Rational Radio Daily with Steele and Ungar

In January of 2017, Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J. 05) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y. 23) brought together a group of like-minded House members who wanted to restore a bipartisan spirit to the legislative process: the Problem Solvers Caucus. A year after its founding, Congress is embroiled in the midst of negotiations over government funding, the debt ceiling, border security and a long-term solution for DACA. Representative Gottheimer joined Rick and Michael to talk about the Caucus' agenda for 2018 and possible fixes to the quagmires we're seeing in Congress. Derek Riedle, founder of the Cannabis lifestyle media outfit “Civilized”, discussed the economic and legal consequences of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the DOJ rescinding the Cole Memo.

Protests spread across Iran last Thursday, December, 28, in reaction to unpopular economic policies that have caused the costs of goods and services to skyrocket. Over the last few days, the protests have swelled with rallying cries against the Islamic Republic’s theocratic government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Similar protests erupted in 2009, but were ultimately thwarted. Will this movement bring about actual change? Brian Katulis, a foreign policy expert who was on the National Security Council under President Clinton, shares his outlook on the protests in Iran and what America can or should do to help. Dr. Bruce Bechtol, the president of the International Council on Korean Studies, talks about the implications of the renewed diplomatic ties between North and South Korea.

One of the biggest legislative fights in 2018 will be protections for the Dreamers. Can the House and Senate come together to find a bipartisan fix to DACA? Representative Will Hurd (R-Texas 23) certainly hopes so. The congressman, who serves as the vice-chair of the Maritime and Border Security Subcommittee on the House Committee for Homeland Security, talks about the possibility of a bipartisan DACA deal and why we should care about the anti-government protests in Iran. Marvin Weinbaum, director for Pakistani Studies at the Middle East Institute, discusses President Trump’s threats to pull funding from Pakistan.

As we wind down 2017, Michael Steele and Rick Ungar take a look back at some of the biggest moments and stories of the year. Robert Costa, national political reporter for The Washington Post, talks to the guys about the first year of the Trump administration and what we might see in 2018. Michael and Rick also discuss what Congress accomplished in 2017 and how that will guide its agenda next year.

One of the looming legislative battles of 2018 will be major entitlement reform. While Speaker of the House Paul Ryan will be looking to launch right into this when Congress gets back into town, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is much more hesitant. Several issues, including funding for natural disaster relief, will also spill over from the end of this year. Reed Galen, chief strategist of the Serve America Movement, gives his outlook on what should be a bruising battle on entitlement reform. Michael and Rick discuss the potential for a wave election in the 2018 midterms.

Congress passed a sanctions bill over that summer that now has many of Moscow’s elite freaking out. Section 241 of the sanctions bill requires the Trump administration to provide Congress with a list of all known oligarchs and top political figures with known ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. Ambassador Dan Fried, a 40-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service and the architect of the Russian sanctions, talks about “The List That’s Freaking Out Everyone in Moscow”. Michael and Rick discuss the U.N.’s vote to condemn President Trump’s Jerusalem decision. In response, the administration threatened to pull foreign aid and U.N. funding. What kind of message does that send to the rest of the world?

Daniel Lippman, a co-author of Politico's 'Playbook' newsletter, jumped on with Rick and Michael to discuss Congress' mad scramble to prevent a government shutdown. Lippman joked that its almost like members of Congress are trying to ruin the Christmas holiday for reporters. He noted that Democrats are unlikely to try and force a shutdown because they don't want to do anything that will tarnish their brand going into 2018 and the crucial midterms. Romina Boccia of The Heritage Foundation joined the guys to talk about some of the positive aspects of the GOP's tax plan.

When the clock strikes midnight on Friday, December 22, the United States government will run out of money. Congress has three more days to settle government funding for 2018 and beyond, fund the CHIP program, address the unstable Obamacare markets, try to work on a deal for the Dreamers, and pass a final tax bill. Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Ky. 03), the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, discusses how Congress plans to avoid the looming government shutdown and shares his thoughts on the House's tax bill. Michael Steele and Rick Ungar debate how Congress will attempt to complete its “to-do” list.

President Trump outlined his national security strategy today in a speech at the White House. The president emphasized the four pillars of his new security initiative: border security, the role of economic security in national security considerations, an emphasis on "peace through strength", and the need to rebuild America's international influence. Career counterintelligence officer and MSNBC contributor Malcolm Nance shares his thoughts on the president's strategy. Stephen Shay, a former deputy assistant secretary in the Department of the Treasury, explains what's in the GOP's tax bill.

Omarosa Manigault-Newman, former director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison in the Trump White House, appeared on Good Morning America earlier this week in an attempt to set the record straight on the reports of her removal from the White House. April Ryan, White House correspondent and Washington bureau chief for American Urban Radio Networks, was one of the first to break the story. Ms. Ryan talks to Michael and Rick about breaking the story and how it reflects her M.O. as a journalist who doggedly pursues the truth. Michael Tomasky, special correspondent for the Daily Beast and op-ed contributor for the New York Times, discusses his latest piece on the history of the GOP’s “legislative lemons".

The FCC repealed the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules today in a 3-2 vote along party lines. Many fear that internet service providers will now be able to throttle bandwidth speeds, charge for better access and prevent smaller businesses from competing in the online marketplace. Democratic FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn talks about how the vote will affect you. Michael Steele and Rick Ungar discuss the renewed GOP civil war between Steve Bannon's populist wing and the Republican establishment under Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Doug Jones defeated Roy Moore Tuesday night to become the next senator of Alabama. Pundits, politicians and party strategists immediately began chiming in after the election was called for Jones. What does this mean nationally for Democrats and Republicans? Does this signal a possible wave election for the Democrats in the 2018 midterms? Politico's Daniel Strauss gives a measured take on the political implications of Jones' win and Moore's lose. Rick Ungar and guest co-host Kirsten Haglund discuss what impact the #MeToo movement had on the Alabama Senate race and what impact it might have on future elections.

The polls have closed in Alabama. Will Democratic candidate Doug Jones be able pull off the upset against Republican Roy Moore in one of the deepest and most consistently Republican states in the country? Jim Antle, politics editor of the Washington Examiner, shares his thoughts on the first exit poll numbers and the end of this dramatic race for Alabama’s Senate seat. Lori Garver, former deputy administrator of NASA under President Obama, talks about President Trump’s new Space Policy Directive.

This past weekend, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, weighed in on the sexual misconduct allegations against President Trump, saying , “I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.” The president and his administration has continued to deny the validity of the claims made by 16 women. 'Today' host Megyn Kelly spoke with three of President Trump’s accusers on her show, giving the women a platform in our nation's ongoing dialogue on sexual misconduct. Reed Galen, chief strategist for the Serve America Movement, joined Rick Ungar to discuss the potential political implications of this story staying in the news. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik shared his thoughts on the rulings in two police shooting cases and the attempted Times Square terror attack.

Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, jumped on with Michael Steele and Rick Ungar to talk about President Trump's decision on Jerusalem earlier this week. He said the move will actually give Trump a stronger hand and role in peace negotiations. Ira Shapiro, former trade ambassador under President Clinton, joined the guys to discuss his new book, "Broken: Can the Senate Save Itself and the Country."