The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary
Episode: Senator Tammy Baldwin on Trump Cabinet Disaster Hearings
Release Date: May 25, 2025

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosted by Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas, the brothers delve into the intense hearings involving Senator Tammy Baldwin and members of the Trump Cabinet. The episode provides a thorough analysis of Senator Baldwin’s cross-examination of RFK Jr., highlighting critical issues surrounding federal funding for biomedical research, disaster response efficiency, and the ongoing debate over budget reconciliation and Medicaid cuts.

1. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Cross-Examination of RFK Jr.

The episode opens with a detailed account of Senator Baldwin’s confrontation with RFK Jr., the head of the Department of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration. Baldwin aggressively questions RFK Jr. on the drastic reductions in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aiming to uncover the administration’s rationale behind the cuts.

Key Topics Discussed:

• NIH Funding Cuts:
  Baldwin highlights significant budget reductions, emphasizing that the NIH is experiencing a “$3 billion less in medical biomedical research than you did a year prior” ([03:32]). She points out that “They’re cutting waste, they’re cutting duplicative programs” but critiques the overall effectiveness, stating, “We spend 70% of the world’s biomedical research out of NIH. 70% and we’re the sickest country in the world” ([04:14]).

• Impact on Research and Development:
  Baldwin underscores the consequences of reduced funding, noting, “$14 billion, or 40% from the NIH budget slowed the development of new treatments” ([04:28]). She raises concerns about the administration's priorities, questioning whether cuts are being made for efficiency or convenience, with grants not being awarded because “the panels weren't convenient” ([04:31]).

• Administrative Efficiency:
  The senator critiques the administration's management, stating, “Agency growth in our agency over the past four years” ([04:28]), indicating concerns over increased bureaucracy and inefficiency within the NIH.

Notable Quote:

“We are the sickest country in the world. So that money has not been well spent.” – Senator Tammy Baldwin ([04:14])

2. FEMA and Disaster Response Efficiency

The conversation shifts to FEMA’s role in disaster response, particularly focusing on the administration’s handling of recent disasters in Missouri.

Key Topics Discussed:

• FEMA’s Responsiveness:
  Baldwin discusses Senator Josh Hawley’s urgent plea for FEMA assistance in Missouri, highlighting the administration’s slow response to disaster declarations. She emphasizes the importance of timely FEMA intervention, especially for residents without homeowners insurance: “They either got their homes from a family member or they bought them from a family member. So they don't have a mortgage on the property and therefore they don't have homeowners insurance” ([11:08]).

• Critique of Leadership:
  Baldwin criticizes the Trump administration for its mishandling of FEMA, pointing out the firing of the FEMA administrator for supporting FEMA’s continued existence: “They fired him in 24 hours.” ([11:22]).

• Health and Safety Concerns:
  She raises alarm over the elimination of critical functions within the CDC, specifically the lead poisoning mitigation office, which has led to a severe lead crisis in Milwaukee schools: “We have children within those schools that have lead poisoning” ([11:38]).

Notable Quote:

“In Milwaukee, we have a crisis right now. We have six schools that had tested presence for lead. We have children within those schools that have lead poisoning.” – Senator Tammy Baldwin ([11:08])

3. Budget Reconciliation and Medicaid Cuts

The discussion transitions to the contentious topic of budget reconciliation and the potential impact on Medicaid and other social programs.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Republican Opposition:
  Baldwin addresses the Republican senators' resistance to budget reconciliation, highlighting statements from Ron Johnson and Josh Hawley who express skepticism about the process and the allocation of funds: “My objection is still raising the debt ceiling by either 4 or 5 trillion dollars. I think what that does is basically show that conservatives and Republicans aren’t concerned with the deficit.” ([14:05]).

• Medicaid Expansion Concerns:
  She vocalizes her concerns regarding Medicaid cuts, particularly in states where Medicaid has been expanded, like Wisconsin: “It is wrong to cut health care for the working poor.” ([14:09]).

• House Budget Reconciliation Dynamics:
  Baldwin explains the strategic use of budget reconciliation to bypass the typical 60-vote requirement in the Senate: “This is the reason they use budget reconciliation, is to get around the typical 60 vote margin that’s required.” ([14:24]).

• Call for Bipartisan Support:
  She emphasizes the need for Republican support to prevent the passage of policies that would harm Medicaid and other essential services: “I will welcome a deficit hawk to join us as much as I will welcome somebody who deeply cares about the impact that Medicaid cuts and snap cuts will have on their constituency.” ([15:50]).

Notable Quote:

“This is not FOX News. We’re not going to just allow you to make allegations here without that evidence.” – Senator Tammy Baldwin ([06:11])

4. Preservation of Federal Agencies and Programs

Senator Baldwin concludes by expressing her concerns over the administration’s attempts to dismantle various federal agencies and programs without congressional authorization.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Preemptive Restructuring of Agencies:
  Baldwin warns that agencies like the EPA, Interior, and Education are being restructured or defunded ahead of budget discussions for the fiscal year 2026: “They are working without congressional authorization.” ([16:07]).

• Potential Legal Implications:
  She raises the possibility that such actions could be deemed impoundment, which is considered illegal: “Sometimes it is probably going to be found to be impoundment, which is illegal.” ([16:07]).

• Long-term Impact on Constituents:
  Baldwin stresses that the dismantling of these programs will have lasting negative effects on her constituents, who depend on federal support: “I worry so much that some of these programs will be so harmed, so dismantled, that by the time we set the budget for 2026, it'll be too late.” ([16:07]).

Notable Quote:

“We are the world’s leader in biomedical research, but that all the work in building that up has come to sort of a screeching halt in just the first 100 days of the Trump administration.” – Senator Tammy Baldwin ([07:36])

5. Closing Remarks

In the closing segment, the hosts reiterate the significance of Senator Baldwin’s testimony and the broader implications of the Trump administration’s policies on federal funding and public services. They encourage listeners to stay informed and engaged with the political developments discussed in the episode.

Conclusion

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a deep dive into Senator Tammy Baldwin’s rigorous examination of the Trump administration's handling of critical federal programs. Through Baldwin’s incisive questions and the hosts' insightful commentary, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing biomedical research funding, disaster response efficiency, and the contentious battle over budget reconciliation and Medicaid. The discussion underscores the importance of legislative oversight and the potential ramifications of administrative actions on public health and welfare.

Notable Quotes:

• On NIH Funding Mismanagement:
  “We spend 70% of the world’s biomedical research out of NIH. 70% and we’re the sickest country in the world.” – Senator Tammy Baldwin ([04:14])

• On FEMA's Role in Disaster Response:
  “They don’t have homeowners insurance. So, having been a governor, in many instances, FEMA assistance is going to be the only assistance that they’re getting.” – Senator Tammy Baldwin ([11:08])

• On Budget Reconciliation Politics:
  “Sometimes smart politics makes strange bedfellows. On this particular vote, I will welcome a deficit hawk to join us as much as I will welcome somebody who deeply cares about the impact that Medicaid cuts and snap cuts will have on their constituency.” – Senator Tammy Baldwin ([15:50])

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners with a clear and detailed overview of Senator Tammy Baldwin’s pivotal role in addressing government funding and policy challenges.