Republican pollster Jim Hobart and Democratic pollster Nancy Zdunkewicz discuss the political news of the week and Will Creeley from the group Foundation for Individual Rights & Expression discusses the campus protests.
"There's the right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos," President Biden said from the Roosevelt Room of White House in response to protests happening on college campuses around the country. President Biden called for order and said violent protest was not protected under the First Amendment. He briefly responded to questions asked by reporters, including whether believed the National Guard should get involved. The president said no. The were response to both the federal government's handling of the Israel Hamas war and financial investment by colleges in Israeli companies.
Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA) and Thomas Massie (KY) said they would give House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) "one more weekend" to consider stepping down from the chamber's top leadership post, saying he had failed the Republican conference by shepherding foreign aid bills and other legislation they opposed through House passage. If he did not resign, the two lawmakers said they would move forward with an already filed motion to vacate in the coming week. Rep. Massie suggested Rep. Johnson give a long notice-period to avoid causing a roadblock to ongoing legislative work, as happened when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) resigned in October 2023.
"Marjorie Taylor Greene is the star of the show. The show is called 'Republicans Gone Wild,'" said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) as he briefed reporters from the Capitol after House Democrats announced support for Speaker Johnson should his job be on the line. Leader Jeffries continued to say, "House Republicans are either unwilling or unable to get Marjorie Taylor Greene and the extreme MAGA Republicans under control--and so it's going to take a bipartisan coalition or partnership to accomplish that objective. In addition, Rep. Jeffries criticized Florida's six-week abortion ban that went into effect and said, "Freedom is under assault by extreme MAGA Republicans and ground zero, at the moment, is in Florida." He also discussed antisemitism on college campuses ahead of a House debate and vote on the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that the fed's benchmark interest rate would remain unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5% due to inflation still remaining too high. He also said it was "unlikely" that there would be a rate-hike in the near-future, saying the current rate is sufficiently restrictive for lowering inflation to the Fed's 2% goal. Mr. Powell's remarks occurred at his monthly news conference, following the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting on April 30-May 1. The Fed's benchmark interest rate has not changed since July 2023.
The recent death of O.J. Simpson reminds us of one of the most controversial episodes involving a prayer opening a session of CongressAnd its aftermath. In this week's episode of C-SPAN's "The Weekly, you'll hear the full Senate prayer for O.J. Simpson following his arrest plus, the rare rebuke by a U.S. Senator. And then, you'll hear the surprise twist that happened next.
Reverend William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, met with faith leaders and advocates to discuss a mass march on the nation's capital. Set for June of 2024, Rev. Barber said the march would advocate for poor and low wage workers in an effort to eliminate poverty and promote living wages. Organizers talked about their plan to march from the National Mall to polling locations to advocate for expanded voting rights, which Reverend Barber says includes statehood for the District of Columbia. This press conference and discussion was hosted at the National Press Club in Washington, DC
President Biden hosted a ceremony honoring 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom who include former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of State John Kerry, and former Vice President Al Gore. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor awarded to individuals who made significant societal contributions to the United States. The award was established as the Medal of Freedom in 1945 by President Truman to recognize notable World War II service members. Then re-established by President Kennedy as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and expanded to include those who made cultural achievements. President Johnson awarded the first class of recipients in 1963 who were selected by President Kennedy. The ceremony was hosted in the East Room of the White House with Vice President Harris also in attendance.
Former congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), co-author of "Profiles in Mental Health Courage," talks about Americans who have struggled with mental illness and the stigma and silence that he says still surrounds it.
"I know the thoughts of the whole House are with the people of Hainault in East London, following yesterday's appalling attack it's absolutely heartbreaking that a teenage boy has died," said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of an attack the day before by a man with a sword who stabbed multiple people on the streets which resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy. The prime minister's remarks came at the start of his weekly question time with members of the House of Commons. A variety of topics were addressed, including public safety, health care investment, illegal migration, support for Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas war.
The Atlantic Council held a series of discussions focusing on the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington, DC. In this session U.S., British and German diplomats spoke about each of their countries defense priorities, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and other global security challenges on the horizon. The summit will occur July 9 to 11.
Former congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), co-author of "Profiles in Mental Health Courage," talks about Americans who have struggled with mental illness and the stigma and silence that he says still surrounds it.
Wall Street Journal congressional reporter Natalie Andrews previews the week ahead in Congress and Jared Alper of the group Good Party discusses his group's role in supporting non-partisan, independent and third-party candidates.
