CD326: October 2025 — Slippery Barnacles
Congressional Dish
In this episode, you’ll hear what actually happened in Congress during October 2025, a month dominated by a record-breaking shutdown. While the House was on vacation, the Senate enacted mass confirmations of over 100 Trump-aligned nominees—many with extreme views, conflicts of interest, or industry ties—as well as the surprising bipartisan pushback against Trump’s global tariff abuses. We also examine the Senate’s failed attempt to stop Trump’s unauthorized overseas boat strikes. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via ...
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CD325: Politics Trump Science at the CDC
Congressional Dish
After months of chaos under Trump’s second term, a shocking Senate hearing exposes how HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has politicized the CDC—firing scientists, silencing evidence, and demanding blind approval of vaccine changes. This episode dives into testimony from former CDC leaders and the rare moment of bipartisan oversight that could mark a turning point for accountability in Congress. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to:...
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CD324: Sept 2025: Destruction of Norms
Congressional Dish
A summary of September 2025. From new laws on veterans’ health, privacy, and export controls to a wave of Trump-era nominees confirmed in bulk — including several with jaw-dropping conflicts of interest — this month was a mess. In addition to new laws and confirmations, there were failed censure stunts, a delayed swearing-in that’s blocking a vote on the Epstein files, and yet another avoidable government shutdown. Both parties are playing games while regular people pay the price. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support...
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CD323: Shutdown Bad
Congressional Dish
Congress is once again playing with fire, and this time it’s the Democrats holding the match. In today’s episode, I’m sounding the alarm about a looming government shutdown that could hit at midnight on September 30th. History tells us shutdowns backfire on the party that demands partisan add-ons to must-pass funding bills, yet Democrats are betting they can use that same failed strategy and escape the blame. I’ll walk you through the shutdown showdowns of the past decade, explain what’s different—and more dangerous—about this moment, and lay out the real costs to workers,...
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CD322: Last Quarter in Congress — Indefinite Detention, Regulation Murders & Empowered Trump Minions
Congressional Dish
Since the beginning of this Congress, there have been 24 new laws signed and dozens of confirmations shaping our government in President Trump’s second term. From the Laken Riley Act’s attack on immigrant rights, to the One Big Beautiful Bill’s devastating effects on healthcare and the environment, to quiet but powerful confirmations of billionaires, bankers, and loyalists into positions that control our economy and foreign policy, this is a moment when Congress is rewriting the rules of our democracy. If you want to understand how decisions made in Washington are enriching corporations,...
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CD321: One Big Beautiful Bill — the Money
Congressional Dish
Part 2 of the “Big Beautiful Bill”. In this episode, we examine tax cuts and tax increases for the wealthy, the corporations, and for the rest of us. We examine the winners and losers chosen by the Republicans and what it all means for you. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay...
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CD320: One Big Beautiful Bill — a Dangerous Law
Congressional Dish
The One Big Beautiful Bill is now officially law, ushering in a sweeping wave of reforms that promise to reshape the nation. In this episode, we unpack the concerning changes it brings to immigration policy, environmental protections, and health care coverage—three pillars that will directly impact millions of lives. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to:...
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CD319: Beware the Drones
Congressional Dish
Drones have become a powerful tool in modern warfare—used effectively by our allies against enemy forces, and, more controversially, against unarmed captives. But is the United States ready to defend itself against drone threats? In this episode, we bring you testimony from five recent congressional hearings, featuring high-ranking military and DHS officials, as well as top experts, sounding the alarm on the growing dangers in our skies. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle...
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CD318: AI Regulation Moratorium
Congressional Dish
The House version of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” includes a 10-year moratorium on state and local regulation of AI models and systems. In this episode, listen to highlights from a congressional hearing held the day before the bill passed — including discussion of this sneaky little dingleberry. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or...
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CD317: Elimination Essentials in the “Big Beautiful Bill”
Congressional Dish
The House of Representatives has passed their version of the "Big, Beautiful Bill" and parts of it are extraordinarily dangerous and must be stopped. As the Senate prepares to edit the BBB, discover the hidden dangers so that you can take action against the parts that threaten you the most. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or...
info_outlineThe Trump administration renegotiated NAFTA and the 116th Congress passed those changes in order to make the USMCA into law. In this episode, international trade expert Lori Wallach, the Director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, joins Jen to explain the differences between NAFTA and the USMCA. What you hear may surprise you.
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Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes
CD96: Fast Tracking Fast Track (Trade Promotion Authority
CD102: The World Trade Organization: COOL?
CD052: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Bills
- Bill: H.R.5430 - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Congress.gov, January 16, 2020
About Lori Wallach
- Lori Wallach, Linked In
- Lori Wallach, Director, Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, Public Citizen
- About Us, Public Citizen
- About Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch (GTW), Public Citizen
- Public Citizen, Influence Watch
- Global Trade Watch, Facebook
- Global Trade Watch, Twitter
- Lori Wallach, Twitter
- Global Trade Watch, Instagram
Articles/Documents
- Article: Labelling debate returns to U.S. By Barbara Duckworth, The Western Producer, February 13, 2020
- Article: The US Drops ISDS By Lori Wallach, The Globalist, January 24, 2020
- Article: Lawmakers try to resurrect country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork By Cathy Siegner, FoodDive, November 5, 2019
- Article: Background on the Epic WTO Tuna Dolphin Fight Public Citizen
- Article: COOL for beef, pork on US Senate’s plate By Erica Shaffer, Meat + Poultry, November 4, 2019
- Article: When Pharma Needs a Friend: Conservative House Democrats Move to Protect Drug Company Profits by David Dayen, The American Prospect, October 31, 2019
- Article: While USMCA stalls, lobbying kicks into high gear by Raymond Arke, OpenSecrets.org, May 8, 2019
- Article: Mexico loses 10-year WTO battle over U.S. tuna labeling by Tom Miles, Reuters, December 14, 2018
- Article: The Little-Known Trade Adviser Who Wields Enormous Power in Washington by Ana Swanson, The New York Times, March 9, 2018
- Document: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) By M. Angeles Villarreal and Ian F. Fergusson, Congressional Research Service, May 24, 2017
- Article: Trump's trade pick sails through hearing but faces procedural hangup By Victoria Guida, POLITICO, March 14, 2017
- Article: India, US lock horns over intellectual property at WTO By Amiti Sen, New Scientist, November 11, 2016
- Document: Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods and the WTO Trade Dispute on Meat Labeling By Joel L. Greene, Congressional Research Service, December 8, 2015
- Article: India surveys aftermath of new patent law By Padma Tata, New Scientist, March 29, 2005
Additional Resources
- Vote Results: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act) United States Senate, January 16, 2020
- Vote Results: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 701 House of Representatives Clerk, December 19, 2019
- Trade Agreement: Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada 12/13/19 Text Office of the United States Trade Representative, December 13, 2019
Cover Art
Design by Only Child Imaginations
Music Presented in This Episode
Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)