Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Government Shutdown Countdown & EPA Makes Historic Cuts | 03.14.25

Introduction In the March 14, 2025 episode of "Morning Wire," Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe delve into critical developments in U.S. politics and environmental policy. The episode primarily focuses on the looming government shutdown threat and significant changes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, the discussion touches upon Utah's historic decision to ban fluoride in public drinking water and the broader implications of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

1. Government Shutdown Countdown

Overview The episode opens with a tense atmosphere as Senate Democrats threaten to block the impending spending bill, inching the federal government closer to a shutdown. The hosts and guest Cabot Phillips dissect the political maneuvering and potential fallout of this high-stakes scenario.

Key Points:

• Countdown to Shutdown: The possibility of a government shutdown intensifies as Senate Democrats hold up the spending bill.

  John Bickley [00:03]: "The countdown to government shutdown is underway as Senate Democrats threaten to sink the spending bill."

• Impact on Americans: Georgia Howe emphasizes that a shutdown would predominantly affect average Americans rather than the political elite.

  Georgia Howe [00:08]: "If the government shuts down, it will be average Americans who suffer most..."

• Spending Bill Stalemate: Senior editor Cabot Phillips explains the dynamics in Congress, highlighting the Republican House's passing of a continuing resolution (CR) and the challenges it faces in the Senate.

  Cabot Phillips [01:39]: "The federal government is on the verge of a shutdown as Congress debates a spending package in Washington."

• Democratic Resilience and Schumer's Shift: Initially unified under Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's stance to oppose the CR, Democrats faced internal pressure. However, Schumer's unexpected shift to support the Republican resolution marks a pivotal moment.

  Chuck Schumer [04:02]: "The only way to avoid the chaos of a government shutdown."

• Potential Outcomes: With Schumer backing the CR, the crucial question remains whether enough Democrats will join to reach the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to pass the bill and avert the shutdown.

  Georgia Howe [06:15]: "I'm hearing a lot of Democrats are going to vote for it, and I hope they do."

Notable Quotes:

• John Fetterman [02:37]: "A no vote would be chaos. And I will never vote for chaos."
• Georgia Howe [03:50]: "Either proceed with the bill before us or risk Donald Trump throwing America into the chaos of a shutdown."

2. EPA's Historic Deregulatory Actions

Overview A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the EPA's transformative actions under its new administrator, Lee Zeldin. The discussion underscores the administration's commitment to dismantling what it terms the "Green New Scam," reshaping environmental policies, and reallocating federal spending.

Key Points:

• Historic EPA Restructuring: Administrator Lee Zeldin announces 31 actions aimed at reducing federal environmental regulations to bolster American energy sectors.

  Georgia Howe [07:03]: "EPA will be reconsidering many suffocating rules that restrict nearly every sector of our economy..."

• Critique of Green Policies: Zeldin's Wall Street Journal op-ed criticizes the previous administration's environmental initiatives, labeling them as detrimental to American energy progress.

  Tim Pierce [07:36]: "Zeldin wrote that the Trump administration is driving a dagger through the heart of climate change religion..."

• Recovery of Funds: The administration seeks to retrieve $20 billion in grants disbursed by the Biden EPA, labeling them as "green slush fund" and questioning their lawful allocation.

  Georgia Howe [08:20]: "They were getting billions of dollars. ... unable to answer a whole lot of very simple questions required whenever the federal government is spending even a dollar."

• IRS Workforce Cuts: Parallel to EPA changes, the Department of Government Efficiency proposes reducing the IRS workforce by a fifth, although facing legal challenges.

  Tim Pierce [09:23]: "This kind of major restructuring is facing roadblocks and legal challenges in the courts."

Notable Quotes:

• Lee Zeldin [07:13]: "Our actions include the Biden administration's deeply flawed Clean Power Plan..."
• John Bickley [06:38]: "EPA makes the biggest deregulatory action in US History."

3. Utah Bans Fluoride in Public Water

Overview Utah makes history by becoming the first state to enact a statewide ban on fluoride in public drinking water. This legislative move is part of a growing national debate on water fluoridation, fueled by health concerns and advocacy from influential figures.

Key Points:

• Legislation Details: Sponsored by Republican Representative Stephanie Grishius, the bill prohibits fluoridation statewide while allowing pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements as needed.

  Amanda Prestige Mohammed [10:14]: "The legislation is sponsored by Republican Representative Stephanie Grishius, who argues that it's expensive to add fluoride and nixing this addition is about promoting individual choice."

• National Movement: The push against fluoride gains momentum through endorsements from prominent figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services, who labels fluoride an "industrial waste" with adverse health effects.

  Amanda Prestige Mohammed [11:05]: "RFK has highlighted that ruling as well as other recent studies."

• Public and Judicial Response: The movement receives mixed reactions, with supporters lauding the protection of individual choice and opponents citing the essential role of fluoride in oral health.

  Dr. Lena Wen [12:33]: "There are still Americans living in areas... where harm has been associated."

Notable Quotes:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [11:05]: "On day one he would advise that all US Water systems remove fluoride from public water."
• Dr. Lena Wen [12:33]: "Maybe the EPA's maximum level should be lowered. So I definitely think that more studies are needed."

4. Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Movement Developments

Overview The MAHA movement, spearheaded by RFK Jr., seeks to overhaul health policies, including vaccine research and food safety regulations. The episode explores recent initiatives and the public's reception of these efforts.

Key Points:

• Vaccine Research Cuts: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) terminates over 40 grants related to vaccine hesitancy, aligning with MAHA's priorities.

  Amanda Prestige Mohammed [12:41]: "On vaccines, the National Institutes of Health will stop spending money to find out why Americans are hesitant to take vaccines."

• Food Safety Revisions: The FDA is directed to require companies to submit safety data for new food ingredients publicly, enhancing transparency.

  Amanda Prestige Mohammed [12:41]: "...manufacturers will have to publicly submit safety data for new ingredients."

• Corporate Meetings: RFK Jr. engages with major food companies to advocate for the elimination of certain dyes from their products.

  Amanda Prestige Mohammed [12:41]: "On Monday, Kennedy met with executives from major food companies... and he urged them to eliminate certain dyes from their recipes."

• Public Support: Kansas Senator Roger Marshall highlights overwhelming public backing for the MAHA movement, emphasizing the nation's health crises.

  Lee Zeldin [13:49]: "I saw some today that over 90, 95% of Americans support Make America Healthy Again."

Notable Quotes:

• Roger Marshall [13:49]: "60% of Americans have a chronic disease... So America's very sick."
• Lee Zeldin [14:17]: "What I look forward to doing is working with Secretary Kennedy now and trying to make America healthy again."

Conclusion The March 14 episode of "Morning Wire" provides a comprehensive analysis of pressing issues facing the United States, from the brink of a government shutdown to transformative changes in environmental and public health policies. Through insightful commentary and expert interviews, John Bickley and Georgia Howe offer listeners a clear understanding of the potential impacts these developments hold for the nation.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• John Bickley [00:03]: "The countdown to government shutdown is underway as Senate Democrats threaten to sink the spending bill."
• Georgia Howe [06:15]: "I'm hearing a lot of Democrats are going to vote for it, and I hope they do."
• Lee Zeldin [13:49]: "Over 90, 95% of Americans support Make America Healthy Again."

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