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- [00:00]
A
Welcome to today's podcast sponsored by Hillsdale College, all things hillsdale@ hillsdale.edu. i encourage you to take advantage of the many free online courses there. And of course, a listen to the Hillsdale dialogues, all of them@q4hillsdale.com or just Google, Apple, itunes and Hillsdale. Welcome back, America. I want to introduce you to the man with the impossible task. Chairman, sorry to say it that way. Representative Jason Smith, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has the impossible task of getting a second reconciliation through the House Republican Caucus. With losing only two votes. Can it be done? Mr. Chairman.
- [00:43]
B
You, it's great to be with you. I said all along that we needed to do one big, beautiful bill to put as much of the items we could possibly get in to deliver the president's campaign promises for the American people. It is, it is very, very difficult, very, very difficult to do two reconciliation bills. And when you can only lose two people and one member of our conference is going to be a no on, you know, whether you support Oxygen.
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A
Yes.
- [01:14]
B
That, that creates a very.
- [01:16]
A
Let me guess, is his name. I want to do Kreskin. Is his name Massey? Yes, go ahead.
- [01:24]
B
I won't be saying any names, but I will just say that the records, the voting records speak for themselves. But in it is so important that the American people know what we have delivered in the big, beautiful bill. I have folks all the time when I travel across the country. That's like, I didn't know that there was these investment accounts that are for new children born in America or I didn't know that you could do 100% expensing on new machine sheds that's built in America. I mean, there's so many things that people don't know about. We need to do a better job at explaining what was in the first reconciliation bill before trying to debate whether there should be a second one.
- [02:08]
A
Well, there is the debate. So I just want to test some things out on you because you remember when they had the crossed axes and Robin Hood has to shoot the arrow through the crossed axes, so you got to get the arrow through about 20 cross axes. What do you think about a tax credit for first and last month's rent? Because we're talking about an affordability issue. We got to hit young people. We got to hit people who don't have a lot of money. How about a tax credit for first and last month rent for an apartment?
- [02:35]
B
You know, we've been working with the administration on all kinds of different tax ideas and proposals about housing affordability this is one of the items that I've heard people discuss. Tax credits though are not very popular tax deductions. They're a little bit more doable. So it's, it's different items that we can look at. But I mean just even looking at the depreciation schedule, that could have a huge impact on, on housing. But there's so many different things to look at. Whether allowing people with their 401k to use that as a down payment on, on purchasing a home. There, there's, there's numerous things we can be looking at and that we are discussing. But all those housing things that we just brought up, those could be done in a bipartisan tax bill. There's no reason why it has to be in a reconciliation bill.
- [03:35]
A
Oh, the Democrats aren't going to give you any more wins. They're not. Because I've gone through the tides of House seat losses in the second term of Republican president. Eisenhower lost 49 seats in 1958. Ford lost 48 seats in 1974. Reagan only lost five seats in 1986. But W lost 30 seats in 2006. So the tides are not with you. Right. So to deliver something to the Youngs would be big. I'm not arguing here for the relief for seniors and let them get their money out of the 401ks and the IRA. That was smart for the first round. But this has to be for young people. So if you're going to do it, when would you have to get started on persuading people?
- [04:23]
B
So part of the discussion to Hugh is when I was Referring to the 401ks, some of the discussion that's going on is allowing parents to, to use, utilize part of their 401k for down payments for their kids, you know, to try to get more home ownership. First time home ownership went from 32 years old when Trump was last president to today it's 40 years old is the average age of a first time home buyer. We have to break that cyc and we need to look at all different aspects to do it. But I do believe that you can find the right policies, craft the right language and force the Democrats that they have no other alternative than to vote for it. We've done that on numerous things within the House. I think we can do it on some housing affordability issues as well.
- [05:11]
A
Let me suggest one on that. I used to be a land use lawyer, Mr. Chairman. So I know that in certain states like Florida, New York, California, the appreciation of houses that have been held for 20 years is way over $500,000. It just is. And so a million dollar house is now a $3 million house. So no one can sell that house until they die. In the basis steps up. Why don't you increase the exemption from 500,000 to a million and a half or something like that in order to get more houses on the market. Increase supply and drive down demand. I mean drive down prices.
- [05:44]
B
Hugh, you're hitting all kinds of different tax provisions that our committee members have been discussing. Members who's not on the Ways and Means Committee. So it definitely is of interest to a lot of people. Of course that hasn't changed in decades like you pointed out. And a lot of times you have to update the tax code.
- [06:03]
A
All right, last thing I want to talk to you about. And this has to be bipartisan and I think you're right to go out and talk about all the good things. That's what the President did at Davos for an hour and a half today. Did at the press conference yesterday for two hours. California. I've only been back here for a couple of weeks. I got a few more weeks to go. They're bankrupt. They don't know it. They're a zombie state. They have unfunded pension liabilities are through the roof that Gavin Newsom's running to the ground. We need a chapter in the bankruptcy code for states. We have them for local governments like Detroit's. Use it and San Bernardino County. We don't have a code chapter for states. Is that something you'd ever tackle?
- [06:41]
B
That is not something within the Ways and Means Committee jurisdiction. But I have not had any. I have not heard myself any conversation in regards to going after that approach. I just wish that states would get their fiscal house in order. Unfortunately, we see a lot of them spin like drunken sailors. But it's just. It's. It's crazy.
- [07:06]
A
It's not recoverable in California. I did the math when I got out here and it's actually they can't do it given the contracts that they've entered into with their public employee unions. So, Mr. Chairman, when will you make the decision? Go. No go. Speaker's got to come back from London and take a victory lap for his great speech in front of the Parliament. But when do you sit down and decide go. No go On a reconciliation? Try realizing you can lose one member. That's impossible. Wow. One member. Yeah.
- [07:34]
B
That's a decision, Hugh, of leadership. Before a reconciliation package can even start being crafted in my committee, the budget committee has to pass a budget resolution. Laying out the parameters of the reconciliation. And so that is the first step throughout the process before it can even come to us. So I just don't believe, though, Hugh, that there's a pathway.
- [08:01]
A
Glad to hear you say that. I don't want to waste time on majority. That's very useful. You were the and thank goodness you were out there arguing for one big beautiful bill because it's it's only gotten harder. You need a majority of 20 or so to get two of them done and it's not there. But thank goodness you're here to sell the rest of it and to make sure the tax code maybe get the housing thing through, who knows, because that exemption hasn't changed in forever. Chairman Jason Smith, thank you so much for joining me today from the House Ways and Means Committee. Great member from the Show Me State in Missouri and we are lucky to have them there running Ways and Means. Don't go anywhere, America. I'll be back with House conference chair Lisa McClain in a segment or two. Don't go anywhere. Stay tuned to the Salem News Channel or head over to my YouTube channel, Hugh Hewitt and YouTube like and subscribe. Please. Welcome back, America. I'm Hugh hewitt. Representative Lisa McClain is chairman of the House Conference for the Republicans in the House, I should say Chairwoman. Representative Welcome. It's great to have you on. I was just talking with Jason Smith about operating with a two person majority, which is really one because Congressman Massie doesn't very often vote with us. What's the plan for this year? I know that the off years and I'll run through the horrible Math. Ike lost 58, 1948 seat 49 seats in 1958. Ford lost 48 seats in 1974, Reagan lost five seats in 1986 and W lost 30 seats in 2006. So this is a second term midterm. Tough terrain, is it?
- [09:38]
C
Yeah, it is. But you know what, Hugh? We've defied the odds to this point. Right. I'm an optimist by nature and I think we're on the right side of things. We're right. We are on the right side of the policies and it's incumbent upon us to go out and do shows like yours and correct the truth with the other half of the truth. Right. I think Americans vote with their pocketbooks and with the work that we've done in the working families tax cuts, I think people are going to see real relief. They're already seeing some real relief. But we are going to continue to dig out of this Disastrous mess that Joe Biden and the Democrats left us. And again, I'm optimistic. I mean, just compare and contrast the two parties. Goodness gracious.
- [10:21]
A
Now, Congresswoman, I went to Michigan Law School, University of Michigan Law School. So the Michigan is deep within you. I hear it in your voice. How's that state looking in the off years up there in the governor? And Mike Rogers comes on a lot. We talk about Mike, how do you feel about it?
- [10:37]
C
You know, again, I feel pretty good. And I feel pretty good because we're doing everything right and we're getting out to vote. And if you take a look at the governor, I think we have a real shot of winning the governorship for the first time. We've, we have good, you know, we have good candidates at the top of the ticket. And along we have, we have that. Not to mention that we have a pretty strong independent. It's the, he's the mayor of Detroit and we're all betting that he's going to take more votes from the Democrats than he's going to take from the Republicans. So I'm optimistic about that. I'm also very optimistic about Mike Rogers winning the Senate. Look, we've cleared the field and Mike Rogers is our candidate. Where the Democrats are still fighting in the primary. That bodes very well for us. And who the Democrats are, are talking about and are favoring in the primary is the radical left wing communism. I mean, the policies that defund ice, the, you know, celebrate the criminals, the no law and order, the transgender genders, all the crazy stuff. The Democrat Party in Michigan is just going way, way, way to the left. And I think people want common sense and I think Mike Rogers bring that.
- [11:50]
A
I added a couple of new affiliates in Michigan on January 1st. They're up in, just on the lake, way up north, not on the up, but on the other side. And so we're talking to all of the state. It's really a red state with a couple of blue dots. Right. Michigan.
- [12:07]
C
You got that right, that right.
- [12:09]
A
One of those blue dots is Ann Arbor. And so what do you do about a place, the college campuses of the United States, where they apparently don't teach economics anymore?
- [12:18]
C
Well, the University of Michigan just got a new president, so I'm a little bit hopeful on that. It's their board of regents really, that are, you know, more left wing. And they need to really focus on educating students on how to think, not what to think. And my hope is that they will get back to doing just that. But I think you'll see a different different landscape up there too, with the unfortunate death of Charlie Kirk or murder, I should say, of Charlie Kirk. You know, enrollment of Turning Point is growing, growing Republicans, young Republicans at the universities are really sparking. So that's always encouraging and optimistic. And if we can get the SAVE act on the floor and get, you know, voter registration, I think we clean up a lot of those voter rolls and a really good election. It's going to be tight, right. We're not going to win by 20 points, but I think we'll continue to keep it red.
- [13:16]
A
Let me turn over to the redistricting wars. I was reading one analysis today that says the Democrats, if you add it all up for everything that's been done to date, they're plus one. Assuming that California doesn't get thrown out by SCOTUS and that we don't get the voting rights decision and we don't see anything out of Florida and we don't see anything out of Indiana. Is that your math?
- [13:39]
C
If all of those things happen. But those are pretty pessimistic. So I think at the end of the day we as Republicans will probably pick up too because I don't think all of those things will go in the Democrats favor. I think what we really need to focus on, quite frankly, we are on the right side of the issues. You we have. We are on the side of law and order. We are on the side of lower taxes for every American. We are on the side of common sense for good sakes. That's what really is going to prevail. And the Democrats are just going so far to the left. I mean, we elected a socialist mayor in the city of capitalism, New York. I mean, let's give New York their world. Let's give them a real experience on what socialism or communism really looks like. And let's remember that when it doesn't work and they come begging for Congress for more money because at some point in time people want to get paid. So free buses. I think the bus drivers want to get paid. Gee, free grocery stores. You think the farmers want to get paid. That sells their goods and services. Everything sounds good, but you know as well as I do nothing in life is good.
- [14:52]
A
Yeah, Young people though. I mentioned this to Jason Smith, Chairman Smith was on with me earlier. How about a tax credit for first and last month rent? That's really a rifle shot aimed right at the 21 to 30 year old demo. Have we done anything for them for the 21 to 30 year olds that you can point to?
- [15:12]
C
Yeah, I think we're doing a lot of stuff right now with interest rates with home purchases. And the president is really focused on that. We haven't done a ton legislatively to do that other than if you look at the no tax on tips and no tax on overtime, that will have a big effect on those young people as well because you look at a lot of those young people, they work while they're going to, while they're going to college or, you know, they work and they, they usually work bartending jobs or waitressing job. That will have a major effect on them as well to keep the more money in their pocket and give less money to uncle Sam.
- [15:48]
A
Lisa McClain, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, Always good to talk to you. Great to have a Michigander on. Although Ohio State did beat Michigan today, I do have to point that out this year.
- [15:59]
C
Bring that up. You had to bring that up.
- [16:01]
A
Of course I do. After, after, after the year before it. Yes, after four in a row. Yes, of course I have to do that. And now we just go back and reset. We'll talk about again next year after the game again. We'll play up in the big house here. Lisa McClain, good to talk to you. Don't go anywhere, America. I'll be right back on the Hugh Hewitt Show. Welcome back, America. I'm Hugh Hewitt. Mary Katherine Ham is with me. Mary Kathryn Ham is the host of the Getting Hammered podcast and the Normally podcast. She is a sad SEC fan because the SEC was not anywhere to be seen in the college national championship which was won by the Big Ten for the third year in a row. Michigan, Ohio State and now Indiana. Mary Catherine, do you think Georgia will ever return to the big game?
- [16:45]
D
Yes, I do. The thing about being an SEC fan is that we don't need to ask Big Ten fans or Northwestern fans to constantly affirm us.
- [16:54]
E
Popular, happy, well rounded kids across America are being exploited online through a sinister scheme that leaves them broken, defeated or worse. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention month in the US and to raise awareness, SalemNow.com is offering offering Sexploited in America the four part docuseries from AGA Media. At 50% off Sexploited in America now just $4.99 at SalemNow.com well, we do.
- [17:25]
A
Because after all the years we've been beaten up by the SEC because of the reps in espn, we need to remind people, level the playing field.
- [17:32]
D
Mary Katherine we'll see you next year.
- [17:35]
A
Well, we'll see you next year and I hope, I think we open with Texas next year The Buckeyes only. We're going to do it in Texas. So we'll start right away. Mary Cather, the president was at Davos today, gave the longest press conference in history yesterday. Well, maybe Chris Christie still holds that title. Put it all together, it comes down to we're not going to use force to take Greenland. Markets are happy. He thinks we have a great economy. I tend to agree with him. I also think he's done well in the first year. But I want him to hit Iran so hard that the eyes go back in their head and they're out. What do you think?
- [18:07]
D
Yes, I'm with you on Iran. I thought it was interesting to watch everyone go gaga over the Canadian Prime Minister Carney, who certainly a cut above Trudeau, but it feels very much like Obama nostalgia that they listen to this pretty cynical speech if you actually listen to the meat of it. But given this sort of lofty intellectual tone as compared to a Donald Trump speech and press conference, which is a very different animal. But what he was saying really was like us middle powers, we're going to get together and we're going to tell everybody we're going to become powerful somehow. We're not going to militarize or do the things we need to do or create the things we need to create. America will still do that. And then sort of like falsely equivalent making false equivalents of China and Russia and the US as equal superpowers. It was odd to me and I think there is something to the idea that what he was saying was like this old thing that we all understood as the world order was kind of fake. And now I'm just gonna tell you that we're ex now that it's convenient for us to exit it. It was convenient for us the whole time. And now we've decided we don't like Donald Trump and so we're out and we're gonna say hi to China. And I just found the whole thing very off putting.
- [19:25]
A
I have to be very careful here because my daughter in law is Canadian, was born in Montreal and my in laws are Canadian. So they've naturalized Americans now. And now I say Bonjour High because they're from Montreal. But I want to point out I didn't read Mark Carney's speech. I didn't watch Mark Carney's speech because I love Canada, love maple syrup, I really do. I don't think they matter much to us. We like their oil, they can send it to China. But if there ever comes a conflict, they'll be with us or they won't be with anyone. Right, Catherine? That's the reality.
- [19:58]
D
Well, yeah, I think a lot of this is about reality is that Europe and Canada don't like the tone of Donald Trump, but the tone of Donald Trump is the only thing that's gotten any of them to spend money on defense, as the Secretary General of NATO pointed out at the World Economic Forum. And so even when I'm annoyed with Donald Trump's tone or saber rattling, I am reminded that I was incorrect about him and NATO the first time around because that is what got people to take care of their business and to spend more money on defense. So I'm sort of of two minds about his strategies on these things. And I think on the Greenland thing, this might be, you know, heading toward attempting to get a deal by making a bunch of noise, as is often the case with him.
- [20:44]
A
Now tell me about car or not he mentioned Operation Midnight Hammer or Operation Absolute Resolve, both of which helped the west, both of which helped Canada, the first one of which helps the world. Actually. We don't want now that we know what Iran is capable of, we really are glad that they don't have a nuclear weapon. Mary Katherine, did he mention that?
- [21:04]
D
I don't think he mentioned that, no.
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A
All right, so let's go back to Iran. What do you expect? And I know we're all guessing here, I think he's going to do something. I think we're going to see it because he does not want what has already surfaced online because A, it's the right thing to do but B, he's also had to have seen online that taco stuff is already out.
- [21:25]
D
Yeah, no, I think he is interested in protecting his own threat credibility. Right. That is what he is powerful about him is that people think he will act when he says he will act. He also was material in getting some folks, folks out into the streets in Iran who paid the ultimate price, no doubt. And so I think, you know, it is morally incumbent on him to do something. And I have a lot of faith that there was plenty of stuff going on behind the scenes that we're not seeing. But I think you're right, Hugh, that it would do the west and everyone a lot of good to take action and to make sure that that threat remains credible for all the other people who are watching.
- [22:07]
E
Popular, happy, well rounded kids across America are being exploited online through a sinister scheme that leaves them broken, defeated or worse. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention month in the US and to raise awareness, SalemNow.com is offering Sexploited in America. The four part docuseries from AGA Media at 50% off. Sexploited in America. Now just 499@salemnow.com attest your grizzly math ability.
- [22:39]
A
This is a math question. Iran's got 92 million people. If Iranian style execution of citizenry in the streets occurred in the United States, how many Americans would be dead? What is it?
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D
Was it like 10% of the population or something?
- [22:57]
A
No, it would be 68,000Americans. We're using 340 million Americans as the denominator and 92 million Americans, 15,000. And the X's would be above 360. I've worked it out for you there. You can go home and do the math. But that's what I like to point out. People call Trump a fascist. People who call him dictatorial. This is what a fascist regime actually does. It mows down 15,000 of its own people and imprisons 10,000 more. And I see the networks turning away. I got a Barry Wise question coming up. But have you seen any coverage of the massacre since it wasn't front page?
- [23:32]
D
There's very little. And I think it's because they don't know how to frame this. It's not part of the narrative that they want to tell. Because the narrative they want to tell does not want to put what is ICE raids in American cities next to actual fascism and what actual totalitarian societies look like, or Venezuelans talking about what actual totalitarianism looks like. I don't think that's a story that they want to tell. I think it's complicated. And I think the idea that Trump would be helpful to both of these citizenries is uncomfortable to many who cover the networks. And by the way, you know, I went to the sec. Don't ask me math questions.
- [24:09]
A
Sec. All right, now I want to finish with Barry White. I want to tell the audience again. I've talked with Barry once in my life. We tried to write a piece together like 10 years ago. It didn't work. And, and Barry's, I think, sent her left, maybe very slightly left, but sent her left. She's a good journalist. There's a story in variety today that 10 people from CBS News think she's ruining it. Now, there are metrics actually for whether or not she's ruining it because the audience already ran away from CBS. Mary Catherine, can you believe Variety counted on 10 people and said she's going to destroy the network when in fact audience flight is what's destroying the network.
- [24:47]
D
Look, I think it's so silly, this whole campaign to tell me that CBS News hiring a New York Jewish lesbian who just moved from LA is too far left for. Is too far right for these people. Like, how far left do you have to be? I'm sorry. No. Barry is a curious, interesting, smart person and the audience had already fled. And I am interested in what she's doing.
- [25:11]
A
So am I. And I hope she goes to I like Ed Whitaker. I met him. I like Ed, I worked with him. But I hope she goes and just turns over 60 minutes into something completely new. That's the next stop. She's done. Tony de Coppol. How'd you like Tony with the president? Did you watch it?
- [25:29]
D
I like Tony a lot and I've liked Tony since they dogpiled him over asking Ta Nehis Coates one hard question. So I think anyone who can do that and stand up to his network should stick around and do the hard work.
- [25:41]
A
Well said. Mary Kathryn Ham getting hammered and normally are her podcast. She is unfortunately an sec gal, but we'll talk about that next year as the end as the Big Ten begins its third year reigning atop all of college football. Thank you mkh. I'll be right back, America. Stay tuned to the Hugh Hewitt Show. My column, my op ed ish examiner Hugh Hewitt. Google it. Welcome back, America. I'm Hugh Hewitt, joined by Charles C.W. cook. You can you can follow him on x. Charles cwcook with an e on the end of that. He is the senior writer at National Review. His podcaster carries his podcast carries his name Charles C.W. cook. He is a Jacksonville Jaguars fan and I'll get to the serious stuff, but first season's over. The Cleveland Browns have the Jaguars 24th pick in the draft. We're going to take an offensive lineman with that. I'd be willing to bet my life. Are you happy with the trade a year later?
- [26:35]
F
Yeah, I think so. I didn't expect us to go 13 and 4, which was a reversal of the previous year, which is 4 and 13. So I'm pretty sure the Browns didn't expect that either. If you told me that at the beginning of the year, I'd have been astonished. Of course I was upset when we lost in the wild card, but it was to the Bills and Josh Allen.
- [26:54]
A
Is a pretty good player and McDermott shouldn't have been fired. I am actually happy with 24 because we were so bad. We have 6 in 24 so we can get a wide receiver and an offensive lineman in the first round. So everybody now I Don't want everyone to win in Iran. I have a column in the examiner Day. Should President Trump hit Iran, will he? And I think he should, because to murder 15,000 people, low end estimate in the streets by the regime ought not to go unpunished. What do you think, Charles?
- [27:24]
F
Yeah, that's certainly one way of looking at it. I don't disagree with you. If the aim is merely to be punitive, I worry that we would not be able to affect the change that we want. I also worry a little bit that we promised that we would help in Iran and all those brave people went out in the streets and then we didn't, for whatever reason, and then 15,000 of them were murdered. I'm not against hitting them for what they did on human rights grounds. What I really want is for a shift in Iran's government. And I was more hopeful than I had been for a long time, although I was still pretty skeptical, because I keep being promised this and it never happens.
- [28:07]
A
You know, Charles, I'm going to put the argument forward that we can't put the people in the streets who got shot on Trump's promise because their Internet was down. I think they went to the streets like they did in 22 and 2009, because they hate this regime. Regime. They've just never been. They've never been met with machine guns and weapons of mass destruction this way. And I want a punitive. I don't think you can do regime change from the air. And we aren't sending troops in, but we can do to Iran what he did to Syria twice, which was to communicate to Assad, you use chemical weapons and we will blow up buildings that you want. And I don't know why we don't hit Kharg Island. I've had a friend of mine in the business tell me that could get the Chinese involved, rebuilding it, and they need that oil. But that's what I would blow up. What would you blow up?
- [28:59]
F
Well, I don't know. I don't know enough about how this works. I think that our last target was overdue, that obviously being the Iranian nuclear program. I'm not a military strategist. As a sort of foreign policy question from a perspective of a citizen, I'm quite happy to make them squeal for what they've done. I think you make a good case. I'm not blaming Trump, just so we're clear. I'm just saying that I hope that's not what happened.
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A
Oh, I get you.
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F
I hope that there weren't people who went out there and thought, you know, if we push over the top this time, there will be support coming from the United States. And then there wasn't. I don't think, you know, Trump can be blamed for that, but I just hope that there weren't people who thought there was help coming that were.
- [29:45]
A
And I want him to follow through on a spoken promise, because other people will hear other things in the future. He said it to me. He said it to Sean Hannity, he said it to Tony Ducopel. He said it online eight times. I think he said help is on the way or some variation. So I think he has to follow through. Now, Greenland, we began yesterday with the demand and a promise of a tariff that was reiterated in the speech. It was walked back in the presser, and then it was definitively walked back in the president's exchange with Joe Kernan, which you and I listened air without specifics. What do you think? Did Trump walk himself back, or does he have a real deal?
- [30:24]
F
No, I think he walks himself back. I'll take this from the beginning. I think that the notion that the United States would benefit from acquiring Greenland is solid.
- [30:33]
A
Yes.
- [30:33]
F
It's been in American minds since the mid 19th century. When Seward was doing the Alaska deal, he also wanted to take Greenland. And Harry Truman famously tried to buy the place in 1946. So the idea, you hear from some people that this is Trump being crazy or that this is a complete distraction based on nothing is wrong. I also think if we weren't so much in debt, that buying it would be well within the tradition of American foreign policy. So I am very open to the idea. But I think that Trump's behavior in the last three, four days has been been erratic and bizarre and indefensible. I think that even muttering about invading, I know he's walked that back now is counterproductive. I think that putting tariffs on allies, I know he's not going to do that now, but that was the threat and the markets responded is crazy. And I think ultimately he has backed off here and pretended that there is some sort of deal that there's not, at least not that alters the state of status quo in ways that would satisfy those of us who think this is a good idea, is a reaction to the bond market and the economic fallout from these threats, rather than to a real change in diplomacy.
- [31:51]
A
Okay. My prediction is going to be the Danes are going to agree that he can interpret the military treaty in existence expansively, extend it for many, many years, and commit to the United States the protection of the exclusive economic zone of 230 miles around there, 27,000 miles. Miles of shoreland, so we can keep the Chinese fishing fleet out from destroying the Arctic fishing ponds. But we will see. Charlie, generally speaking, are you better off today than you were a year ago?
- [32:22]
F
Yes, I think I am. How are we measuring that?
- [32:26]
A
Anyway, I put it to the audience. I just got a call from a guy in Orlando who's an importer of toys from China and greeting cards from around the world, and he had to lay off eight employees. He's crushed. That's actually somebody. I believe he spoke like a guy. I really believe him. But if you buy gasoline and you're a trucker, you're better off today than you were a year ago. So I usually think in economic terms.
- [32:51]
F
Yeah. I have been and continue to be outspoken against the tariffs. I think with the exception of those on China, they're counterproductive. I don't think believe the President has the legal authority to impose them. I don't know if the Supreme Court will uphold that or not. But I am of the view that the interpretation of IPA is wrong. And as a non delegation guy, I'm not sure IPA is constitutional. So I do believe that your interlocutor is suffering, as many are. But yes, I am better off. I'm also better off because I can plan better for my future. Given the renewal of the sex cuts from 2017.
- [33:27]
A
Yes.
- [33:28]
F
And that was not just important financially. You cannot have the largest tax increase in American history, which was the alternative. But making those permanent and also adding in things like full expensing for businesses just allows a level of economic planning and assumptions that are really important. Add into that the deregulation that the President's been engaged in, which is good. Yeah, I think I am better off. I think he's made a lot of mistakes, but overall, I think I am.
- [33:55]
A
And have you listened to yesterday's argument before the Supreme Court wherein Justice Jackson Brown. Jackson introduced the Black Codes as history and tradition relevant to the. Okay, well, you did listen. What did you think? I had fun with it yesterday.
- [34:10]
F
Well, Kauai's law here is crazy and Hawaii is crazy because whenever Hawaii is challenged on Second Amendment issues, its Supreme Court at the state level puts out out things like, oh, we have the spirit of aloha is supreme. But yeah, that was crazy. I never thought I would hear a Supreme Court justice say that Jim Crow laws justify gun control.
- [34:34]
A
I know it's a moment for people who follow gun law to mark down and say, nobody saw that one coming and they didn't get that question at the mock oral arguments for the court. Charles cwcook, always good to talk to you. Follow him on X. Charles cwcook with an E at the end. I'll be right back with Sarah Bedford on the Hugh Hewitt Show. Hi, it's Hugh Hewitt. You've heard me talk a lot about consumer cellular, how you can switch your carrier and save money without sacrifice. That's because consumer cellular uses the same towers as the major carrier. You'll save money every month on your bill without having to sacrifice the quality of coverage. Right now, you get your second month free. Plus folks over 50 get two lines of unlimited talk, text and data for $60 a month. That's in addition to the second month totally free using promo code HU. And are you tired of your wireless company telling you you have to Talk to an AI robot, download an app or Verizon, pay $10 to talk to someone when paying your bill? Yeah, no thanks. Consumer cellular ranks 1 for network coverage and customer satisfaction according to ACSI. Whether you're switching online or over the phone, you'll be working with an actual human being based right here in the U.S. so switch and get your second month free plus two unlimited lines of $60. If you're over 50, go to consumercellular.com hu promohue or call 108 or call 1800-411445-41800-411- 4454. That's 1-800-411-4456. And don't forget my code is Hugh.
- [36:12]
E
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- [36:53]
A
Welcome back, America. I'm Hugh Hewitt. Sarah C. Bedford of the Washington examiner joins me. I'm about to read my Washington, Washington examiner column from today. Next segment. Sarah But I want to ask you, as a Beltway resident, I'm out in California for a couple of weeks more. What are you doing? Given the mixed signals we're getting, you're either going to be hit by an asteroid or you're not going to be able to open your door because of snow or freezing ice will make it impossible to get to the Safeway. What are you doing?
- [37:21]
G
Listen I already loaded up my grocery cart last night. I've got soup, I've got water. You're never going to regret buying necessities, right? Am on the panic side of the spectrum for the storm.
- [37:33]
A
I think it's a good idea. Now, what does can you work from home? Can you turn in copy from home? Are you able to do that?
- [37:42]
G
Yes, unfortunately. Covid killed adult snow days, so I will be working from home if that occurs.
- [37:48]
A
Covid did kill adults. What do you think is the best forecast? What is your operating theory? Because my daughter and my four grandkids kids are debating taking a trip. They're on the southern edge of this thing, up to Maine and back to do a little skiing. And I have no opinions because I don't want to get involved. What do you think is going to happen?
- [38:13]
G
I don't know if it's just my social media algorithm that's feeding into all of this fear, but if you looked at my Twitter feed, you would think that this is the storm of the century. The history bucks books will record it. The streets will be littered with bodies. Like I'm nervous for it, but also nothing could happen.
- [38:28]
A
So who knows that? I thought. I love the forecast. The snow will be between 1 and 78 inches. Maybe, possibly. But what I really hate as a longtime in and out resident is freezing rain. Have you gone through a freezing rainstorm yet?
- [38:44]
G
Yeah, well, you know, I'm from the south, so a quarter inch of ice just absolutely crippled the city. Ice was actually worse, you know, when I lived in Atlanta than when I lived here.
- [38:52]
A
You were there for that nightmare?
- [38:55]
G
I was, yes. I was just a youth. But ice, especially in the south, can be much more damaging than snow. Nobody knows how to drive or do anything when there's ice.
- [39:03]
A
Now you can't drive. That's the bottom line. You can't drive and the metro doesn't work. So, Sarah, I had Jason on from House Ways and Means today, and the chairman told me that that basically said there isn't going to be a reconciliation. Is that what your reporting is as well?
- [39:23]
G
Well, the Republican Study Committee is keeping the flame of hope alive. They put out this sweeping proposal on affordability that they think can be done through reconciliation. I think it'll ultimately depend on whether the White House ends up backing this move. And Trump and the White House officials have played their cards pretty close to the vent vest on whether this is something they're interested in. It would be less ambitious than the one big beautiful bill acts, the reconciliation package from last year. But Republicans Seem to understand that this is probably their last shot for a few years to get anything done legislatively. Given the likelihood the Democrats will retake the House in November.
- [39:58]
A
What Sherman Smith noted is that they can only lose one vote because Massie will vote now. So they have to get it through the Budget committee, they have to get it through all the committees. They have to get it through the Rules Committee, got Chip Roy and the gang over there. I mean, is it worth the effort? Do you think it's worth the lift?
- [40:15]
G
It depends on what it is they're doing. Right. One of the proposals that has a lot of interest, not just from conservatives, but from a lot of independents, you know, across the spectrum, the potential for broad appeal is allowing Americans to use their retirement savings or their HSAs or all kinds of money that they have tied up up places. Tax advantaged money for a down payment on a first time home purchase. That would be huge for people in my age group who are saving up to buy their first home. Right. If they focus on something narrow that has broad appeal, maybe they can get it through. Right now the reconciliation proposal has stuff like eliminating the estate tax. It has health care reforms. It has those home affordability reforms. So they might have to pare that back significantly if they want to have a shot at consensus.
- [41:02]
A
Yeah, I would like that idea. I think that's a fine idea idea and I think Democrats would vote for it. Have you been following the Virginia legislature now? It's all a Democratic state. The very first bill I saw introduced is a death tax of 3.8%. I will not be living in Virginia if that passes. It's like make people leave tax.
- [41:23]
G
Right. And it's not just that. The Democrats now they have a trifecta in Virginia, put forward a bunch of really progressive stuff, taxes on services, all sorts of proposals that really fly in the face of the affordability agenda that Spamberger, the new governor, and a lot of those local Democrats ran on. It's actually kind of baffling that they chose that as their first move.
- [41:45]
A
Would you think it's fair to say she's gone full mom? Donnie?
- [41:50]
G
Well, she's certainly leaning that way because one of her. The first things that she did unilaterally as the governor was to cancel any sort of sort of cooperation agreements that Virginia had with immigration authorities, which is not something that she ran on. Not something that Virginians are even really demanding.
- [42:05]
A
Did she say free buses yet?
- [42:09]
G
Not yet. Give it another week.
- [42:10]
A
I don't, because it really is. Mamdani, a blonde momdani and we'll follow that space. Sarah C. Bedford can be followed on X. She is with the Washington examiner, lead the investigative team there. And she's ready for whatever the weather brings, which I, of course, will be covering after the break. Will President Donald Trump.