As the national debt grows larger and larger, our lawmakers continue to spend obliviously--and even on frivolous things. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa., is not happy about how much government agencies are spending on swag, and she recently introduced legislation to end things like the government spending over $600,000 on coloring books.
We also cover the following stories:
Two Democrats buck the party line and do not vote for the impeachment resolution.
A National Security Council official who heard the Ukraine call told House Members, “I want to be clear, I was not concerned that anything illegal was discussed."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addresses the resignation of Rep. Katie Hill.
Representative Katie Hill's story contains the intersection of so many issues - revenge porn, sexism, double standards, consent, #metoo, sexual and relationship ethics, and more. Jamie and I give the breakdown and give our opinions on whether or not she should have resigned.
This week's Rapid Response Friday breaks down exactly what's in H.R. 660, the impeachment inquiry resolution, and what it means for the ongoing process. We also help you digest the legal significance of Alexander Vindman's testimony and much, much more, so strap in!
We begin, however, with Thomas's favorite segment -- Andrew Was Wrong. Here, Andrew issues a correction regarding baseball law and the chemistry of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from our popular Pizza, Beer & Guns episode.
After that, it's time for a trip up Yodel Mountain where we digest H.R. 660, the soon-to-be-passed resolution authorizing the House Intelligence Committee to take the lead on the impeachment inquiry. Is it "still without any due process for the President," as the White House claims? [No.] As a bonus, we also break down the companion change to the rules adopted by the House Rules Committee pursuant to the resolution that's managed to confuse a number of media outlets.
But that's not all! While we're high atop Yodel Mountain, we also break down the significance of Alexander Vindman's testimony this week regarding the Trump administration's holding hostage of aid to Ukraine pending an "investigation" into Burisma, and Hunter and Joe Biden.
After all that, it's time for #T3BE, in which Thomas tackles a dreaded real property question -- this one about whether a grantee can revoke an easement. Those are words! Will Thomas decipher them?
Upcoming Appearances
None! If you’d like to have either of us as a guest on your show, drop us an email at openarguments@gmail.com.
On The Gist, presidential incompetency at its finest.
In the interview, Maria Konnikova is back for “Is That Bullshit?” She and Mike figure out what are really in Impossible and Beyond burgers and if they’re healthier than red meat burgers. Maria’s latest book is The Confidence Game.
In the Spiel, the ridiculous world of taxonomy.
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