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Brookings Institution
Molly Reynolds is a fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. She studies Congress, with an emphasis on how congressional rules and procedure affect domestic policy outcomes
PROFILE
Molly Reynolds
Guest
FROM Molly Reynolds
To the Point
Is the President making a new “deal?" At a moment of historic division, the President told reporters yesterday, “The people of the United States…want to see coming together." Specifically he’s coming together with Democrats on Capitol Hill, stepping over Republican leadership in the House and the Senate. As always with this President, the question is, “How long will it last?” One biographer says his “love bombs” have limited fallout. What’s in store for Obamacare, tax cuts, the Border Wall… and next year’s midterm elections?
To the Point
Senate healthcare bill: Reductions in medical care, cuts in taxes Republicans have promised to abolish Obamacare and cut taxes for the richest Americans. First the House, and now the Senate, would accomplish both at the same time… at the cost of shredding the safety net for millions of poor and elderly people. A few moderate Republicans say the Senate bill goes too far; some conservatives say it doesn't go far enough. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is trying to find an acceptable balance to pass it by the end of next week. We look at the elements and get a progress report.
To the Point
War on poverty or war against the poor? The White House budget request is called A New Foundation for American Greatness , in tune with the best-known slogan of the Trump campaign. Massive cuts in safety-net programs, from Medicaid to food stamps, are supposed to get people off the dole and into the workforce. Where are the jobs? Massive tax cuts for the wealthy are expected to trickle down and be offset by growth in the economy. It's a formula that hasn't worked before, and the Budget Director admits that $2 trillion in revenue has been double counted.
To the Point
A Republican 'victory' that might not last With some help from the President, House Republicans have shown they can pass a bill, but the GOP still hasn't shown it can govern. Some Congressmen who voted to repeal and replace Obamacare didn't have time to read the measure. Some senators say they'll start over from scratch. Nobody knows what the House bill would cost or how many people would lose health insurance. It is clear that tax breaks would go to the wealthy. Democrats are already targeting Republicans for next year's mid-term elections. How confident should they be?
To the Point
Lofty new rhetoric for a familiar message The President who's picked so many fights with so many people told Congress last night it's time for a change. "The time for trivial fights is behind us… Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. Every problem can be solved. And every hurting family can find healing, and hope. Our citizens deserve this, and so much more – so why not join forces to finally get it done and get it done right?" Even some "Never Trump" hold -outs were impressed — but the bar was low for supporters who only hoped their President would act "presidential." The consensus is that he did, but without explaining how ambitious plans can be paid for or how to resolve conflicts with his own Republican Party in Congress. Has "Teleprompter Trump" replaced "Twitter Trump" for the long term — or just for a one-night stand?
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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
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
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.