Morning Wire: Inflation Rises & Red Dye 40 Banned | Afternoon Update | January 15, 2025

In this episode of Morning Wire, hosts Georgia Howe and John Bickley delve into a range of pressing topics from political developments and legislative actions to economic updates and public health decisions. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the afternoon update.

1. Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi's Confirmation Hearing

Reporter: Tim Rice
Timestamp: 00:29

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee today for her confirmation hearing. Bondi, the former Attorney General of Florida, emphasized her commitment to restoring integrity to the Department of Justice (DOJ) while addressing concerns about potential politicization.

Notable Exchange:

Pam Bondi:
“Senator, I think that is the whole problem with the weaponization that we have seen the last four years and what's been happening to Donald Trump. They targeted Donald Trump. They went after him, actually starting back in 2016. They targeted his campaign. They have launched countless investigations against him. That will not be the case if I am attorney general. I will not politicize that office. I will not target people simply because of their political affiliation.”
(01:13)

Bondi's nomination has garnered bipartisan support, though moments of contention arose during the hearing. In particular, Bondi effectively countered Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's concerns regarding the potential misuse of the DOJ to target political adversaries.

Additionally, other of Trump's Cabinet nominees, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also appeared for their respective hearings today.

2. Supreme Court Hears Texas Age Verification Law Case

Reporter: Amanda Presto Giacomo
Timestamp: 02:08

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a contentious Texas law that mandates adult websites to verify users' ages before granting access. This case, Free Speech Coalition vs. Paxton, juxtaposes child safety concerns against First Amendment rights.

Key Points:

• Proponents' Argument:
  The Age Verification Providers Association supports the law, asserting it protects children from harmful content using secure age verification technology.

• Opponents' Stance:
  Organizations like the ACLU argue that the law infringes on free speech and poses significant risks to user privacy. Critics fear it could lead to broader implications for online free expression.

The ruling, anticipated by June, will have far-reaching effects on online content regulation nationwide.

3. Ceasefire Deal in Gaza

Reporter: Tim Pierce
Timestamp: 02:51

After over 15 months of conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has indicated that a ceasefire deal is imminent. Multiple mediators report that both parties have agreed to halt hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages.

Details of the Deal:

• Hostage Exchange:
  Hamas will release 33 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, in exchange for the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

• Future Negotiations:
  The agreement sets the stage for negotiating the release of an additional 97 hostages, with the first three expected to be freed on day one as a sign of compliance.

This ceasefire marks a significant step towards ending a prolonged period of violence in the region.

4. Inflation Rises Amidst Economic Concerns

Reporter: Georgia Howe
Timestamp: 03:19

The Labor Department reports a 0.4% increase in inflation for December, bringing the annual rate to 2.9%—the highest since July 2024. Rising energy costs, which surged by 2.6%, are a primary driver, alongside increasing food prices.

Economic Outlook:

Wells Fargo Economist Shannon Green:
“I don't think this really changes anything for where the Fed sits at this point. I think the Fed's going to take a cautious approach to further reduction in rates and depending on how the data evolve in January and February before their March meeting, we'll see kind of what the expectation is in terms of further easing.”
(03:51)

Despite the uptick in inflation, economists anticipate that the Federal Reserve will maintain steady interest rates in the upcoming policy decision.

5. President-Elect Trump's New Federal Agency: External Revenue Service

Reporter: Tim Rice
Timestamp: 04:28

Donald Trump has announced plans to establish the External Revenue Service (ERS), a new federal agency aimed at collecting tariffs, duties, and other foreign payments owed to the United States. This initiative is intended to reduce the dependency on American taxpayers for funding national growth.

Key Points:

• Implementation Date:
  The ERS is set to launch on January 20, coinciding with Trump’s first day in office.

• Tariff Policies:
  Trump reiterated his intent to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China as part of the agency’s mandate.

This move signifies a strategic shift in how the U.S. manages its international trade finances.

6. House Passes Bill Barring Males from Female Sports

Reporter: Georgia Howe
Timestamp: 04:58

The House of Representatives has passed the Protection of Women in Girls Sports Act with a vote of 218 to 206. Notably, two Democratic representatives from Texas, Henry Cuellar and Vincent Gonzalez, broke party lines to support the measure.

Support and Opposition:

Proponents' View:

Speaker Mike Johnson:
“Let's get back to balance, because we've been out of balance with a radical push to the left that doesn't represent America, doesn't represent our society. And quite frankly, in the instance of men playing women's sports, it's not just a Title 9 issue or an equality issue. It's a safety issue.”
(05:34)

Proponents argue that the bill ensures fairness and safety in women's sports.

Opponents' Concerns:

Representative Andrea Salinas warns that the bill could lead to intrusive questioning and unfairly target transgender youth, raising civil rights issues.

Congressman August Pflueger:
Expressed the desire to continue advocating for common-sense regulations in sports to maintain competitive balance.

7. FDA Bans Red Dye 40 in Food Products

Reporter: Mary Margaret Olihan
Timestamp: 05:52

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially banned the use of the food additive Red Dye 40, a decision reached 35 years after the chemical was prohibited in cosmetics and medications.

Background and Implications:

• Usage:
  Red Dye 40 is commonly used to impart bright red colors to food, candy, and condiments.

• Health Concerns:
  Studies have linked the dye to ADHD in children and potential cancer risks in animal models.

• Regulatory Journey:
  Despite previous resistance from the outgoing FDA chief, Dr. Robert Kalief, citing funding barriers for further research, persistent activism from parents, food safety experts, and advocacy from RFK Jr.’s presidential campaign led to the final ban.

Already prohibited in California and Europe, this FDA decision underscores growing concerns over food safety and children's health.

Conclusion

Today's Morning Wire afternoon update provided a thorough overview of significant developments across various sectors. From high-stakes political confirmations and legislative battles to critical economic indicators and public health measures, the episode offered listeners a detailed and insightful analysis of events shaping the national and international landscape.

For more in-depth coverage on these stories, visit dailywire.com and tune in to the full episode of Morning Wire.