Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and co-author of Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Fire; Special Assistant on climate change policy to then-Vice President Al Gore
PROFILE
Bracken Hendricks
Guest
FROM Bracken Hendricks
Which Way, L.A.?
Will Federal Money Mean Economic Recovery? President-elect Barack Obama wants a federal spending program comparable to the Interstate highway system, created during the 1950's. But it won't look like his campaign promise to "rebuild America," at least not right away. The sagging economy has put a premium on speed, rather than the kind of projects that make for a historic legacy. What kinds of projects will be involved? What are the benefits and risks for private businesses and for consumers?
To the Point
Will Federal Money Mean Economic Recovery? Barack Obama wants to "hit the ground running" with massive spending to "jolt" the sagging economy and create or save 2.5 million jobs, with a federal spending program comparable to Roosevelt's New Deal and Eisenhower's Interstate highway system, created during the 1950's. Obama's plan to improve highways and bridges, build schools and promote green technology with federal money funneled through states, counties and cities won't look like his campaign promise to "rebuild America" — at least not right away. The sagging economy has put a premium on speed, rather than the kind of projects that make for a historic legacy. Critics contend the US can't spend its way to economic recovery. What kinds of projects will be involved? We look at the benefits and the risks for private businesses and for consumers.
Recommended
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.