Schumer Supports GOP Budget & California Needs Money | Afternoon Update | 3.14.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Schumer Supports GOP Budget & California Needs Money | Afternoon Update | 3.14.25

Release Date: March 14, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Podcast: Morning Wire by The Daily Wire

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Senate Approves Funding Bill with Schumer's Support

The episode opens with Georgia Howe reporting that the Republican-led Senate is on the verge of passing a crucial funding bill backed by former President Donald Trump. This stopgap measure is designed to avert a government shutdown slated to occur at midnight. The House's approved resolution is set for a procedural vote in the Senate today. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has shifted his stance to support the bill, a move that is likely to secure its passage despite significant backlash from many Democrats.

Notable Quote:

Chuck Schumer [00:55]: “I knew I'd get criticized, but I felt obligated for the country, for my Democratic caucus to the people to explain how bad a shutdown would be. And if we had if we went into a shutdown and everything bad happened, I had to give people this warning.”

Schumer defended his decision on MSNBC, emphasizing his responsibility to prevent the adverse effects of a shutdown on the nation.

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Hamas Agrees to Release Last Living US Hostage

Georgia Howe continues with international news, highlighting a significant development in the Gaza conflict. Hamas has agreed to release Eden Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American who has been held captive for 525 days. Additionally, the bodies of four dual national hostages will be returned as part of this agreement. This deal represents progress in ongoing negotiations, pressured by President Trump’s administration, which has prioritized the liberation of all hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to convene with his team to strategize the next steps as ceasefire discussions persist in Qatar.

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California Faces $3.5 Billion Medi-Cal Shortfall

Transitioning to state-level politics, Daily Wire senior editor Ash Short reports on California's impending budget crisis. The state plans to borrow approximately $3.5 billion to address a shortfall in Medi-Cal funding. This move, however, only provides temporary relief, covering expenses until the end of the month.

The crisis stems from an unexpected surge in costs related to undocumented immigrants receiving healthcare services. Originally estimated at $3 billion, the actual expenditure has ballooned to $8.4 billion, sparking intense debate.

Notable Quote:

Carl DeMaio [02:01]: “I was thrown off the Budget Committee after exposing the massive cost for illegal immigrant health care and the three plus billion dollar loan.”

Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, who voiced concerns over the escalating costs, was removed from the Budget Committee following his revelations. An unnamed committee member elaborated on the issue:

Unnamed Budget Committee Member [02:38]: “We're talking about one out of four dollars in the medical program in the state general fund in California is being handed out to an illegal immigrant. And that's why it is insolvent.”

This significant overrun has intensified scrutiny over California’s financial management and its commitments to undocumented residents.

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New Air Restrictions Implemented Near Reagan National Airport

Georgia Howe reports on enhanced aviation safety measures in Washington, D.C., following a tragic mid-air collision in January. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will permanently restrict non-essential helicopter operations around Reagan Washington National Airport. These new restrictions are a response to the 85 near-miss incidents recorded over the past two and a half years.

Notable Quote:

Sean Duffy [04:01]: “When this data comes in, how did the FAA not know, how did they not study the data to say, hey, this is a hotspot, we're having near misses and if we don't change our way, we're going to lose lives.”

Duffy criticized the FAA for prior inaction and highlighted the administration’s commitment to prioritizing safety. The integration of AI tools by the FAA aims to proactively address potential hazards before they result in tragedies.

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President Trump's Tax Plan to Eliminate Income Taxes Below $150k

As tax day approaches, Ash Short discusses President Trump's ambitious tax proposal, which aims to eliminate income taxes for Americans earning less than $150,000 annually. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick introduced this plan during an interview with CBS, positioning it as a transformative economic strategy.

In response, Chuck Schumer criticized the plan’s breadth and feasibility.

Notable Quote:

Chuck Schumer [05:08]: “How about no tax on tips? How about no tax on overtime? How about no Social Security? These are the kind of thoughts that will change America. I know what his goal is no tax for anybody who makes less than $150,000 a year. That's his goal. So yes, that's what I'm working for.”

Schumer’s remarks underscore the opposition’s skepticism regarding the tax plan’s implications and its comprehensive nature.

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Upcoming Massive Storm System to Impact 100 Million Americans

Amanda Presto Giacomo provides a weather forecast warning of a formidable storm system set to impact over 100 million Americans from Texas and Alabama extending to Minnesota and Wisconsin over the weekend. The storm is expected to bring:

• Severe Tornadoes: Over two dozen tornadoes predicted.
• Flash Floods: Significant flooding risks accompanying the storm.
• Blizzards: Up to a foot of snow in regions like the Dakotas and Minnesota.
• Wildfires: Increased wildfire risks despite the incoming storms.

The central states, including Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee, will bear the brunt, with high winds and flash floods anticipated along the Eastern seaboard from Florida to Massachusetts by Sunday.

Notable Quote:

Amanda Presto Giacomo [05:37]: “Meteorologists are predicting over two dozen tornadoes, golf ball sized hail and 80 mile per hour winds as the storm rolls east Saturday into Sunday.”

Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions in anticipation of the severe weather conditions.

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Versace Appoints New Creative Director

In the world of fashion, Georgia Howe shares that Versace is undergoing a significant leadership change. After three decades at the helm, Donatella Versace is stepping down as the creative director of the iconic Italian luxury brand. Donatella, who took over after the tragic murder of her brother Gianni Versace in 1997, was instrumental in expanding the brand into various industries, including hospitality and automotive sectors. She also played a key role in the brand’s $2.1 billion sale to Michael Kors.

Notable Quote:

Georgia Howe [06:21]: “Donatella is credited with expanding the luxury brand into hotels and even automobiles, and for brokering its $2.1 billion sale to Michael Kors.”

Dario Vitale, formerly associated with Prada’s Miu Miu line, has been announced as the new creative director. His appointment marks a new chapter for Versace as it seeks to continue its legacy of luxury and innovation under fresh leadership.

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Additional Updates

Ash Short concludes the episode with a brief roundup of other significant stories covered that morning, including:

• Democrats’ Shutdown Threats: Ongoing political maneuvering and threats related to government funding.
• Death of the Green New Deal: Developments impacting environmental policy and legislative efforts.
• Anti-Fluoride Movement: Rising opposition and movements against fluoride usage in public utilities.

Listeners are encouraged to visit dailywire.com for more in-depth coverage of these stories and more.

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Transcript

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[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Friday, March 14th and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update. The Republican led Senate is poised to pass a funding bill today that's backed by President Trump. The stopgap bill will prevent a government shutdown that would hit at midnight tonight. The House approved resolution faces a procedural vote in the Senate today, but as we reported this morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has reversed course and agreed to support the bill so it will likely pass. Many Democrats are upset with Schumer's decision, which he defended on msnbc.

[Chuck Schumer]

I knew I'd get criticized, but I felt obligated for the country, for my Democratic caucus to the people to explain how bad a shutdown would be. And if we had if we went into a shutdown and everything bad happened, I had to give people this warning.

[Georgia Howe]

Hamas agreed today to release the last living US hostage held in Gaza. Eden Alexander, a 21 year old Israeli American, has been in captivity for 525 days. The bodies of four dual national hostages will also be returned as part of the deal announced by a senior Hamas official. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet his team Saturday to plan next steps as ceasefire talks continue in Qatar. It's unclear when the transfer of hostages will take place, but it marks progress and negotiations amid pressure from President Trump, who has prioritized freeing all hostages.

[Ash Short]

California will borrow around $3.5 billion to cover the state's Medi Cal shortfall. Daily Wire senior editor Ash Short has details of the budget crisis.

[Carl DeMaio]

Officials inside governor Gavin Newsom's administration are warning that the multi billion dollar loan is the maximum the state can borrow and only covers bills through the end of this month. The shortfall is fueling debate over the state's $8.4 billion cost to cover undocumented immigrants this year. This is nearly Triple the original $3 billion estimate provided California voters. Assemblymember Carl DeMaio says he was thrown off the Budget Committee after exposing the massive cost for illegal immigrant health care and the three plus billion dollar loan. Morning Wire spoke to DiMeo about the massive cost overrun.

[Unnamed Budget Committee Member]

I was on the Budget Committee for only two hearings. And I was taken off because of the line of questioning I've been engaging in in a variety of government programs and budget items. This was at my first hearing where we basically said our sources, our investigators are telling us that the cost of illegal and immigrant health care is not what you represented in the budget, that it's far higher. What's the real number? And she said, it's 9.5 billion. I said, okay, so, well, that's 43% higher than you guesstimated. And how much of that is general fund, which means how much of it is not being reimbursed by the federal government? And the answer, $8.4 billion, all but a small fraction of the cost. So we're talking about one out of four dollars in the medical program in the state general fund in California is being handed out to an illegal immigrant. And that's why it is insolvent.

[Georgia Howe]

Currently there are new air restrictions around DC's main airport after January's tragic mid air collision. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this week that the FAA is accepting both safety recommendations from the NTSB to permanently restrict non essential helicopter operations around Reagan Washington National Airport. The move makes permanent the temporary restrictions put in place by Duffy and the FAA after the deadly mid air collision on January 29th. He made this announcement this week.

[Sean Duffy]

Over the last two and a half years, there have been 85 near misses or close calls, and that is close calls that are within 200ft of vertical separation and 1500ft of lateral separation. Incredibly close for aircraft, 85 of them. I think the question is, when this data comes in, how did the FAA not know, how did they not study the data to say, hey, this is a hotspot, we're having near misses and if we don't change our way, we're going to lose lives. That wasn't done. Maybe there was a focus on something other than safety, but in this administration, we are focusing on safety. And so what the FAA has deployed is AI tools. Our AI tools will help us take corrective actions preemptively as opposed to retroactively.

[Ash Short]

Tax day is just a month away. Imagine no income taxes for Americans earning less than $150,000 a year. That's President Trump's goal, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He floated the novel idea in an interview with CBS this Week.

[Chuck Schumer]

How about no tax on tips? How about no tax on overtime? How about no Social Security? How about all those things? These are the kind of thoughts that will change America. I know what his goal is no tax for anybody who makes less than $150,000 a year. That's his goal. So yes, that's what I'm working for.

[Georgia Howe]

A massive storm system is set to slam over 100 million people across the US this weekend. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo has the details on the storm.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

Meteorologists are warning of tornadoes, flash floods, blizzards and wildfires for today through Sunday, several states will be affected from Texas and Alabama up to Minnesota and Wisconsin. The central states, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee will face the worst of the storms. Meteorologists are predicting over two dozen tornadoes, golf ball sized hail and 80 mile per hour winds as the storm rolls east Saturday into Sunday. Severe thunderstorms and tornado risks will hit Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida while blizzards dump up to a foot of snow in the Dakotas and Minnesota. By Sunday, the entire Eastern seaboard from Florida to Massachusetts will likely experience high winds and flash floods.

[Georgia Howe]

And Versace is getting a New creative director. After 30 years at the helm of the iconic Italian fashion label Donatella, Versace is stepping down. She's been leading Versace since the murder of Brother gianni back in 1997 when he was known as the king of fashion. Donatella is credited with expanding the luxury brand into hotels and even automobiles, and for brokering its $2.1 billion sale to Michael Kors. Dario Vitale, formerly of Prada's Miu Miu line, will take over as creative director.

[Ash Short]

All right, there's your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning, we covered some major stories, including the Democrats shutdown threats, the death of the Green New Deal and the anti fluoride movement. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with a weekend edition of Morning.