Morning Wire (Evening Edition) — March 18, 2026

Episode Theme: Senate Scrutiny, Economic Anxiety, and Industry Shifts

Overview

On this March 18th edition of Evening Wire, hosts Georgia Howe and John Bickley lead listeners through a pivotal day in politics, national security, the economy, and major business news. Centered on the contentious confirmation hearing for the nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the episode explores heated Senate exchanges, updates on international affairs, the economic impact of Middle East tensions, and notable moves in the tech and auto industries. The show’s tone remains brisk and factual, with pointed quotes from lawmakers and officials.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senate DHS Confirmation Hearing

• Opening Fireworks (00:49 - 01:44)

  • Oklahoma Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, President Trump’s nominee to replace Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary, was grilled, notably by Senator Rand Paul.

    • Paul challenged Mullen over past personal insults and intra-party disputes.
    • Mullen responded candidly, acknowledging his bluntness and attempting conciliation.
      • Quote (Mark Wayne Mullen at 01:10):
        “Everybody in this room knows that I'm very blunt and direct... I simply address that. I said I could understand because of the behavior you were having... Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us.”
    • Mullen also walked back previous comments referring to shooting victim Alex Preddy as a "deranged individual," admitting he spoke prematurely.
      • Quote (Mullen at 01:38):
        "I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That's my fault. That won't happen.”

  • Senator Josh Hawley questioned Mullen over DHS operations during the ongoing shutdown amid recent violence, referencing a deadly shooting with possible terrorist ties.

    • Quote (Mullen at 02:05):
      “It's the worst time and it's devastating to the morale of the men and women we have tasked to keep care of all of us. And they have that mission mindset, but they don't have the pay to follow it up.”

2. National Security & Foreign Affairs

• Iran Intelligence Update (02:19 - 02:43)

  • Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, testified about recent US operations degrading Iran’s capabilities but noted the regime remains intact.
    • Quote (Gabbard, via reporter at 02:30):
      “The IC assesses the regime in Iran appears to be intact but largely degraded due to attacks... Iran's strategic position has been significantly degraded."
  • Gabbard evaded direct questions on whether intelligence warned of Iran’s possible retaliation, saying only that “best objective intelligence” continues to be provided.

• Israel Strikes Iranian Gas Field (03:00 - 03:32)

  • Israel targeted Iran's South Pars gas field, impacting global oil prices.
  • The attack is interpreted as a move to cut off Revolutionary Guard funding. Qatar condemned the attack; Iran pledged to escalate.

3. Economic Updates

• Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady (03:32 - 04:00)

  • The Fed left rates unchanged (3.5–3.75%) due to “unpredictable economic impacts” of the Iran conflict and volatile oil prices.

    • Quote (Cabot Phillips at 03:42):
      “Fed Chairman Jerome Powell announced the decision earlier this afternoon, citing the unpredictable economic impacts of the Iran conflict and rising oil prices... the Fed is waiting and watching.”

  • Growing concerns about stagflation with “surging energy costs [and] sluggish growth.”

• DHS Funding Proposals (04:00 - 04:45)

  • The White House and Senate Democrats are trading funding proposals to reopen DHS, including concessions on body cameras and immigration enforcement zones.
    • Quote (Tim Pierce at 04:13):
      "A White House official described the counter proposal as reasonable and serious."

• US Allies & Strait of Hormuz (04:45 - 05:18)

  • President Trump signals a changing US policy—proposing that countries who rely on the Strait of Hormuz should secure it themselves, hinting at withdrawing US Navy protection.
    • Quote (Trump via Georgia Howe at 04:45):
      “That would get some of our non responsive allies in gear and fast.”

4. Healthcare & Politics

• New Abortion-related Legislation (05:18 - 06:07)
  • Congresswoman Mary Miller proposes the Clean Water for All Life Act, banning abortion pills without a healthcare provider present and addressing fetal remains disposal.
    • Quote (Miller via Jordan Schroeder at 05:28):
      "The murder for profit abortion industry has completely ignored the dangerous and unethical disposal of preborn baby remains and toxic chemical waste produced by abortion pills."

5. Electoral Politics

• Maine Senate Race Heats Up (07:19 - 08:23)
  • Governor Janet Mills (Democrat) targets populist rival Graham Platner over insensitive comments about sexual assault.
    • Quote (Graham Platner, cited at 07:42):
      “Women worried about rape need to, quote, not get so f ed up, they wind up having sex with someone they don't mean to.”
    • Platner’s campaign calls the ad desperate, citing his strong polling.
    • Republican response: “It doesn't matter how The Chuck Schumer vs Bernie Sanders proxy war ends because both of these candidates will lose to Susan Collins.”

6. Industry & Technology

• Tesla & LG Partner for Michigan Battery Plant (08:23 - 09:00)

  • Tesla teams with LG to repurpose a Lansing facility once designated for GM, now targeting energy storage solutions.
  • GM and Ford, meanwhile, are scaling back their EV ambitions, with battery production shifting to products for homes/businesses.
    • Facility to produce lithium iron phosphate batteries—previously mainly sourced from overseas.

• Nvidia Resumes Chip Sales to China (09:00 - 09:48)

  • Nvidia, with US approval, will sell H200 AI processors (just behind its most advanced chips) to China under a deal sharing profits with the federal government.
    • Quote (Joel Niedler at 09:10):
      "...with an agreement to pay a quarter of its profits to the federal government."
  • Security experts caution this could erode US technological advantage over China.

• Amazon Cuts USPS Business (09:48 - 10:25)

  • Amazon plans to reduce postal shipments by at least two-thirds as its USPS contract nears expiration, dealing a major blow to the struggling postal service.
    • Quote (Madeline Fry Schultz at 09:56):
      “Amazon is currently the USPS's largest customer, sending more than a billion packages a year... The USPS is already on track to lose money this year and will soon have lost its biggest buyer.”

7. Sports

• March Madness Begins (10:25 - 11:08)
  • NCAA basketball tournament starts Thursday; Duke Blue Devils are the top seed.
    • Quote (Lyndon Blake at 10:33):
      “Thursday's tip off marks one of the most exciting days on the sports calendar... a national championship. A true blue blood... the Duke Blue Devils.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bipartisan Frustration (DHS Confirmation):
  • Mark Wayne Mullen: "Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us." [01:10]
• On DHS Shutdown Impact:
  • Mullen: "It's the worst time and it's devastating to the morale..." [02:05]
• On the Iran Situation:
  • Tulsi Gabbard: "Iran's strategic position has been significantly degraded." [02:30]
• Trump's Social Media Pressure:
  • Georgia Howe quoting Trump: "That would get some of our non responsive allies in gear and fast." [04:45]
• On Abortion Industry Legislation:
  • Mary Miller: "The murder for profit abortion industry has completely ignored the dangerous and unethical disposal..." [05:28]
• Maine Senate Race Controversy:
  • Graham Platner (quoted): "...not get so f ed up, they wind up having sex with someone they don't mean to.” [07:42]
• On Amazon & USPS:
  • Madeline Fry Schultz: “Amazon is currently the USPS's largest customer..." [09:56]
• Sports Outlook:
  • Lyndon Blake: “Thursday’s tip off marks one of the most exciting days on the sports calendar…” [10:33]

Timestamps

• [00:49-01:44] Senate confirmation fireworks; Mullen grilled by Rand Paul and walks back shooting comments
• [01:51-02:05] Sen. Hawley presses on DHS shutdown and security implications
• [02:19-02:43] Tulsi Gabbard details Iran strategy after Israeli attack
• [03:32-04:00] Fed holds rates steady; concerns about economic fallout
• [04:00-04:45] DHS funding negotiations and proposals
• [04:45-05:18] President Trump signals shift in US global security commitments
• [05:18-06:07] Abortion pill legislation—Clean Water for All Life Act introduced
• [07:19-08:23] Maine Senate race and campaign ad controversy
• [08:23-09:00] Tesla-LG Michigan battery plant announcement
• [09:00-09:48] Nvidia resumes AI chip sales in China with US oversight
• [09:48-10:25] Amazon to slash USPS business, threatening postal finances
• [10:25-11:08] March Madness tournament preview

The episode presents a cross-section of political clashes, national security anxiety, economic uncertainty, and industry shifts, all with direct commentary from public figures and reporters, keeping listeners abreast of issues shaping the day's news.