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
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
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
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
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.