-billion state operating budget. A staffer for Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), Jacob Schelp, joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" to discuss the state budget, the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) issue and other bills. Mr. Schelp tells listeners that he expects the budget to hit the Senate floor soon and is confident it will get done. He also says the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) issue will get done. FRA is a key funding mechanism for Missouri Medicaid. Missouri could lose billions of dollars for Medicaid, if FRA isn't extended. 939 the Eagle host Randy Tobler, a physician, tells listeners that many rural Missouri hospitals are running on fumes and need the FRA to be extended. We also discussed Missouri's Medicaid budget. More than 1.3 million Missourians currently receive Medicaid benefits:

Senate passes $95 billion package with aid for Ukraine and Israel The Senate passed a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine and Israel in a vote early Tuesday morning, setting up a showdown with the House as Speaker Mike Johnson has said he does not plan to bring the bill to the floor. The foreign aid package includes billions of dollars to support Ukraine and for security assistance for Israel, as well as humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Ukraine, among other priorities. The bill includes $60 billion to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel, $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance and $4.8 billion to support regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region in addition to other policy provisions, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that he is not planning to put the package on the House floor, setting up a major clash between the two chambers --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hugo-alvarez/message

Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey is excited about this week's groundbreaking ceremony for the new multi-million dollar Boone County Sheriff's regional law enforcement training center in Columbia. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday. Sheriff Carey joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", telling listeners that he's excited. He praises the bipartisan group of people who helped fund the project, crediting Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick (D), along with Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) and House Budget Committee chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage). Sheriff Carey says the facility, when completed, will allow the sheriff's office to expand exceptional law enforcement training to partners statewide. Sheriff Carey notes that since 2020, his department has lacked a permanent training site for law enforcement deputies. The new facility will provide an all-in-one training center for law enforcement and first responders in Boone County, as well as those who serve statewide. The new facility will include a 160-seat training room, a driving simulator, an indoor tactical gun range, a large indoor “warehouse” area for traffic stop training as well as school resource officer training. Construction is expected to be done by late 2025, weather permitting:

Missouri lawmakers are required to approve a balanced budget by Friday May 10, under the state Constitution. Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri". He says the Senate is in a bit of time crunch, noting the House held hearings on the budget since December and approved the budget on April 4. Chairman Hough tells listeners that Jefferson City's approximately 14,000 state employees will receive a pay raise this year. He notes Governor Parson (R) proposed a 3.2 percent pay raise, which the House has approved and the Senate has budgeted for. While Republicans have a 24-10 supermajority in the Missouri Senate and a 111-51 supermajority in the Missouri House, Senator Hough expresses frustration with the Senate Freedom Caucus, which are senators from his own party. Chairman Hough tells "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" that the Senate Freedom Caucus doesn't care about governing. Senator Hough also discussed initiative petition reform, education and charter schools during the interview:

The Missouri House has approved a proposed $46.4 billion state operating budget, which now heads across the Rotunda to the Senate. It includes a 3.2 percent pay raise for Jefferson City's approximately 14,000 state employees. It also contains $727 million to rebuild busy I-44, including placing six lanes in Springfield, Joplin and Rolla. "Missouri Times" publisher Scott Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", telling listeners that he doubts whether Senate Appropriations Committee chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) will even read the budget approved by the House. Mr. Faughn predicts there will be changes in the budget. We also discussed the House Ethics Committee's investigation into Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres). Mr. Faughn predicts the committee's investigation into Speaker Plocher will be wrapped up before the Legislature leaves Jefferson City this week. Faughn tells listeners that the committee "doesn't have anything" and that Speaker Plocher filled out his expense reports incorrectly. Mr. Faughn also discussed Missouri's GOP gubernatorial primary in August:

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode: 3:05pm- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dominated on Super Tuesday. Entering the contest, Trump had earned 273 delegates—he now has 1,004 delegates and is expected to reach the 1,215 delegates needed to officially win the party's nomination as soon as March 12th. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Trump's primary rival Nikki Haley announced she was suspending her campaign after winning only one primary (Vermont) on Tuesday. 3:15pm- Shane Goldmacher and Adam Nagourney of The New York Times write of President Joe Biden's Super Tuesday performance, which saw him reach 1,506 delegates of the 1,968 needed to win the Democrat party's nomination: “But yet again there were flashing lights for a president who is struggling to rally the whole of his party behind him. Nearly 20 percent of Democrats in Minnesota voted for ‘Uncommitted,' in an apparent protest vote against Mr. Biden's support of the Israel military response to the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct 7. Mr. Biden won less than two-thirds of the vote in Hennepin County, home to Minneapolis. The protest was an extension of a campaign that started in Michigan last week, when 13 percent of Democrats voted uncommitted. The larger share in a state with fewer Arab American voters—but a large and active progressive wing—suggested that the movement of voters pressing Mr. Biden for a policy change was gaining traction. There were other signs, too. In Colorado, the noncommitted vote was 8 percent. The ‘no preference' vote in North Carolina hit nearly 13 percent; that is worth noting as Mr. Biden considers contesting a state that Mr. Trump won by a whisker in 2020. It is far from clear what those voters will do this November. But should they back Mr. Trump, support a third-party candidate or just stay home, they could cost Mr. Biden a close election. Minnesota wasn't the only state that cast a bit of a cloud over Mr. Biden's night. In a small indignity for the sitting president, Mr. Biden tied in the delegate race in American Samoa to Jason Palmer, an entrepreneur. (It's really OK if you had not heard of him before.) There are no Electoral College votes in American Samoa.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/us/politics/super-tuesday-trump-biden-takeaways.html 3:25pm- While appearing on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, political analyst and former Obama Administration Advisor Van Jones predicted that if Donald Trump wins the presidency in 2024, Russia would invade European countries—resulting in American soldiers dying overseas. 3:40pm- During a House of Representatives hearing on monetary policy, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) suggested that sending an additional $60 billion in aid to Ukraine would, somehow, help ease domestic inflation. 4:05pm- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dominated on Super Tuesday. Entering the contest, Trump had earned 273 delegates—he now has 1,004 delegates and is expected to reach the 1,215 delegates needed to officially win the party's nomination as soon as March 12th. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Trump's primary rival Nikki Haley announced she was suspending her campaign after winning only one primary (Vermont) on Tuesday. During his victory speech from Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said of the general election: “November 5th is going to go down as the single most important day in the history of our country.” 4:10pm- Wall Street Journal opinion columnist Jason L. Riley writes: “In November, the New York Times and Siena College released polling results in six swing states that are expected to determine the election: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The survey indicated that 22% of blacks would vote for Mr. Trump, along with 42% of Hispanics. In 2020 Mr. Biden won the black vote, 92% to 8% and the Hispanic vote 59% to 38%, according to the Pew Research Center. Black and Hispanic voters have been an important part of the Democratic base for decades, but these coalitions aren't everlasting. In 2016 Mr. Trump won by energizing people who hadn't been politically active. Now he's stealing voters from the other team. A follow-up Times/Siena poll of voters nationwide was released this week and showed black support for the former president ticking up to 23% and Mr. Trump leading Mr. Biden outright among Hispanics, 46% to 40%. The liberal press can't comprehend why nonwhites would back someone who has spread conspiracy theories about Barack Obama's birth certificate, smeared Mexican nationals and taunted his own former transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, for being Asian. But it's not that complicated. According to the survey, more than half of all black and Hispanic respondents rank current economic conditions as ‘poor,' while 26% of blacks and 37% of Hispanics say they will vote for Mr. Trump because his policies benefited them personally.” You can read Riley's full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-worst-nightmare-blacks-and-hispanics-for-trump-economy-2024-presidential-election-fbbe674c?mod=opinion_lead_pos6 4:15pm- During MSNBC's Super Tuesday panel discussion, Joy Reid baselessly claimed that Republican voters are only “voting on race.” However, as numerous polls are indicating, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump may very well win the Hispanic vote outright while concurrently earning the support of a large percentage of Black voters. 4:30pm- The Biden Administration has finally started to police the U.S. Southern border…sort of. Ok, not really. The Department of Justice has charged a California man with smuggling greenhouse gases into the United States. Meanwhile, an undocumented migrant—who is wanted for rape in Oregon—was arrested in Florida, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) refused to take him citing a lack of detention room. During a press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) explained that his administration pressured ICE until it did its job. 4:50pm- BREAKING NEWS: 6ABC Digital Staff writes: “At least eight people were shot at a SEPTA bus stop in Philadelphia's Burholme neighborhood, Action News has learned. The gunfire rang out around 3 p.m. Wednesday at Rising Sun and Cottman avenues. Sources tell Action News that at least four of the eight victims are juveniles. Three of the juveniles suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and the fourth was shot in the chest.” You can find more details about this developing story here: https://6abc.com/philadelphia-shooting-today-septa-bus-stop-rising-sun-cottman-burholme-st-vincent-street/14496671/ 5:05pm- On Wednesday, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough claimed that “this version” of President Joe Biden is the “best Biden ever”—suggesting that the president, at age 81, is as mentally sharp and observant as ever before. Similarly, a recently published New York Times article suggests that Biden's inner circle just needs to “let Joe be Joe” via TikTok posts, late-night talk show appearances, and chatting with reporters. How many 80-year-olds are posting on TikTok? Is this strategy really letting Joe be Joe? 5:15pm- Why did Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis meet with Vice President Kamala Harris before indicting former President Donald Trump? A Georgia court is hearing testimony to determine if Willis should be disqualified from the Georgia election interference case she brought against Trump. According to allegations, Willis engaged in an improper, romantic relationship with the lead prosecutor of the case, Wade—paying him an estimated $650,000 in taxpayer money. Willis is also alleged to have directly derived financial benefit from the relationship with Wade in the form of several extravagant vacations. Last month, Robin Yeartie—a longtime friend of Willis—testified that Willis and Wade had a romantic relationship dating back to 2019. 5:30pm- Grace Ashford of The New York Times writes: “Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has been subpoenaed to appear before a House subcommittee to answer for his administration's handling of nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic, reigniting a flashpoint that could further damage his chances at a political comeback… The Assembly investigation did not directly evaluate whether Mr. Cuomo's order had led to the deadly outbreaks in nursing homes. But it did find that the administration had selectively reported statistics from those facilities to avoid criticism. At issue was New York State's method of categorizing nursing home deaths. The state did not include in its tally nursing home residents who died in hospitals or other facilities from Covid, effectively reducing the reported mortality rates for nursing home residents.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/nyregion/cuomo-covid-nursing-homes-subpoena.html 5:45pm- Leif Le Mahieu of The Daily Wire writes: “House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) is looking into whether GoFundMe and Eventbrite cooperated with federal law enforcement during their investigation into the financial transactions of supporters of former President Donald Trump. Jordan wrote to executives at both companies on Monday, asking them to provide any communications with the FBI and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the Treasury Department. He noted that FinCEN emailed banks about flagging ‘MAGA' and ‘TRUMP' transactions.” You can read the full report here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/jim-jordan-investigating-whether-gofundme-and-eventbrite-helped-feds-snoop-on-trump-supporters 6:05pm- Daniel Chaitin of The Daily Wire writes: “Pennsylvania's senators, both Democrats, have withdrawn a request for $1 million in taxpayer money to support a renovation and expansion project for an LGBT center in Philadelphia after federal funds for the organization were blocked in the House last year. Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) wrote to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday to declare they no longer want an earmark for the William Way LGBT Community Center in spending legislation for the current fiscal year…Word of the $1 million earmark request getting pulled spread on social media on Tuesday evening. The popular Libs of TikTok account on X, run by Chaya Raichik, posted a screenshot of the letter signed by Fetterman. She noted that it followed the account's ‘Exposé' featuring screenshots of advertisements for adults-only events at the center that featured sexually explicit content.” You can read the full report here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/pa-senators-fetterman-and-casey-withdraw-request-for-1m-to-fund-lgbt-center 6:20pm- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dominated on Super Tuesday. Entering the contest, Trump had earned 273 delegates—he now has 1,004 delegates and is expected to reach the 1,215 delegates needed to officially win the party's nomination as soon as March 12th. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Trump's primary rival Nikki Haley announced she was suspending her campaign after winning only one primary (Vermont) on Tuesday. Though she congratulated Trump on his win, she stopped short of endorsing him for president. 6:45pm- Shane Goldmacher and Adam Nagourney of The New York Times write of President Joe Biden's Super Tuesday performance, which saw him reach 1,506 delegates of the 1,968 needed to win the Democrat party's nomination: “But yet again there were flashing lights for a president who is struggling to rally the whole of his party behind him. Nearly 20 percent of Democrats in Minnesota voted for ‘Uncommitted,' in an apparent protest vote against Mr. Biden's support of the Israel military response to the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct 7. Mr. Biden won less than two-thirds of the vote in Hennepin County, home to Minneapolis. The protest was an extension of a campaign that started in Michigan last week, when 13 percent of Democrats voted uncommitted. The larger share in a state with fewer Arab American voters—but a large and active progressive wing—suggested that the movement of voters pressing Mr. Biden for a policy change was gaining traction. There were other signs, too. In Colorado, the noncommitted vote was 8 percent. The ‘no preference' vote in North Carolina hit nearly 13 percent; that is worth noting as Mr. Biden considers contesting a state that Mr. Trump won by a whisker in 2020. It is far from clear what those voters will do this November. But should they back Mr. Trump, support a third-party candidate or just stay home, they could cost Mr. Biden a close election. Minnesota wasn't the only state that cast a bit of a cloud over Mr. Biden's night. In a small indignity for the sitting president, Mr. Biden tied in the delegate race in American Samoa to Jason Palmer, an entrepreneur. (It's really OK if you had not heard of him before.) There are no Electoral College votes in American Samoa.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/us/politics/super-tuesday-trump-biden-takeaways.html

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: Daniel Chaitin of The Daily Wire writes: “Pennsylvania's senators, both Democrats, have withdrawn a request for $1 million in taxpayer money to support a renovation and expansion project for an LGBT center in Philadelphia after federal funds for the organization were blocked in the House last year. Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) wrote to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday to declare they no longer want an earmark for the William Way LGBT Community Center in spending legislation for the current fiscal year…Word of the $1 million earmark request getting pulled spread on social media on Tuesday evening. The popular Libs of TikTok account on X, run by Chaya Raichik, posted a screenshot of the letter signed by Fetterman. She noted that it followed the account's ‘Exposé' featuring screenshots of advertisements for adults-only events at the center that featured sexually explicit content.” You can read the full report here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/pa-senators-fetterman-and-casey-withdraw-request-for-1m-to-fund-lgbt-center Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dominated on Super Tuesday. Entering the contest, Trump had earned 273 delegates—he now has 1,004 delegates and is expected to reach the 1,215 delegates needed to officially win the party's nomination as soon as March 12th. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Trump's primary rival Nikki Haley announced she was suspending her campaign after winning only one primary (Vermont) on Tuesday. Though she congratulated Trump on his win, she stopped short of endorsing him for president. Shane Goldmacher and Adam Nagourney of The New York Times write of President Joe Biden's Super Tuesday performance, which saw him reach 1,506 delegates of the 1,968 needed to win the Democrat party's nomination: “But yet again there were flashing lights for a president who is struggling to rally the whole of his party behind him. Nearly 20 percent of Democrats in Minnesota voted for ‘Uncommitted,' in an apparent protest vote against Mr. Biden's support of the Israel military response to the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct 7. Mr. Biden won less than two-thirds of the vote in Hennepin County, home to Minneapolis. The protest was an extension of a campaign that started in Michigan last week, when 13 percent of Democrats voted uncommitted. The larger share in a state with fewer Arab American voters—but a large and active progressive wing—suggested that the movement of voters pressing Mr. Biden for a policy change was gaining traction. There were other signs, too. In Colorado, the noncommitted vote was 8 percent. The ‘no preference' vote in North Carolina hit nearly 13 percent; that is worth noting as Mr. Biden considers contesting a state that Mr. Trump won by a whisker in 2020. It is far from clear what those voters will do this November. But should they back Mr. Trump, support a third-party candidate or just stay home, they could cost Mr. Biden a close election. Minnesota wasn't the only state that cast a bit of a cloud over Mr. Biden's night. In a small indignity for the sitting president, Mr. Biden tied in the delegate race in American Samoa to Jason Palmer, an entrepreneur. (It's really OK if you had not heard of him before.) There are no Electoral College votes in American Samoa.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/us/politics/super-tuesday-trump-biden-takeaways.html

Funding for the University of Missouri was a top priority for former Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), who served in the Missouri Senate from 2009-2016. Schaefer was only the second Republican in history at the time to hold that seat (Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden is now the third). Former Senator Schaefer has filed to run in Missouri's new third congressional district, which includes Columbia south of Broadway, Ashland, Hartsburg, Jefferson City, Boonville, California and Fulton. Governor Mike Parson (R) and state lawmakers in both parties joined Mizzou officials in October to break ground on a $20-million expansion of the MU Research Reactor (MURR), which is down the hill from Faurot Field. The MURR is the top-ranked University research reactor in the nation, producing a medical isotope that battles various cancers worldwide. Former Senator Schaefer tells 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" that the University of Missouri is the largest employer in the new district and that, if elected, he will do all he can to help them and the MURR as well. Former Senator Schaefer is also calling for term limits for congressional members and is focusing on illegal immigration. Schaefer tells listeners that eight million illegal immigrants have entered the United States in the past three years, more than the population of 36 other states:

Powerful State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) chairs the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee in Jefferson City. He spearheaded the bipartisan effort for Missouri's $2.8 billion I-70 expansion plan. I-70 will be rebuilt and six-laned across Missouri from St. Louis to Kansas City. Missouri House Transportation Accountability chair Rep. Don Mayhew (R-Crocker) describes the $2.8 billion I-70 plan as the largest boondoggle in Missouri history. Senator Hough joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", and he disagrees with Chairman Mayhew's position. Chairman Hough notes I-70 is the nation's oldest interstate and tells listeners that it's shovel-ready. He also says the state is currently spending $80 to $110-million a year just to maintain I-70. Representative Mayhew wants to see I-44 six-laned instead. Senator Hough tells listeners that there are parts of I-44 that are ready:

Dec. 13, 2023 ~ Michigan's Senators sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee to boost funding for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and Senator Debbie Stabenow joined Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie to discuss that, plus funding for Ukraine and the southern border.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is expected to face a barrage of questions regarding the security threats at America's southern border at another hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Mayorkas is set to testify before the House Homeland Security Committee at a hearing on “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.”The homeland security chief recently testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Nov. 8 and before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Oct. 31.“Secretary Mayorkas has been very good at evading answers throughout all of his testimonies,” says James Massa, the CEO of NumbersUSA, a group that advocates for lower rates of immigration, adding that he expects Mayorkas “to be evasive again.” “He has deferred to not wanting to answer specific numbers, not wanting to answer countries of origin, not wanting to answer how any terrorist who's already been apprehended—and there's almost 170 of them that were on the FBI terrorist watchlist—how they handle them and what they do with them,” Massa says of Mayorkas. Massa joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss what to expect during Wednesday's hearing and whether real border security measures are possible under the current administration. Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Friday, November 3rd, 2023. Smart Pricing Table: Do you own a business and write a lot of proposals? If so, you should check out SmartPricingTable.com. Smart Pricing Table cuts down on back and forth, incorporates powerful upsells, and allows you to create proposals at lightning speed. When your prospect is ready, they can e-sign and you're off to the races. Download their free guide: "The Profitable Proposal Blueprint" at smartpricingtable.com. https://www.breitbart.com/border/2023/11/02/source-187k-migrants-apprehended-at-border-in-first-month-of-new-year-30k-more-gotaways/ 187K Migrants Apprehended at Border in First Month of New Year — 30K More Gotaways Border Patrol agents assigned to the southwest border with Mexico apprehended more than 187,000 migrants during October — the first month of the new fiscal year. A source within U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated another 30,000 migrants were reported as “known gotaways.” Agents assigned to the nine southwest Border Patrol sectors apprehended more than 187,000 migrants during October, according to documents reviewed by Breitbart Texas. This is the fourth consecutive month that agents apprehended more than 130,000 migrants. In addition to the more than 187,000 apprehensions, agents reported more than 30,000 migrants as known gotaways. This is a conservative estimate of migrants observed crossing the border but not apprehended by agents. The unofficial report revealed the Tucson Sector had the most apprehensions. More than 55,000 migrants were apprehended in this sector alone. This is up from 51,000 in September. One year ago, agents in this sector apprehended less than 23,000 migrants. This represents a year-over-year increase of 149 percent over the prior October. The Del Rio Sector followed Tucson with the apprehension of approximately 38,000 migrants. This is down slightly from the nearly 43,000 migrants apprehended in October 2022 and is up significantly from the 28,000 apprehended in October 2021. The Rio Grande Valley, San Diego, and El Paso Sectors rounded out the top five sectors with approximately 32,000, 29,000, and 22,000, respectively. The Rio Grande Valley and San Diego Sectors are up significantly from the prior October reports. Along the Canadian border, the Swanton Sector continues its spike in migrant apprehensions. Agents in the sector that covers the Canadian border in eastern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire apprehended more than 1,000 migrants in the first month of FY24. This is up by nearly 200 percent over October 2022 and is roughly equal to the apprehensions for the entire Fiscal Year 2022. https://dailycaller.com/2023/11/01/dc-hands-vehicle-tracking-residents-keep-cars-stolen/ Blue City Hands Out Vehicle ‘Tracking Tags’ To Residents Because People Keep Getting Their Cars Stolen Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Wednesday that she has started a pilot program that will give some drivers a tracking device to attach to their cars so they will be able to find their vehicle if it gets stolen. The tags, which will be given to residents in six of the city’s most vehicle theft-prone areas, will be installed inside the car and will be trackable via an app on the owner’s phone, the mayor’s office said in a press release. The devices appear to be Apple AirTags, according to a photo posted by Bowser on social media. Auto thefts in D.C. have increased 101% since last year, with 5,916 cars being stolen since January, police data showed. Violent crime in the city has increased 41%, while total crime has grown by 27% since last year. Local officials claimed that the apps would help citizens recover their stolen cars more quickly and would allow officers to solve crimes more quickly or efficiently. “Our goal is not just to prevent carjackings and motor vehicle thefts, but also to ensure swift law enforcement action when these incidents occur,” acting Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith said in the press release. “These tracking devices allow our officers and detectives to be better positioned to quickly locate stolen vehicles, recover property, and gather vital evidence for investigations.” Bowser has attempted to walk back the city’s lenient approach toward crime in the past few months, unveiling a crime bill that eliminates several police reforms D.C. enacted after the George Floyd riots in 2020. D.C. first responders have said that they feel less safe because of the rising crime in the area, while many locals throughout the city complained at a House Judiciary meeting about the open crime that often takes place in broad daylight. “Last week, we introduced legislation to address recent crime trends; this week, we are equipping residents with technology that will allow the Metropolitan Police Department to address these crimes, recover vehicles, and hold people accountable,” Bowser said in the press release. “[W]e will continue to use all the tools we have, and add new tools, to keep our city safe.” https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/11/01/exclusive-republicans-grill-hhs-unconstitutional-trans-pronoun-mandate-employees/ Republicans Grill HHS Over ‘Unconstitutional’ Trans Pronoun Mandate for Employees Republican lawmakers are demanding answers from President Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about its new guidelines ordering agency employees to refer to transgender coworkers by their “preferred pronouns.” Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) is leading several other GOP lawmakers in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, grilling him for answers about the “unconstitutional” guidance and how it applies to religious employees. Breitbart News exclusively obtained a copy of the letter on Wednesday before it was sent. “We recently learned that the Biden Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is compelling political speech and violating the religious liberty rights of HHS employees by imposing a transgender pronoun mandate on your employees,” the letter reads. “We write to express our strong opposition to your illegal and unconstitutional transgender pronoun mandate, the so-called ‘HHS Gender Non-Discrimination and Inclusion Policy,’ which is a violation of the First Amendment rights of HHS employees.” “Your pronoun mandate clearly infringes upon the religious liberty and free speech rights of employees, who cannot be coerced into engaging in political speech or speech that violates their deeply held religious beliefs,” the letter continues. Lawmakers wrote the letter based on an alleged HHS internal email obtained by Roger Severino, vice president of domestic policy for the Heritage Foundation and former director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights during the Trump administration. The HHS, which employs approximately 80,000 people in the United States and abroad, imposed its new “Gender Identity and Non-Discrimination Guidance” in early October; it outlines “employee rights and protections related to gender identity,” the alleged email reads. “All employees should be addressed [by] the names and pronouns they use to describe themselves,” the email continues. The HHS also posted a video to YouTube — designated as “unlisted” — in which HHS Secretary Andrea Palm says the policy allows colleagues “to show up every day as their whole selves.” https://youtu.be/Zm3p1nKTPs8 - Play 0:00-1:10 While Palm did mention religion, neither the video nor the email disclosed if the HHS plans on accommodating or exempting employees with religious objections to affirming transgender delusions. HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, who describes himself as “an out and proud transgender woman” in the video, said this policy ensures that “all HHS employees, including transgender and nonbinary employees, have equal protections in the workplace.” He added that all supervisors and managers are responsible for enforcing the policy. “Every one of us can play a role in creating a welcoming workplace,” he said. “Every one of you can make a difference in improving the feelings of inclusion for your coworkers.” https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/10/31/us-seeks-to-ramp-up-munitions-production-for-ukraine-israel/ US seeks to ramp up munitions production for Ukraine, Israel President Joe Biden’s $106 billion defense spending supplemental request to Congress aims in part to bolster munitions production capacity to continue rushing arms to Ukraine and Israel. The Senate Appropriations Committee questioned Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a Tuesday hearing on the status of U.S. stockpiles and the workforce, supply chain and infrastructure constraints of weapons manufacturers racing to replenish them. The Senate is formulating its supplemental spending bill encompassing both Ukraine and Israel aid, while the House is set to vote on a stand-alone Israel aid bill later this week. “There are some limitations in terms of how quickly they can do certain things,” said Austin. “There will continue to be workforce challenges. And when you expand capacity, there’s this issue of the time it takes to build the capacity and make sure the lines are running smoothly.” Austin noted some defense contractors have required workers to take on additional shifts to keep up with production rates. “What they’ve done in a lot of cases to meet urgent needs is double and triple shifts so that they can in some cases crank out munitions and weapons at a much greater speed,” he said. Austin’s comments come as Israel rapidly burns through munitions as it continues to bomb the 2.2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 8,500 people and wounding more than 21,500, per the Gaza Health Ministry. Shortly before the hearing, Israel bombed the Jabalia refugee camp, which the Health Ministry lambasted as a “horrific massacre” that killed at least 50 people and wounded hundreds. It is the latest of many civilian targets Israel has bombed in its campaign to destroy Hamas. Israel launched its campaign following Hamas’ massacre of approximately 1,400 Israelis and abduction of 240 hostages, per the Israel Defense Forces. On top of that, the Biden administration has less than $5.5 billion remaining to continue transferring weapons to Ukraine as the nation’s slow-moving counteroffensive fails to retake significant tracts of territory. Biden’s requested defense supplemental includes $44.4 billion to continue arming Ukraine and $14.3 billion in military aid for Israel. That request includes more Iron Dome interceptors to stop Hamas rockets and additional munitions for Israel to continue its bombardment of Gaza. A large portion of the requested funding would go toward backfilling U.S. stockpiles of weapons the Biden administration has so far sent Ukraine and Israel. There’s also $3 billion requested to expand industrial base capacity. “We simply do not have the workforce, supply chain or infrastructure necessary to meet the coming threats,” Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said at the hearing. “Building out this capacity is going to take time and resources, but we can start now by making targeted investments in our munitions production base.” Biden’s supplemental request includes $30 billion to replenish weapons sent to Ukraine as well as funding to backfill stocks given to Israel. “As a general rule, we’re going to do everything that we can to meet the demands that we see in both Ukraine and Israel,” Austin said. The U.S. and NATO continue to face a shortage of 155mm ammunition and are providing those shells both to Ukraine and Israel. https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2023/11/01/adam-johnsons-aunt-demanding-justice-after-reckless-kick-that-left-him-dead/ Adam Johnson’s Aunt Demanding ‘Justice’ After ‘Reckless’ Kick that Left Him Dead Former NHL player Adam Johnson’s family is demanding that officials in the U.K. do something to bring justice to the man whose actions ended Johnson’s life during an Oct. 28 game. The 29-year-old Johnson, who played with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2018 to 2020, was playing in a Challenge Cup game for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) when Steelers player Matt Petgrave raised his leg into the air and slammed Johnson in the neck with his deadly skate blade. Johnson was rushed to a local hospital, but he lost too much blood and was pronounced dead. Now, Johnson’s 62-year-old aunt is charging that Petgrave’s actions were negligent, and she wants the police in the U.K. to charge him in Johnson’s death. “It was very reckless,” Kari Johnson said of the “horrific tragedy” of her nephew’s death, according to the New York Post. “I just want them [authorities investigating] to get it right. We are looking for justice for Adam.” She added that Pergrave’s kick was “not hockey” and insisted, “My nephew was 6 feet tall, and whether you lost your balance or not, to have that leg come up that high and do a kicking motion like he did, that is just unacceptable.” “That’s not a hockey play, that’s not a check. I understand that every team has an enforcer, per se, on their team,” Johnson reiterated. Still, Kari Johnson has carefully noted that she does not think Petgrave struck Johnson in the neck with his skate on purpose. “I’m sure Mr. Petgrave probably didn’t even think about the consequences could be of that happening, but there comes a time when you have to realize that’s not hockey,” she said. “And I’m sure he’s going through a lot, too, but he took our boy. There are a few of us in the family that think it was a totally unnecessary, very, very bad action to take.” As for Petgrave, he is reportedly “distraught” and has been “receiving vile messages online.” Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Police officials said they are investigating the incident. Police did not say, though, if they were investigating the incident as a criminal act.

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Friday, November 3rd, 2023. Smart Pricing Table: Do you own a business and write a lot of proposals? If so, you should check out SmartPricingTable.com. Smart Pricing Table cuts down on back and forth, incorporates powerful upsells, and allows you to create proposals at lightning speed. When your prospect is ready, they can e-sign and you're off to the races. Download their free guide: "The Profitable Proposal Blueprint" at smartpricingtable.com. https://www.breitbart.com/border/2023/11/02/source-187k-migrants-apprehended-at-border-in-first-month-of-new-year-30k-more-gotaways/ 187K Migrants Apprehended at Border in First Month of New Year — 30K More Gotaways Border Patrol agents assigned to the southwest border with Mexico apprehended more than 187,000 migrants during October — the first month of the new fiscal year. A source within U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated another 30,000 migrants were reported as “known gotaways.” Agents assigned to the nine southwest Border Patrol sectors apprehended more than 187,000 migrants during October, according to documents reviewed by Breitbart Texas. This is the fourth consecutive month that agents apprehended more than 130,000 migrants. In addition to the more than 187,000 apprehensions, agents reported more than 30,000 migrants as known gotaways. This is a conservative estimate of migrants observed crossing the border but not apprehended by agents. The unofficial report revealed the Tucson Sector had the most apprehensions. More than 55,000 migrants were apprehended in this sector alone. This is up from 51,000 in September. One year ago, agents in this sector apprehended less than 23,000 migrants. This represents a year-over-year increase of 149 percent over the prior October. The Del Rio Sector followed Tucson with the apprehension of approximately 38,000 migrants. This is down slightly from the nearly 43,000 migrants apprehended in October 2022 and is up significantly from the 28,000 apprehended in October 2021. The Rio Grande Valley, San Diego, and El Paso Sectors rounded out the top five sectors with approximately 32,000, 29,000, and 22,000, respectively. The Rio Grande Valley and San Diego Sectors are up significantly from the prior October reports. Along the Canadian border, the Swanton Sector continues its spike in migrant apprehensions. Agents in the sector that covers the Canadian border in eastern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire apprehended more than 1,000 migrants in the first month of FY24. This is up by nearly 200 percent over October 2022 and is roughly equal to the apprehensions for the entire Fiscal Year 2022. https://dailycaller.com/2023/11/01/dc-hands-vehicle-tracking-residents-keep-cars-stolen/ Blue City Hands Out Vehicle ‘Tracking Tags’ To Residents Because People Keep Getting Their Cars Stolen Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Wednesday that she has started a pilot program that will give some drivers a tracking device to attach to their cars so they will be able to find their vehicle if it gets stolen. The tags, which will be given to residents in six of the city’s most vehicle theft-prone areas, will be installed inside the car and will be trackable via an app on the owner’s phone, the mayor’s office said in a press release. The devices appear to be Apple AirTags, according to a photo posted by Bowser on social media. Auto thefts in D.C. have increased 101% since last year, with 5,916 cars being stolen since January, police data showed. Violent crime in the city has increased 41%, while total crime has grown by 27% since last year. Local officials claimed that the apps would help citizens recover their stolen cars more quickly and would allow officers to solve crimes more quickly or efficiently. “Our goal is not just to prevent carjackings and motor vehicle thefts, but also to ensure swift law enforcement action when these incidents occur,” acting Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith said in the press release. “These tracking devices allow our officers and detectives to be better positioned to quickly locate stolen vehicles, recover property, and gather vital evidence for investigations.” Bowser has attempted to walk back the city’s lenient approach toward crime in the past few months, unveiling a crime bill that eliminates several police reforms D.C. enacted after the George Floyd riots in 2020. D.C. first responders have said that they feel less safe because of the rising crime in the area, while many locals throughout the city complained at a House Judiciary meeting about the open crime that often takes place in broad daylight. “Last week, we introduced legislation to address recent crime trends; this week, we are equipping residents with technology that will allow the Metropolitan Police Department to address these crimes, recover vehicles, and hold people accountable,” Bowser said in the press release. “[W]e will continue to use all the tools we have, and add new tools, to keep our city safe.” https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/11/01/exclusive-republicans-grill-hhs-unconstitutional-trans-pronoun-mandate-employees/ Republicans Grill HHS Over ‘Unconstitutional’ Trans Pronoun Mandate for Employees Republican lawmakers are demanding answers from President Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about its new guidelines ordering agency employees to refer to transgender coworkers by their “preferred pronouns.” Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) is leading several other GOP lawmakers in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, grilling him for answers about the “unconstitutional” guidance and how it applies to religious employees. Breitbart News exclusively obtained a copy of the letter on Wednesday before it was sent. “We recently learned that the Biden Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is compelling political speech and violating the religious liberty rights of HHS employees by imposing a transgender pronoun mandate on your employees,” the letter reads. “We write to express our strong opposition to your illegal and unconstitutional transgender pronoun mandate, the so-called ‘HHS Gender Non-Discrimination and Inclusion Policy,’ which is a violation of the First Amendment rights of HHS employees.” “Your pronoun mandate clearly infringes upon the religious liberty and free speech rights of employees, who cannot be coerced into engaging in political speech or speech that violates their deeply held religious beliefs,” the letter continues. Lawmakers wrote the letter based on an alleged HHS internal email obtained by Roger Severino, vice president of domestic policy for the Heritage Foundation and former director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights during the Trump administration. The HHS, which employs approximately 80,000 people in the United States and abroad, imposed its new “Gender Identity and Non-Discrimination Guidance” in early October; it outlines “employee rights and protections related to gender identity,” the alleged email reads. “All employees should be addressed [by] the names and pronouns they use to describe themselves,” the email continues. The HHS also posted a video to YouTube — designated as “unlisted” — in which HHS Secretary Andrea Palm says the policy allows colleagues “to show up every day as their whole selves.” https://youtu.be/Zm3p1nKTPs8 - Play 0:00-1:10 While Palm did mention religion, neither the video nor the email disclosed if the HHS plans on accommodating or exempting employees with religious objections to affirming transgender delusions. HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, who describes himself as “an out and proud transgender woman” in the video, said this policy ensures that “all HHS employees, including transgender and nonbinary employees, have equal protections in the workplace.” He added that all supervisors and managers are responsible for enforcing the policy. “Every one of us can play a role in creating a welcoming workplace,” he said. “Every one of you can make a difference in improving the feelings of inclusion for your coworkers.” https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/10/31/us-seeks-to-ramp-up-munitions-production-for-ukraine-israel/ US seeks to ramp up munitions production for Ukraine, Israel President Joe Biden’s $106 billion defense spending supplemental request to Congress aims in part to bolster munitions production capacity to continue rushing arms to Ukraine and Israel. The Senate Appropriations Committee questioned Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a Tuesday hearing on the status of U.S. stockpiles and the workforce, supply chain and infrastructure constraints of weapons manufacturers racing to replenish them. The Senate is formulating its supplemental spending bill encompassing both Ukraine and Israel aid, while the House is set to vote on a stand-alone Israel aid bill later this week. “There are some limitations in terms of how quickly they can do certain things,” said Austin. “There will continue to be workforce challenges. And when you expand capacity, there’s this issue of the time it takes to build the capacity and make sure the lines are running smoothly.” Austin noted some defense contractors have required workers to take on additional shifts to keep up with production rates. “What they’ve done in a lot of cases to meet urgent needs is double and triple shifts so that they can in some cases crank out munitions and weapons at a much greater speed,” he said. Austin’s comments come as Israel rapidly burns through munitions as it continues to bomb the 2.2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 8,500 people and wounding more than 21,500, per the Gaza Health Ministry. Shortly before the hearing, Israel bombed the Jabalia refugee camp, which the Health Ministry lambasted as a “horrific massacre” that killed at least 50 people and wounded hundreds. It is the latest of many civilian targets Israel has bombed in its campaign to destroy Hamas. Israel launched its campaign following Hamas’ massacre of approximately 1,400 Israelis and abduction of 240 hostages, per the Israel Defense Forces. On top of that, the Biden administration has less than $5.5 billion remaining to continue transferring weapons to Ukraine as the nation’s slow-moving counteroffensive fails to retake significant tracts of territory. Biden’s requested defense supplemental includes $44.4 billion to continue arming Ukraine and $14.3 billion in military aid for Israel. That request includes more Iron Dome interceptors to stop Hamas rockets and additional munitions for Israel to continue its bombardment of Gaza. A large portion of the requested funding would go toward backfilling U.S. stockpiles of weapons the Biden administration has so far sent Ukraine and Israel. There’s also $3 billion requested to expand industrial base capacity. “We simply do not have the workforce, supply chain or infrastructure necessary to meet the coming threats,” Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said at the hearing. “Building out this capacity is going to take time and resources, but we can start now by making targeted investments in our munitions production base.” Biden’s supplemental request includes $30 billion to replenish weapons sent to Ukraine as well as funding to backfill stocks given to Israel. “As a general rule, we’re going to do everything that we can to meet the demands that we see in both Ukraine and Israel,” Austin said. The U.S. and NATO continue to face a shortage of 155mm ammunition and are providing those shells both to Ukraine and Israel. https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2023/11/01/adam-johnsons-aunt-demanding-justice-after-reckless-kick-that-left-him-dead/ Adam Johnson’s Aunt Demanding ‘Justice’ After ‘Reckless’ Kick that Left Him Dead Former NHL player Adam Johnson’s family is demanding that officials in the U.K. do something to bring justice to the man whose actions ended Johnson’s life during an Oct. 28 game. The 29-year-old Johnson, who played with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2018 to 2020, was playing in a Challenge Cup game for the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) when Steelers player Matt Petgrave raised his leg into the air and slammed Johnson in the neck with his deadly skate blade. Johnson was rushed to a local hospital, but he lost too much blood and was pronounced dead. Now, Johnson’s 62-year-old aunt is charging that Petgrave’s actions were negligent, and she wants the police in the U.K. to charge him in Johnson’s death. “It was very reckless,” Kari Johnson said of the “horrific tragedy” of her nephew’s death, according to the New York Post. “I just want them [authorities investigating] to get it right. We are looking for justice for Adam.” She added that Pergrave’s kick was “not hockey” and insisted, “My nephew was 6 feet tall, and whether you lost your balance or not, to have that leg come up that high and do a kicking motion like he did, that is just unacceptable.” “That’s not a hockey play, that’s not a check. I understand that every team has an enforcer, per se, on their team,” Johnson reiterated. Still, Kari Johnson has carefully noted that she does not think Petgrave struck Johnson in the neck with his skate on purpose. “I’m sure Mr. Petgrave probably didn’t even think about the consequences could be of that happening, but there comes a time when you have to realize that’s not hockey,” she said. “And I’m sure he’s going through a lot, too, but he took our boy. There are a few of us in the family that think it was a totally unnecessary, very, very bad action to take.” As for Petgrave, he is reportedly “distraught” and has been “receiving vile messages online.” Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Police officials said they are investigating the incident. Police did not say, though, if they were investigating the incident as a criminal act.

Today's Headlines: An Israeli military airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, resulted in the deaths of many Palestinians in this densely populated area. The IDF claimed responsibility for the strike, stating that it targeted Hamas leader Ibrahim Biari and destroyed infrastructure used by the group, which they intentionally placed within the civilian population. Additionally, the Rafah border with Egypt was set to open to receive critically injured Palestinian civilians for medical treatment. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding the administration's request for supplemental security funding. Their testimonies were interrupted by protesters advocating for a cease-fire, approximately 12 individuals were arrested for their actions during the Senate hearing. Back in Congress, the new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has introduced a complex bill that combines aid for Israel with a reduction in IRS funding, sparking potential controversy and opposition. The FBI has issued a warning, noting an elevated threat level against Americans and an increase in hate crimes targeting Jews and Muslims due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This conflict's repercussions are evident as a 71-year-old man in Illinois pleaded guilty to a horrific attack on a Muslim family. Furthermore, a Cornell University student was arrested for posting threats and antisemitic messages, raising concerns about campus safety. Early voting in Ohio is underway, with abortion rights at stake; Issue 1 aims to amend the state constitution to safeguard reproductive healthcare decisions. Ohio's Secretary of State's controversial voter purge has also drawn attention, potentially affecting voter participation in the state's critical ballot decisions. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: ABC News: IDF confirms strike on Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza CBS News: Protesters calling for cease-fire in Gaza disrupt Senate hearing over Israel aid as Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks NBC Newa: In his first act, Speaker Mike Johnson uses Israel aid to pick a fight with Joe Biden NY Times: F.B.I. Says Israel-Hamas War Raises Potential for Attack Against Americans  Reuters: Illinois man pleads not guilty in fatal stabbing of Muslim boy CNN: Cornell student arrested in connection with antisemitic threats made against Cornell University's Jewish community NPR: Abortion is on the ballot in Ohio. The results could signal what's ahead for 2024 Yahoo: Close this content Jezebel Ohio Quietly Purges 27,000 Voters From Rolls Ahead of Abortion Vote 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

TOP NEWS | On today's Daily Signal Top News, we break down:   Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee today and was repeatedly interrupted by protesters. President Joe Biden is facing scrutiny over news about 82,000 pages of emails he sent or received while serving as vice president. FBI Director […]

TOP NEWS | On today's Daily Signal Top News, we break down: Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee today and was repeatedly interrupted by protesters. President Joe Biden is facing scrutiny over news about 82,000 pages of emails he sent or received while serving as vice president. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified today in front of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for a hearing titled “Threats to the Homeland.” Boston Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu, has taken action against a homeless tent city known as “Methadone Mile.”Relevant LinksListen to other podcasts from The Daily Signal: https://www.dailysignal.com/podcasts/Get daily conservative news you can trust from our Morning Bell newsletter: DailySignal.com/morningbellsubscription Listen to more Heritage podcasts: https://www.heritage.org/podcastsSign up for The Agenda newsletter — the lowdown on top issues conservatives need to know about each week: https://www.heritage.org/agenda Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) says the "votes weren't there" in the Senate last week to override any of the 14 budget bills overridden by the GOP-controlled Missouri House. That included restoration of $1.4 million for Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One and $2-million for Missouri National Guard reenlistment incentives. The Senate did not take up any of the overrides last week, and Chairman Hough tells listeners that it's simple and involves math. Overriding a veto in the Senate requires at least 23 votes. He also praises the approximately $50-billion budget signed recently by Governor Parson, noting it contains $2.8 billion to rebuild and expand I-70 to six lanes from Wentzville to Blue Springs and another $300-million for a new mental health hospital in Kansas City. Chairman Hough also addressed the spending criticism he received last week on "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" from one of his colleagues, State Sen. William Eigel (R-Weldon Spring):

State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring), who chairs the Missouri Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Pensions Committee, has formally kicked off his GOP gubernatorial campaign. Senator Eigel joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri, telling listeners that there were more than 1,000 people at Friday's campaign kickoff event in St. Charles County. Senator Eigel says it's time "to send a bold conservative reformer who will be a champion for the people of this great state and bring a reckoning to the Jefferson City swamp." He blasted two fellow Republicans during the live interview, Governor Mike Parson and Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield). He criticized their spending proposals, saying Missouri's state operating budget has grown from $20-billion in 2010 to $53-billion in 2023:

Celebrating his Musical Legacy and Enduring ImpactLarry Mishkin discusses the annual days between August 1st and August 9th, celebrating the life of Jerry Garcia, who was born on August 1st and died on August 9th. They reminisce about Jerry's musical contributions and his special place in the Grateful Dead. They also share favorite Jerry Garcia tunes and live performances while praising his resilience, greatness, and lasting impact on the music industry. The summary highlights the deep admiration and love for Jerry Garcia and his enduring legacy.Produced by PodConx  Deadhead Cannabis Show - https://podconx.com/podcasts/deadhead-cannabis-showLarry Mishkin - https://podconx.com/guests/larry-mishkinRob Hunt - https://podconx.com/guests/rob-huntJay Blakesberg - https://podconx.com/guests/jay-blakesbergRecorded on Squadcast A “Days Between” Episode for the Days Between Aug. 1 (Jerry's birth) and Aug 9 (Jerry's Deadth)Some of my favorite “Jerry Moments” with the Dead  INTRO:                                  Days Between                                                From:  July 24, 1994                                                Soldier Field, Chicago                                                Grateful Dead Live at Soldier Field on 1994-07-24 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive                                                Track No. 17                                                4:35 – 6:05  SHOW #1:                           Visions of Johanna                                                From: March 18, 1995                                                Spectrum, Philadelphia                                                Grateful Dead Live at The Spectrum on 1995-03-18 : Free Borrow & Streaming : Internet Archive                                                Track No. 16                                                :53 – 2:18                                                 Dylan tune                                                From Blonde On Blonde (1966)                                                Dead covered it 8 times                                                First:  March 19, 1986 Hampton Coliseum                                                Last:  July 8, 1995 Soldier Field SHOW #2:                           Comes A Time                                                From: September 3, 1985                                                Starlight Theater, Kansas City                                                Grateful Dead Live at Starlight Theater on 1985-09-03 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive                                                Track No. 20                                                4:34 – 5:51                                                 Jerry Tune from Reflections album (1976) Reflections is Jerry Garcia's third solo album, released in 1976. Partway through production, Garcia stopped recording with his solo band and brought in the members of the Grateful Dead, who performed on four songs, plus a bonus jam from 2004 release. Three of the four Grateful Dead-performed songs had earlier live debuts: "Comes a Time" (1971), "They Love Each Other" (1973) and "It Must Have Been the Roses" (1974); "Might as Well" entered their rotation in 1976, and "Mission in the Rain" received a select few performances that same year.                                                   The song appeared a total of 66 times over the years, often with several hundred shows between performances.First played on October 19, 1971 at the U (Minnesota) in Northrup HallIt was played for the final time on October 9, 1994, at the USAir Arena, in Landover, Maryland.                                                                                              SHOW #3:                           Shakedown Street                                                From: April 6, 1982                                                Spectrum, Philadelphia                                                Grateful Dead Live at The Spectrum on 1982-04-06 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive                                                Track No. 13                                                9:10 – 10:14                                                 Great interplay with Jerry and Brent                                                This is the classic Garcia sound of the ‘80's SHOW #4:                           Morning Dew                                                From:  May 8, 1977                                                Barton Hall, Ithaca, NY                                                Grateful Dead Live at Barton Hall - Cornell University on 1977-05-08 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive                                                Track No. 22                                                11:50 – 13:33 OUTRO:                                So Many Roads                                                From: July 9, 1995                                                Soldier Field, Chicago                                                Grateful Dead Live at Soldier Field on 1995-07-09 : Free Borrow & Streaming : Internet Archive                                                Track No. 10                                                9:22 – 10:30                                                                                                                                                                                                            Stories:               Key Senate Committee Says Federal Law Blocks Marijuana And Psychedelics Research Due To Schedule I RestrictionsMarijuana momentA Senate committee has approved a spending bill report that contains sections encouraging the expansion of federally supported research into marijuana and psychedelics, while also expressing concerns about barriers to studies that result from the substances' ongoing Schedule I designations. The panel further noted that scientists face “limited access to sources” of cannabis, suggesting that they should be able to study the actual products consumers are purchasing from state-legal dispensaries.The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the legislation—which covers Fiscal Year 2024 funding for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies—and its attached report language last Thursday, advancing it to the floor.In addition to the research-focused drug policy sections of the report, there's also language in the underlying bill that prohibits the use of federal funds “for any activity that promotes the legalization of any drug or other substance included in schedule I” under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), unless there's “significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage.”  2.   Small marijuana businesses take advantage of purported 280E loophole                MJ Biz                 A growing number of marijuana businesses are taking advantage of a tax strategy that might reduce the costly financial burden imposed by Section 280E of the federal tax code.Small businesses with a gross income of less than $27 million are able to deduct expenses to a “near-legal” degree, according to accountants specializing in cannabis.                By one estimate, marijuana companies paid nearly $2 billion more in federal taxes than mainstream businesses.But not all certified public accountants are on board with using the relatively new tax strategy, and they warn cannabis entrepreneurs that using it could be risky.Section 280E currently prevents plant-touching companies from deducting many traditional business expenses because marijuana remains a Schedule 1 substance and illegal under federal law.In recent years, a growing number of accountants and professionals specializing in cannabis discovered a small business provision within 2017's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.The provision, called Section 471(c), was designed to simplify accounting for inventory and cost of goods sold (COGS) for businesses with less than $25 million in gross income.“For example, if a business wants to include 100% of its facility costs in its inventory calculation, it could do that if it is based on the company's books and records,” said Justin Botillier, the founder and CEO of Oregon-based accounting firm Calyx CPA.In other words, a cannabis retailer could include expenses associated with renting a storage facility for inventory in its cost of goods sold.For some businesses, the tax savings from including such expenses under inventory costs can be significant.“We can get taxes down to near-legal levels,” Botillier said in an interview with MJBizDaily. According to Richards, costs disallowed under Section 280E do not “disappear” – they just cannot be deducted under the old accounting methods.But under Section 471(c), the limitations of the old accounting methods no longer apply and some of the costs can be recognized as COGS.This creates the possibility of recapturing costs that were previously disallowed under 280E before the use of the 471(c) method.But while a growing number of CPAs are using it, there are still a number of accountants who won't use 471(c), arguing that 280E disallows any kind of deduction and could invite audits. 3.        Automatic expungement, no fake weed: 5 ways Minnesota's legalization could be a national model Possession, consumption, and home grow are all legal Starting today, adults 21 and over are able to have up to two ounces of cannabis flower, eight grams of concentrates, and 800 milligrams of THC edibles in public. Those will also be purchase limits at adult-use dispensaries.The limit for flower possession at a private home is two pounds. Adults can also opt to grow their own cannabis at home; each household is allowed eight plants, four of which can be flowering at any given time.Plants must be in an enclosed, secure area that is out of public view. Rep. Hanson said this decision was made to deter crime.  b.            Defining where you can consume may be toughThe cannabis bill (HF100) in Minnesota effectively makes public consumption legal—but there are a few exceptions.First off, smoking marijuana is not permitted in multi-family dwellings. This means people in apartment buildings or similar properties may have to leave their property if they want to smoke or dab. Eating edibles or drinking THC drinks, however, is acceptable.Smoking in vehicles is also banned as is driving under the influence of cannabis.             C.         Cannabis sales are currently limited to tribal dispensariesWhile adults may be able to have cannabis as of August 1, it may be difficult for them to get it. It could be early 2025 before dispensaries open, as the state takes time to flush out the licensure process and regulations.However, Indigenous tribes in Minnesota have been given a head start and may opt to open adult-use dispensaries essentially as soon as they'd like. So far, two tribes in the northwestern part of the state have decided to take advantage.           D.      Automatic expungement of criminal records starts immediatelyMinnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will begin automatic expungement of lower-level cannabis convictions right away. Over 60,000 Minnesotans may be eligible, but officials believe it may take up to a year to clear the backlog.“No state has made it automatic,” Rep. Hanson explained. Every state has made their people petition to get their expungements done, which we didn't feel like that was right. That's going to completely free up the lives of so many people.”Felony convictions may take a bit more work to erase from individual records. A Cannabis Expungement Board will soon be formed and will determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis.             E.         Synthetic cannabinoids are bannedProducts containing synthesized cannabinoids like HHC and THC-O were outlawed when Governor Walz signed Minnesota's recreational marijuana bill into law earlier this summer. However, they continue to be sold in smoke shops and hemp dispensaries across the state.According to Carol Moss, an attorney and partner at Hellmuth & Johnson, that will likely change this fall. All hemp businesses must register with the state by October 1st. Moss believes that a crackdown could come soon after.“There's still issues with enforcement—I expect there will be more once the state knows who's selling it,” Moss told GreenState via text.

It's In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new insulin pump gets FDA approval, once-weekly basal insulin for type 2 gets through another trial, New Jersey caps insulin prices for some, possible link between ability to chew and glucose control, a landmark diabetes study moves on to aging and T1D, JDRF Children's Congress and more! Learn about Moms' Night Out - a new event for moms of children with diabetes Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Take Control with Afrezza  Omnipod - Simplify Life Learn about Dexcom  Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens  Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Twitter Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com  Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com   Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I'm Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now XX In the news is brought to you by AG1. AG1 helps you build your health, foundation first. XX Our top story, Tandem's Mobi Pump is approved. The FDA cleared the tiny pump for people with diabetes ages six and up. Tandem says mobie is fully controllable from a mobile app and is the world's smallest durable AID system. It still has a button on the pump to dose and holds 200 units. You use the same infusion set as the current Tandem pumps and Mobi uses Control IQ. Limited release planned for late this year and fully available early 2024. https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/fda-clears-tandem-mobi-automated-insulin-pump/ XX Learning more about a newly approved therapy for type 1 diabetes called Lantidra. Two safety and efficacy studies found that 21 participants who took Lantidra did not need to administer themselves insulin for a year or more. Twelve of those participants did not need to take insulin for up to 5 years, and 9 did not need insulin for over 5 years. Lantidra is an allogeneic (donor) pancreatic islet cellular therapy. In other words, Lantidra uses cells taken — or isolated — from human organ donor pancreases. “In [a] subsequent process, the insulin-producing islets are purified from the rest of the pancreatic tissue using a density gradient. Once the islets are isolated, purified, and put for a short time in cell culture, the cell preparation is infused into the liver of the recipient,” he explained. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fda-approves-first-cellular-therapy-for-type-1-diabetes-what-does-it-do#How-does-islet-cellular-therapy-work? XX Once weekly basal insulin for type 2 gets through another trial. After 26 weeks of treatment and five weeks of follow-up, patients on weekly insulin icodec had significantly larger improvements in their HbA1C than those using daily insulin. Both groups had an extremely low rate of adverse events. These researches say next step is FDA evaluation. https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2023/july-weekly-insulin-found-safe.html XX That's the idea behind Fractyl Health's treatment for type 2 diabetes—which could also be used for weight control. The Lexington, Massachusetts-based biotech company is in the early stages of developing a one-time gene therapy intended to lower blood sugar and body weight using the same mechanism as semaglutide. “You have this problem where you need to stay on therapy for efficacy,” says Harith Rajagopalan, a cardiologist by training and CEO and cofounder of Fractyl Health. “That's the Achilles heel.” The company wants to deliver an artificial gene to the pancreas that continuously produces the GLP-1 hormone so there's no need for weekly injections. The approach, called gene therapy, uses inactivated viruses to carry a therapeutic gene to pancreatic cells. (Viruses are used because of their natural ability to deliver genetic material to cells.) The company is aiming to begin an initial human trial by the end of 2024 https://www.wired.com/story/a-one-time-shot-for-type-2-diabetes-a-biotech-company-is-on-it/ XX Gov. Phil Murphy signed three bills into law Monday aimed at cutting the high cost of prescription drugs in New Jersey. The new laws will cap how much residents will pay for some popular medications such as insulin, prevent pharmacy benefit managers from engaging in practices that make drugs more expensive, and create a panel that will monitor prices set by pharmaceutical companies. One measure (S1614) would cap the cost of insulin, epinephrine auto-injector devices and asthma inhalers for state and local public workers enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees' Health Benefits Program and other state-regulated plans. For a 30-day supply, insulin will cost $35, EpiPens $25 and asthma inhalers would be capped at $50, according to the bill. The law takes effect next year. https://www.nj.com/politics/2023/07/new-laws-to-stem-high-cost-of-prescription-drugs-in-nj-were-just-signed-by-gov-murphy.html XX The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Tuesday it has extended its probe into Novo Nordisk's (NOVOb.CO) diabetes drugs Ozempic and weight-loss treatment Saxenda, following two reports of suicidal thoughts, to include other drugs in the same class. The agency began its review on July 3 after Iceland's health regulator flagged the reports of patients thinking about suicide and one case of thoughts of self harm after use of Novo's drugs. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-extends-ozempic-probe-include-other-drugs-2023-07-11/ XX We often hear that diabetes can lead to problems with your teeth.. but one researcher says it might be the other way around. A University at Buffalo researchers says there is a notable correlation between chewing functionality and blood glucose levels in people with type 2. Specifically, he found that patients with T2D who maintain a full chewing ability exhibit significantly lower blood glucose levels compared to those with compromised chewing function. The thinking here is that chewing stimulates the body in all sorts of ways, including releasing hormones that help you feel fuller and help in digestion. More studies are expected. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284319 https://scitechdaily.com/the-surprising-connection-between-chewing-and-type-2-diabetes/ XX The next step of the landmark Diabetes Control and Complications Trial will focus on aging with type 1 diabetes. The original randomized DCCT clinical trial results, published September 30, 1993, in the New England Journal of Medicine, proved that early intensive glycemic control was the key to preventing or slowing the progression of long-term eye, kidney, and nerve complications of type 1 diabetes. Subsequently, EDIC has yielded many more major findings including that early tight glycemic control also reduces cardiovascular risk and prolongs survival in type 1 diabetes. subsequent EDIC data also have suggested that it is never too late to initiate intensive glycemic control Together, DCCT and EDIC — both funded by the National Institutes of Health at 27 sites in the United States and Canada — have changed the standard of care for people with type 1 diabetes Prior to the DCCT, between 1930 and 1970, about a third of people with type 1 diabetes developed vision loss and one in five experienced kidney failure and/or myocardial infarction. Stroke and amputation were also common, DCCT/EDIC chair David M. Nathan, MD, said while introducing the symposium. "All of the advances in care of type 1 diabetes have developed because this study demonstrated that it was important — continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), new insulins, better [insulin] pumps…I think the most profound finding is that mortality in our intensively treated cohort is the same as in the general population. That says it all," Nathan told Medscape Medical News. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/994221 XX Commercial – AG1 XX Today, JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, urged members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to renew the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) and support policies to ensure insulin is available at an affordable and predictable price. Opened by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and led by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the hearing took place during the 2023 JDRF Children's Congress, a biennial event that brings over 160 kids and teens living with T1D face-to-face with lawmakers and top decision-makers. The youth delegates traveled to Washington, D.C. from across the country and JDRF's international affiliates in the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada. The SDP has accelerated the pace of T1D research through a long-term investment of funding at the National Institutes of Health. The program has led to significant scientific breakthroughs, including Tzield, the first disease-modifying treatment for T1D, which can delay the onset of the disease by over two years. Without Congressional action, the SDP will expire at the end of September. "The Special Diabetes Program has fundamentally changed what it means to live with diabetes, put new life-changing therapies in our hands, and brought us closer to cures," said Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., JDRF CEO. "We must keep this momentum going so we can capitalize on the progress to date and realize cures. However, until we have cures, people need access to affordable insulin. JDRF urges Congress to pass the bipartisan INSULIN Act of 2023, which will establish a $35 per month insulin copay cap for people with commercial insurance and includes other provisions that would make insulin more affordable for everyone, regardless of insurance status." Dr. Kowalski was joined at the hearing by Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, who provided testimony on the scientific value of the SDP, and Jimmy Jam, award-winning producer, songwriter, musician, member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and T1D parent. "My son Max, who is now in his twenties, was just two years old when he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Late nights working on music became late nights working on music and waking up my son to test and manage his blood sugar levels," said Jimmy Jam. "Type 1 diabetes should be one of those things we can all agree on. Diabetes doesn't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. We can all agree that there should be research to improve the lives of those with diabetes. We can all agree that insulin should be affordable for all who need it." Two 2023 JDRF Children's Congress delegates shared their T1D experience with the committee: Maria Muayad: 10-year-old Maria is from Maine and is a member of her school's civil rights club and math challenge group. Every November, Maria, and her mother, Golsin, give blue ribbons to the staff at her school in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month. Elise Cataldo: 15-year-old Elise lives in New Hampshire and is passionate about educating those around her about life with T1D and tries to use things like pump site changes and blood sugar checks as opportunities to help others learn. Following the hearing, the 2023 JDRF Children's Congress delegates continued their advocacy by meeting with lawmakers in their Capitol Hill offices. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2023-jdrf-childrens-congress-delegates-urge-lawmakers-to-support-type-1-diabetes-research-and-access-to-affordable-insulin-301874927.htmlXX XX A 23-year-old with type 1 diabetes has broken the record for circumnavigating Britain in a kayak after paddling 2,000 miles in 40 days. Dougal Glaisher beat the previous record by 27 days. Glaisher was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 19 shortly after winning the Oban Sea Kayak race in Scotland, when he had blurred vision and struggled to recover his energy. The expedition was to raise money for the UK-based charity Action4Diabetes and Glaisher livestreamed his blood sugar On Tuesday he was well stocked with a bunch of bananas and a stash of cereal bars lashed to his boat. But in remote areas it was more challenging. Around the islands off Scotland he ran out of freeze-dried meals and survived on porridge for several days. He also sourced drinking water from streams. . It is the first time anyone has used a surfski – a kayak that you sit on top of – to paddle around the country. XX On the podcast next week.. I sat down with Dexcom's new Chief Commercial officer to talk about their announcements from this week about the type 2 market and other features important to people with type 1. Our last epoisde is all about Kickass Healthy LADA That's In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.

For over a decade, Jean Toal Eisen drafted legislation directing billions of dollars to NASA as senior staff on the Senate Appropriations Committee. She joins the show to unveil the crucial roles played by committee staff like herself, how decisions and priorities are made behind closed doors, and the motivations and drivers of the people who control the fates of billions of dollars of taxpayer funding for the U.S. space program. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/how-congress-funds-the-final-frontierSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The annual war authorization (NDAA) is an excellent opportunity to examine our military's roles and goals in the world. In this episode, learn about how much of our tax money Congress provided the Defense Department, including how much of that money is classified, how much more money was dedicated to war than was requested, and what they are authorized to use the money for. This episode also examines our Foreign Military Financing programs with a deep dive into a new partner country: Ecuador. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536. Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! View the shownotes on our website at https://congressionaldish.com/cd269-ndaa-2023-plan-ecuador Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD244: Keeping Ukraine CD243: Target Nicaragua CD230: Pacific Deterrence Initiative CD229: Target Belarus CD218: Minerals are the New Oil CD191: The “Democracies” Of Elliott Abrams CD187: Combating China CD176: Target Venezuela: Regime Change in Progress CD172: The Illegal Bombing of Syria CD147: Controlling Puerto Rico CD128: Crisis in Puerto Rico CD108: Regime Change CD102: The World Trade Organization: COOL? World Trade System “IMF vs. WTO vs. World Bank: What's the Difference?” James McWhinney. Oct 10, 2021. Investopedia. The Profiteers: Bechtel and the Men Who Built the World. Sally Denton. Simon and Schuster: 2017. Littoral Combat Ships “The Pentagon Saw a Warship Boondoggle. Congress Saw Jobs.” Eric Lipton. Feb 4, 2023. The New York Times. “BAE Systems: Summary.” Open Secrets. Foreign Military Sales Program “Written Testimony of Assistant Secretary of State Jessica Lewis before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a hearing on the ‘Future of Security Sector Assistance.'” March 10, 2022. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ecuador “Ecuador - Modern history.” Encyclopedia Britannica. “Ecuador Tried to Curb Drilling and Protect the Amazon. The Opposite Happened.” Catrin Einhorn and Manuela Andreoni. Updated Jan 20, 2023. The New York Times. “Ecuador: An Overview,” [IF11218]. June S. Beittel and Rachel L. Martin. Sep 9, 2022. Congressional Research Service. “Ecuador: In Brief,” [R44294]. June S. Beittel. Updated Feb 13, 2018. Congressional Research Service. “Ecuador's 2017 Elections,” [IF10581] June S. Beittel. Updated April 20, 2017. Congressional Research Services. Debt Default “Ecuador's Debt Default: Exposing a Gap in the Global Financial Architecture.” Sarah Anderson and Neil Watkins. Dec 15, 2008. Institute for Policy Studies. “Ecuador: President Orders Debt Default.” Simon Romero. Dec 12, 2008. The New York Times. Violence and Drugs “Ecuador's High Tide of Drug Violence.” Nov 4, 2022. International Crisis Group. “Lasso will propose to the US an Ecuador Plan to confront drug trafficking.” Jun 8, 2022. EcuadorTimes.net. “‘Es hora de un Plan Ecuador': el presidente Lasso dice en entrevista con la BBC que su país necesita ayuda para enfrentar el narcotráfico.” Vanessa Buschschluter. Nov 4, 2021. BBC. “Ecuador declares state of emergency over crime wave.” Oct 19, 2021. Deutsche Welle. Mining “An Ecuadorean Town Is Sinking Because of Illegal Mining.” Updated Mar 28, 2022. CGTN America. “New Mining Concessions Could Severely Decrease Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Ecuador.” Bitty A. Roy. Jun 19, 2018. Tropical Conservation Science. Foreign Infrastructure Investments “Ecuador prioritizing 4 road projects involving more than US$1bn.” Nov 28, 2022. BNamericas. “USTDA Expands Climate Portfolio in Ecuador.” May 27, 2022. U.S. Trade and Development Agency. “Ecuador's controversial and costliest hydropower project prompts energy rethink.” Richard Jiménez and Allen Panchana. Dec 16, 2021. Diálogo Chino. “Ecuador's Power Grid Gets a Massive Makeover.” Frank Dougherty. Mar 1, 2021. Power. Fishing “China fishing fleet defied U.S. in standoff on the high seas.” Joshua Goodman. Nov 2, 2022. Chattanooga Times Free Press. “Report to Congress: National 5-year Strategy for Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (2022-2026).” October 2022. U.S. Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing. “United States Launches Public-Private Partnership In Peru And Ecuador To Promote Sustainable, Profitable Fishing Practices.” Oct 7, 2022. U.S. Agency for International Development. “US Coast Guard Conducts High Seas Boarding for First Time in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization Convention Area.” U.S. Coast Guard. Oct 5, 2022. Diálogo Americas. “Walmart, Whole Foods, and Slave-Labor Shrimp.” Adam Chandler. Dec 16, 2015. The Atlantic. South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Cutter Ships 22 USC Sec. 2321j, Update “Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress,” [R42567]. Ronald O'Rourke. Updated August 30, 2022. Congressional Research Service. Julian Assange “How Julian Assange became an unwelcome guest in Ecuador's embassy.” Luke Harding et al. May 15, 2018. The Guardian. “Ecuador Expels U.S. Ambassador Over WikiLeaks Cable.” Simon Romero. Apr 5, 2011. The New York Times. Chevron Case “Controversial activist Steven Donziger is a folk hero to the left, a fraud to Big Oil.” Zack Budryk. Dec 27, 2022. The Hill. Venezuela “Ecuador: Lasso Calls for Increased Pressure on Venezuela.” Apr 14, 2021. teleSUR. China Trade Deal “Ecuador reaches trade deal with China, aims to increase exports, Lasso says.” Jan 3, 2023. Reuters. “On the Ecuador-China Debt Deal: Q&A with Augusto de la Torre.” Sep 23, 2022. The Dialogue. “Ecuador sees trade deal with China at end of year, debt talks to begin.” Alexandra Valencia. Feb 5, 2022. Reuters. Business Reforms “Will Ecuador's Business Reforms Attract Investment?” Ramiro Crespo. Mar 3, 2022. Latin American Advisor. U.S. Ecuador Partnership “Why Ecuador's president announced his re-election plans in Washington.” Isabel Chriboga. Dec 22, 2022. The Atlantic Council. “USMCA as a Framework: New Talks Between U.S., Ecuador, Uruguay.” Jim Wiesemeyer. Dec 21, 2022. AgWeb. “US seeks to bolster Ecuador ties as China expands regional role.” Dec 19, 2022. Al Jazeera. “As China's influence grows, Biden needs to supercharge trade with Ecuador.” Isabel Chiriboga. Dec 19, 2022. The Atlantic Council. “The United States and Ecuador to Explore Expanding the Protocol on Trade Rules and Transparency under the Trade and Investment Council (TIC).” Nov 1, 2022. Office of the United States Trade Representative. “A delegation of U.S. senators visits Ecuador.” Oct 19, 2022. U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Ecuador. Referendum “Guillermo Lasso Searches for a Breakthrough.” Sebastián Hurtado. Dec 19, 2022. Americas Quarterly. State Enterprise Resignation “Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso asks heads of all state firms to resign.” Jan 18, 2023. Buenos Aires Times. Lithium Triangle “Why the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act Could Benefit Both Mining and Energy in Latin America.” John Price. Aug 22, 2022. Americas Market Intelligence. Colombia “Latin America's New Left Meets Davos.” Catherine Osborn. Jan 20, 2023. Foreign Policy. “How Colombia plans to keep its oil and coal in the ground.” María Paula Rubiano A. Nov 16, 2022. BBC. “Colombia: Background and U.S. Relations.” June S. Beittel. Updated December 16, 2021. Congressional Research Service. Tax Reform “In Colombia, Passing Tax Reform Was the Easy Part.” Ricardo Ávila. Nov 23, 2022. Americas Quarterly. “U.S. Government Must Take Urgent Action on Colombia's Tax Reform Bill.” Cesar Vence and Megan Bridges. Oct 26, 2022. U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Letter from ACT et. al. to Sec. Janet Yellen, Sec. Gina Raimondo, and Hon. Katherine Tai.” U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Relationship with U.S. “Does glyphosate cause cancer?” Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Jul 8, 2021. City of Hope. “Colombian Intelligence Unit Used U.S. Equipment to Spy on Politicians, Journalists.” Kejal Vyas. May 4, 2020. The Wall Street Journal. “Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis and supporting evidence.” Luoping Zhang et al. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research Vol. 781, July–September 2019, pp. 186-206. “Colombia to use drones to fumigate coca leaf with herbicide.” Jun 26, 2018. Syria “Everyone Is Denouncing the Syrian Rebels Now Slaughtering Kurds. But Didn't the U.S. Once Support Some of Them?” Mehdi Hasan. Oct 26, 2019. The Intercept. “U.S. Relations With Syria: Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet.” Jan 20, 2021. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. “Behind the Sudden Death of a $1 Billion Secret C.I.A. War in Syria.” Mark Mazzetti et al. Aug 2, 2017. The New York Times. “Arms Airlift to Syria Rebels Expands, With Aid From C.I.A.” C. J. Chivers and Eric Schmitt. Mar 24, 2013. The New York Times. Government Funding “House Passes 2023 Government Funding Legislation.” Dec 23, 2022. House Appropriations Committee Democrats. “Division C - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2023.” Senate Appropriations Committee. Jen's highlighted version “Division K - Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023.” Senate Appropriations Committee. Laws H.R.2617 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 Jen's highlighted version Bills H.R. 8711 - United States-Ecuador Partnership Act of 2022 S. 3591 - United States-Ecuador Partnership Act of 2022 Audio Sources A conversation with General Laura J. Richardson on security across the Americas January 19, 2023 The Atlantic Council Clips 17:51 Gen. Laura Richardson: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that has been ongoing for the last over a decade in this region, 21 of 31 countries have signed on to this Belt and Road Initiative. I could take Argentina last January, the most recent signatory on to the Belt and Road Initiative, and $23 billion in infrastructure projects that signatory and signing on to that. But again, 21 of 31 countries. There are 25 countries that actually have infrastructure projects by the PRC. Four that aren't signatories of the BRI, but they do actually have projects within their countries. But not just that. Deepwater ports in 17 countries. I mean, this is critical infrastructure that's being invested in. I have the most space enabling infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere in Latin America and the Caribbean. And I just caused question, you know, why? Why is all of this critical infrastructure being invested in so heavily? In terms of telecommunications, 5G, I've got five countries with the 5G backbone in this region. I've got 24 countries with the PRC Huawei 3G-4G. Five countries have the Huawei backbone infrastructure. If I had to guess, they'll probably be offered a discount to upgrade and stay within the same PRC network. And so very, very concerning as we work with our countries. 20:00 Gen. Laura Richardson: What I'm starting to see as well is that this economy...the economy impacts to these partner nations is affecting their ability to buy equipment. And you know, as I work with our partner nations, and they invest in U.S. equipment, which is the best equipment, I must say I am a little biased, but it is the best equipment, they also buy into the supply chain of spare parts, and all those kinds of things that help to sustain this piece of equipment over many, many years. So in terms of the investment that they're getting, and that equipment to be able to stay operational, and the readiness of it, is very, very important. But now these partner nations, due to the impacts of their economy, are starting to look at the financing that goes along with it. Not necessarily the quality of the equipment, but who has the best finance deal because they can't afford it so much up front. 24:15 Gen. Laura Richardson: This region, why this region matters, with all of its rich resources and rare earth elements. You've got the lithium triangle which is needed for technology today. 60% of the world's lithium is in the lithium triangle: Argentina Bolivia, Chile. You just have the largest oil reserves -- light, sweet, crude -- discovered off of Guyana over a year ago. You have Venezuela's resources as well with oil, copper, gold. China gets 36% of its food source from this region. We have the Amazon, lungs of the world. We have 31% of the world's freshwater in this region too. I mean, it's just off the chart. 28:10 Gen. Laura Richardson: You know, you gotta question, why are they investing so heavily everywhere else across the planet? I worry about these dual-use state-owned enterprises that pop up from the PRC, and I worry about the dual use capability being able to flip them around and use them for military use. 33:30 Interviewer: Russia can't have the ability to provide many of these countries with resupply or new weapons. I mean, they're struggling to supply themselves, in many cases, for Ukraine. So is that presenting an opportunity for maybe the US to slide in? Gen. Laura Richardson: It is, absolutely and we're taking advantage of that, I'd like to say. So, we are working with those countries that have the Russian equipment to either donate or switch it out for United States equipment. or you Interviewer: Are countries taking the....? Gen. Laura Richardson: They are, yeah. 45:25 Gen. Laura Richardson: National Guard State Partnership Program is huge. We have the largest National Guard State Partnership Program. It has come up a couple of times with Ukraine. Ukraine has the State Partnership Program with California. How do we initially start our great coordination with Ukraine? It was leveraged to the National Guard State Partnership Program that California had. But I have the largest out of any of the CoCOMMs. I have 24 state partnership programs utilize those to the nth degree in terms of another lever. 48:25 Gen. Laura Richardson: Just yesterday I had a zoom call with the U.S. Ambassadors from Argentina and Chile and then also the strategy officer from Levant and then also the VP for Global Operations from Albermarle for lithium, to talk about the lithium triangle in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile and the companies, how they're doing and what they see in terms of challenges and things like that in the lithium business and then the aggressiveness or the influence and coercion from the PRC. House Session June 15, 2022 Clips Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): The GAO found that the LCS had experienced engine failure in 10 of the 11 deployments reviewed. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): One major reason for the excessive costs of LCS: contractors. Unlike other ships where sailors do the maintenance, LCS relies almost exclusively on contractors who own and control the technical data needed to maintain and repair. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): Our top priority and national defense strategy is China and Russia. We can't waste scarce funds on costly LCS when there are more capable platforms like destroyers, attack submarines, and the new constellation class frigate. A review of the President's Fiscal Year 2023 funding request and budget justification for the Navy and Marine Corps May 25, 2022 Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Carlos Del Toro, Secretary, United States Navy Admiral Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps Clips Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS): I think the christening was just a few years ago...maybe three or so. So the fact that we christened the ship one year and a few years later we're decommissioning troubles me. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS): Are there not other uses, if there's something missing from this class of ships, that we would avoid decommissioning? Adm. Michael Gilday: We need a capable, lethal, ready Navy more than we need a larger Navy that's less capable, less lethal, and less ready. And so, unfortunately the Littoral combat ships that we have, while the mechanical issues were a factor, a bigger factor was was the lack of sufficient warfighting capability against a peer competitor in China. Adm. Michael Gilday: And so we refuse to put an additional dollar against that system that wouldn't match the Chinese undersea threat. Adm. Michael Gilday: In terms of what are the options going forward with these ships, I would offer to the subcommittee that we should consider offering these ships to other countries that would be able to use them effectively. There are countries in South America, as an example, as you pointed out, that would be able to use these ships that have small crews. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary ofDefense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks to Traveling Press April 25, 2022 China's Role in Latin America and the Caribbean March 31, 2022 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Kerri Hannan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Policy, Planning, and Coordination, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State Peter Natiello, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Latin America and Caribbean Bureau, U.S. Agency for International Development Andrew M. Herscowitz, Chief Development Officer, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Margaret Myers, Director of the Asia & Latin America Program, Inter-American Dialogue Evan Ellis, Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies Clips 24:20 Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA): Ecuador for example, nearly 20 years ago, former President Rafael Correa promised modernization for Ecuador, embracing Chinese loans and infrastructure projects in exchange for its oil. Fast forward to today. Ecuador now lives with the Chinese financed and built dam that's not fully operational despite being opened in 2016. The Coca Codo Sinclair Dam required over 7000 repairs, it sits right next to an active volcano, and erosion continues to damage the dam. The dam also caused an oil spill in 2020 that has impacted indigenous communities living downstream. And all that's on top of the billions of dollars that Ecuador still owes China. 56:40 Peter Natiello: One example that I could provide is work that we've done in Ecuador, with Ecuadorian journalists, to investigate, to analyze and to report on the issue of illegal and unregulated fishing off Ecuador's coast. And we do that because we want to ensure that Ecuadorian citizens have fact-based information upon which they can make decisions about China and countries like China, and whether they want their country working with them. 1:23:45 Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): There are 86 million tons of identified lithium resources on the planet. On the planet. 49 million of the 86 million are in the Golden Triangle. That's Argentina, Bolivia, Chile. So what's our plan? 1:54:10 Evan Ellis: In security engagement, the PRC is a significant provider of military goods to the region including fighters, transport aircraft, and radars for Venezuela; helicopters and armored vehicles for Bolivia; and military trucks for Ecuador. 2:00:00 Margaret Myers: Ecuador is perhaps the best example here of a country that has begun to come to terms with the challenges associated with doing business with or interacting from a financial or investment perspective with China. And one need only travel the road from the airport to Quito where every day there are a lot of accidents because of challenges with the actual engineering of that road to know why many Ecuadorians feel this way. Examining U.S. Security Cooperation and Assistance March 10, 2022 Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Watch Full Hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Jessica Lewis, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State Mara Elizabeth Karlin, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities, U.S. Department of Defense Clips 1:23:17 Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT): According to one study, the DoD manages 48 of the 50 new security assistance programs that were created after the 9/11 attacks and out of the 170 existing security assistance programs today, DOD manages 87, a whopping 81% of those programs. That is a fundamental transition from the way in which we used to manage security assistance. And my worry is that it takes out of the equation the people who have the clearest and most important visibility on the ground as to the impact of that security assistance and those transfers. Sen. Chris Murphy: We just spent $87 billion in military assistance over 20 years in Afghanistan. And the army that we supported went up in smoke overnight. That is an extraordinary waste of U.S. taxpayer dollars, and it mirrors a smaller but similar investment we made from 2003 to 2014 in the Iraqi military, who disintegrated when they faced the prospect of a fight against ISIS. Clearly, there is something very wrong with the way in which we are flowing military assistance to partner countries, especially in complicated war zones. You've got a minute and 10 seconds, so maybe you can just preview some lessons that we have learned, or the process by which we are going to learn lessons from all of the money that we have wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jessica Lewis: Senator, I'll be brief so that Dr. Karlin can jump in as well. I think we do need to learn lessons. We need to make sure, as I was just saying to Senator Cardin, that when we provide security assistance, we also look not just at train and equip, but we look at other things like how the Ministries of Defense operate? Is their security sector governant? Are we creating an infrastructure that's going to actually work? Mara Elizabeth Karlin: Thank you for raising this issue, Senator. And I can assure you that the Department of Defense is in the process of commissioning a study on this exact issue. I will just say in line with Assistant Secretary Lewis, it is really important that when we look at these efforts, we spend time assessing political will and we do not take an Excel spreadsheet approach to building partner militaries that misses the higher order issues that are deeply relevant to security sector governance, that will fundamentally show us the extent to which we can ultimately be successful or not with a partner. Thank you. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT): You know, in Iraq, last time I was there, we were spending four times as much money on security assistance as we were on non-security assistance. And what Afghanistan taught us amongst many things, is that if you have a fundamentally corrupt government, then all the money you're flowing into the military is likely wasted in the end because that government can't stand and thus the military can't stand. So it also speaks to rebalancing the way in which we put money into conflict zones, to not think that military assistance alone does the job. You got to be building sustainable governments that serve the public interests in order to make your security assistance matter and be effective. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America March 8, 2022 House Armed Services Committee Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Melissa G. Dalton, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Office of the Secretary of Defense General Laura Richardson, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command General Glen D. VanHerck, USAF, Commander, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command Clips 17:30 General Laura Richardson: Colombia, for example, our strongest partner in the region, exports security by training other Latin American militaries to counter transnational threats. 1:20:00 General Laura Richardson: If I look at what PRC (People's Republic of China) is investing in the [SOUTHCOM] AOR (Area of Responsibility), over a five year period of 2017 to 2021: $72 billion. It's off the charts. And I can read a couple of the projects. The most concerning projects that I have are the $6 billion in projects specifically near the Panama Canal. And I look at the strategic lines of communication: Panama Canal and the Strait of Magellan. But just to highlight a couple of the projects. The nuclear power plant in Argentina: $7.9 billion. The highway in Jamaica: $5.6 billion. The energy refinery in Cuba, $5 billion. The highway in Peru: $4 billion. Energy dam in Argentina: $4 billion, the Metro in Colombia: $3.9 billion. The freight railway in Argentina: $3 billion. These are not small projects that they're putting in this region. This region is rich in resources, and the Chinese don't go there to invest, they go there to extract. All of these projects are done with Chinese labor with host nation countries'. U.S. Policy on Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean November 30, 2021 Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State Todd D. Robinson, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State Clips 1:47:15 Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): I'd like to start with Mexico. I am increasingly concerned that the Mexican government is engaged in a systematic campaign to undermine American companies, and especially American energy companies that have invested in our shared prosperity and in the future of the Mexican people and economy. Over the past five months, Mexican regulators have shut down three privately owned fuel storage terminals. Among those they shut down a fuel terminal and Tuxpan, which is run by an American company based in Texas, and which transports fuel on ships owned by American companies. This is a pattern of sustained discrimination against American companies. And I worry that the Mexican government's ultimate aim is to roll back the country's historic 2013 energy sector liberalisation reforms in favor of Mexico's mismanaged and failing state-owned energy companies. The only way the Mexican government is going to slow and reverse their campaign is if the United States Government conveys clearly and candidly that their efforts pose a serious threat to our relationship and to our shared economic interests. 2:01:50 Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ): Mr. Nichols, can you can you just be a little more specific about the tactics of the GEC? What are some of the specific activities they're doing? And what more would you like to see them do? Brian A. Nichols: The Global Engagement Center both measures public opinion and social media trends throughout the world. They actively work to counter false messages from our strategic competitors. And they prepare media products or talking points that our embassies and consulates around the hemisphere can use to combat disinformation. I think they do a great job. Obviously, it's a huge task. So the the resources that they have to bring to bear to this limit, somewhat, the ability to accomplish those goals, but I think they're doing vital, vital work. 2:13:30 Todd D. Robinson: We are, INL (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement) are working very closely with the Haitian National Police, the new Director General, we are going to send in advisors. When I was there two weeks ago, I arrived with -- they'd asked for greater ability to get police around the city -- I showed up with 19 new vehicles, 200 new protective vests for the police. The 19 was the first installment of a total of 60 that we're going to deliver to the Haitian National Police. We're gonna get advisors down there to work with the new SWAT team to start taking back the areas that have been taken from ordinary Haitians. But it's going to be a process and it's going to take some time. Sen. Bob Menendez: Well, first of all, is the Haitian National Police actually an institution capable of delivering the type of security that Hatians deserve? Todd D. Robinson: We believe it is. It's an institution that we have worked with in the past. There was a small brief moment where Haitians actually acknowledged that the Haitian National Police had gotten better and was more professional. Our goal, our long term goal is to try to bring it back to that Sen. Bob Menendez: How much time before we get security on the ground? Todd D. Robinson: I can't say exactly but we are working as fast as we can. Sen. Bob Menendez: Months, years? Todd D. Robinson: Well, I would hope we could do it in less than months. But we're working as fast as we can. Global Challenges and U.S. National Security Strategy January 25, 2018 Senate Committee on Armed Services Watch the full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Chairman of Kissinger Associates and Former Secretary of State Dr. George P. Shultz, Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University and Former Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, President, Armitage International and Former Deputy Secretary of State Clips Dr. George Shultz: Small platforms will carry a very destructive power. Then you can put these small platforms on drones. And drones can be manufactured easily, and you can have a great many of them inexpensively. So then you can have a swarm armed with lethal equipment. Any fixed target is a real target. So an airfield where our Air Force stores planes is a very vulnerable target. A ship at anchor is a vulnerable target. So you've got to think about that in terms of how you deploy. And in terms of the drones, while such a system cannot be jammed, it would only serve to get a drone—talking about getting a drone to the area of where its target is, but that sure could hit a specific target. At that point, the optical systems guided by artificial intelligence could use on-board, multi-spectral imaging to find a target and guide the weapons. It is exactly that autonomy that makes the technologic convergence a threat today. Because such drones will require no external input other than the signature of the designed target, they will not be vulnerable to jamming. Not requiring human intervention, the autonomous platforms will also be able to operate in very large numbers. Dr. George Shultz: I think there's a great lesson here for what we do in NATO to contain Russia because you can deploy these things in boxes so you don't even know what they are and on trucks and train people to unload quickly and fire. So it's a huge deterrent capability that is available, and it's inexpensive enough so that we can expect our allies to pitch in and get them for themselves. Dr. George Shultz: The creative use of swarms of autonomous drones to augment current forces would strongly and relatively cheaply reinforce NATO, as I said, that deterrence. If NATO assists frontline states in fielding large numbers of inexpensive autonomous drones that are pre-packaged in standard 20-foot containers, the weapons can be stored in sites across the countries under the control of reserve forces. If the weapons are pre-packaged and stored, the national forces can quickly deploy the weapons to delay a Russian advance. So what's happening is you have small, cheap, and highly lethal replacing large, expensive platforms. And this change is coming about with great rapidity, and it is massively important to take it into account in anything that you are thinking about doing. Foreign Military Sales: Process and Policy June 15, 2017 House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Watch the full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Tina Kaidanow, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey, Director, U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency Clips 14:40 Tina Kaidanow: Arms Transfers constitute an element of foreign policy. We therefore take into account foreign policy considerations as we contemplate each arms transfer or sale, including specifically, the appropriateness of the transfer in responding to U.S and recipient security needs; the degree to which the transfer supports U.S. strategic foreign policy and defense interests through increased access and influence; allied burden sharing and interoperability; consistency with U.S. interests regarding regional stability; the degree of protection afforded by the recipient company to our sensitive technology; the risk that significant change in the political or security situation of the recipient country could lead to inappropriate end use or transfer; and the likelihood that the recipient would use the arms to commit human rights abuses or serious violations of international humanitarian law, or retransfer the arms to those who would commit such abuses. As a second key point, arms transfers support the U.S. Defense industrial base and they reduce the cost of procurement for our own U.S. military. Purchases made through the Foreign Military Sales, known as the FMS, system often can be combined with our Defense Department orders to reduce unit costs. Beyond this, the US defense industry directly employs over 1.7 million people across our nation. 20:20 Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey: FMS is the government-to-government process through which the U.S. government purchases defense articles, training, and services on behalf of foreign governments, authorized in the Arms Export Control Act. FMS is a long standing security cooperation program that supports partner and regional security, enhances military-to-military cooperation, enables interoperability and develops and maintains international relationships. Through the FMS process, the US government determines whether or not the sale is of mutual benefit to us and the partner, whether the technology can and will be protected, and whether the transfer is consistent with U.S. conventional arms transfer policy. The FMS system is actually a set of systems in which the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Congress play critical roles. The Department of Defense in particular executes a number of different processes including the management of the FMS case lifecycle which is overseen by DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency). Technology transfer reviews, overseen by the Defense Technology Security Administration, and the management of the Defense Acquisition and Logistics Systems, overseen by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and the military departments. This process, or a version of it, also serves us well, in the DoD Title X Building Partnership Capacity arena, where the process of building a case, validating a requirement and exercising our U.S. acquisition system to deliver capability is modeled on the FMS system. I want to say clearly that overall the system is performing very well. The United States continues to remain the provider of choice for our international partners, with 1,700 new cases implemented in Fiscal Year 2016 alone. These new cases, combined with adjustments to existing programs, equated to more than $33 billion in sales last year. This included over $25 billion in cases funded by our partner nations' own funds and approximately $8 billion in cases funded by DOD Title X program or Department of State's Appropriations. Most FMS cases move through the process relatively quickly. But some may move more slowly as we engage in deliberate review to ensure that the necessary arms transfer criteria are met. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)