The Confirmation Continuum: Day 3

Summary

The Charlie Kirk Show: "The Confirmation Continuum: Day 3" Summary

Release Date: January 16, 2025
Host: Charlie Kirk
Podcast: The Charlie Kirk Show

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Introduction

In the "Confirmation Continuum: Day 3" episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk provides live coverage and analysis of ongoing Senate confirmation hearings for key cabinet positions under the incoming administration. Titled "January Madness," the episode delves into the debates surrounding nominees for Treasury Secretary, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, and Secretary of Interior, among others. Drawing from real-time transcripts and interactions, Kirk offers insights into the political maneuvers and the broader implications for America's governance and economic future.

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1. Treasury Secretary Confirmation: Scott Besant

Timestamp: [00:50 – 41:32]

Overview: Scott Besant, the nominee for Treasury Secretary, faced a series of probing questions from Senate Democrats, primarily focusing on tax policy, dependency on China for critical minerals, Federal Reserve independence, and regulatory stances.

Key Discussions:

• Tax Policy and Economic Impact:

  • Question: [02:37] "Do you agree that extending current tax policy actually costs money?"
  • Besant's Response: He acknowledges the importance of certain tax credits, such as the 45x manufacturing tax credit, which supports jobs and reduces dependence on China for critical minerals. However, he indicates a need for further review and understanding of specific provisions before committing.

• Federal Reserve Independence:

  • Question: [04:25] "Does it continue to be your view that the Federal Reserve should be independent of the president?"
  • Besant's Response: [04:51] "Of course. The FOMC should be independent." He disputes claims that President Trump wished undue influence over the Federal Reserve, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining its autonomy.

• Regulatory Policies and Security:

  • Question: [06:01] On opposition to certain Treasury regulations and policies, including security measures.
  • Besant's Response: He supports a return to office-based operations to enhance security and pledges to oppose counterproductive policies affecting Treasury operations.

Notable Quotes:

• [05:41] Besant: "On monetary policy decisions, the FOMC should be independent."
• [14:49] Besant: "When President Trump takes office, and if I am confirmed, I will follow what President Trump wants to do."

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2. EPA Administrator Confirmation: Lee Zeldin

Timestamp: [07:21 – 32:35]

Overview: Lee Zeldin, nominated to lead the EPA, engaged in discussions about regulatory flexibility, support for small producers, and sustainable aviation fuel initiatives. His interactions highlighted a commitment to balancing environmental protection with economic growth.

Key Discussions:

• Regulatory Flexibility for Small Producers:

  • Question: [07:21] On EPA's one-size-fits-all approach to regulations.
  • Zeldin's Response: Emphasizes the need for "right-sized regulations" tailored to the circumstances of smaller producers, differentiating them from major corporations.

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel:

  • Discussion: Zeldin talks about the creation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Caucus, aiming to integrate agricultural and aviation sectors to develop sustainable fuel solutions, particularly in Kansas.

• Permitting and Collaboration:

  • Question: [17:36] On improving permitting processes and inter-agency collaboration.
  • Zeldin's Response: Advocates for collaboration between agencies and Congress to streamline environmental reviews and support sound applications that benefit both the economy and the environment.

Notable Quotes:

• [07:45] Zeldin: "I want your commitment to work with the industry, these small producers to find right sized regulations for the circumstances that they're in."
• [20:24] Zeldin: "I look forward to doing my part to make sure the EPA is not holding up any opportunities to be able to pursue sound applications that otherwise would be and should be approved."

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3. Secretary of Interior Confirmation: Doug Burgum

Timestamp: [32:11 – 38:17]

Overview: Doug Burgum, nominated for Secretary of Interior, addressed issues related to public land valuation, environmental regulation, and wildlife conservation. His responses underscored a focus on transparency, collaboration, and proactive conservation efforts.

Key Discussions:

• Public Land Valuation and Transparency:

  • Question: [32:35] On improving the valuation of federal lands to reflect their true worth to Americans.
  • Burgum's Response: Advocates for America's balance sheet concept, aiming to provide a clear financial understanding of public assets and liabilities to inform decision-making.

• PILT (Payments In Lieu of Taxes) Reforms:

  • Discussion: Burgum highlights the inefficiencies in the current PILT system, advocating for reforms to better support communities reliant on federal lands through adequate funding for essential services.

• Wildlife Conservation and the Endangered Species Act:

  • Question: [34:07] On collaboration with states to prevent species from needing federal protection.
  • Burgum's Response: Supports bipartisan efforts like the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, emphasizing proactive state-level conservation to avoid federal intervention.

Notable Quotes:

• [32:49] Burgum: "It is important for me to have always been able to approach this position with a clear conscience to make decisions that I can live with for my entire life."
• [35:10] Burgum: "I have been hugely impressed with the level of talent stepping up to serve at the EPA. That is the pressure that I am feeling at this moment is to bring out the best of EPA to make sure that we are fulfilling our mission of protecting public health and the environment."

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4. Bernie Sanders' Grilling of Scott Besant

Timestamp: [11:39 – 26:16]

Overview: Senator Bernie Sanders engaged Scott Besant in a rigorous interrogation about the state of wealth distribution in America, the implications of oligarchy, minimum wage policies, credit card interest rates, and potential tax hikes.

Key Discussions:

• Oligarchy and Wealth Concentration:

  • Question: [11:39] "Do you think that when so few people have so much wealth and economic and political power, that that is an oligarchic form of society?"
  • Besant's Response: Vaguely addresses the definition of oligarchy, shifting focus to the importance of economic mobility rather than directly answering the implications of wealth concentration.

• Minimum Wage Increase:

  • Question: [12:31] "Will you work with those of us who want to raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage to take millions of Americans out of poverty?"
  • Besant's Response: [13:27] "I believe that the minimum wage is more of a statewide and regional issue."

• Capping Credit Card Interest Rates:

  • Question: [13:37] "Will you be supportive of what President elect Trump and I would like to do, which is to cap credit card interest rates at 10%?"
  • Besant's Response: Initially non-committal, later affirms support: [14:49] "When President Trump takes office and if I am confirmed, I will follow what President Trump wants to do."

Notable Quotes:

• [12:31] Sanders: "We have over 22 million workers making less than $15 an hour... the federal minimum wage remains an unbelievable $7.25 an hour."
• [14:28] Sanders: "Even if you had that mobility, no matter who those individuals might be."

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5. Charlie Kirk's Commentary

Throughout the Episode

Analysis and Insights:

Charlie Kirk interjects his analysis between segments, offering a conservative perspective on the confirmation process and the political landscape.

• Comparison Between Republicans and Democrats:

  • Highlights the stark contrast in the Senate's response to confirmations compared to previous years, emphasizing the Republicans' efficiency versus the Democrats' perceived fatigue and lack of opposition.

• Oligarchy Debate:

  • [15:01] Contrasts Bernie Sanders' view of oligarchy with Scott Besant's approach, arguing that market economies allow for simultaneous wealth growth without the negative aspects of centralized oligarchic control.

• Economic Priorities:

  • Advocates for policies like "drill, baby, drill," no tax on tips, and restarting the American economy to protect workers and secure the southern border.

• Future Expectations:

  • Predicts a rapid confirmation of other cabinet nominees, foreseeing a swift and impactful start for the new administration.

Notable Quotes:

• [16:55] Kirk: "Bernie Sanders is correct. We've been saying that on this program for quite some time. But it's not the type of oligarchy that he thinks."
• [38:17] Kirk: "The pace at which the Senate is operating here is remarkable and the Democrats seem to lack a little bit of spunk."

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Conclusion

"The Confirmation Continuum: Day 3" offers a comprehensive look into the Senate's confirmation hearings for key cabinet positions, highlighting the nominees' stances on pivotal economic and environmental issues. Through live coverage and incisive commentary, Charlie Kirk underscores the promising momentum within the Republican-led Senate, setting the stage for a potentially transformative administration. The episode not only documents the procedural aspects of confirmations but also delves into the ideological battles shaping America's policy future.

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Notable Exclusions:

In adherence to the request, all advertisement segments, introductory and concluding remarks not related to content discussion were omitted to focus solely on the substantive portions of the episode.

Transcript

[Charlie Kirk]

Hey, everybody. Tony. Charlie Kirk Show. It is January madness. As the confirmations continue, we cover them live and analyze Scott Besant and his debate against Bernie Sanders or his confirmation. Here is Bernie Sanders and so much more. Email us as always, freedomarliekirk.com and subscribe to our podcast. Open up your podcast application and type in Charlie Kirk Show. Get involved with Turning Point [e-mail] that is tpusa.com Starting high school or college chapter today at tpusa.com Become a member today. Members.charliekirk.com that is members.charliekirk.com Buckle up, everybody. Here we go.

[Scott Besant]

Charlie, what you've done is incredible here.

[Bernie Sanders]

Maybe Charlie Kirk is on the college campus.

[Lee Zeldin]

I want you to know we are.

[Doug Burgum]

Lucky to have Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk's running the White House, folks.

[Charlie Kirk]

I want to thank Charlie.

[Senator]

He's an incredible guy, his spirit, his love of this country.

[Charlie Kirk]

He's done an amazing job building one.

[Senator]

Of the most powerful youth organizations ever created, Turning Point usa.

[Charlie Kirk]

We will not embrace the ideas that have destroyed countries, destroyed lives. And we are going to fight for freedom on campuses across the country. That's why we are here. Noble Gold Investments is the official gold sponsor of the Charlie Kirk Show, a company that specializes in gold IRAs and physical delivery of precious metals. Learn how you could protect your wealth with Noble gold investments@noblegold investments.com that is noblegoldinvestments.com it's where I buy all of my gold. Go to noblegoldinvestments.com Honored to be with you guys. As always, you can email us freedom charliekirk.com look at that amazing 4Up that we have right there. That is Doug Burgum, your next Secretary of Interior. That is Chuck Grassley. I'm not sure what hearing that is. I can't actually see what that is. And then we have a lot of back and forth going on right now. Let's listen live in. But before we do want to welcome you guys to this broadcast, we will be going live for the next two hours as we cover all of the confirmation news live and in real time. President Trump's cabinet is continuing under the advise and consent of the U.S. senate. As the team is being assembled, One of the most important appointments for an incoming president is Treasury Secretary, the person who's going to help manage the economy and all of the headwinds. Let's listen to Scott Besant as he is taking questions right now. Let's go to Scott Bessant for Treasury Secretary.

[Senator]

They actually extend Current tax policy costs. Excuse me. That you agree that extending current tax policy actually costs money.

Again, I think I don't understand the nuance of that question, but I will get back to you on it.

Okay. I appreciate that you have been supportive of many of President Trump's tariff plans and I have heard the conversation there. So I am not going to go into that. And we've talked a little bit about it in my office. But let me jump back to these credits that were imposed that some of my colleagues are against, but they have benefited Nevada. And I want to talk to you a little bit about it. The 45x manufacturing tax credit supports thousands of jobs in the Reno area and billions in investment across my state. It also is key to reducing dependence on China for the critical minerals we need for our military and supports mining jobs in Nevada. We are a mining state. We are mining critical minerals. And so will you commit to opposing any effort to repeal or reduce the 45x tax credit, which is not just a benefit in Nevada, it's a benefit in other states as well, including Alaska?

So, again, Senator, I am unfamiliar with that exact provision, but I do believe that it is important for us to mine, accumulate and move to domestic production for rare earths and other vital minerals. So I will get back to you on that exact. My thoughts on that exact program, but on a atmospheric meta basis, I agree with the direction of travel.

Thank you. Let me ask you this. We also talked about this. President Trump has stated that he thinks that the president should have influence over the decisions of the Federal Reserve Reserve. And we discussed this in my office and I appreciate that opportunity. Does it continue to be your view that the Federal Reserve should be independent of the president?

Of course. And I actually believe that the notion that President Trump believes he should have influence there was, I believe, a highly inaccurate Wall Street Journal article saying that he believed something to the effect that he should be in the room. President Trump is going to make his views known as many senators did. Three senators, including two on this committee, called for. There was a jumbo rape cut in September, 50 basis points. Two of the senators on this committee called for.

I'm not asking my senator colleagues. I get the politics on their sides. I'm asking you. But. But let me just say you don't deviate from our conversation that you think that there should be independence.

I think on monetary policy decisions, the FOMC should be independent.

Thank you. I appreciate that. And then for the benefit of our colleagues, what you're referring to earlier in our meeting, I asked you if there were any regulations, treasury regulations that currently exist that you disagree with and in response, and continuing in response, right now you're saying you're going to look into it and get back to me. Is that right?

Well, look, I believe as we saw, I don't know if it's a regulation, but it's a policy, as we saw from the December 8 hack by some Chinese entities into the treasury, which is very serious, that that was through a work from home software app. So one of the policies that I support, I intend to be in the building every day that I am in Washington and I support a return to the office which is against the current treasury policy.

Right. And I appreciate that. If there are any others that you oppose and you can share with me, it doesn't have to be right now, get back to me. I appreciate that.

Of course, I'm happy to provide that in writing.

All right. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Senator Young, Mr. Bessant, good to see you.

[Scott Besant]

Congratulations again on your nomination to this.

[Charlie Kirk]

Important position and thank you for your. Okay, so that is Scott Besant right now receiving questions. Let's I want to listen in on the EPA right now, the Environmental Protection Agency. This is like March Madness where you got four games going on at once. You got the round of 64. Very contentious. Let's go to Lee Zeldin on the EPA, not sure the name of the committee. Let's listen.

[Lee Zeldin]

Live oil and gas leases and explore for additional production of oil and gas. The EPA has written one size fits all solutions. We are not the majors and we are stripper well producers. And I just want your commitment to work with the industry, these small producers to find right sized regulations for the circumstances that they're in.

[Senator]

Senator, I would welcome an opportunity to travel to your state to meet with them, whether it's at your office or elsewhere. I want to know about all of your priorities, including this one, but also to make sure that anyone who could provide any type of insight that can make me better informed to make better decisions, that I welcome any of those opportunities for conversations and collaboration.

[Lee Zeldin]

I think that's a wonderful offer on your part and I'm very grateful for it. I sometimes am reluctant to ask every nominee that comes before me, would you please come visit Kansas? And you volunteered. So I'm appreciative of that. And I would tell you I can't imagine the excitement, the opportunity that people in that industry would see to have the capability of talking to somebody like you directly in a state Like Kansas. So thank you and we'll get on your schedule, although you have to say once confirmed. So I look forward to that. In a different vein of of energy production I've created with my colleague Senator Bozeman and others, Sustainable Aviation Fuel Caucus. Kansas and Wichita in particular is the air capital of the world. We produce many more general aviation aircraft than anybody we manufacture with thousands of employees working in aviation and aerospace. And I want to bring together the opportunity to bring the agricultural aspects of Kansas together with the aviation aspects and pursue the development of saf Sustainable aviation fuel. I wanted to know. I guess the question would be we need your help in pursuing opportunities.

[Charlie Kirk]

Okay, let's go back. I was told it was really contentious. Maybe the Democrats are. The Republicans seem to just kind of be going through established order there. So we have Scott Besant, we have Dick Durbin doing something that looks like Mr. Risch from Idaho. And then we have Senator Moran from Kansas basically talking about how he wants people to visit Kansas. Email us as always, freedom charliekirk.com and as always, subscribe to the Charlie Kirk show podcast. We have January Madness that is underway right now. Not sure what nominee Dick Durbin is grilling. Maybe it's a representative. Is this a Pam Bondi thing? Not exactly sure what's going on there right now. That's Lee Zeldin taking questions, Scott Besant taking questions. Pam was not there, so she had someone sit on our behalf. How does that work exactly? I don't understand. So they take questions on behalf of Pam. I didn't even know you could do that. January's here. Can you believe it? How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? Mine was pretty easy. Focus on my well being. And we all know the foundation of well being is a good night's sleep. So if I could do just one thing to improve my sleep and overall well being, it is taking the number one mineral for that which helps me personally on so many levels I can't even describe it. Yes, I'm talking about magnesium, actually. I'm talking about magnesium Breakthrough by bio Optimizers. The seven different forms magnesium in the supplement are involved in over 600 different biochemical reactions in the body. Pretty much every fungus function your body gets upgraded when you take magnesium. From the quality of your sleep to your brain function, from metabolism to stress levels. And let's face it, Even if your 2025 resolution is not to focus on your health as it is mine, how are you going to be able to achieve all your goals without quality sleep and Stress management support, really. So do yourself a favor and make magnesium breakthrough part of your daily routine this year so you can get the vitality you need to conquer your dreams. Go to the URL now and enter code Charlie. To get 10 off your order, go to magbreakthrough.com promo code Charlie. Okay, let's go right in. This is good stuff. Bernie Sanders and Scott Bessant. This is really good tv. Let's watch people owning more wealth than.

[Senator]

The bottom half of American society, when these people have enormous influence over the media, when they spend huge amounts of money in both political parties to elect candidates. What Biden said last night is, we're moving toward an oligarchy. I'm asking you that question. Do you think, forget how they made their money. Do you think that when so few people have so much wealth and so much economic and political power, that that is an oligarchic form of society?

Well, I would note that President Biden gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to two people who I think would qualify for his oligarchs.

So this is not a condemnation of any one individual. I'm just asking, would so few people have so much wealth and power? Do you think that that is an oligarchic form of society?

Senator, I think it depends on the ability to move up and down the.

No, that's not really the answer. I mean, even if you had that mobility, no matter who those individuals might be. All right, but let me ask you another question. Right now, in America, we have over 22 million workers who are making less than $15 an hour and nearly 40 million people in our country earning less than $17 an hour. Shamefully, the federal minimum wage, despite the efforts of myself and other people here, have not been raised since 2009 and remains an unbelievable $7.25 an hour. Will you work with those of us who want to raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage to take millions of Americans out of poverty?

Senator, I believe that the minimum wage is more of a statewide and regional issue.

So you don't think we should change the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour?

No, sir.

[Scott Besant]

Okay.

[Senator]

Mr. Bessant. Millions of working class Americans who are struggling to keep their heads above water are paying outrageously high interest rates on their credit cards. Over half the American people who take out new credit cards are being charged interest rates of over 24%. 24%. During his campaign, President Elect Trump promised that he was going to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. I happen to think that that is a very good idea. And I will soon be introducing legislation to do just that. Will you, as if you are confirmed, be supportive of what President elect Trump said and what I want to see happen, and that is to cap credit card interest rates at 10%.

Senator, I think we can both agree that credit card, many credit card companies have been bad actors throughout history. And I will get back to you.

Once more, very simple question. Trump said he wants to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. I agree with him. Will be you be supportive of what Trump and I would like to do.

When President Trump takes office. And if I am confirmed, I will follow what President Trump wants to do.

Okay, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

[Charlie Kirk]

Thank you very much.

[Scott Besant]

Next is Senator Smith.

[Charlie Kirk]

Thank you very much. Okay, let's come back here for just a second here, guys. As we are split into those three, I think we have four screens now. So what's going on in the Pam Bondi hearing is that people are testifying pro and con on her behalf. We have the Lee Zeldin situation going on at Shelley Moore Capito. We have the Governor Burgum situation. And let me just tell you the difference of worldview between Bernie Sanders and Scott Bessant. Bernie Sanders is correct. We are getting closer and closer to an oligarchy. We've been saying that on this program for quite some time. But it's not the type of oligarchy that he thinks. It's an oligarchy of people that have centralized government type control with corporate friendly power on the outside. And we see this kind of inside out relationship. And the difference between Bernie Sanders and Scott Besant is Bernie Sanders believes in a fixed pie theory that just because somebody gets rich, he thinks somebody gets poor. And Bernie Sanders is grilling Scott Besant saying should we not be able to take this wealth away? But you could always make the pie bigger. The thing about a market is markets work in that people get richer simultaneously through voluntary transaction, through the price system to the profit motive, the ability to make and take risks in a market economy. And we know what the horrors of socialism have done for so many people. Email us freedomarliekirk.com and I will add one more thing. We are going to kind of go through Joe Biden's farewell address last evening that he gave where very interestingly, if Joe Biden and the Democrats would have actually mentioned this rising fixture and consolidation of wealth, it would have been a much easier political strategy for them than whatever they ran on this last year. But Scott Besson, I thought, handled that beautifully and masterfully against Mr. Bernie Sanders, who he does not care about the poor, he hates the rich. And those are two very, very different things.

[Bernie Sanders]

Reform, we've had lots of stops and starts over the last probably two to three years on this very issue. And it's holding up construction of critical energy, manufacturing infrastructure, transportation, doesn't matter what kind of energy, renewable energy, pipelines, whatever. So we need to make it easier to build in America. I believe that's President Trump's vision as well by modernizing and streamlining our environmental review and permitting processes. Congressman Zeldin, what opportunities do you see for EPA to be able to establish more efficient and predictable permitting processes in addition to working with all of the other agencies that play a part in this vital, vital on these vital decisions.

[Senator]

And Chairman Capito, that that last part of your question is key. For different agencies to be able to work with each other, collaborating with each other, and also for agencies to be able to collaborate with Congress on any opportunities to Congress sees to pursue permitting reform as well. As far as EPA jurisdiction goes, we see a role of the epa, for example, as it relates to environmental impact impact statements. There are different issues where there will be opportunities for the EPA to follow its obligations under the law. There's a possibility that Congress might choose to make changes to the law on items that are under EPA jurisdiction. I would look forward to doing my part to make sure the EPA is not holding up any opportunities to be able to pursue sound applications that otherwise would be and should be approved.

[Bernie Sanders]

I think a lot of times in the public domain, permitting reform means to certain people skirting the rules or breezing through environmental reviews without really taking them seriously or actually having them science based as we've talked a lot about today. That's not what permitting reform means. Permitting reforms means make these, these environmental clean air, clean water rules and others and other agencies work together and work so that we are getting the right result of clean air, clean water, but we're able to move forward. And so I look forward to that. Here's another West Virginia issue very quickly and it's the Muddy Creek restoration project. It's 19 miles of waterways that has acid mine drainage. And West Virginia went about with coordination with the past Trump administration and it was init championed by the Biden administration to deliver real results in cleaning up this area of our state. It was a true win win. The Biden administration, for some reason which we can't figure out, flip flopped on this and they started putting more burdensome, costly and a much, much slower cleanup process. So you're still having your acid mine drainage while we're getting hung up here. It threatens projects like Muddy Creek and discourages other communities from pursuing similar efforts to achieve real environmental remediation and benefits. Will you commit to me, working with me in the state to try to reverse these counterproductive changes and cut the red tape and restore this for more cost effective but also better environmental results?

[Senator]

Yes. Chairman Capito, I know how much of a priority this is. You've been outspoken on this issue. It's my commitment to work with you as soon as, if confirmed, as soon as, as soon as I'm in that position. I'd welcome that opportunity.

[Bernie Sanders]

Thank you, Senator Whitehouse.

[Doug Burgum]

Thank you again, Chairman. Mr. Zeldin. I have something of a life experience, PhD in fossil fuel pressure politics and they'll be coming after you hard and they'll be feeling very entitled based on their political spending toward a Trump victory. I have two questions when you're faced with that. The first is that prominent voices in Trump world have been saying that it is important to traumatize EPA's workforce to drive them out. They've been saying that it's important to cut EPA's workforce by 2/3 or more. Not just Washington, but the field, the entire organization. And they've been saying that it's important to destroy the professional civil service protections of EPA's workforce. How do you respond to those three threats?

[Senator]

Senator Whitehouse, as I've stated earlier, my desire, if confirmed as EPA Administrator is to increase productivity of the epa. I want to be able to help lead this agency in a way that all of you on both sides of the aisle can be proud of. For us to be accountable and transparent, I want maximum collaboration not just with Congress, but internally within the epa. I've been hugely impressed with the level of talent stepping up to serve at epa. And that is the pressure that I am feeling at this moment is to bring out the best of epa to make sure that we are fulfilling our mission of protecting public health and the environment.

[Charlie Kirk]

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[Senator]

Oregon's 2014 spending levels would be $6.2 trillion.

[Charlie Kirk]

The one I like the best though, I think it's Berger. Let's listen to he's over. Barrasso has the mic in our home states. Let's actually go to Sheldon Whitehouse.

[Doug Burgum]

A very significant player in the fossil fuel funded climate denial armada, the successor to that Texas Public Policy foundation CEO and a third individual called the Chief of Intelligence and Research at that same, in my view, climate denial front group. In your political work, you've taken nearly $300,000 from the oil and gas industry back to 2007. You've had large campaign support from Koch Incorporated, which gave a total of about $60,000. When you count up all the contributions to PACs and campaign funds, David Koch himself maxed out to you and Kochpac gave $20,000 to your Le Pac. In the wake of being so surrounded with so much corporate and fossil fuel influence, I want to give you two opportunities. One is to answer to me now, how is it that you'll be able to separate yourself from the influence of these people and these interests when they come demanding things that they think they've earned politically? And I'll also turn that into a QFR so that you can, with a little bit more basis for reflection, make a more complete answer. So with that, over to you for your response, sir.

[Senator]

Senator, I don't need any extra time for reflection on that one. There is no person who has ever provided any level of of support to me or anyone else who has any special influence with me. When I was in the Army, I wore around my dog tags the seven army values. The acronym is Leadership, Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and personal courage. It is important for me to have always been able to approach this position with a clear conscience to make decisions that I can live with for my entire life. There is no dollar, large or small, that can influence the decisions that I make, who has access to me and how I am ruling in my obligations under, under the law. Senator, I'm happy to enthusiastically answer that question on any day on the spot and I would never need any extra amount of time of reflection.

[Doug Burgum]

Well, good luck standing up to these guys because they're going to come at you.

[Bernie Sanders]

Thank you. I understand that five minute break would be in your our best interest. Would you like to do that now or you want to keep going?

[Senator]

I'll take five, I guess. Thank you, son.

[Charlie Kirk]

Okay.

[Senator]

Thank you, Chairman.

[Charlie Kirk]

Let's throw back here as the great Lee Zeldin takes a five minute break. Scott Bessant is continuing as we are here with January Madness as the cabinet is being assembled. Lee Zeldin is interviewing to become the EPA chief, which is the Employment Prevention Agency. I'm kidding. Environmental Protection Agency. There are more nonsensical regulations that come from EPA than almost any other agency. You would think you have Doug Burgum there for Interior yesterday was Chris Wright. You would think that Chris Wright being in charge of energy, actually has the most with oil, natural gas and fossil fuel production. It's not. It's actually Interior and epa, EPA especially that oversees that the most. Let's go to Scott Besant here who is currently being asked a question from a senator, I do not know the name of Scott Besson, who is going to be managing the economy and whatever comes next. Let's listen to that.

[Senator]

Let's listen it dollars worth of goods out of our state versus importing $1 billion. But this is a big part of it. And so in the, in the aviation sector, I think I sent you an article about the fact that we think increasing our manufacturing innovation to continue to have markets and sell to those markets is a good economic strategy.

Senator Cantwell, as I discussed in your office, that in my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, Boeing is also the largest employer. So I view aviation as very important.

Great. So now I want to this is, and believe me, I would have the same conversation with Joe Biden or Barack Obama or whoever. So I want to focus on innovation, not the tariffs. I'm worried that the tariffs are going to increase supply chain products. They're going to increase prices on our farmers, they're going to increase prices on Americans. And so I want to ask you what do you don't you think we are, are in an environment where exporting products and growing markets outside the United States is a big economic opportunity? And what are you going to do to build coalitions to help us be able to achieve opening up those markets as opposed to just the retaliatory tariff environment, which may raise costs on Americans and not resolve these issues?

Senator Cantwell, thank you for that. And after our discussion in your office, I actually went back and looked at some older data. In 2000, in terms of the labor share of aggregate income in the U.S. 69% accrued to labor. Today, that number is 60. And you could see a sharp drop after what is called the China shock. So I agree with you that opening markets is good, but the free trade must be also balanced against fair trade. And clearly what has happened is the trade has not been fair, that has fallen on the American workers. And we cannot allow, as I think I mentioned to you, China is the most imbalanced, unbalanced economy in the history of the world. They are in a severe recession slash depression. They may have minus 4% disinflation, and they are attempting to export their way out of that as opposed to doing the much needed internal rebalance. So I am with you on the need to open markets, but we cannot allow a player like this to flood our markets or to flood the world.

Well, but I'm saying I believe in coalitions. We discussed a technology NATO. I think you thought that was a good idea. The notion, though, I mean, I can get upset with my colleagues on the other aisle all the time and object, but that doesn't move me forward. And so I, I hope that you will look at what we're going to do to build allies. I mean, these numbers that basically are talking about just the tariff and what it would do to the price of gasoline, given Canada is concerning. And so I want to know that the Trump administration is going to focus as much on innovating our way to success as we are on the tariffs. But because I do think we're going to see retaliatory tariffs. We saw them in our state. Okay, let's cut in our agriculture.

[Charlie Kirk]

That is Senator Maria Cantwell from Washington asking about tariffs. Let me tell you, why does she really care about tariffs? No, no, no. She is a proxy for Boeing, one of the biggest, most inefficient companies in America that has not made a good airplane for 20 years, by the way. Of course, Boeing is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, used to actually have its corporate headquarters in Chicago or at Least a very big office in Chicago. I'm not exactly sure where they're headquartered. Doesn't matter. The point is their biggest base of operation is in Seattle, Washington. And she is a proxy for Boeing. She is very worried that Boeing is no longer going to be able to get cheap Chinese parts to be able to build their 787 maxs that fall out of the sky and can't land correctly. So that's why she's asking that question. Let's now go to Governor Burgum, who wants to become Secretary of Interior. He'd do a great job at this, by the way. Of all the jobs in the federal government, that is one of the few that I would love. I would love to be the Secretary of Interior. Say, why would you want to? I love nature. I love the national parks. All right, let's go to Governor Burgum.

[Scott Besant]

Let's listen in our nation's progress. And so I agree with you clearly. And you mentioned the New York Times. If that article was someplace else, you know. But the fact that the New York Times wrote that article I found also be remarkable in mission admission of at least one case where there was the abuse of the Endangered Species act relative to its intended use. So yes, you can count, absolutely. Thank you.

[Charlie Kirk]

I appreciate that. Because also I think not in light just to this public admission, but also the West Virginia case and the Loper Bright case, there could be legal infirmity in a lot of our federal bureaucracy's past decisions.

[Scott Besant]

So I appreciate your willingness to take.

[Charlie Kirk]

A look at that once you're on the job. Thank you very much.

[Scott Besant]

That concludes round one. We're going to do a quick round two with some follow ups that a few members have asked. I want to talk to you briefly about the fact that public lands represent a massive public asset, yet a lack of an accurate valuation is something that we don't have and that undermines informed decision making about their use and their management. What steps would you take if confirmed as secretary to improve the transparency in this area and ensure federal land valuations reflect their value to the American people? Well, I would just say on this idea that what I'll call America's balance sheet is something that the Trump administration has quite a bit of enthusiasm in discussions with treasury nominee Scott Besant, Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick, and even Speaker Mike Johnson called me a few weeks ago and said, hey, what's this American balance sheet idea? I mean, I think for our standing in the world, for us to talk non stop about what our liabilities are, we should.

[Charlie Kirk]

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[Scott Besant]

Hundreds of millions of offshore subsurface out of leasing and that's viewed as a costless event. At least we could have the trade off and say yes, some people thought it was important to take that off the table. But what did it mean for the American people? Did we just take trillions of dollars of future revenue out of the pockets of our future generations? And so I think again, creating a financial understanding, that is where we can have an honest discussion about some of these executive actions that are happening at the end of the term, for example, would be useful for all Americans to understand. Thank you, I appreciate that. I've got another question that I was going to ask regarding pilt. In the interest of time, I'm going to forego that. I'll just conclude it with a very brief statement. Pelt payment in lieu of taxes. The federal government came up with it, Congress came up with about 50 years ago to help offset the burden states carry. States with a lot of public land because they don't receive any property tax revenue from it. So it's supposed to offset that in some parts of the country where there's a lot of public land, this works out okay. In other parts, it's pennies on the dollar compared to what they would get if they could tax the land even at its lowest valuation and lowest rate. So I would love to talk to you about PILT reforms and making PILT generally a priority because a lot of these communities rely on it for Fire, search and rescue, schools, safety, so forth. Senator Heinrich? Governor, Senator Daines mentioned a very specific challenge with the Endangered Species Act. But as, as governor, you know that one of the best ways to head off those conflicts is to prevent species from ever being listed by recovering them through proactive voluntary conservation at the state level. Senator Tillis and nine of his Republican colleagues and I have a highly bipartisan bill called the Recovering America's Wildlife act that helps states do exactly that. And in fact, North Dakota's former Game and Fish Director, Terry Steinwand was one of the architects of that, that legislation. It's got strong support from the association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for many of the conservation groups that, that you mentioned in your exchange with Senator Justice. Does that sound like the kind of approach that you could work with Senator Telesnai on? Absolutely. Senator Heinrich, I think that again, super sound principle there, which is to do the work to keep it off of the any kind of federal designation, working collaborative with the states. I had the pleasure of working with our Game and Fish Commissioner Terry Steinwan for six of my eight years as governor. He had almost a 40 year career in wildlife management. It's people like that that I know and respect across all the states. I know you've got them in New Mexico. I know we've got them in Utah. I mean the, I have the people that work in game and fish at the state level that are working on these things. I just, I haven't met somebody from the federal level.

[Charlie Kirk]

The hearings are ongoing. Couple thoughts I want to make here, the first of which is that the pace at which the Senate is operating here is remarkable and the Democrats seem to lack a little bit of spunk. I mean, they're going through the motions, but this is not the type of resistance that we saw in 2017. It is very clear that President Trump has a mandate. He won the popular vote. And the resistance is just kind of shrugging their shoulders. They look fatigued, they look tired. And it is a confirmation blitzkrieg that is ongoing right now. This is a very powerful indicator harbinger, a canary in the coal mine for the type of pace that this administration is going to operate with. It is conceivable that we're going to have a Treasury secretary in a week, we're going to have Pete Hegseth as DoD Secretary in a week, we're going to have an attorney general in a week. That is way ahead of schedule than what we saw in 2017, far ahead of where we were. Let's listen live in of Scott Besant, who is answering questions from some Senate Democrat. Let's listen to that.

[Senator]

The bad actors, especially Iran. I think I'm right. Maybe not in the exact numbers, but in order of magnitude, I believe Iran was down to 100,000 barrels of oil exports when President Trump left office. I believe that they are now exporting in excess or approximately 1.7 million. So through sanctions policy, I believe that we can again, as I like to say, make Iran poor again. Not the Iranian people people, the Iranian, the government. And then at the same time, they have our domestic producers push that up with the highest energy standards in the world.

We're the best producer. We do it. We're the best stewards of the land. And I agree. And what we've also seen, as you mentioned, with Iran increasing the sales or selling it to China, China is buying at a discount. So they're getting cheap assets energy. Iran is getting tanker loads of cash back essentially. And that's they're using that money for terrorism. So in terms of our own national security, I have one last question in my time remaining. And this has to do with the Tax Cuts and Jobs act that we passed in 2017. If that were to expire, we're talking about a massive tax hike of over $4 trillion. What would that kind of a tax hike mean for small businesses, for jobs creators as well as our global competitiveness? If all of a sudden we put the heavy wet blanket of a $4 trillion tax increase on our nation?

Senator, I think it would be devastating that, especially for small businesses. One of the things that as someone who came from a very small town, lived in New York with a very big town and came back to a small town, I believe what Wall street has done great the past few years and that Main street has suffered. I think it's Main Street's time. Wall street can continue to do well, maybe not as well. And it's time to have a Main street small business led recovery led by small banks, regional banks cut out here.

[Charlie Kirk]

This is very important. Scott Besson is saying he's talking about another blue collar boom. Wall street has done extraordinarily well. Homeownership is out of grasp for most Americans. The average home went from about $75,000 a year income that you could afford, and now over $140,000 a year it requires to own a home in this country. And we have seen it more and more out of grasp in these last couple of years. It is time for a muscular class renaissance for a everyday American golden era. Look, we've been demoralized for years. This is very similar to watching a football game and there's like this big interception that just galvanizes the team and sparks a change in momentum. You can sense that now. It's the Democrats who are getting demoralized. They've lost their spunk, they've lost their spirit. And we are seeing the momentum build and build. And what Scott Besant was talking about there was incredibly important that when President Trump was president, it was the lower income earners that saw their incomes go up most dramatically versus these last four years. Not the people at the top 1%, not the people at the top of the income ladder. It is January madness. And what is the agenda? Day one? It's going to be drill, baby, drill. No tax on tips. It's going to be restart the American economy, protect the American worker, secure the southern border. And all of that starts in three days and 23 hours. We are three days and 23 hours out. We are about 95 hours out. You guys can set a clock to it. 95 hours and it is going to be shock and awe. It is going to be thunder time. And hit the ground running in a way that we have never seen before. Thanks so much for listening, everybody. Email us as always, freedom at charliekirk. Com. Thanks so much for listening and God bless.

[Senator]

For more on many of these stories and news you can trust, go to charliekirk.

[Charlie Kirk]

Com.