National Journal
Staff writer at the National Journal, where he covers the Senate Leadership
PROFILE
Dan Friedman
Guest
FROM Dan Friedman
To the Point
Bipartisan Debt Deal Develops in Senate Even before House Republicans took up their so-called " Cut, Cap and Balance " budget plan today, the Obama White House portrayed it as reckless. A new plan from the Senate, which includes new revenue, is getting a better reception. Speaking to reporters, President Obama endorsed the deficit reduction plan put forward by the so-called "Gang of Six." Dan Friedman covers the Senate for the National Journal .
To the Point
Details of Budget Cuts Revealed The $38.5 billion deal to keep the government open was finally agreed to by the President and Congressional leaders only an hour before the midnight deadline on Friday. Not until 11pm last night were the details revealed. Dan Friedman is covering the story for the National Journal .
To the Point
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Isn't Dead Yet The Pentagon's top brass and civilian leaders asked the Senate today for an end to "Don't Ask Don't Tell," saying it requires soldiers to lie about their identity. A ten-month study showed more than two-thirds of 115,000 active-duty troops and their families don't care if gays and lesbians openly serve, though 58% of combat soldiers do. Republican John McCain said that called for more study, but Defense Secretary Gates warned of sudden disruption if the courts act before Congress. We hear from soldiers with different points of view and look at the prospects in the lame-duck session.
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Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.