The MeidasTouch Podcast: Exclusive Interview with Congressman Jared Moskowitz
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Introduction

In this exclusive episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers engage in a spirited conversation with Congressman Jared Moskowitz. The discussion delves into pressing political issues, including government funding mechanisms, the role of high-profile figures like Elon Musk in government subcommittees, and the broader implications of current legislative strategies. The interview offers listeners an insider's perspective on the challenges facing Congress and the strategic maneuvers within the political landscape.

Opening Remarks and Current State in Washington, D.C.

Ben:
“Congressmember Jared Moskowitz Just want to start off by asking you, how you holding up there in Washington, D.C. how are things going there?”
[01:00]

Jared Moskowitz:
“Fine, Ben. Why? Do. Do you know something that I. I don't know. I. I haven't been watching the news over the last couple weeks. It's. Something been going on. I mean, I'm, I'm, I'm doing fine.”
[01:09]

Congressman Moskowitz opens the conversation by addressing the current atmosphere in Washington, D.C., hinting at underlying tensions and unspoken developments that may be impacting his work and the legislative process.

Elon Musk’s Role in the Doge Subcommittee

Ben:
“There was a declaration that was submitted either on his behalf or by the Federal. By the Trump White House, basically saying Musk is not running Doge, or he's not an employee of Doge, but he's an advisor to the White House. You sit on the Doge Subcommittee. What is Elon like? What's his role if he's saying that he's not actually working for Doge?”
[01:48]

Jared Moskowitz:
“Well, we don't. We don't know. Right. And I'm a part of the Doge caucus. I joined very early because I do believe Americans don't Want the status quo with government...”
[02:20]

Moskowitz discusses the ambiguity surrounding Elon Musk's involvement with the Doge Subcommittee. He expresses uncertainty about Musk's day-to-day role and criticizes the lack of transparency. Moskowitz emphasizes the need for Musk to engage directly with Congress to clarify his position and contribute meaningfully to governmental reforms.

Notable Quote:
“Elon's a very smart guy. We can't take that away from. He should come to Congress and tell us he doesn't think much of us or any of our abilities.”
[02:20]

Government Efficiency and Continuing Resolutions (CR)

Ben:
“I want to talk about the clean cr, clean continuing resolution and what that means...”
[05:23]

The conversation shifts to the use of Continuing Resolutions (CR) as a tool to fund the government without passing new budgetary measures. Congressman Moskowitz critiques the Republican strategy of relying on CRs, arguing that it perpetuates the status quo and fails to address underlying issues of fraud, waste, and abuse within government programs.

Notable Quote:
“Continuing resolution is, is how these programs that are either old, outdated or no longer needed continue.”
[08:10]

Moskowitz explains that CRs merely extend previous budgets without making necessary adjustments, allowing inefficiencies to persist. He contends that Speaker Johnson's approach to use CRs is a tactic to trap Democrats into approving funding without addressing identified issues, ultimately leading to a government shutdown.

Implications of a Clean Continuing Resolution

Ben:
“So if they were to propose a CR though, and not the individual spending bills and it was just the status quo, how would you vote on that?”
[11:07]

Jared Moskowitz:
“I'm a no vote. A clean cr. I don't think we can do that... We have to do it the right way.”
[11:16]

Congressman Moskowitz firmly opposes voting for a clean CR, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. He argues that approving a CR without addressing fraud and waste would be dishonest and detrimental to the American public’s trust in government.

Notable Quote:
“The American people don't want the status quo. A CR is the status quo.”
[11:16]

Moskowitz underscores that the electorate desires substantial changes rather than mere budget extensions, positioning a clean CR as antithetical to public expectations for governmental reform.

Challenges Faced by Democrats and the Democratic Party's Self-Reflection

Jared Moskowitz:
“That is also a reflection on where the Democratic Party is. Right? That's a reflection that they voted for this and were willing to take that risk than what we were selling.”
[16:02]

Moskowitz reflects on the Democratic Party's current state, suggesting a lack of introspection regarding the party's strategies and their alignment with voter expectations. He implies that the party must recalibrate to address constituent concerns effectively and bridge the gap between political rhetoric and legislative action.

Notable Quote:
“Unless we recalibrate and figure out how to make our tent bigger and start acting a little more normal, by the way, you know, we may be in this position for some time.”
[16:02]

This metaphor highlights the necessity for the Democratic Party to expand its appeal and adopt more pragmatic approaches to regain and maintain public support.

Constituent Concerns and the Impact of Legislative Chaos

Jared Moskowitz:
“Chaos. It's been chaos right now. I'm a former emergency management director, so I know how to deal with that. But it's the chaos that has people worried...”
[16:48]

The Congressman addresses the anxiety among his constituents caused by legislative instability and the potential implications for essential services such as Social Security, Medicare, and veterans' benefits. He attributes much of this uncertainty to the Republican-led efforts to overhaul or eliminate outdated programs without offering clear alternatives.

Notable Quote:
“People that voted for Donald Trump, by the way, Donald Trump only lost my district by one and a half points... This breeds a lot of anxiety, which then breeds a lot of those phone calls.”
[16:48]

Moskowitz connects the current legislative chaos to the narrow margin by which Trump lost his district, suggesting that policies introduced by the previous administration continue to influence voter concerns and expectations.

Critique of Republican Strategies and Media Distractions

Jared Moskowitz:
“These things he's putting out there are to distract us from these other topics, and we're going for it... We gotta focus on these other issues.”
[19:32]

Moskowitz criticizes former President Trump's strategies, asserting that certain provocative statements and policies are designed to divert attention from more critical issues like inflation and international conflicts. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus on substantive legislative matters rather than getting sidetracked by media-fueled distractions.

Notable Quote:
“James Carville said the other day that. And he's right. We gotta stop, right? Just let Trump cook, okay? Let him say some of these things. And we just gotta just like not give that the oxygen.”
[19:32]

This remark underscores Moskowitz's belief in not amplifying politically motivated distractions, advocating instead for prioritizing meaningful policy discussions.

Conclusion and Final Remarks

As the interview wraps up, Congressman Moskowitz acknowledges the ongoing chaos and emphasizes his commitment to addressing constituent concerns despite the turbulent political environment. The conversation ends on a lighter note, with a brief, humorous exchange about capybara-themed shirts, showcasing the personable dynamic between the host and the guest.

Jared Moskowitz:
“It's a capybara. So in. Capybara. So in.”
[19:48]

Ben:
“All the rage, Congressman.”
[20:03]

Closing Remarks:
“Thank you for your time, Congressman.”
[20:07]

Key Takeaways

• Transparency and Accountability: Congressman Moskowitz advocates for clear communication and accountability, especially concerning high-profile figures like Elon Musk involved in governmental subcommittees.

• Critique of Continuing Resolutions: The use of clean Continuing Resolutions is criticized as a means to maintain the status quo, preventing necessary budgetary reforms and perpetuating inefficiencies within government programs.

• Democratic Party's Need for Introspection: There's a call for the Democratic Party to reflect on its strategies and better align with voter expectations to effectively address constituent concerns.

• Impact of Legislative Chaos on Constituents: Ongoing political instability leads to increased anxiety among constituents about essential services and governmental support systems.

• Media Distractions and Policy Focus: Moskowitz emphasizes the importance of focusing on substantive policy issues rather than getting sidetracked by media-driven distractions and politically motivated diversions.

This comprehensive discussion provides listeners with an in-depth understanding of the current political dynamics, the challenges faced by Democrats in Congress, and the strategies employed by Republicans that may affect government functionality and public perception.