1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,400 Speaker 1: Today's edition of This Week on Capitol Hill is brought 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:05,399 Speaker 1: to you in part by Americans for Prosperity. 3 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:09,280 Speaker 2: Happy New Year, and welcome to This Week on Capitol Hill, 4 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 2: your insider's guide to the story shaping Washington and the world. 5 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 3: I'm Tony Perkins, your host. 6 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 2: Well as we head into twenty twenty six, I thought 7 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 2: it might be helpful to glance in the rearview mirror 8 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 2: today look back briefly on the significant events of twenty 9 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:28,639 Speaker 2: twenty five before looking looking ahead to the challenges of 10 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six. Tariffs were a political and economic factor 11 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty five. 12 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 4: This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, 13 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 4: in American history. It's our declaration of economic independence. For years, 14 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 4: hard working American citizens were forced to sit on the 15 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:52,919 Speaker 4: sidelines as other nations got rich and powerful, much of it. 16 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 3: At our expense. But now it's our. 17 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 2: Turn to prosper I was President Donald Trump early in 18 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 2: the year announcing Liberation Day. We'll explore the impact of 19 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:07,559 Speaker 2: the tariffs with White House correspondent Phil Wegman. How Speaker 20 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 2: Mike Johnson will join us to look back on the 21 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 2: one Big, Beautiful Bill. 22 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 5: This day is a hugely important one in the history 23 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 5: of our nation. This big, beautiful bill fulfills all the 24 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:20,120 Speaker 5: promises in the American First Agenda. 25 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 3: It is the People's bill. 26 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 5: It is made for in shape by the most diverse 27 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 5: coalition of American voters in American history. 28 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 2: Well, global issues were a major focus of the Trump 29 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 2: administration this year, including the wars that began under the 30 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 2: Biden administration. While some still a whit resolution, there was progress, 31 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 2: including the long awaited release of the remaining living hostages 32 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:46,679 Speaker 2: in Gaza. 33 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 6: Today, after seven hundred and thirty eight days, the last 34 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 6: twenty living hostages have come home. This is a defining moment, 35 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 6: a moment that belongs to the people Israel and to 36 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 6: all of those who believe in humanity. 37 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 2: That was IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Fi Defrin back in 38 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 2: October after Hamas released all the remaining living hostages. Former 39 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 2: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will join us. 40 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 7: Today's edition of This Week on Capitol Hill is brought 41 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 7: to you by Americans for Prosperity and Clear Path. 42 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 2: Well, twenty twenty six is here, and Congress will be 43 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 2: returning to Washington shortly, and they will have a pack 44 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 2: slate of legislative items demanding quick attention waiting for them. 45 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 2: Most notably, January thirtieth stands as a looming deadline for 46 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 2: it for government funding. Could another shut down be on 47 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 2: the horizon? Join me now to discuss what we should 48 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 2: anticipate in Washington as we look ahead in twenty twenty six? 49 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:56,959 Speaker 3: Is real clear politics? 50 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 2: White House Correspondent Phil Wagman, Phil, welcome back to this 51 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,919 Speaker 2: week on Capitol Hill and Happy. 52 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 3: New year, Hapy, New year, Thank you for having me. 53 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 2: All right, as Congress returns, you know, they had kind 54 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 2: of kicked the can, but it was a pretty long 55 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 2: kick to the end of January. But another looming government 56 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 2: funding deadline. How do you see this playing out? 57 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 8: Well, the question on everyone's mind is whether or not 58 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 8: we're going to have another government shutdown. I don't know 59 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:27,919 Speaker 8: if Democrats have the appetite to let the government go 60 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 8: dark like they did last year. Certainly Republicans would rather 61 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 8: keep the focus on the coming midterms. They don't want 62 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 8: to have another prolonged shutdown. 63 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 3: We'll have to see. But last time it seemed that, 64 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 3: you know, the deal. 65 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 8: That Democrats that Republicans offered at Democrats earlier on in 66 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 8: the shutdown is the one that Democrats came to at 67 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 8: the end. Not much changed other than a lot of 68 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 8: posturing in the weeks in between. 69 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 3: So we'll see what the appetites are. But it's a 70 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 3: evergreen question in Washington, d C. Who wants to shut 71 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 3: down the government? 72 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 2: You mentioned midterm elections coming up this fall. That's the 73 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 2: backdrop to pretty much every political decision that we'll see 74 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:16,600 Speaker 2: in the coming months. What do you see as the 75 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 2: major policy initiatives this year that's going to shape the 76 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 2: debate going into those elections. 77 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 8: Affordability is the entire ballgame here. Donald Trump ran on 78 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 8: whipping inflation and also getting a hold of illegal immigration. 79 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 8: He's been very successful on the latter, But inflation and 80 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 8: the economy, I mean, that's the definition of a kitchen 81 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 8: table issue. Republicans hope that they can finally see profits 82 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:48,159 Speaker 8: political profits from their one big, beautiful bill. When people 83 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 8: see smaller tax in April and bigger tax refunds, we'll 84 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,720 Speaker 8: see if that changes the impression that voters have of 85 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 8: where the economy is. That really is the saving grace 86 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 8: of Republicans. That's what they're putting all of their hopes 87 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 8: in that they can finally see some benefit from that 88 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 8: one big, beautiful bill right now, though you know that 89 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 8: is a mixed bag because you know, in polling Donald 90 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 8: Trump is underwater on the economy question, and in the 91 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 8: generic ballot, Democrats that they lead Republicans. So a lot 92 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 8: can change and a lot will change between now and 93 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 8: election day. But Republicans are hoping that the opinions of 94 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 8: the economy stabilize and that everyday Americans feel some relief 95 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,479 Speaker 8: and then feel willing to give Republican majorities another chance. 96 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,040 Speaker 3: You kind of touch on it. 97 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 2: It's a long ways away, it doesn't you know, it's 98 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 2: not that many months away. But in politics, a day 99 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 2: is a lifetime, and lifetime a day things can turn 100 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 2: on a dime, So a lot could happen between now 101 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: and the November elections. Now, on the left, there are 102 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 2: some that are saying, hey, this is going to be 103 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 2: a wave election for Democrats. That's you know, based on 104 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,719 Speaker 2: some of this, all the last year's off year elections. 105 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 2: But are we not past the era of wave elections? 106 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 2: I mean, we're so when the electoral situation is so 107 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 2: divided that there's it really is just a handful of 108 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 2: seats in Congress one way or. 109 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 8: The other, and Republicans had to learn that lesson the 110 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 8: hard way. They were hoping for this big red wave 111 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 8: in twenty twenty two, it did not materialize. They want 112 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:30,800 Speaker 8: back the House majority, but the margins were so small 113 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 8: that you had former Speaker excuse me, former President Biden 114 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 8: out there taking a victory. 115 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:37,840 Speaker 3: Lapse saying this wasn't as bad as he expected. 116 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,719 Speaker 8: You know, we'll see, if you know Republicans can hold 117 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:45,599 Speaker 8: the House. That would require them to defy history. Only 118 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 8: twice in the last century has the incumbent power party 119 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 8: in power added to their congressional majorities. But look, you know, Republicans, 120 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 8: they're wide eyed about what the consequences for a loss 121 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:01,159 Speaker 8: in the midterms would be. Speaker Mike Johnson told me, 122 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 8: you know, the day after the off year elections that 123 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 8: if Republicans lose and Democrats retake the House, then that 124 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 8: is effectively the end of Donald Trump's presidency. Impeachment would follow. 125 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 8: His policy priorities would grind to a halt, and this 126 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 8: would be the beginning of Donald Trump's lame duck era. 127 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,200 Speaker 2: So is it President Donald Trump that has the most 128 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 2: at stake in this mid germ election. 129 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 3: Oh, one hundred percent. And that's what's so interesting. 130 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 8: You know, the White House has promised that they're going 131 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 8: to put him on the campaign trail. He's going to 132 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 8: be there with Republicans in the trenches. But if you 133 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 8: look at his approval ratings right now, the question is 134 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 8: do Republicans. 135 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 3: Want him out there with him? 136 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 8: Yes, he does inspire the MAGA base and he fires 137 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 8: up Republicans. But in an electorate like you mentioned a 138 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 8: second ago, where it's sort of split forty five forty 139 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 8: five percent and you have both parties competing for that 140 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 8: remaining you know, ten percent that's undecided. You know, does 141 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 8: Donald Trump do more to help than he does harm? 142 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 8: Or you know, is he a get out machine not 143 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 8: for Republicans but for Democrats. 144 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: Well, when you look at elections, and this really goes 145 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 2: back to Barack Obama in his re election, is that 146 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 2: we're in the age I think of base elections and 147 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 2: it's about turning out the base to vote for your candidate. 148 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 2: And I do think that's one area that Donald Trump 149 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 2: helps Republicans. 150 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 8: He turns out the base. That's absolutely true. You mentioned 151 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 8: Barack Obama. One thing that we saw again and again 152 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 8: with him is that his superpower. His star power did 153 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 8: not translate for Democrats down ballot. Donald Trump has had 154 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 8: you know, a mixed bag when it comes to elections 155 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 8: that he's not on the ballot. You know, we'll see 156 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 8: if the economy improves and if he can really fire 157 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 8: up not just you know, the Republican base, but some 158 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,679 Speaker 8: of these low propensity voters that they were so successful 159 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 8: in targeting in twenty twenty four. 160 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 3: If they get those guys out, if they get those. 161 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 8: Low propensity voters to the polls and they're still favorable 162 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 8: to Donald Trump, then yeah, you know, Republicans could defy expectations. 163 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 2: Phil the generally speaking, Historically speaking, I should say after 164 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,960 Speaker 2: a midterm election, president who is not going to be 165 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:17,079 Speaker 2: on the ballot again becomes a lame duck president and 166 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 2: all the discussion turns to who's going to be running 167 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:24,040 Speaker 2: in the next presidential cycle. Eyes will turn to twenty 168 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 2: twenty eight. Is that the case with Donald Trump? Or 169 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 2: will he keep kind of a tight grip on the 170 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 2: Republican Party? 171 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 8: I mean, I asked Eric Trump a version of this question, 172 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 8: and he noted that his father is not just going 173 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:38,559 Speaker 8: to go to mar A Lago to play a few 174 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 8: rounds of golf. Instead, he's going to be an active 175 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 8: participant in the Republican twenty twenty eight, you know, Republican 176 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 8: presidential primary, and certainly right now Vice President Ja d Vance. 177 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 8: He has lined up key endorsements. Erica Kirk, you know, 178 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:57,200 Speaker 8: said that she would endorse him. You have Secretary of 179 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 8: State Marco Rubio saying that he's not going to run 180 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 8: against jd Vance. 181 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:03,439 Speaker 3: We'll see who is willing. 182 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:07,680 Speaker 8: To come out and you know, challenge Donald Trump's hillbilly 183 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 8: apprentice right now though Jade Vancy's clearly in the lead, 184 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 8: but there's going to be a field and the question 185 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 8: is can he clear that field easily with Trump's endorsement 186 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:22,679 Speaker 8: or you know, by twenty twenty eight, is Donald Trump 187 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 8: sort of a toxic figure and Vance has to do 188 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 8: it alone. 189 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 3: Twenty five seconds left. 190 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 2: But do we see a re emergence of a hybrid 191 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 2: of a kind of establishment Republican and a populist Republican 192 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 2: challenging the mega candidate. 193 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, populism isn't going to go anywhere. 194 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,679 Speaker 8: The Republican establishment has been remade in Donald Trump's image. 195 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 8: We'll see, you know, there will be some who are 196 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 8: saying that I am the true America First candidate, and 197 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 8: others who are going to fall back on sort of 198 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 8: the MAGA apparatus. You know, we'll have to see how 199 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 8: all of that sorts out, but it'll be incredibly interesting 200 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 8: to watch, that's for sure. 201 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 2: Phil Wegman, thanks so much for joining us. Stick whether 202 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:02,480 Speaker 2: it's more straight ahead. 203 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 7: This is amy working mod feeling the pressure of rising costs. 204 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 3: It feels like every day is getting more expensive. 205 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:15,080 Speaker 7: We get it. 206 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 9: The cost of living today is way too high. That's 207 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 9: where we come at at Americans for Prosperity. We offer 208 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 9: solutions to the country's biggest problems. 209 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:26,719 Speaker 3: Like making life more affordable. 210 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 7: Yep. That's why AFP launched to Prosperity is Possible, the 211 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 7: nation's largest movement to tackle the cost of living crisis. 212 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 10: If we don't get our policies right, the next generation 213 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 10: of energy solutions won't be made in America. They'll be 214 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 10: built in China and Russia by countries that don't share 215 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 10: our values. 216 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 7: Clear Path develops and advances policies that accelerate break the 217 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:54,680 Speaker 7: renovations to lower emissions, and fix our broken permitting process 218 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 7: so that we can bring industry back home. 219 00:11:56,840 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 3: To the United States. 220 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 10: We have a clear as to keep America in the league. 221 00:12:02,679 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 10: Let's get it done together. 222 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 3: Paid for by Clear Path. 223 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:12,839 Speaker 2: Welcome back to this week on Capitol Hill. I'm your host, 224 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 2: Tony Perkins. Well, each week here on this Week on 225 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:20,079 Speaker 2: Capitol Hill, we dedicate time to examining international events because 226 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 2: I think, as Christians and Conservatives alike, understanding global developments 227 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,599 Speaker 2: is essential. It's essential to understanding our own national security 228 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,680 Speaker 2: and our economic future. Well, the year twenty twenty five 229 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:36,239 Speaker 2: brought significant geopolitical shifts. The Middle eaze continues to be reshaped, 230 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 2: the war between Russia and Ukraine drags on, and new 231 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 2: conflicts have emerged closer to home in our own hemisphere. 232 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 2: As we look ahead to twenty twenty six, what should 233 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:48,839 Speaker 2: Americas be, what should Americans be watching for, and how 234 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:51,319 Speaker 2: should the United States respond? Joining me now is former 235 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 2: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Secretary of Pompeo, Welcome back 236 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 2: to this week on Capitol Hill. 237 00:12:57,559 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 3: Great to be with you, Tony. Happy New Year. 238 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 2: Year to you as well. A lot has happened in 239 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 2: this last year, especially as you look to the Middle East, 240 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 2: a major reshift. Did you anticipate movement of this magnitude. 241 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 11: No, and these things I think, Tony, they're unpredictable. 242 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 3: One could would never anticipate them in that sense. 243 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 11: But the necessity that's taking place was incredibly clear, I 244 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 11: think to you and to me and to so many 245 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 11: of us. 246 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 3: The threat from Iran against. 247 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 11: The rightful homeland of the Jewish people in Israel, the 248 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:33,440 Speaker 11: threat to the United States from that same place something 249 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:36,200 Speaker 11: that I worked on in the first Trump administration, and 250 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 11: then in twenty twenty five, Israel and the United States 251 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 11: did remarkable work to decimated Hamas decimated as Wellah took 252 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:47,559 Speaker 11: strikes into Iran itself. 253 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 3: That's a fact. It's nuclear program in really important ways. 254 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 3: But Tony, I just. 255 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 11: Remind everyone that this doesn't go away. This threat from 256 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 11: radical Islamic terrorism remains. 257 00:13:58,840 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 3: It is real. 258 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 11: They are in intentional, and we all need to be 259 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 11: vigilant and do the hard work of deterring them, or 260 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 11: we'll have more terror, more risk from whether it's ISIS 261 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 11: or al Qaeda, or from Iran directly bring broad upon us. 262 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 11: In twenty twenty six, that hard work will have to continue. 263 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,199 Speaker 2: I think we got a picture of that at the 264 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 2: end of last year. In Syria, where we had some 265 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 2: of our own National Guard troops there were ambushed and 266 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 2: killed by someone we thought was an ally, very similar 267 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:33,400 Speaker 2: to what we saw in Afghanistan. That ideology is so 268 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:37,520 Speaker 2: deeply rooted in the soil. I mean, you cannot take 269 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 2: your eye off of it for one moment, Tony. 270 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 11: I'm optimistic about what's happening in Gaza, but I remind 271 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 11: everyone Hamas is not for one second going to stop. 272 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 3: Its resistance movement. It's not going to stop. 273 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 11: Its ideology is so deeply embedded, educated in the hearts 274 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 11: of these children and the minds of these children from 275 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 11: early ages. This is deep and this ideology, this ostensibly 276 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 11: faith driven idea of anti Semitism and radicalism, is so 277 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 11: intrinsic to who they are in their self expression that 278 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 11: we've got to continue to be vigilant. We saw last 279 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 11: year too, an ISIS attack in Australia. This is not 280 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,080 Speaker 11: something that is going to go away. It only through 281 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 11: the hard work of so many intelligence agencies around the 282 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 11: world and American law enforcement and working with partners across 283 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 11: the world. This is the only way we're going to 284 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 11: contain it and deter it. And we need to keep 285 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 11: everyone safe, and that's going to take a lot of 286 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 11: hard work, Tony. 287 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 2: You talked about Hamas in Goz, but that ideology is 288 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 2: not limited to Hamas, and they're not the only ones 289 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 2: that have been raising up the upcoming generations to hate Jews, 290 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 2: Israel and even America. I mean, we saw this even 291 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 2: in the Palestinian authority with funds from the United States, 292 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:58,800 Speaker 2: doing the same thing right there in the heart of Israel. 293 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 2: And I think that's why many have pauls about this 294 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 2: idea of creating Palestinian state in the heart of Israel. 295 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 11: Tony, this is not the moment for a Palestinian state. 296 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 11: It's not even close. I'm not even sure who would 297 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 11: lead the darn thing. The leaders in the Judaei and 298 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 11: Samari and in Gossa today are terrorists. And so this 299 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 11: is a time for the hard work of security. This 300 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:28,960 Speaker 11: is the time for continued deterrence. And we shouldn't forget 301 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 11: for a second this was all driven out of Tehran. 302 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 11: The leadership there, this theocracy, this kleptocracy that sits in Tehran, 303 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 11: continues to foment terror, not only in the Middle East. 304 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 3: The good news is that we can find. 305 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,720 Speaker 11: Partners there, not only are great, amazing partners in Israel, 306 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 11: but partners in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, the Bahrain, Kuwait. 307 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 11: These folks know that the threat doesn't come from the 308 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 11: Jewish people of Israel. It comes from the Islamic people 309 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 11: governing Tehran, and we have to make sure that we 310 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 11: get that back to the rightful place. 311 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 3: And then when we do, we can figure out. 312 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 11: A model for the people of Gozla so they can 313 00:17:05,080 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 11: do what's natural, have free speech, the capacity to practice 314 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 11: their faith in the way they choose, but do so 315 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:14,159 Speaker 11: in a way that isn't extremist, isn't radical, and doesn't 316 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 11: threaten the world. 317 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:19,199 Speaker 2: Secretary Pompeio, do you also think that Israel and what 318 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 2: happened there over the last two years, with their response 319 00:17:22,880 --> 00:17:27,720 Speaker 2: of taking on enemies on multiple fronts and soundly defeating 320 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 2: them in most cases, that the broader Islamic community is 321 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 2: stepping back saying, you know what, I think we might 322 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 2: be better off partnering with them. 323 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 3: You know, yes, I think that's absolutely true. 324 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 11: I actually think they know that, or knew that even 325 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 11: before we saw that with the Abraham Accords, these handful 326 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:50,719 Speaker 11: of nations decided, you know what, we are not going 327 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:53,359 Speaker 11: to challenge Israeli sovereignty. They have the right to be 328 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:55,920 Speaker 11: exactly where they are, and we're going to be their partner, 329 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:59,080 Speaker 11: of their ally, their friend, their business partner, their diplomatic partner, 330 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 11: and their military partner. 331 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,359 Speaker 3: And they did so. That means that a lot of 332 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:04,120 Speaker 3: work internally. 333 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 11: They've got to go tell their own people about why 334 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 11: this matters. They've got to push back against the Muslim 335 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:12,040 Speaker 11: brotherhood inside their own countries. They have to be determined 336 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:14,520 Speaker 11: to take care of extremism inside their own nations. 337 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:16,879 Speaker 3: And when they do and partner with Israel and partner 338 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 3: with the. 339 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 11: United States, they will be safer, they'll be more prosperous, 340 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:20,359 Speaker 11: and we'll all. 341 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:20,920 Speaker 3: Be better off. 342 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:26,000 Speaker 2: Secretary of Pompeo, Let's go to another hotspot, Ukraine, Russia 343 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 2: that has drug on despite some of the best efforts 344 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 2: of President Trump to resolve it. Do you see a 345 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 2: resolution on the horizon? 346 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 11: As a Christian tourney, we always pray, I don't see 347 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 11: the math yet. Putin has no reason, nor has he 348 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:45,120 Speaker 11: expressed any interest in laying down his weapons. 349 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 3: He wants to continue this fight. He believes he can 350 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:49,159 Speaker 3: outweight the West. 351 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 11: Frankly, he thinks he can probably outweight the Trump administration. 352 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 3: I suspect that's what he's trying. 353 00:18:54,359 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 11: To do, just run the clock so that he gets 354 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 11: someone more like President Biden in office where he can 355 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 11: continue to attack and kill inside of Europe. I hope 356 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 11: that the negotiations that are going on today will lead 357 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 11: to at least a ceasefire, if not a full on 358 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 11: peace agreement. 359 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:13,920 Speaker 3: No one wants war. 360 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 11: We all want the Ukrainian kids to stop being stolen 361 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:20,400 Speaker 11: and abscondin taken back to Russia, and Ukrainian families to be. 362 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 3: Able to live their lives in peace. 363 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 11: But that can't be through a concession that leads to 364 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:29,440 Speaker 11: capitulation that leads to even more aggression. That's never served 365 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 11: the world well tony, and we can't either ask the 366 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:34,160 Speaker 11: Ukrainian people to do that, nor is it our best 367 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 11: interest for them to do so. 368 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 3: We just have about a minute left. 369 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 2: Secretary of Pompey, on this segment, you know, Vladimir Putin, 370 00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 2: what do you think his end game is? 371 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 3: Okay? 372 00:19:46,359 --> 00:19:48,439 Speaker 11: His objective is pretty clear. He speaks about it with 373 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 11: some frequency. He talks about restoring the Russian Empire. That's 374 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:55,159 Speaker 11: his end objective. It's hard for us to understand in 375 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 11: the West, because we don't get it. We wouldn't put 376 00:19:57,640 --> 00:19:59,800 Speaker 11: a million of our own folks in harm's way and 377 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 11: that many casualties in the way that he has. We 378 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 11: wouldn't put our economy through this kind of turmoil, and 379 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:07,959 Speaker 11: we'd recognize, like it's not possible. He's not going to 380 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 11: restore the Russian Empire. But for him, this is deeply embedded. 381 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 11: It is ideological. It's not commercial. It's not about making 382 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 11: some more money. This is about his vision for what 383 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 11: the old Soviet Union or the Greater Russian Empire should 384 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 11: look like. That's his mission, that's his intention, and that 385 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:25,879 Speaker 11: requires us to do the hard work of making sure 386 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 11: that he can't do what he did under President Biden 387 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:30,440 Speaker 11: in February of twenty two and what he did under 388 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 11: President Obama taking a fifth of Ukraine Craymea in twenty fourteen. 389 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 11: We can't allow that European aggression to happen again, and 390 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,199 Speaker 11: we need our European friends to do their part to 391 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:41,600 Speaker 11: make sure that doesn't happen too. 392 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:44,200 Speaker 2: All Right, mister Secretary, when we come back, I want 393 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 2: to talk China. Something I think both of us agree 394 00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 2: is is a real threat that I want to talk 395 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 2: about what's happening in our own hemisphere as we look 396 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 2: at the future Venezuela drugs, what might we see this 397 00:20:58,119 --> 00:20:59,920 Speaker 2: year ahead? All right, folks, stick with us. We can 398 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 2: you on the other side of the break. 399 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 10: The world's demand for power is only growing, and if 400 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 10: we don't lead the world, other countries will. 401 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 3: We have a. 402 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 10: Clear path to keep America in the lead, and let's 403 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 10: get it done together. 404 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 7: Only fifty eight percent of Americans say they're proud to 405 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:27,280 Speaker 7: be an American, the lowest ever recorded. That's more than disappointing, 406 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 7: it's a warning. When we forget what makes America exceptional, 407 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 7: we risk losing it. That's why Americans for Prosperity is 408 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 7: launching the One Small Step campaign, helping Americans reconnect with 409 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:42,080 Speaker 7: our founding values. This isn't about politics, It's about who 410 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 7: we are and the future we choose. Are you ready 411 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:48,359 Speaker 7: to take one Small Step? Join us at AFP volunteer 412 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:53,240 Speaker 7: dot com. 413 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 2: Welcome back to this week on Capitol Hill and we'll 414 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,240 Speaker 2: jump right back into our conversation with former Secretary of 415 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:03,160 Speaker 2: State Mike on Peyo. Mister Secretary, thanks for sticking around 416 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:05,800 Speaker 2: for a little bit more of a conversation. I want 417 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:08,439 Speaker 2: to go to China, something that you dealt with as 418 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 2: Secretary of State. You took definitive positions. They didn't like it, 419 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:18,159 Speaker 2: and of course the Biden administration backing off of that. 420 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 2: Let's talk about the threat that's there. I mean, we 421 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 2: look at the world on fire. To me, China is quiet. 422 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:29,399 Speaker 2: You don't really see it, but they're under the surfaces. 423 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 2: I think one of the greatest threats to the United States. 424 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:36,120 Speaker 11: Tony, we see this all around us. You did amazing 425 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:39,640 Speaker 11: work on religious freedom. This is the least free religious 426 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 11: place in the world. 427 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 3: That means risk for America. 428 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:44,719 Speaker 11: It's certainly bad for the Chinese people they can't practice 429 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 11: their faith, but that means this is a determined adversary. 430 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:51,600 Speaker 11: Shishinping has made it clear he seeks glog global hegemony, 431 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:53,440 Speaker 11: and he is working on it in such a big 432 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:56,919 Speaker 11: way right at one point four billion people, a massive economy, 433 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 11: a very capable military. So I think to your point, 434 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 11: while we have to do the hard work in Europe 435 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:05,399 Speaker 11: to push back against Vladimir Putin, we need to support 436 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:08,120 Speaker 11: our friends and allies in the Middle East, especially Israel. 437 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 11: This is the threat that could change the way we 438 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:12,879 Speaker 11: live in the United States of America, and so we 439 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 11: have to confront it commercially, we have to confront it diplomatically, 440 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:20,160 Speaker 11: and we need to be prepared to deter his aggression 441 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:23,119 Speaker 11: in the Pacific because he is His intention is for 442 00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:25,120 Speaker 11: the United States of America to live in a world 443 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:27,159 Speaker 11: that looks much more like the one that he wants 444 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:29,400 Speaker 11: than the one that our founders brought for us. 445 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:32,879 Speaker 3: You served as the. 446 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:38,959 Speaker 2: Head of not only the Secretary Secretary of State, but 447 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:44,280 Speaker 2: you were also with the CIA. You kind of had 448 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:47,840 Speaker 2: your finger on the pulse of the world. When you 449 00:23:47,880 --> 00:23:51,119 Speaker 2: look at China and their use of technology, you talk 450 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:53,640 Speaker 2: about religious freedom. They were repressing their people at home, 451 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:59,160 Speaker 2: but they've been exporting their technology to other repressive regimes. 452 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 2: American companies facilitating this. 453 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:08,159 Speaker 11: Tony sadly, yes, and sadly, for forty years, it was 454 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:10,639 Speaker 11: American policy to encourage them to do so. Right, that 455 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:13,320 Speaker 11: was the model that we had developed. If we just 456 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:16,440 Speaker 11: trade with them, they'll become more like us. And today 457 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:19,280 Speaker 11: you see the damage that has happened. They stole our 458 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 11: intellectual property. Millions of American jobs went away because of that, 459 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:26,440 Speaker 11: and we're transferred to the nation of China. 460 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:27,800 Speaker 3: And then today you can see it. 461 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 11: You can see nearly every Chinese military tool has American 462 00:24:32,560 --> 00:24:36,360 Speaker 11: components or components that were stolen from America and copied. 463 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 11: And then finally their technology the high end, think computational power, 464 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:46,320 Speaker 11: think communications equipment like Huawei, the company Huawei. They are 465 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:49,199 Speaker 11: inside the gates here inside the United States, inside of 466 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:53,040 Speaker 11: Western nations, and they are speaking directly to our children 467 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:57,160 Speaker 11: and grandchildren without anybody disintermediating. It's never happened before, Tony, 468 00:24:57,200 --> 00:24:59,800 Speaker 11: that we've had an adversary that could speak directly to 469 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:01,600 Speaker 11: our kids and tell them America is a wreck and 470 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:05,920 Speaker 11: China is great without somebody saying, no, that's unlawful. 471 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:08,000 Speaker 3: That's illegal, you can't do that. We need to be 472 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:09,560 Speaker 3: serious and intentional about this. 473 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 11: The Chinese Communist Party propaganda is real and pervasive here 474 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:15,919 Speaker 11: inside the United States. We should confront it and we 475 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 11: should make it unlawful for American businesses to participate in that. 476 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 3: And when we do, I'm. 477 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:24,679 Speaker 11: Very confident these American business leaders will comply to the 478 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:28,200 Speaker 11: full extent of the law. Today, sadly, when it's legal, 479 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:30,160 Speaker 11: when they're not breaking the law, but they are doing 480 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:31,440 Speaker 11: something that harms America. 481 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:33,399 Speaker 3: They're going to stay at it. 482 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:36,600 Speaker 2: The final question on China, do you see them making 483 00:25:36,680 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 2: a move on Taiwan? 484 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 11: Tony In some ways, I think they already have. So 485 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:44,159 Speaker 11: we talk about a move as a big invasion, and 486 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:47,840 Speaker 11: we think about Normandy or storming the beaches of Okinawa. 487 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:50,760 Speaker 11: I think they're trying to take it through political coercion. 488 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 11: In the same way they destroyed Hong Kong, took away 489 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 11: the people of Hong Kong's freedom, imprisoned someone like Jimmy Lai. 490 00:25:56,760 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 11: I think that's what they're doing in Taiwan today. I 491 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:02,679 Speaker 11: think they're using political propaganda inside of there so that 492 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:05,480 Speaker 11: one day they'll have the political controls they want. I 493 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:08,360 Speaker 11: don't see an invasion in the offering in the immediate term. 494 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:10,120 Speaker 11: I think that's too risky. I think they don't think 495 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:12,080 Speaker 11: they can actually pull it off. I frankly think they 496 00:26:12,119 --> 00:26:16,159 Speaker 11: probably can't. But I am always skeptical that if we 497 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 11: walk away from this, if we aren't serious about supporting Taiwan. 498 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 11: I was thrilled to see the administration authorized eleven billion 499 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 11: dollars in arm sales Taiwan just before the turn of 500 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:28,200 Speaker 11: last year. If we get that right, we can deter 501 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 11: shishing thing from taking the island by force, and then 502 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:32,400 Speaker 11: we need to do the hard work to make sure 503 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:34,240 Speaker 11: he doesn't take it by political coercion. 504 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 2: Final question for you, mister Secretary, when we look at 505 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:42,720 Speaker 2: what's been happening closer to home with the Maduro regime, 506 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:49,160 Speaker 2: the targeting of these drug traffickers, do you see escalation 507 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:50,399 Speaker 2: here in our hemisphere? 508 00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:53,920 Speaker 11: I do, but the escalation is not caused by the 509 00:26:54,040 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 11: United States. It's caused by the Cubans, the Iranians, the Chinese, 510 00:26:57,760 --> 00:26:59,960 Speaker 11: and the Russians, all of whom are operating in sight 511 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:02,560 Speaker 11: of Venezuela. And so I think what President Trump is 512 00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:06,240 Speaker 11: doing there to try and deter the Maduro regime makes 513 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 11: perfect sense. I hope they'll do that in a way 514 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:11,639 Speaker 11: that destroys his economy and gives the Venezuelan people a 515 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:15,040 Speaker 11: fighting chance to restore what was once a great partner, 516 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:18,280 Speaker 11: ally friend and a great place for people to live. 517 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,480 Speaker 3: It's no longer the case. We can help them get 518 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:23,720 Speaker 3: it back. Yeah, a very strong economy. 519 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:28,960 Speaker 2: It was a great country, mister Secretary. Always great to 520 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,000 Speaker 2: see you, Thanks so much for taking time to join 521 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:34,160 Speaker 2: us today, and Mike, have a very happy New year. 522 00:27:34,560 --> 00:27:36,399 Speaker 3: Thank you, Tony, bless you have a happy new year 523 00:27:36,440 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 3: as well, sir. 524 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 2: All right after the break, House Speaker Mike Johnson joins 525 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:44,240 Speaker 2: us for our weekly conversation, so don't go away, We'll 526 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:44,800 Speaker 2: be right back. 527 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:52,439 Speaker 9: Turn Across the country, men and women are working with 528 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 9: Americans for Prosperity to reignite the American dream. We've shared 529 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:58,199 Speaker 9: some of their stories with you, but they aren't the 530 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:01,959 Speaker 9: only success stories we've seen. Americans for Prosperity partners with 531 00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:05,160 Speaker 9: millions at the local, state, and national level to improve 532 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:09,640 Speaker 9: people's lives every day. Americans supported by AMP to advocate 533 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:13,159 Speaker 9: for common sense solutions or millions strong, and with local 534 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:16,040 Speaker 9: offices in every corner of the country, you can become 535 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:18,840 Speaker 9: a part of something bigger than politics as usual. 536 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 2: Well, happy New Year, and welcome back to this week 537 00:28:26,359 --> 00:28:29,200 Speaker 2: on Capitol Hill. I'm Tony Perkins, your host. Thanks for 538 00:28:29,359 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 2: making time to join us. 539 00:28:30,840 --> 00:28:31,040 Speaker 3: Well. 540 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:34,400 Speaker 2: As twenty twenty five has come to a close, it's 541 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:38,200 Speaker 2: fitting to reflect on a year of achievements and challenges 542 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:42,640 Speaker 2: in Congress under the Republican leadership and what's ahead. 543 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 3: Well. 544 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 2: Joining us now to talk about this is House Speaker 545 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 2: Mike Johnson, who, as mentioned last time, we were together 546 00:28:50,120 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 2: has marked two years and a little over two months 547 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:56,120 Speaker 2: as serving as House Speaker. He represents the fourth Congressional 548 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:58,920 Speaker 2: District of Louisiana. Mister Speaker, welcome back to this week 549 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 2: on Capitol Hill, and happy new. 550 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 5: Year, Hey Tony, Happy new year to you. It's going 551 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:05,040 Speaker 5: to be a big one for the country, the two 552 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 5: hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the greatest nation in the 553 00:29:07,240 --> 00:29:07,840 Speaker 5: history of the world. 554 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 3: A lot to celebrate, a lot to celebrate, a lot 555 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 3: to do. 556 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:14,160 Speaker 2: But before we jump into that, just very quickly, some 557 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:16,000 Speaker 2: notable accomplishments last time. 558 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:16,360 Speaker 3: We were together. 559 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 2: We're talking about we're moving back to moving back to 560 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 2: regular order, doing appropriations the way we should be doing it. 561 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:25,960 Speaker 2: You got the one, big beautiful bill that passed a 562 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:29,080 Speaker 2: major victory, the fruit of which is going to be. 563 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 3: Seen a lot in this new year. 564 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:33,880 Speaker 5: That's exactly right, The Working Families Tax Cut, the big 565 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:38,640 Speaker 5: beautiful bill we signed triumphantly last July Worth twenty twenty 566 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,960 Speaker 5: five with B two's flying above us at the White House. 567 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,080 Speaker 5: And it was a big celebration for a good reason. 568 00:29:44,120 --> 00:29:47,719 Speaker 5: It's probably one of the most consequential pieces of legislation 569 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:51,040 Speaker 5: that has ever been passed by Congress, certainly one of 570 00:29:51,040 --> 00:29:52,960 Speaker 5: the top two or three in the modern era, because 571 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 5: there's so much in it. And we had to do 572 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:58,000 Speaker 5: it by the summer because we knew that it would 573 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 5: take months for the implementation of all the pieces of 574 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 5: that bill to come to fruition. And that's what's going 575 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 5: to happen January February, the first quarter of this year. 576 00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:10,480 Speaker 5: You'll begin to see the major pieces of that really 577 00:30:10,560 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 5: fall into place and be effective for the people, and 578 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:16,760 Speaker 5: they'll feel the effects of that, because remember what we 579 00:30:16,800 --> 00:30:19,200 Speaker 5: did was we did the largest tax cuts in the 580 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:23,160 Speaker 5: US history. We eliminated taxes on tips in overtime and 581 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:27,200 Speaker 5: gave a much higher standard deduction for seniors. About fifty 582 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:30,240 Speaker 5: million seniors will get to see the benefits of that. 583 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:34,040 Speaker 5: We worked on energy, American energy dominance again, and all 584 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:37,920 Speaker 5: these different components, tax write offs for business owners that 585 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:42,560 Speaker 5: want to invest and build new facilities, and ad employees, 586 00:30:42,880 --> 00:30:44,680 Speaker 5: all these things are going to come to fruition and 587 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:47,120 Speaker 5: come together in the first quarter, and all boats are 588 00:30:47,160 --> 00:30:50,240 Speaker 5: going to rise. Quite literally, we cut regulations to cut taxes. 589 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:54,040 Speaker 5: It does better for consumers and it does better for employees, 590 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:56,440 Speaker 5: so wages will rise as Well, that's why you hear 591 00:30:56,800 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 5: people like Treasury sectory as Scott Beset and Kevin Hasse 592 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:03,320 Speaker 5: at the National Economic Council, others who are saying, this 593 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:06,120 Speaker 5: is going to be a very different economic situation going 594 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:08,720 Speaker 5: into the first part of this year than it was 595 00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:11,320 Speaker 5: in twenty twenty five. Remember, we came out of four 596 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:16,320 Speaker 5: years of Bidenomics. Spending was out of control, the policies 597 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:19,440 Speaker 5: were just crazy in every area, and it took us 598 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:22,680 Speaker 5: many months to turn all that back. 599 00:31:22,720 --> 00:31:24,520 Speaker 3: And so we have and now we'll see the effects 600 00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:24,720 Speaker 3: of it. 601 00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:27,560 Speaker 2: So families are going to start feeling the positive effects 602 00:31:27,560 --> 00:31:27,800 Speaker 2: of this. 603 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:31,800 Speaker 3: That's right, and it will happen. Look, this isn't theoretical. 604 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 5: We did a little bit of this on a smaller 605 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:37,200 Speaker 5: scale in the first Pump administration when we cut taxes 606 00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:42,480 Speaker 5: and cut regulations. We achieve that and everyone felt the 607 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:45,280 Speaker 5: positive effect. That's what's going to happen again here. And 608 00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:47,720 Speaker 5: I think we're going to be in really good shape 609 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:50,120 Speaker 5: going into the midterm elections later this year. 610 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:53,240 Speaker 2: I want to get your to do list for twenty 611 00:31:53,280 --> 00:31:55,920 Speaker 2: twenty six for Congress. But first, kind of one of 612 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:59,120 Speaker 2: the first orders of business talking about money is that 613 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:03,240 Speaker 2: to be continue a resolution. The funding measure for the 614 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:07,320 Speaker 2: federal government comes to an end the end of January. 615 00:32:08,320 --> 00:32:10,880 Speaker 2: Last time, we had a government shutdown led by the Democrats. 616 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:12,440 Speaker 3: What's going to happen this time. 617 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 5: Well, the deadline is on my birthday, January thirtieth. It 618 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:19,520 Speaker 5: is just a coincidence, but it's a big deadline for us. 619 00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:19,720 Speaker 3: Now. 620 00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:22,160 Speaker 5: Look, we talked last time we were together end of 621 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:25,000 Speaker 5: last year about how we force back the muscle memory 622 00:32:25,040 --> 00:32:30,040 Speaker 5: on working on individual individual appropriations bills instead of that massive, 623 00:32:30,320 --> 00:32:33,200 Speaker 5: dreaded Christmas Omnibus spending bill. At the end of the year, 624 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 5: we broke the fever on the omnibus and now we're 625 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:39,280 Speaker 5: finishing that process. So what will be happening over the 626 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:42,160 Speaker 5: next few weeks is that the appropriators are working to 627 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:44,640 Speaker 5: push through the remaining bills. Three of them are already 628 00:32:44,640 --> 00:32:47,800 Speaker 5: signed into the law last fall, and we got nine 629 00:32:47,880 --> 00:32:50,080 Speaker 5: left on the table. We're going to My goal is 630 00:32:50,080 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 5: to get every single one of those over the line 631 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:55,160 Speaker 5: before the end of the year for that deadline, because 632 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:56,920 Speaker 5: we don't want to do another continuing resolution. 633 00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 3: But here's the thing. 634 00:32:58,320 --> 00:33:00,160 Speaker 5: If we only if we have two or three three 635 00:33:00,240 --> 00:33:03,240 Speaker 5: of the twelve individual approach bills left on the table. 636 00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:04,760 Speaker 3: That's what we would have. 637 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:07,840 Speaker 5: To cobble together and do some sort of continued resolution on. 638 00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:13,160 Speaker 5: But that's a much smaller problem and a much smaller 639 00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:15,840 Speaker 5: risk to the economy and to the country, because I 640 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:17,960 Speaker 5: think we can get all the big items off the table, 641 00:33:18,040 --> 00:33:20,840 Speaker 5: So I think that would be hardly felt if we 642 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:24,200 Speaker 5: had a continued resolution on whatever remains there. 643 00:33:24,240 --> 00:33:25,800 Speaker 3: So I don't expect to shut down. 644 00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:27,520 Speaker 5: I don't expect any of the drama and the pain 645 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:30,080 Speaker 5: that we all had to go through last fall because 646 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:32,680 Speaker 5: the Democrats decided to shut the government down. So I 647 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:35,960 Speaker 5: think it'll be smoothing, smoother sailing ahead, and then we'll 648 00:33:35,960 --> 00:33:40,040 Speaker 5: turn our attention to the next fiscal years, a budgeting process, 649 00:33:40,040 --> 00:33:41,920 Speaker 5: and having built back the muscle memory, I think it's 650 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:42,800 Speaker 5: going to work a lot better. 651 00:33:43,280 --> 00:33:45,600 Speaker 3: So two and a half minutes left here, mister speaker. 652 00:33:46,080 --> 00:33:49,240 Speaker 3: What are your goals? The speaker? What are the Speaker's 653 00:33:49,320 --> 00:33:52,400 Speaker 3: goals for twenty twenty six. Well, I have work on 654 00:33:52,520 --> 00:33:53,920 Speaker 3: multiple arenas at the same time. 655 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:57,760 Speaker 5: On policy, of course, affordability is the big driver of 656 00:33:58,000 --> 00:33:59,760 Speaker 5: all that we're going to do, and so we've empowered 657 00:33:59,800 --> 00:34:02,600 Speaker 5: our shares of all the different committees to bring forward 658 00:34:02,640 --> 00:34:05,360 Speaker 5: every potential measure they can to reduce the cost of 659 00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:08,200 Speaker 5: living for Americans. Again, we're the party that is going 660 00:34:08,239 --> 00:34:11,279 Speaker 5: to do that. The Democrats response is always the wrong thing. 661 00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:14,799 Speaker 5: They want to grow government and subsidize things and waste 662 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:17,239 Speaker 5: more taxpayer dollars. We want to bring down the cost. 663 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 5: So you'll see a lot of ideas moving forward and 664 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:21,799 Speaker 5: a lot of different arenas on that. On policy, that's 665 00:34:21,840 --> 00:34:23,359 Speaker 5: going to be a big driver of what we do. 666 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:27,160 Speaker 5: But then on the political side, I'm also laser focused 667 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:29,759 Speaker 5: on winning that mid term election in November. So every 668 00:34:29,840 --> 00:34:33,440 Speaker 5: day that we're not here in legislation, in legislative session, literally, Tony, 669 00:34:33,680 --> 00:34:36,319 Speaker 5: almost every single day, I will be on the road 670 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:39,760 Speaker 5: doing as we did last year and the year before, 671 00:34:39,920 --> 00:34:42,120 Speaker 5: and that is campaigning and all the districts raising the 672 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:45,200 Speaker 5: money necessary to get this done. My personal tab is 673 00:34:45,239 --> 00:34:47,760 Speaker 5: four hundred million. I've raised four hundred million dollars roughly 674 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:50,640 Speaker 5: by October in order to fund all these campaigns for 675 00:34:50,680 --> 00:34:53,719 Speaker 5: all of our colleagues. But I'm absolutely bullish, as we've 676 00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:57,080 Speaker 5: discussed that we're going to hold this Republican majority in 677 00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,080 Speaker 5: the House and the Senate, and that we're going to 678 00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:01,480 Speaker 5: expand it, we'll have extra seats and a little more 679 00:35:01,480 --> 00:35:02,880 Speaker 5: buffer for me to do the job I got to 680 00:35:02,920 --> 00:35:03,439 Speaker 5: do every day. 681 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:05,200 Speaker 2: So that means we're going to be seeing you from 682 00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:08,560 Speaker 2: the back of the suburban going across the country this year. 683 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:11,319 Speaker 2: What are you hoping to expand that margin to be? 684 00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:14,320 Speaker 2: I mean, you've been working with a razor thin margin 685 00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:15,880 Speaker 2: of these last two years. 686 00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:16,919 Speaker 3: Well, it's true. 687 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:19,319 Speaker 5: In the first quarter of this year, really all the 688 00:35:19,320 --> 00:35:21,880 Speaker 5: way through April January to April, we literally have a 689 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:24,600 Speaker 5: two vote margin, and one of my colleagues votes know 690 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:27,040 Speaker 5: on everything every time, so it's really a one boat margin. 691 00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:28,960 Speaker 5: I got to get everybody. So I think we can 692 00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:30,840 Speaker 5: expand that. I think we are and want to expand that. 693 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:33,080 Speaker 5: Lots of reasons. I got a ninety minute slide show 694 00:35:33,120 --> 00:35:36,600 Speaker 5: I could show viewers listeners on all that, but lots 695 00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:38,560 Speaker 5: of reasons that we will do this, and I think 696 00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:40,960 Speaker 5: we can expand it by a number of seats. We're 697 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:43,080 Speaker 5: never ever again going to be in an error where 698 00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:44,879 Speaker 5: you have thirty five to forty seat majority, but we'll 699 00:35:44,880 --> 00:35:45,520 Speaker 5: have them anymore. 700 00:35:45,680 --> 00:35:48,960 Speaker 2: I know that's something to talk about. Explain why don't 701 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:51,680 Speaker 2: have time for that today, But mister speaker, always great 702 00:35:51,719 --> 00:35:54,640 Speaker 2: to see you, and again happy New Year, and we 703 00:35:54,719 --> 00:35:57,920 Speaker 2: pray that it is a prosperous and good new year 704 00:35:58,080 --> 00:36:01,719 Speaker 2: for the entire country. My friends say to you, all right, 705 00:36:01,719 --> 00:36:06,480 Speaker 2: house speaker, Mike Johnson, all right, don't go away because 706 00:36:06,520 --> 00:36:09,280 Speaker 2: on the other side of the break, few final thoughts 707 00:36:09,360 --> 00:36:13,279 Speaker 2: as we wrap up this New Year edition of This 708 00:36:13,360 --> 00:36:25,040 Speaker 2: Week on Capitol Hill, don't go away. Welcome back to 709 00:36:25,080 --> 00:36:27,800 Speaker 2: this Week on Capitol Hill. I'm your host, Tony Perkins. 710 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:31,280 Speaker 2: Think so much for tuning in well, out with the old, 711 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:32,480 Speaker 2: in with the new. 712 00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:33,560 Speaker 3: This week we. 713 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:36,560 Speaker 2: Said goodbye to twenty twenty five and hello to twenty 714 00:36:36,600 --> 00:36:40,640 Speaker 2: twenty six. According to a you gov survey, roughly three 715 00:36:40,800 --> 00:36:44,440 Speaker 2: and ten Americans make a new year resolution, or set 716 00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:47,400 Speaker 2: specific goals for the year ahead. You know, goals and 717 00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:51,000 Speaker 2: resolutions have power because they turn hope into strategy and 718 00:36:51,080 --> 00:36:55,920 Speaker 2: aspiration into action. When anchored to clear values and purpose, 719 00:36:56,000 --> 00:36:58,880 Speaker 2: goal setting becomes one of the most effective tools for 720 00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:03,480 Speaker 2: personal change, better decision making, and long term impact. So 721 00:37:03,600 --> 00:37:07,200 Speaker 2: let me offer a suggestion, but only if you're interested 722 00:37:07,239 --> 00:37:11,480 Speaker 2: in greater peace, emotional stability, clearer thinking, and a strong 723 00:37:11,520 --> 00:37:15,080 Speaker 2: sense of purpose. If living with less anxiety and more 724 00:37:15,120 --> 00:37:18,080 Speaker 2: direction doesn't appeal to you, then feel free to tune 725 00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:21,800 Speaker 2: me out. According to the Barnett Group, eighty four percent 726 00:37:21,800 --> 00:37:25,040 Speaker 2: of practicing Christians say they want to read the Bible more. 727 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:29,920 Speaker 2: Yet desire alone isn't enough. The same research shows that 728 00:37:29,960 --> 00:37:33,160 Speaker 2: only about twenty five percent of self identified Christians read 729 00:37:33,200 --> 00:37:34,560 Speaker 2: the Bible more than. 730 00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:35,280 Speaker 3: Once a week. 731 00:37:35,880 --> 00:37:39,840 Speaker 2: But it's interesting those twenty five percent who consistently read 732 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:44,319 Speaker 2: report greater peace, clearer direction, and a deeper sense of 733 00:37:44,440 --> 00:37:49,600 Speaker 2: meaning in life. Now the difference isn't intention, it's consistent action. 734 00:37:50,160 --> 00:37:53,840 Speaker 2: So here's my suggestion. Resolved to regularly read the Bible 735 00:37:53,880 --> 00:37:56,920 Speaker 2: this year, and along with that suggestion, I have an 736 00:37:56,920 --> 00:38:01,080 Speaker 2: invitation join me on a daily journey through the withstand 737 00:38:01,160 --> 00:38:03,479 Speaker 2: on the Word. It's a reading plan. It only takes 738 00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:06,440 Speaker 2: about ten to fifteen minutes a day Monday through Saturday, 739 00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:09,120 Speaker 2: and in two years you won't simply have read the 740 00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:12,719 Speaker 2: entire Bible. You will have absorbed God's Word in a 741 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:16,319 Speaker 2: structured and meaningful way. Over the past two years, I've 742 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:18,840 Speaker 2: had the privilege of leading about twenty four thousand people 743 00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:21,359 Speaker 2: on this journey, and here's what many of them had 744 00:38:21,400 --> 00:38:22,160 Speaker 2: to say about it. 745 00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:25,680 Speaker 3: One participant wrote this. 746 00:38:24,520 --> 00:38:27,360 Speaker 2: This is the first time I've ever completed reading the 747 00:38:27,520 --> 00:38:30,960 Speaker 2: entire Bible. I started many times before, but lack of 748 00:38:31,040 --> 00:38:34,200 Speaker 2: understanding made me quit. The daily videos that go along 749 00:38:34,239 --> 00:38:37,400 Speaker 2: with it were key. Another share this, I have never 750 00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:40,239 Speaker 2: read all the books of the Bible before. I am 751 00:38:40,400 --> 00:38:44,359 Speaker 2: so glad I took this challenge. Another said simply, this 752 00:38:44,600 --> 00:38:47,560 Speaker 2: is the first time I've read the entire Bible. I've 753 00:38:47,640 --> 00:38:51,480 Speaker 2: learned so much. Others emphasized how manageable the plan felt. 754 00:38:51,640 --> 00:38:54,520 Speaker 2: The two year plan made reading the Bible possible for 755 00:38:54,560 --> 00:38:58,480 Speaker 2: the first time. It wasn't rushed, one participant said. Another added, 756 00:38:58,719 --> 00:39:02,719 Speaker 2: this plan has made day Bible reading doable and enjoyable. 757 00:39:03,280 --> 00:39:06,959 Speaker 2: But there was more than knowledge gained. Many described real 758 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:09,960 Speaker 2: life change. Stand On the Word gives me peace and 759 00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:13,000 Speaker 2: strength to start my day, one person wrote, Another said 760 00:39:13,200 --> 00:39:15,640 Speaker 2: it keeps me grounded in the Word in a very 761 00:39:15,719 --> 00:39:20,480 Speaker 2: chaotic world. And still another share this, this daily reading 762 00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:23,719 Speaker 2: has brought clarity to my thoughts and peace to my 763 00:39:23,840 --> 00:39:27,520 Speaker 2: heart now. One comment stood out stand On the Word 764 00:39:27,520 --> 00:39:30,960 Speaker 2: has been my anchor when I felt alone. It strengthened 765 00:39:30,960 --> 00:39:34,440 Speaker 2: my faith and reduced my anxiety. If you'd like to 766 00:39:34,560 --> 00:39:37,920 Speaker 2: join me on this journey. Simply text the word Bible 767 00:39:38,200 --> 00:39:41,680 Speaker 2: to six seven seven four to two. That's Bible to 768 00:39:41,800 --> 00:39:45,080 Speaker 2: six seven seven four to two. A new year brings 769 00:39:45,239 --> 00:39:49,280 Speaker 2: new opportunities. Make the most of twenty twenty six. Commit 770 00:39:49,360 --> 00:39:51,919 Speaker 2: to just ten to fifteen minutes each day to read 771 00:39:51,960 --> 00:39:54,920 Speaker 2: the Word of God, and you'll be amazed at what 772 00:39:54,960 --> 00:39:57,920 Speaker 2: God does in your life. Again, text the word Bible 773 00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:00,840 Speaker 2: to six seven seven four to two, or go to 774 00:40:01,000 --> 00:40:04,400 Speaker 2: FRC dot org slash Bible until next week. 775 00:40:04,719 --> 00:40:05,520 Speaker 3: Happy New Year. 776 00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:12,720 Speaker 1: Today's edition of This Week on Capitol Hill is brought 777 00:40:12,719 --> 00:40:15,680 Speaker 1: to you in part by Americans for Prosperity