Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: Will The Big Beautiful Bill Make It Through The Senate?
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook
Introduction
The episode begins with Josh Holmes reflecting on the legislative challenges in Washington, emphasizing the tendency of politicians to avoid action due to political risks. He criticizes lawmakers like Thomas Massie for opposing spending cuts, thereby exacerbating deficits and providing Democrats with talking points.
Key Topics Discussed
1. The Budget Reconciliation Bill and Tax Cuts
Josh Holmes introduces the main topic: the progress of the budget reconciliation bill, a cornerstone of President Trump's economic agenda. He highlights the complexities involved in passing the bill through both the House and the Senate, especially given the narrow Republican majority.
- Notable Quote:
Josh Holmes [00:00]: “Everybody's going to find a reason to say no to anything in Washington because anything is political risk. Doing nothing is the easiest thing to do.”
Comfortably Smug and other hosts commend Speaker Johnson's leadership in navigating these challenges, praising his ability to unify diverse Republican factions to pass essential components like the "no tax on tips" provision.
- Notable Quote:
Comfortably Smug [04:26]: “Has any politician been doubted more in their leadership in such a short period of time than this man? And has he. Has anyone delivered more in that period of time?”
2. The Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate Controversy
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the electric vehicle mandates imposed by California and subsequently adopted by 11 other states and the District of Columbia. These mandates require a substantial percentage of new cars sold to be electric, excluding hybrids, leading to concerns about consumer choice, increased costs, and job losses in traditional automotive sectors.
- Notable Quote:
Shelley Moore Capito [48:44]: “Next year, 30% of the new cars sold in California and 11 other states and the District of Columbia had to be electric vehicles. By 2035, zero cars sold in these regions had to be anything but electric.”
The hosts express frustration over the federal government's inability to override these state-level mandates, framing it as an overreach that ties America's economic future to California's policies. They discuss the use of the Congressional Review Act to nullify these mandates, highlighting Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s pivotal role in this effort.
- Notable Quote:
Shelley Moore Capito [49:32]: “We are very pleased about this because what happened was... this doesn't break the filibuster. It doesn't overrule the parliamentarian because we worked really hard to work the right way.”
3. Legislative Process and Bipartisan Efforts
Josh Holmes delves into the intricacies of the legislative process required to pass and reconcile the budget bill between the House and Senate. He underscores the importance of bipartisan cooperation and the strategic maneuvers needed to navigate procedural hurdles like the Byrd Rule.
- Notable Quote:
Josh Holmes [21:10]: “This is like a... What do we need to see here? And ultimately, how do you get that over the finish line?... if you're actually want to make a tangible difference, you gotta be a part of that solution.”
Shelley Moore Capito elaborates on the bipartisan nature of Medicaid reforms within the bill, emphasizing the need to balance budgetary constraints without harming vulnerable sectors like rural hospitals.
- Notable Quote:
Shelley Moore Capito [13:14]: “But you know, there are two houses of Congress and the bill now goes to the Senate and Medicaid will take center stage because there are a bunch of Republican senators from rural states who want to make sure that waste, fraud and abuse was written in the right way so that it doesn't hurt these rural hospitals that are struggling out there.”
4. Guest Segment: Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Senator Shelley Moore Capito joins the discussion to shed light on the recent Senate actions against the EV mandates. She outlines the challenges faced, the strategies employed to garner support, and the importance of maintaining consumer choice and economic stability.
- Notable Quote:
Shelley Moore Capito [49:32]: “We were very pleased about this because... this doesn't break the filibuster. It doesn't overrule the parliamentarian because we worked really hard to work the right way.”
She also touches upon the broader implications of environmental policies on states like West Virginia, stressing the need for balanced approaches that consider both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
- Notable Quote:
Shelley Moore Capito [54:02]: “Particularly in environmental policies. They're unattainable goals. They're expensive. Who's going to pay for all this?”
5. Audience Interaction and Humor
The hosts engage in lighthearted segments, including a humorous “Question of the Day” where listeners are asked, “Would you jerk off a horse to save your house?” This segment, though offbeat, serves to maintain an engaging and entertaining atmosphere amidst the heavy legislative discussions.
- Notable Quote:
Josh Holmes [32:56]: “Would you jerk off a horse to save your house? Good God.”
6. The Diddy Trial Brief Mention
While the main focus remains on legislative matters, the hosts briefly touch upon the Diddy trial, discussing its sensational aspects and the potential political ramifications. However, this segment is more for entertainment and anecdotal purposes rather than a deep dive into the topic.
- Notable Quote:
Josh Holmes [41:05]: “Okay, I don't know how much you guys have been paying attention to this Diddy trial. I've basically like, put it aside. It's everywhere and people are talking about it and like you expect all kinds of different things.”
Conclusions and Forward Look
The episode concludes with a confident outlook on the passage of the budget reconciliation bill through the Senate. Josh Holmes reiterates the importance of bipartisan solutions and the determination needed to overcome political inertia.
- Notable Quote:
Josh Holmes [53:34]: “That is what makes for big things. She did it with that. Fellas, look, you gotta like and subscribe. I'm just telling you, if you're not liking and subscribing and sending all to your friends. You're missing the worst stuff, the ditty stuff.”
Senator Capito assures listeners that despite procedural challenges, the Senate is poised to finalize the bill, potentially by early July or August, aligning with the administration’s economic goals.
Final Thoughts
This episode of the Ruthless Podcast provides an in-depth analysis of the legislative hurdles surrounding the budget reconciliation bill and the contentious electric vehicle mandates. Through insightful discussions and expert commentary from Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the hosts illuminate the strategic efforts required to navigate Washington's complex political landscape. Balancing serious policy debates with moments of humor, the episode offers both informative and entertaining content for listeners keen on understanding the intricacies of American politics.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode to stay informed on the latest conservative perspectives in Washington.