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From the Chair
Paralysis.
That’s exactly what Republicans have given us in Congress. With the Matt Gaetz fringe wing of the party firing Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the House of Representatives can’t do anything until it elects a new speaker. There’s no consensus on his replacement, the talk of installing accused felon Donald Trump into the job is pretty much a fantasy, and the federal government faces another shutdown deadline in about 40 days. Republicans are once again demonstrating they are unable to govern.
We got more great news this week about jobs. We have record-low unemployment for the 20th consecutive month, wages are growing, and inflation is coming down. Under President Biden’s leadership more than 13.9 million jobs have been created. That’s the biggest two-year job creation number of any President in history.
There’s also more Democrat-led action at both the federal and state levels to reduce the price you pay for healthcare. At the federal level, the manufacturers of 10 expensive medications have agreed to negotiate with the federal government for lower prices for Medicare recipients. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, called the decision by the companies “another major step in President Biden’s fight to lower health care costs for seniors and families.”
In Michigan, the state Senate has approved (on a party-line vote) legislation creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board which would focus on the prices you pay for your prescriptions.
We’re joined on the podcast by U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten. Representative Scholten is part of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of centrist House members focused on finding bipartisan solutions to the nation’s challenges. An attorney with two decades’ experience in immigration law, Rep. Scholten is at the center of finding answers to one of those challenges: Immigration Reform.
News About Politics and Policy
Michigan Policy
- LG Energy Solution to invest $3B in Mich. to make batteries for Toyota – Detroit News
- Michigan Dems aim to cut prescription drug costs with ‘affordability board’ – Bridge Michigan
- Tuition-free Michigan Reconnect program expands to 21 year olds. What to know – Bridge Michigan
- Michigan bills would prohibit cities from banning dog breeds – Detroit News
Michigan Politics
- Lawsuit over $25M Clare health park grant can advance, judge rules – Bridge Michigan
- James Craig launches bid for U.S. Senate: ‘I’m not doing it for ego’ – Detroit News
- Michigan Dems Statement on James Craig’s Senate Announcement – Michigan Democratic Party
- Michigan Democratic Party Launches Digital Ad Campaign Against MAGA Matt Hall Over Abusive Past – Michigan Democratic Party
- Lawsuit aims to disqualify Trump from Michigan ballot | Bridge Michigan
National Policy
- Economy adds 336,000 jobs in September, in a stunning gain – The Washington Post
- Strong U.S. Job Growth Shows Economy Is Defying Challenges – The New York Times
- VIDEO: Biden delivers remarks on the September jobs report – NBC News – YouTube
- Trump Said to Have Revealed Nuclear Submarine Secrets to Australian Businessman – The New York Times
- Biden touts $9 billion in student loan forgiveness, progress in debt relief – The Washington Post
- Impact of Climate Change on Your Household – Washington Post
- FACT SHEET: The Impact of Climate Change on American Household Finances – U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Republican state policies on cigarettes, seat belts shorten life spans – Washington Post
- Most Americans comfortable with solar panels, turbines in their communities, Post-UMD poll finds – The Washington Post
- July 13-23, 2023, Washington Post-University of Maryland Climate poll – The Washington Post
National Politics
- Eliminating Electoral College favored by majority of Americans – Pew Research Center
- Trump’s Growing Calls for Violence – The Washington Post
- How Trump’s Idea to Use Military Force in Mexico Became Embraced by GOP – The New York Times
- Court picks new Alabama congressional map that will likely flip one seat to Democrats – POLITICO
- North Carolina Shuts Government Off From the People – The American Prospect
- North Carolina Republicans create “secret police force” – Judd Legum/Popular Information
- Ohio’s GOP supermajority tests limits of democracy before abortion vote – The Washington Post
- PolitiFact | Could Trump take McCarthy’s place as House speaker? Technically, yes, but don’t count on it – PolitiFact
- RFK Jr. Aided by GOP and Trump PAC Donors – Mother Jones