The Daily Beans: "Refried Beans | DOMA Funeral (feat. Ali Zaidi)"

Original Air Date: December 9, 2022
Relistened on: December 6, 2025 (Refried Beans rebroadcast)
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG), Dana Goldberg (DG)
Special Guest: Ali Zaidi (White House National Climate Advisor)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Beans revisits a week from December 2022 that featured major victories and profound moments for political progressives, from the Respect for Marriage Act clearing Congress to the return of Brittney Griner from Russia. AG and Dana Goldberg guide listeners through key political and social news, offering signature wit, perspective, and hope. The core of the episode is an in-depth interview with Ali Zaidi, discussing how the Biden administration's climate policies deliver real-world benefits for both families and workers. The episode closes with uplifting listener stories and reflections on women-led courage worldwide.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ Seeks Contempt Proceedings Against Trump Team in Documents Case

[02:02 - 05:04]

• DOJ has asked Judge Beryl Howell to hold Trump's office in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena to return all classified documents.
• Ongoing lack of transparency from Trump’s team, who refuse to designate a custodian of records to sign an attestation confirming all documents were returned.
• Legal reluctance: “No lawyer could sign such a blanket certification in good faith or advise any client to do so...” (AG, [03:39])
• Possible outcome: daily fines until compliance.

2. Brittney Griner Released from Russian Prison

[05:04 - 08:06]

• WNBA star Brittney Griner freed in a 1-for-1 swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
• President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Blinken celebrated her return.
• The only deal possible: Griner or no one; Paul Whelan’s family released a gracious statement, recognizing the limitations of the deal (“Putin would’ve released Whelan if he wanted Trump to look good.” – DG, [06:20])
• Commentary on the complex domestic reaction, including racial undertones.

3. Congressional Probe into Qatari Bailout of Kushner’s 666 Fifth Avenue

[08:07 - 10:20]

• New House and Senate inquiries into whether Jared Kushner’s policy decisions were influenced by a $1.2B property bailout, potentially linked to Qatari funds.
• AG details the web of relationships: Kushner, Qatar, Canadian investors, and U.S. Middle East policy shifts.
• “It was all fucking fishy.” (AG, [10:16])

4. Historic Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act (DOMA “Funeral”)

[10:20 - 14:08]

• House passes federal protection of same-sex marriage (258-169), sending the Respect for Marriage Act to Biden for signature.
• Dana offers both the political context and emotional resonance, recalling cultural shifts and a teary Speaker Pelosi.
• Moving moment with former Rep. Barney Frank: “I was there for the birth of DOMA and I’m here for the funeral.” ([13:07])
• Notes on partial protections if Obergefell is overturned: states could still refuse licenses but must recognize marriages performed elsewhere.

5. Trump Declines to Challenge 11th Circuit Special Master Ruling

[14:15 - 14:52]

• Trump won’t appeal the vacating of Judge Cannon’s “special master” order, sending the documents back to the DOJ.

6. In-Depth Interview: Ali Zaidi on Climate Policy & the Inflation Reduction Act

[14:55 - 32:41]

a. Inflation Reduction Act: Kitchen-Table Impact

[15:10 - 19:48]

• Zaidi underscores the law’s magnitude: “It’s not a proposal… it’s now the law of the land.” ([15:45])
• Direct benefits:
  • Rebates for replacing HVACs with electrics (full rebates for low and moderate income Americans).
  • Tax credits for electric vehicles—$4,000 for used EVs, $7,500 for new ones.
  • Credits for energy-efficient window upgrades and home retrofits.
• “When people make that switch, we’re talking about hundreds of dollars saved each year…” ([17:15])

b. Ripple Effects: Jobs, Manufacturing, & Supply Chain

[20:19 - 24:54]

• Bill triggers massive private investment in U.S.-based clean industries ($100B+).
• U.S.-made steel, union jobs, and economic revitalization in unexpected places:
  • “Port of Albany…getting juiced back up… a really big deal.” ([22:39])
• Progress toward Biden's 50% emissions cut by 2030—a “big leap forward.” ([24:15])

c. Labor Provisions: Union Jobs at the Center

[24:54 - 27:21]

• Tax credits tied to prevailing wage & apprenticeship requirements.
• “The billions…to deploy the 500,000 chargers is… work that’s done by the IBEW [International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers].” ([25:24])
• Not ‘green jobs’ as peripheral, but career-sustaining jobs with dignity: “Steel in the spine of our middle class.” ([26:53])

d. Environmental Justice & the Path Ahead

[27:21 - 32:41]

• Recognizing former fossil fuel, rural, marginalized, and frontline communities:
  • Justice40: 40% of benefits must accrue to disadvantaged areas.
  • Specific focus on “energy communities” left off in past transitions: “We have to be their partner.”
• “We are involved in the greatest project...to rebuild our economy in a way that’s clean.” ([31:45])
• Zaidi calls for public accountability and ongoing coalition focus.
• Host’s gratitude: “Talking to you gives me so much pride in all the work we put in to get Joe Biden elected president because of the incredible staff he’s put together.” (AG, [32:20])

7. Listener “Good News” & Community Stories

[33:05 - 42:17]

• Listener submissions celebrate health recoveries, grassroots canvassing successes (especially in Pennsylvania), and dog pictures.
• Shout-out to Iranian women protesters:
  • “Forget Marvel and DC. These women are the epitome of indomitable courage. They are heroes.” (Audrey, [39:41])
  • “Speaking out against the Islamic Republic is not Islamophobic…These murderous bastards are to Islam what Christian nationalists are to Christianity.” ([40:51])
  • Hosts reflect on the global inspiration of the women’s revolution in Iran ([41:16])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On same-sex marriage progress:
  “Former Rep. Barney Frank…‘I was there for the birth of DOMA and I’m here for the funeral.’” ([13:07])

• On climate goals and justice:
  “We’re involved in the greatest project…to rebuild our economy in a way that’s clean. That’s going to take every single person feeling like they’re part of that project.” – Ali Zaidi ([31:37])

• On Griner’s release and political narratives:
  “If Putin wanted to release Whelan, he would have done it to Trump to make him look like a fucking hero.” – Dana ([06:20])

• On progress and gratitude:
  “Sometimes I take for granted what happened to our government and how much better it is now... I remind myself of that every day. Just down to the climate advisor in the White House—there wasn’t one in the Trump administration.” – AG ([42:17])

Key Timestamps

• [02:02] DOJ pushes for contempt in Trump docs case
• [05:04] Brittney Griner prisoner exchange
• [08:07] Kushner/Qatar probe
• [10:20] Respect for Marriage Act passes House
• [13:07] Barney Frank’s “DOMA funeral” moment
• [15:10 – 32:41] Interview: Ali Zaidi on climate and justice
• [33:05] Listener good news
• [39:41] Shout-out to Iranian women
• [41:16] Time names Iranian women “Women of the Year”
• [42:17] Reflections on progress and gratitude

Tone, Takeaways, and Final Thoughts

The episode is a celebration of progress—tempered with humor, clear-eyed critique, and deep empathy. Hosts Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg blend snark with sincerity, especially around LGBTQ+ and social justice wins, governmental accountability, and the human cost of political decisions. The interview with Ali Zaidi is especially hopeful, illuminating how climate action and economic justice intertwine under the Biden administration. The episode’s closing segment threads together personal resilience, global courage (highlighting Iranian women), and a call for continued vigilance and gratitude.

Final words from the hosts:
“Vote blue over Q and take everyone with you.” – Dana ([44:01])

“And them’s the beans.” – AG ([44:06])

This summary captures the episode’s news highlights, emotional resonance, and memorable quotes to provide an in-depth snapshot for anyone who missed this impactful edition of The Daily Beans.