The Truth with Lisa Boothe: Senator Dave McCormick on Leadership, School Choice, and Restoring Order in Washington

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: Lisa Boothe (for this episode)
Guest: Senator Dave McCormick (Pennsylvania)
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Lisa Boothe interviews Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania. They discuss the ongoing government shutdown, the dynamics in Washington, President Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, school choice legislation, and the troubling rise of political violence in America. The conversation is candid, policy-focused, and underpinned by McCormick’s experience as a business and military leader.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Government Shutdown: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

[03:52 - 07:23]

• Lisa Boothe opens by addressing the ongoing government shutdown and inquires about its prospects:

  • “Government’s been shut down…How do you think this thing ends?” — Lisa Boothe [04:44]

• Senator McCormick attributes the shutdown largely to Democratic tactics:

  • He labels it the “Schumer shutdown,” asserting this is “political gimmickry” aimed to leverage government reopening in exchange for Democratic priorities, particularly COVID-era healthcare subsidies.
  • “This is, I think, good reason and good evidence why…the majority of Americans don’t like Washington…here you have this…political gimmickry” — Senator McCormick [05:00]

• On solutions and bipartisanship:

  • McCormick believes pressure from unpaid federal workers (military, Border Patrol, TSA) will ultimately “break the fever.”
  • He commends Senator John Fetterman for voting to reopen the government, labeling such votes “common sense” and suggesting partisanship should not override people’s needs.

• Notable Quote:

  • “I think ultimately, when the pressure grows, when young men and women in the armed services and in the Border Patrol and the FAA and TSA aren't getting paid...the fever will break, but it's really a bad idea.” — Senator McCormick [06:28]

Bipartisanship and Relationship with Senator Fetterman

[07:23 - 08:49]

• Lisa expresses surprise at Fetterman’s pragmatism:

  • “During his election, I thought he was, like, super progressive…that he would end up being, like, one of the most reasonable Democrats in Congress.” — Lisa Boothe [07:27]

• McCormick speaks to authentic, constructive working relationships:

  • Though political opponents, McCormick calls Fetterman “a very decent person” and “trustworthy.”
  • They collaborate on issues like fentanyl, support for Israel, and fighting anti-Semitism—reflecting what Pennsylvanians expect from their leadership.
  • “What we agree on, we work together. He's very trustworthy. We have a great relationship. And I'd say we're friends...he's authentic, but he's also common sense.” — Senator McCormick [07:49]

Healthcare Subsidies & Obamacare

[08:49 - 10:22]

• Debate over extended COVID-era healthcare subsidies:
  • McCormick criticizes Obamacare, declaring it has “failed on all counts” due to rising costs and poor access.
  • He cites the argument that wealthy individuals are now benefitting from extended subsidies, designed as temporary relief.
  • “We gotta stop throwing money at a very failed program in Obamacare.” — Senator McCormick [09:58]

President Trump’s Diplomatic Momentum in the Middle East

[13:39 - 15:34]

• Lisa asks about Trump’s recent achievements:

  • Success in securing the release of Israeli hostages and “steps towards peace in the Middle East.”

• McCormick sees historic, broad implications:

  • He credits Trump for steadfast support of Israel, strong relationships with Gulf states, and strategic actions towards Iran’s capabilities.
  • Reframes the moment as more than a headline victory—potential for “Abraham Accord II,” encouraging greater regional cooperation.
  • “Only Donald Trump…could have been able to seize this moment…it's deep-seated support for Israel…standing with Israel with its attacks on Iran...it’s historic. In our lifetimes, there’s never been anything quite like it.” — Senator McCormick [14:01]

School Choice in the “Big Beautiful Bill”

[15:34 - 18:43]

• Discussion around school choice provisions:

  • Lisa spotlights the “100% tax write-off for money given to any school or scholarship fund” as a transformative part of the bill.
  • McCormick champions school choice as an essential aspect of the American dream and a solution to failing public education, especially in urban and rural areas.
  • He emphasizes the bill will allow billions in private dollars to flow to education without hurting current school funds but notes Democratic governors must opt in.

• COVID’s role in shifting the education debate:

  • The pandemic exposed ideological biases and failures in the education system, motivating more parental demand for options.
  • “There is school choice…it's just for rich people. Rich people can send their kids wherever they want.” — Senator McCormick [16:42]
  • “None of this would have been possible without COVID…parents were looking over their shoulders…seeing how weak the education system was, how hijacked…it had been.” — Senator McCormick [18:20]

Rise in Political Violence & Call for Respectful Discourse

[18:43 - 20:40]

• Lisa expresses concern over a string of violent incidents: arson at Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, murder of Charlie Kirk, attack on ICE office, and more.

• McCormick decries all political violence:

  • Calls for leaders to “step up and stand strongly against” violence of any kind.
  • Reflects on his own proximity to violence, noting he was present just before the attempt on Trump’s life and had personal ties to victims.
  • Argues that dehumanizing political language—especially, in his view, from the left—sets the conditions for violence.
  • “You can disagree with the other side without being hateful, without trying to dehumanize them...That dehumanization is an invitation to go to the next step. We gotta stop it.” — Senator McCormick [19:43]

Notable Quotes

• “I think ultimately, when the pressure grows, when young men and women in the armed services and in the Border Patrol and the FAA and TSA aren't getting paid...the fever will break, but it's really a bad idea.”
  — Senator McCormick [06:28]

• “[Senator Fetterman] is authentic, but he's also common sense…I sat down with him, I'm never going to vote to shut down the government.”
  — Senator McCormick [07:57]

• “We gotta stop throwing money at a very failed program in Obamacare.”
  — Senator McCormick [09:58]

• “Only Donald Trump…could have been able to seize this moment…it's deep-seated support for Israel…It’s historic. In our lifetimes, there’s never been anything quite like it.”
  — Senator McCormick [14:01]

• “There is school choice…it's just for rich people. Rich people can send their kids wherever they want.”
  — Senator McCormick [16:42]

• “You can disagree with the other side without being hateful, without trying to dehumanize them...That dehumanization is an invitation to go to the next step. We gotta stop it.”
  — Senator McCormick [19:43]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Government Shutdown Analysis: [03:52 - 07:23]
• Bipartisanship with Senator Fetterman: [07:23 - 08:49]
• Healthcare Subsidies/Obamacare: [08:49 - 10:22]
• President Trump’s Middle East Diplomacy: [13:39 - 15:34]
• School Choice Legislation: [15:34 - 18:43]
• Political Violence & Discourse: [18:43 - 20:40]

Memorable Moments

• Genuine praise for political “opponents,” especially Fetterman, and hope for bipartisan progress
• Direct, emotional reference to the personal toll of escalating political violence, including McCormick’s proximity to dangerous incidents and loss of friends
• Strong invocation of the American dream and urgent need for education reform
• Repeated assertions of optimism that legislative and cultural change is not only needed but possible

This episode stands out for its forthright, solution-oriented discussion of national divisions, the importance of pragmatic leadership, and the need for both principle and civility in Washington.