GOP Reps Get Ripped Apart under Cross-Exam at Hearing

Summary

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MeidasTouch Podcast Summary

Episode Title: GOP Reps Get Ripped Apart under Cross-Exam at Hearing
Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Theme:
A fiery breakdown of a Congressional Rules Committee hearing where Democratic representatives put Republican health care proposals under intense scrutiny, exposing contradictions, lack of transparency, backdoor abortion bans, and GOP infighting. The episode also touches upon provocative MAGA Republican rhetoric about immigrant communities, Trump’s actions in Venezuela, and broader implications for American democracy.

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1. Overview

This episode centers on a heated Rules Committee hearing in which Democrats, led by Rep. Joe Negus, rigorously cross-examined Republican witnesses and lawmakers over their attempt to fast-track a healthcare bill. The bill, according to the hosts and Democratic committee members, would not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, would erode essential health protections, and includes provisions that amount to a federal-level restriction on reproductive rights. Along the way, the episode highlights internal Republican conflict, confrontations on broader social and foreign policy issues, and urges listeners to stay vigilant and engaged.

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2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. The Rules Committee Showdown

• Democrats Go on Offense:
  Ben emphasizes how the Rules Committee format allows Democrats to cross-examine the other side, not just debate.
• Republican Healthcare ‘Hodgepodge’:
  The GOP bill is described as recycling “old, outdated, rejected Republican healthcare concepts,” especially those targeting women’s reproductive care, rather than simply extending ACA subsidies (00:00–01:00).
• Rep. Joe Negus’ Cross-Examination:
  • Negus presses Rep. Wahlberg about his advocacy for Association Health Plans (AHPs).
  • Key point: Congressional members enjoy top-tier healthcare, while pushing the public toward stripped-down plans lacking ACA essential benefits (02:27–03:20).
  • Notable rebuttal by Negus: “I think they [the people] should have the same insurance you have. Absolutely.” (03:00).

B. Lack of Transparency & Accountability

• Rushed, Midnight Votes:
  Democrats criticize the GOP for pushing the bill through with no public hearings, likening the process to prior secretive budget bills (03:40–04:39).
• Making Time for Appliance Bills, Not Healthcare:
  Negus lampoons Republicans for prioritizing bills like the "Shower Act" and "Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act" over healthcare reform (05:12–06:01).
  • "You schedule a markup last week...[on] home appliances, the Shower Act. And you can’t be bothered to include your health care plan..." – Rep. Joe Negus (06:25–06:52)

C. GOP Infighting and Candor

• Chip Roy's Critique:
  GOP Rep. Chip Roy openly derides both parties for failing the American people, calling the GOP health proposal "milquetoast garbage" and expressing disgust for Congressional dysfunction (08:34–09:30).
  • Notable Quote:
    "At some point, people will look at this body and say, maybe we should get rid of all 435 members of the House and all 100 members of the Senate and start over, because Congress is literally failing the American people. I yield back." – Chip Roy (09:22)
• Internal Accusations:
  Roy accuses party leadership of political dealmaking, specifically referencing a swap between Marjorie Taylor Greene and GOP leadership to secure votes (09:41–10:18).

D. Women’s Health and Abortion Access

• Congresswoman Teresa Fernandez’s Personal Testimony:
  Fernandez spotlights the risks to women from Republican efforts to “backdoor” abortion bans—even in blue states—using her own near-death pregnancy experience to humanize the stakes (12:43–14:23).
  • Notable Quote:
    “I almost died in pregnancy and I was the woman who was on the operating table bleeding to death. Bleeding to death. I got to make every decision with regards to what care I wanted. And my doctors did not have to worry about whether it would be paid for by my health insurance plan or whether they would go to jail…” – Teresa Fernandez (13:10)
• Republican Fatalism:
  GOP witnesses downplay risks, suggesting the public doesn’t want to pay for abortion and dismissing testimony of actual harm (12:58).

E. Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric & Accountability

• Tom Emmer and the Somali Community:
  Pablo Manriquez confronts Tom Emmer about his change in stance toward the Somali community in Minnesota, referencing Trump’s derogatory comments (15:12–16:05).
  • Emmer dodges, repeating crime stats and indirectly excusing Trump’s rhetoric.
  • This segment highlights the wider GOP alignment with Trumpist anti-immigrant positions.

F. U.S. Foreign Policy Escalation under Trump

• AOC on Venezuela:
  • Ocasio-Cortez criticizes Trump’s “reckless” escalation toward Venezuela, warning against unauthorized intervention (16:25–17:34).
    • "It is the responsibility of Congress to declare and authorize military use of force. Congress has not authorized...And the lack of [an] explanation is a huge red flag for everyone." – AOC (16:57)
  • On broader interventionism: “Americans are opposed to this reckless interventionism…people are sick of these endless wars.” (17:47)
• Sen. Ruben Gallego’s Warning:
  • Gallego accuses the Trump administration of “slowly putting the pressure on Venezuela” to provoke conflict and justify war (18:23–19:43).
    • “What I’m telling you is they’re setting it all up to happen. Be aware what they’re doing. They’re slowly putting the pressure on Venezuela, so they react.” – Sen. Ruben Gallego (19:13)
• Senator Duckworth on War Powers:
  • Duckworth calls out Trump for bypassing Congressional war authority, connecting it to selective enforcement on drug traffickers (19:51–20:30).

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3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rep. Joe Negus:
  • “I think they should have the same insurance you have. Absolutely.” (03:00)
  • "You schedule a markup last week...[on] home appliances...And you can't be bothered to include your health care plan..." (06:25)
• Rep. Chip Roy:
  • “At some point, people will look at this body and say, maybe we should get rid of all 435 members of the House and all 100 members of the Senate and start over, because Congress is literally failing the American people.” (09:22)
• Rep. Teresa Fernandez:
  • “…I almost died in pregnancy and I was the woman who was on the operating table bleeding to death...I got to make every decision…And my doctors did not have to worry about whether it would be paid for by my health insurance plan or whether they would go to jail…” (13:10)
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC):
  • “It is the responsibility of Congress to declare and authorize military use of force…And the lack of [an] explanation is a huge red flag for everyone.” (16:57)
  • “Americans are opposed to this reckless interventionism…people are sick of these endless wars.” (17:47)
• Sen. Ruben Gallego:
  • “What I’m telling you is they’re setting it all up to happen. Be aware what they’re doing.” (19:13)

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4. Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Speaker | Key Moment | |-----------|-------------------|------------| | 00:00–01:30 | Host, Ben | Framing of Rules Committee drama; ACA vs. GOP bill | | 02:27 | Rep. Joe Negus | Probing Rep. Wahlberg on Association Health Plans | | 03:00 | Rep. Joe Negus | Democratic position: public should get Congress-quality insurance | | 04:39–06:25 | Negus & GOP witnesses | Critique of rushed, opaque process and misplaced priorities | | 08:34–09:30 | Rep. Chip Roy | Publicly slams both parties; Congress failing Americans | | 12:43–14:23 | Rep. Teresa Fernandez | Personal testimony on reproductive rights and health care access | | 15:12–16:05 | Pablo Manriquez & Tom Emmer | Emmer dodges on Trump’s Somali comments | | 16:25–17:34 | AOC | Critique of Trump’s Venezuela actions; necessary role of Congress | | 18:23–19:43 | Sen. Ruben Gallego | Warning on war-mongering escalation with Venezuela | | 19:51–20:30 | Sen. Duckworth | Critique of Trump’s disregard for Congressional authority on war |

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5. Episode Tone & Style

• Sharp and Unapologetic:
  The Meiselas brothers deliver analysis with directness, humor, and righteous indignation, mirroring the fiery tone of the hearing itself.
• Banter & Satire:
  Scathing jabs at the GOP’s legislative process, mixed with personal stories and memorable one-liners from lawmakers.
• Democracy-Focused:
  The episode stays rooted in the message of accountability and active support for democracy, urging engagement and vigilance.

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6. Conclusion

The episode provides a comprehensive, drama-filled overview of the deep dysfunction in Congressional health care debates, the Republican Party’s internal chaos, and broader threats to democracy and civil rights. Using gripping testimony and sharp cross-examination clips, the Meiselas brothers highlight not only the policy stakes but also the underlying struggles shaping today's political landscape.

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Transcript

[Host/Commentator]

This is how it's done. Democrats going on the offense in the Rules Committee hearing led by Democrats like Congressmember Negus in the Rules Committee you get to cross examine the other side who appears before the Rules Committee to try to justify their actions, justify their amendments. And Democrats expose these MAGA Republicans who, who are refusing to allow a vote to take place on the House floor today for the extension of the Affordable Care act subsidies. Instead MAGA Mike Johnson and the Republicans trying to push through the Rules Committee last night and push onto the House floor today some hodgepodge bill of like old outdated, rejected Republican healthcare concepts that deal with like banning women from reproductive care at a federal level. I mean while the American people are saying can you extend our Affordable Care act subsidies please? Cuz we're about to lose healthcare. MAGA Republicans like oh, do you mean you want us to further ban abortion now in blue states that allow women to have reproductive rights? So let me just show you what went down here. One of the things that the MAGA Republicans are saying is let's, let's get rid of the Affordable Care act in total and maybe we can do some association health plans, AHPs which actually lack a lot of the Affordable Care act mandated essential benefits like maternity coverage and other key coverages that are required under the Affordable Care Act, a lot of ones that actually save people's lives. And so you have Democratic Congressmember Joe Nagus, he's cross examining his, the MAGA Republican Congress member Wahlberg here and Wahlberg here is trying to act like these AHPs are the best. So Nagus is like oh, which plan are you on? Which plan are you on? Oh, you've got the best healthcare as a member of Congress but you think the American people shouldn't get the same healthcare that you get as a Congress member. Watch as Democratic Congressmember Negus like breaks this MAGA Republican. This is great cross examination by Congressmember De Goose and he always does an incredible job on the Rules Committee. Here, watch this.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

It sounds like you're a big fan of these AHPs.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

I certainly am.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Are you?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

It's an option.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Are you on?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

It's an option. I'm not, I don't have to be on this, but I want.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

What do you mean you don't have to be?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

I have insurance otherwise.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

What kind of insurance?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

A good insurance, not an. That's not the question. What about the small businesses?

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Do you get essential health insurance?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

What about the employers?

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Wait a minute, Mr. Chairman, the question.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Is do you want to give the Same opportunities to small businesses and employers.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I think that the people should have.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Like, give to the large corporations.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I think they should have the same insurance you have. Absolutely.

[Host/Commentator]

I agree with you.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I suspect that your plan covers the essential health benefits under the aca. Am I wrong?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

I would assume it does not.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Why can't they get that?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Not maternity. Because, frankly, I'm too old.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Well, I appreciate that, but why can't your constituents get the same assessment?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

They can give them the opportunity.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Not under these plans.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

For these choices.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Absolutely. It's not required.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

You don't think. Well, are you saying Ford Motor Company doesn't give it? I'm saying, don't you think unions give it? Of course they do.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

There are a variety of plans.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Of course.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Once. And why a legal requirement?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Why would in the competition, in the marketplace, small businesses not want to give their employees.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I hear you.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

The same opportunities?

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I think that Madam Chair, I only have.

[Host/Commentator]

And then Negoo says, I've got more receipts for you, Wahlberg. Okay, so first off, why are you rushing everything with maga? They rush through at like midnight, right? They go, this is supposed to be an issue that impacts Americans more than anything. Americans health care. Americans need their Affordable Care act subsidies. And right now you're pushing through something again. Once again, just like the disastrous budget bill that the American people can't see. You're holding no hearings about it publicly again. What do we see in the middle of the night? The MAGA Republicans try to push these things through, force votes and screw over the American people. And Democratic Congressmember Negus is like, you've done like all of these bills about like the shower act and shower pressure and these things. You don't think we should have gone through a process when it comes to ripping away health care from tens of millions of Americans. Watch Negus right here. Play this clip.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I noted I wrote this down in your opening. You said, I hope, I think I quoted this right. I hope we can work across the aisle on this issue. How many legislative hearings has this bill received in your committee?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Well, so you're talking about the parts of the bill, the cost sharing reductions. We had legislative.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I'm talking about the bill that we're talking about today. I'm talking about the bill that you're.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Testing on this has not had legislative hearing a specific bill. But we had. Everything in the bill has been through.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Has it had a markup?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

We did mark up on cost sharing reductions and we did markup on the.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Bill that we're sitting here. You know, you're here to testify on this bill.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

This specific bill did not have a markup.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Did not have a markup. Right. You all had a markup last week in your full committee. This bill wasn't one of them. I looked at the list. Saving homeowners from overregulation with exceptional. Exceptional rinsing. That's called the Shower Act. You're familiar with that bill?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

I'm familiar with that Shower Act.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

That's a bill that you all took up last week. There another one here. Don't Mess with my Home Appliances Act. Interesting title. Do you remember that bill?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Yeah. People want to be able to buy the plants of their choice. Got it mandated by the government.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Don't mess with my Home Appliances Act. Plenty of time to take up that bill last week. Plenty of time to take up the Shower Act.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

We have plenty of time to take up this bill, too.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Well, this bill didn't get a markup in your committee.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

It was before us today.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

You had 15 before the rules Committee, not before the Energy.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

I'm saying we have time to bring it up today.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Well, why don't you have a markup if that's the case? If you scheduled one?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

We're going to get a vote. You're going to get to vote. Yes, about a vote, Mr. Chairman.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Come on.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

You know we got the cost share reductions going to lower premiums by 11% score by CBO.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I hear you.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

And so we're going to have a chance.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

We're going to talk about the cbo.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

CBM reform is in the bill. We're going to have a chance to vote on that on the floor.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I hear you. I think you could imagine the dismay of folks that I represent in Colorado, I suspect in Kentucky, too, who say, wait a minute, you've got this really powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. Boy, members of Congress, at least those that I know, they fight really hard to get on this committee. You schedule a markup last week. You've got 15 bills. Six of those 15 bills are on home appliances, the Shower Act. And you can't be bothered to include your health care plan that you've been spending a year.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

We have been working on this bill. We have been working on this bill. We marked it up in May before it came. Sections of this bill.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

You mentioned working in a bipartisan case.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

We've done PBM reform in a bipartisan way.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Have you worked with Mr. Pallone on this bill?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

We not on this specific bill. We've worked on bipartisan.

[Host/Commentator]

Isn't this the big one?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

PBM reform?

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Well, the reason why I say that, Mr. Guthrie, is because I actually agreed with the premise. You know, that line in your testimony about working in good faith on, you know, with respect to this particular issue across party lines. And it just. It's pretty clear to me that. That that's not embedded in this bill. But in any event, let's.

[Host/Commentator]

Then you have congressmember, Democratic Congressmember McGovern. And he's like, okay, so what you're saying is that you all have concepts of plans. Concepts of plans. Here, play this clip.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

So if by concept of a plan you meant screwing millions of people over, including the millions who voted for Republicans in the last election, I think you've accomplished your goal. And it's not just that this is a lousy health care bill. The latest CBO score, I don't know if you've seen it, just came out. And this bill would kick 100,000 more people off their health care than if you did nothing. So by passing this bill, even more people are going to lose their health insurance.

[Host/Commentator]

And frankly, the MAGA Republicans had nothing good to say in response. You have MAGA Republican Chip Roy saying that basically the Republicans are just offering a bunch of garbage this week. He admits it. He admits it. MAGA Republican Chip Roy says, yeah, we're offering milk, toast, garbage. These exact words Here, play this clip.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

And now we're sitting here and we're listening to nonsense about health care where my colleagues on the other side of the aisle sit here saying, well, you guys aren't doing anything about the massive expensive cost of health care. Why do you think it's expensive? Because you literally cut a deal with insurance companies to run health care. You think that's going to run wild? Yeah. That's why they have 2000% profit increases. And the American people can't afford to go to the doctor of their choice while we enrich insurance companies. And yet Republicans will complain about it, and then they'll offer milk toast, garbage like we're offering this week, and then go home at Christmas and say, look at what we're doing. We're campaigning on reducing health care. Well, congratia, friggin lations. At some point, people will look at this body and say, maybe we should get rid of all 435 members of the House and all 100 members of the Senate and start over, because Congress is literally failing the American people. I yield back.

[Host/Commentator]

And then there's all this infighting. Chip Roy goes after Marjorie Taylor Greene. Everyone's going after each other. Just watch what Chip Roy says. Here, play this clip.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

That's the case. Marjorie was given this vote this week to buy her vote on the National Defense Authorization Act. Everybody knows it. It happened right there on the floor of the House. The majority leader said, marjorie, would you like to have your bill brought up to the floor? And guess what? Got a yes vote on the rule for the National Defense Authorization Act. And that's the kind of shit that keeps happening around this institution all the time, including on our side of the aisle. And I'm sick of it. And I'm sick of what happened in the Judiciary Committee when we should have done it there, we should have addressed it in the Judiciary Committee. The people who are supposed to be vanguards of the Constitution.

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[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

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[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

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[Host/Commentator]

And then Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Fernandez, she brings up this important point that I raised at the outset of this video, that this Republican health plan that they're calling it, which does not deal with extending the Affordable Care act subsidies, okay? What it does do, though, is have a backdoor abortion ban that puts women's lives at risk for by interfering with a doctor's medical judgment. This is what the Republicans plan was to now go after reproductive rights in blue states where women are still able to have reproductive rights. And when Democratic Congresswoman Fernandez is cross examining the Republican witness because again, Republican congressmen, they have to testify at the Rules Committee and she gives her own experience, she goes, this was my life story. Let me explain to you what happened to me. The Republican congressman was like, yeah, we don't think that happens to women. I'm not worried about that happening to women is what they. That's their position. Here. Play this clip.

[Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Fernandez]

Do you think it is right that a woman should have to go into sepsis and almost die, become infertile before her doctors will treat her?

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Obviously don't think that's what's going to happen. But also don't think the public wants to pay for abortion.

[Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Fernandez]

Well, you know, that's the interesting thing is that right now the federal government does not pay for abortion care. What will happen though, is that access to health care for women is key. And I see that the back doorway in which Republicans are intending to restrict access to abortion care in states like New Mexico where it is legal. I need to tell you, in New Mexico, I almost died in pregnancy and I was the woman who was on the operating table bleeding to death. Bleeding to death. I got to make every decision with regards to what care I wanted. And my doctors did not have to worry about whether it would be paid for by my health insurance plan or whether they would go to jail because of decisions I needed to make based on my own choices. And right now, what you have done in this bill is a backdoor way of restricting women's access to health insurance to pay for reproductive health, even in private insurance plans.

[Host/Commentator]

By the way, you have MAGA Republican Tom Emmer from Minnesota. Watch him run away from our friend and our partner, Pablo Manriquez from Migrant Insider who was asked trying to drill down like, didn't you serve back before Donald Trump told you that you have to now hate the Somalian community? We weren't you on the Somalian caucus. You are. You are a Congress member in Minnesota with a large Somalian population and you used to pretend to care about the Somalian population. You were on the Somalian caucus and now you now you saying that Somalian people are garbage. That's what Donald Trump says, that Somalian people, all of them, are garbage. And you're okay with that, being a congressmember from Minnesota? Shame on you. Watch as our Pablo Manriquez catches up with him play this clip.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Mr. Emmer, do you, do you agree.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

With President Trump that say 5,000 Somali.

[Host/Commentator]

Residents of your district in St.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Cloud are garbage?

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

I think what President Trump has done.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Is raised an issue that is something.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

We'Ve been trying to raise for almost three years.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

And Prince refused to cover things that.

[Republican Witness/Committee Member]

Are right in front of. No, but I'm asking you, Donald Trump.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Donald Trump said that the Somalis are garbage.

[Host/Commentator]

That's what I'm asking you about.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

I'd love to answer your question.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Okay.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

But apparently you want to have an argument.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

Well, it's a yes or no.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

Maybe you can find someone else that you can have the argument with because I'm telling you, not all somalis are bad. 90% of the Somalis or the crimes that have been charged are from the Somali community.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

And there's nothing wrong and nothing racist.

[Democratic Congressmember Joe Negus]

About calling out crime.

[Host/Commentator]

And let's just take a look at aoc, also with Pablo Manriquez on the Hill. Here's what she says about Donald Trump's essentially his declaration of war by a social media post against Venezuela and saying that he's initiated a blockade against oil tankers going into Venezuela. Play this clip.

[Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)]

Of course, we know that, that the drug crisis is, is, is, you know, has been a large one here in the country. But to begin engaging in and making enemies of our allies in Latin America and threatening the lives of service members in this process, it's just reckless. And frankly, the intelligence has not been shared from this administration to Congress to authorize such activity.

[Host/Commentator]

If it's shared, it shows that these legitimate targets, then what I mean is something you can support down the road. If they show you evidence.

[Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)]

Congress, it's, it, it is the responsibility of Congress to declare and authorize military use of force. Congress has not authorized and had a vote on a military use of force. And so the case needs to be made against what actors. And there has to be, again, a case that's made. And I think the lack of one really speaks volumes. And the fact that this administration has not even shared their case with the committees of jurisdiction, not with the Intelligence Committee, Defense, etcetera, I think is a huge red flag for everyone. Thank you.

[Host/Commentator]

And here she is again saying that the American people are overwhelmingly against reckless intervention. Let's play it there could be moving into Colombia because they've just designated a Colombian drug cartel as being terrorist organizations.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

What are your thoughts?

[Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)]

I mean, I think that overwhelmingly Americans are opposed to this reckless interventionism. We, frankly, on both sides of the aisle, Democrat, Republican, Independent people are Sick of these endless wars. And every time we wind down in one area, there seems to be an excuse to start hostilities in another.

[Host/Commentator]

And here you have veteran Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego. He really lays out here what the Trump regime is doing and how it is that they are provoking this war against Venezuela and what their plan is.

[MAGA Republican Congressmember Wahlberg]

So what do you think the response.

[Host/Commentator]

Of the American people will be to what they're hearing tonight from you?

[Senator Ruben Gallego]

Well, hopefully they're pissed off. Hopefully they call the Republican senators and members of Congress and say that I don't want to go to war. But there's a reason why they're doing it the way they're doing it, the reason they're slowly building up, saying we're going to go after these drug dealers first, then they're going after tankers, then they're going to close the airspace, then they're hoping Venezuela reacts in some hostile way to defend their own sovereignty. Then we'll have to react. And then the president's going to come here and ask everyone to rally around the flag, and that's how we find ourselves in war. What I'm telling you is they're setting it all up to happen. Be aware. Be aware what they're doing. They're slowly putting the pressure on Venezuela, so they react. And so the American public gets used to us doing hostile acts. We went from putting sanctions to droning speedboats. And the American public hasn't reacted that bad. So what else are they going to continue doing until we finally find ourselves in war? But let's be clear. The goal of what they're doing right now is to get us into war. They're not going to be able to stop the drug trade. They're not effectively going to be have to go after narcos in this way. At the end of the day, all they want to do is get rid of Maduro. And if they can get rid of Maduro through peaceful manner, they will. It's not working right now. If they triggered a war to happen, they'll gladly do it.

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[Host/Commentator]

And then you have another veteran Democratic Senator Duckworth. Here's what she says. Play this clip.

[Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Fernandez]

Well, I heard a lot of chest thumping, but not a lot of answers to the questions that I still have. And I would have to agree with the discussion you're having right now, which is I think the president is trying to lead us into yet another forever war that Americans don't want. If this is justifiable, then come to Congress. We have the power to declare a war come to us and ask for an authorization for use of military force. The fact of the matter is they're not doing that. And if they truly were going to go after drug traffickers and the President would not have pardoned the former president of Honduras who trafficked over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. So what is exactly is he trying to do here?

[Host/Commentator]

There you have it folks. Let me know what you think Hit subscribe let's get to 6 million subscribers. Thanks for watching.

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