Alex Herrgott leads an independent federal entity whose sole focus is cutting millions of dollars in unnecessary project costs that environmental groups add, while slashing red tape and preventing anti-development activists from using the court system to prevent much needed economic recovery through acceleration of investment in our national infrastructure which provides immediate and lasting economic benefits for states, local communities and small businesses. Alex joined us to explain how the Permitting Council cuts through the bureaucracy and serves as a one-stop Federal shop to provide coordination across the Federal government for America's largest, most complex infrastructure projects. Alex Herrgott was appointed by the President as the Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council on September 21st, 2018. Mr. Herrgott had been serving as the Associate Director for Infrastructure for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) at the White House previously. Prior to his service with CEQ, Mr. Herrgott worked for Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma as Senior Staff from 2004-2011 at the Environment and Public Works Committee.

In the midst of national conversations about police brutality, violent protests, and the constitutionality of lockdowns, Attorney General Ken Paxton is responsible for finding the right solution to each problem for Texas. What would “defunding the police” actually mean for communities that are most vulnerable to crime? How should officials draw the line to prevent peaceful demonstrations from becoming destructive? What are the proper roles for federal and state governments when enforcing restrictions during a pandemic? A.G. Paxton gives his views and experiences as Texas’s top law enforcement officer during one of the most contentious times in recent history.

Dr. Scott Atlas joins us to examine the science, data, and reasoning (or lack thereof) used to justify indefinite lockdowns, school closures, and other fear-based mitigation strategies that are still happening across America. Dr. Atlas is the Robert Wesson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University and a Member of Hoover Institution’s Working Group on Health Care Policy. He served as Professor of Radiology and Chief of Neuroradiology at Stanford University Medical Center from 1998 until 2012. He is the author of “Restoring Quality Health Care: A Six-Point Plan for Comprehensive Reform at Lower Cost.” Follow him on Twitter at @SWAtlasHoover.

Professor Randy Barnett of Georgetown University Law Center joins us on the podcast to discuss some of the constitutional elements of the COVID-19 lockdowns, as well as the ideological undercurrents fueling our polarized political climate. What real, practical problems do the lockdowns pose with regards to the Fourteenth Amendment? How is the pandemic becoming an arena for the arbitrary exercise of the police power by government officials? What do the lockdowns and the recent protests reveal about modern liberalism? Are we witnessing the destruction of the “moderate left” in real-time? Professor Barnett tackles these issues and others with Congressman Crenshaw. Professor Randy Barnett is the Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Legal Theory at the Georgetown University Law Center. He teaches constitutional law and contracts and is the director of the Georgetown Center for the Constitution. Professor Barnett has authored numerous books and textbooks, including the recently published "An Introduction to Constitutional Law: 100 Supreme Court Cases Everyone Should Know," which he co-authored with Professor Josh Blackman. Follow him on Twitter at @RandyEBarnett.

Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor has logged 197 days in space. She joined Dan to talk all things space travel. How close are we to colonizing the Moon and Mars? What’s it like to break atmosphere and spend months in zero gravity? What’s her take on the Navy UFO footage? From training in Antarctica to fixing toilets in outer space, being an astronaut brings surprising perspectives on life.

Since 1953, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has empowered small business owners by giving them the tools and resources they need to launch and grow their businesses. With the rise of COVID-19 and the economic shutdown, the SBA is facing its most monumental challenge in generations. SBA Regional Administrator Justin Crossie joined Dan to discuss how the SBA is helping America’s entrepreneurs navigate this crisis, as well as ways the SBA can help guide entrepreneurs through the often confusing requirements for starting a business, hiring employees, and expanding operations. Justin Crossie leads the SBA’s funding programs, counseling services, and government contracting and export initiatives for more than 3.8 million small businesses in the South-Central Region - including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

In the wake of COVID-19, Democrat leaders are pushing for a federal takeover of the election system in order to implement some radical reforms - including mail-in ballots for all voters, voting by phone, and ending voter ID requirements. Why are these reforms fraught with potential for voter fraud? Hans von Spakovsky is a senior legal fellow and manager of the Heritage Foundation’s Election Law Reform Initiative - which has collected 1,285 proven cases of voter fraud in America. Hans joined Dan to examine the risks and how we can better protect the integrity of our election system. Follow Hans on Twitter at @HvonSpakovsky.

Dr. Robert Kadlec is the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, managing the national response to public health emergencies - a position that deals with everything from hurricane disasters to anthrax attacks. Now Dr. Kadlec is writing the playbook of countermeasures in America’s war against COVID-19. He joined Dan to examine how the nation’s strategy for pandemic response is adapting as we learn more about the virus.  

In this special episode, Dan joined comedian Adam Carolla for a live recording at Houston Improv to raise funds for the Houston Food Bank’s COVID-19 relief efforts. Support Houston Food Bank at www.houstonfoodbank.org. Shout out to Adam Carolla for allowing us to re-broadcast this recording! Check out his own podcast The Adam Carolla Show at www.adamcarolla.com.

Robert Kaplan is the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. We’ve heard a lot about the Federal Reserve in the news lately, but what exactly is the purpose of America’s central bank? How has their mission changed since COVID-19 and the shutdown wrecked havoc on the economy? Robert joined Dan to give listeners a practical understanding of the Fed’s role in the financial system, and the pathway to economic recovery. Follow Robert Kaplan on Twitter at @RobSKaplan.

On this solo episode, Dan expands on his recently published oped for The Wall Street Journal to ponder the question, “Why do Democrats want to keep us shutdown and Republicans want us free to reopen?” The answer is part politics, part psychology. Read the oped here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-does-reopening-polarize-us-11589842995

Jon Huntsman returns to the podcast to talk China and what he learned as Ambassador to America’s greatest trading partner and emerging rival. For the first time in centuries, China is a leader on the world stage. So how do Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party view their role as a global player? What moves are they making to change the geopolitical landscape across Asia and Europe? What is their endgame with the United States – and how should we react? Jon Huntsman is the only ambassador to ever serve in both China (2009 – 2011) and Russia (2017 – 2019). He was the Governor of Utah (Jan. 2005 – Aug. 2009), served as the Chair of the Western Governors Association, and under his leadership Utah was ranked as the best managed state in America by Pew Center on the States.

In this solo episode, Dan breaks down the Democrats' $3 trillion, 1800 page spending bill which was voted on by the House on Friday, May 15.

Jon Huntsman, Jr. served as U.S. Ambassador to Russia from 2017 – 2019, during one of the most difficult periods in bilateral relationships since deep in the Cold War.  He joined Dan to break down the complex foreign policy issues involving the two countries.  What’s the truth behind the Michael Flynn investigation and what would an actual Russian intelligence operation look like? How does the average Russian view America and their own country’s place in the world? Why has Vladimir Putin’s persona become so deeply entwined with their cultural identity? What is Putin’s worldview – is he Peter the Great or Ivan the Terrible – and what can we expect to happen to Russia when he does exit the stage? Jon Huntsman is the only ambassador to ever serve in both China (2009 – 2011) and Russia (2017 – 2019), as well as Singapore (1992 – 1993). He was the Governor of Utah (Jan. 2005 – Aug. 2009), served as the Chair of the Western Governors Association, and under his leadership Utah was ranked as the best managed state in America by Pew Center on the States.

Why are so many young people motivated to join the far left? Charlie Kirk talks with Dan about the shallow yet persuasive arguments used by leaders like AOC and Bernie to win over the millennial/z generations, and the best ways to counter them. What's the one issue young people disregard which matters most to their futures? How is the progressive movement doing on college campuses these days? Charlie and Dan dive into these questions and give advice every young person should know before they venture into politics. Charlie Kirk is the Founder of Turning Point USA, host of The Charlie Kirk Show, and author of "The MAGA Doctrine." Follow him on Twitter at @charliekirk11.

Economist Dr. John Diamond joins Dan to examine the current state of the American economy and what’s on the horizon for businesses and labor markets. What’s working and not working with the CARES Act? How does an extended duration for unemployment relief slow the recovery even further? Are we close to reaching the crisis point with longer-term structural issues like entitlement programs, budget deficits, and government debt? Dr. John Diamond is a professor and director of the Center for Public Finance at the Baker Institute, an adjunct professor of economics at Rice University and CEO of Tax Policy Advisers, LLC. His research interests are federal tax and expenditure policy, state and local public finance, tax reform and other policy issues. Follow him on Twitter at @jw_diamond.

Kay Coles James is President of Heritage Foundation and leads the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, an independent panel that works closely with the White House and congressional leaders to provide recommendations for the plan moving forward to protect the lives and livelihoods of Americans. What looming threats to economic freedom and liberty do we see beginning to play out across America and how can we stop them? What actions need to be taken at the federal, state, and local levels of government to get America back on track? How can private individuals and institutions take ownership of the recovery process? Kay brings decades of experience in public service to create a blueprint for restoring the American economy while also protecting public health and individual freedom. Learn more about the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission’s recommendations at www.coronaviruscommission.com.

Steven Nabil is a journalist with extensive experience covering Iraqi politics and security. He joined Dan to examine the current state of Iraq and its long conflict with Iran. What has become of ISIS? How effective was the Soleimani strike at disrupting Iranian operations in Iraq, and what does this tell us about Iran’s military power structure? What should we make of the ongoing Iraqi protests? Is it a movement toward peace and democracy or further terror across the region? Follow Steven Nabil on Twitter at @thestevennabil.

On this very special episode, Dan brings listeners into the historic site of Biblical Jerusalem, the City of David, to discover the cultural, political, and spiritual connections this once lost city has with our world today. How was the City of David lost and then rediscovered? What major discoveries have archaeologists recently made that link back to the times of Jesus and King David? What are the important geopolitical implications for this site which is at the heart of a city under constant threat from Palestinian terrorism? Our guide is Ze’ev Orenstein, the Director of International Affairs at the City of David Foundation. Learn more at  https://www.cityofdavid.org.il/en

Dr. Nicole Saphier, physician and author of “Make America Healthy Again,” joins Dan to examine the current state of the American health care system and the path to making it more accessible for everyone. Why is there a disconnect between the growing prevalence of preventable diseases in America and the culture of healthy diets and exercise which is projected on social media? Is there a difference between health care access and rights? What does the race to develop a cure for COVID-19 tell us about the rising cost of health care? Is there a practical middle ground between government-run and free market systems? Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, rising cancer rates among millennials, and the opioid crisis are all examined in depth, along with practical ways for individuals to take ownership of their own health and well being. Follow Dr. Saphier on Twitter at @NBSaphierMD.

With everyone in America so focused on dealing with the hardships brought on by the economic shutdown, it is easy to miss the disaster unfolding in Iran at the hands of their totalitarian regime. What role has China played in causing Iran to become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East? How do the Iranian people view the regime’s handling of the crisis? What is the state of the Iranian regime five months out from the Soleimani strike? Behnam Ben Taleblu is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security, where he focuses on Iranian security and political issues. Behnam has authored or coauthored articles appearing in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Fox News, The Hill, and The National Interest. Follow Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Twitter at @FDD.

Harvard University’s Dr. Edward Glaeser joins Dan to examine the implications of COVID-19 on the economics of American cities. Why has the role of cities in battling pandemics changed dramatically over the past century? Will urban or rural communities recover more quickly after the economic shutdown ends? What is the best way to reduce the economic harm to workers who lost their incomes because of the shutdown? Should cities approach their housing and infrastructure policies differently going forward? Dr. Glaeser also sheds light on the more fundamental question of why cities exist in the first place. Dr. Edward Glaeser is the Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. He has published dozens of papers on the growth, law, and economics of cities. His work is focused on the determinants of city growth and the role of cities as centers of idea transmission. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago.

On this episode we dive right into the mind of Dave Rubin. How did Dave evolve from being a “woke” leftist to a free thinking defender of individual rights and limited government? What’s the difference between old school liberals and the progressive left that dominates the Democratic Party today? From starting out as a comedian struggling to make it in New York City, to the epiphany he had about the far left and outrage culture while working with the Young Turks, and now as the host of The Rubin Report and author of “Don’t Burn This Book: Thinking for Yourself in the Age of Unreason” - Dave has developed deep, fascinating insights into the motivations of the far left and their governing principles - or lack thereof.

Eric Hargan is the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and management of the department in addition to leading policy and strategy development. What does it actually takes to develop a test for a new virus like COVID-19? What’s the strategy for implementing nationwide testing? How are HHS regulations evolving to enable telehealth? Eric joined Dan to answer these questions and more.

Courtney Litvak was a junior in high school when her life took a downward spiral into the world of drugs and sex trafficking. With help from her faith and family, she pulled herself out of that world and dedicated her life to educating and supporting families who are affected by this crime. On April 24th, Courtney was appointed by President Trump to serve on the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. Courtney joined Dan to talk about her journey, explain how sex traffickers target their victims, and the red flags to watch out for. Courtney debunks all the stereotypes about sex trafficking that we see in movies like Taken. The truth is it is a crime which can happen in any neighborhood, anywhere in America. Courtney Litvak serves as Ambassador to Childproof America, an organization which empowers families in the battle against sex trafficking. Learn more at www.childproofamerica.org.

While considerations of health are of the utmost importance during a pandemic, they may not tell the full story. Millions of Americans face increasing economic challenges in the face of COVID-19, and questions are looming as how best to respond. In this episode,  Dr. Russ Roberts of the Hoover Institution and Rep. Crenshaw discuss the current economic crisis, as well as past economic struggles. What constitutes human flourishing and truly "living"? Do our usual economic metrics take into account the "intangibles" or rather, those factors which are not traditionally quantified? Which economic policies would make the most sense right now, given the relatively unknown nature of this pandemic? How have long-standing, warped incentives within the healthcare industry contributed to our current supply chain woes? Dr. Roberts answers these questions, as well as a host of others.  Dr. Russ Roberts is a Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and hosts the weekly podcast EconTalk.  He has written extensively, including his latest book Gambling With Other People’s Money: How Perverse Incentives Caused the Financial Crisis, which examines the role that historical bailouts played in fueling the 2008 crisis. He has taught at George Mason University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Rochester, Stanford University, and UCLA. Dr. Roberts earned his PhD from the University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy joined Dan to give a behind the scenes look at the negotiations surrounding the latest coronavirus relief package and to detail how Speaker Nancy Pelosi was responsible for needless delay once again. We asked Speaker Pelosi to join this podcast to offer the Democrat side of the story but the Speaker was not available. She has an open invitation.

How do you change the minds of your political opponents? Scott Adams knows. He has spent a lifetime studying psychology and persuasion to gain advantages in fields as diverse as banking, cartooning, writing, and even hypnosis. Scott joined Dan for a fascinating conversation about the differences between how Republicans and Democrats think, the top persuasion techniques you can start using immediately, and what coronavirus is teaching us about human motivations and decision-making. Scott Adams is the creator of the comic strip “Dilbert” and author of “Loserthink - How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America.” Follow him on Twitter at @ScottAdamsSays.

What would America’s response to the coronavirus pandemic look like under a Medicare for All/single payer system? Could we have responded to the crisis faster? Would we have the health care capacity (doctors, hospitals, equipment) to meet the demands of patients? How does our response compare to other countries which do have single payer systems? Chris Jacobs, author of “The Case Against Single Payer,” returns to the podcast to examine the Democrats' claims that our country would be better off with Medicare for All, or even Joe Biden’s expanded buy-in version, during the COVID-19 crisis. Chris Jacobs is founder and CEO of Juniper Research Group. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisjacobsHC.

As CEO of Huntsman Corp., a multinational chemicals and plastics manufacturer, Peter Huntsman understands exactly how our global supply chains are intertwined with our foreign policy. Peter joins Dan to talk about China, and how to deal with America’s largest trading partner and adversary. He also shares in-depth knowledge on the real cost of recycling, and Dan offers a thought experiment for how cities should choose when to lift their lockdowns. Mr. Huntsman is also the Chairman and CEO of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, which raises funds for and supports the ongoing research, treatment and educational programs of the world-renowned Huntsman Cancer Institute. He is also CEO of the Huntsman Foundation, which, most recently, committed $150 million to the University of Utah to establish the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, which is expected to become a nationally-recognized leader in mental health research, care, education and community outreach.

In this quick episode, Dan gives the information you need to know to fire back at the left wing media’s latest talking points which claim that the White House’s coronavirus response in February is the reason our nation is suffering so much today.

Dan returns for another solo episode to answer your questions. What should Phase 2 of America’s coronavirus response look like? What about the next “stimulus package?” Productivity tips while you’re stuck in lockdown? How do glass eyes work? All that and much more! Send your questions for the next Q&A episode to @RepDanCrenshaw on Twitter or via our website www.crenshaw.house.gov.

Dr. Frank Luntz ran his first focus group in 1988 and ever since then he has made it his life’s work to understand how people think and behave. That knowledge has never been more relevant than it is today as Americans become increasingly divided over politics and now even the response to COVID-19. Dr. Luntz joined Dan for a fascinating conversation about how we got to this point and what it takes to fix it. Dr. Luntz has written, supervised, and conducted more than 2,500 surveys, focus groups, ad tests, and dial sessions in more than two dozen countries on six continents over the past 20 years. His political knowledge and skills are recognized globally, and he has served as an election consultant and commentator in Canada, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Australia, Venezuela, and Ukraine. He has been a guest on virtually every talk show in America, including multiple appearances on The Daily Show and Real Time with Bill Maher, as well as 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, Meet the Press, Nightline, The Today Show, the PBS News Hour, and Face the Nation.

Every American city is different in terms of its transportation infrastructure and population density, two variables (among many others) which have major implications for the spread of COVID-19. So to what extent should the response to this crisis be handled by the federal government vs state and local governments? Former County Judge Ed Emmett, who led the recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area in 2017, joins Dan to examine this complicated question and talk about the urgent need for governments to begin looking ahead to re-opening the economy and allowing Americans to get back to work. Judge Emmett is an expert in emergency management at the local level, serving for almost 12 years as the County Judge for Harris County - the third most populous county in the country. He currently serves as a professor of public policy at The Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University.

Dana Perino has a unique perspective of American journalism, having served on both sides of the pulpit - first as press secretary under President George W. Bush and now as the anchor of The Daily Briefing and co-host of The Five on Fox News. Dana joined Dan to talk about the coronavirus coverage, the media’s crisis of credibility, and what she learned as press secretary in the White House.

The restaurant industry is in deep pain right now and the future looks very uncertain. Dan spoke with Chris Shepherd, award winning chef and owner of four Houston restaurants that employed 200 people before the shutdown, to learn about the creative approaches his business has taken to weather the crisis. Chris explains the tough economics of running a restaurant, policy ideas that would help businesses like his survive the shutdown, and the most effective ways to support your local restaurants and their employees during this crisis. Chris Shepherd’s charitable foundation ‘Southern Smoke’ has donated more than $2 million to those in the food and beverage industry in crisis and to the National MS Society. In 2014 he won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest for his contributions to the incredibly diverse Houston culinary scene.

A binary choice is often given in the conversations about the right pathway to defeat the coronavirus: we must prioritize lives over the economy or the economy over lives. Political theorist Dr. Danielle Allen joins Dan to describe a third pathway - treating the virus as a major national security threat and aggressively building an infrastructure for fighting and surviving the pandemic. A wartime mentality that shifts our economy to the production of testing capacity and test administration, personal protective equipment, and tools for case identification and contact tracing. Dr. Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, and Director of Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, is a political theorist who has published broadly in democratic theory, political sociology, and the history of political thought. Widely known for her work on justice and citizenship in both ancient Athens and modern America, Allen is the author of The World of Prometheus: The Politics of Punishing in Democratic Athens (2000), Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown vs. the Board of Education (2004), Why Plato Wrote (2010), Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality (2014), Education and Equality (2016), and Cuz: The Life and Times of Michael A. (2017). She is the co-editor of the award-winning Education, Justice, and Democracy (2013, with Rob Reich) and From Voice to Influence: Understanding Citizenship in the Digital Age (2015, with Jennifer Light). She is a former Chair of the Mellon Foundation Board, past Chair of the Pulitzer Prize Board, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Allen is also the principal investigator for the Democratic Knowledge Project, a distributed research and action lab at Harvard University. The Democratic Knowledge Project seeks to identify, strengthen, and disseminate the bodies of knowledge, skills, and capacities that democratic citizens need in order to succeed at operating their democracy.

Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban joins Dan to give an inside look into what it takes to win on the long running reality show, shares his advice for entrepreneurs and small businesses trying to make it through the economic shutdown, and talks about how American manufacturing can stay competitive against countries like China and India in the coming decades.

Nancy Pelosi accused President Trump of “delay” and “denial” in the response to COVID-19. The political media was quick to repeat these talking points. But is that really the case? Were Democrats and the media sounding the alarm on coronavirus before the Trump Administration? Where did Democrats focus their attention as the White House ramped up their efforts to address coronavirus? I answer those questions with a detailed timeline of the Trump Administration’s response to this pandemic, and compare the president’s actions with the priorities of Speaker Pelosi over the last several weeks.

Latest Gallup polling reveals that, among U.S. institutions and leaders, American media has the lowest approval rating in terms of its response to the coronavirus. Which aspects of the media's reporting on COVID-19 account for such unpopularity? How has the media's historical coverage of the Trump administration contributed to its current predicament? As we balance health and economic concerns amidst a pandemic, what kind of nuanced questions should the media be asking, but due to partisan "gotcha" games, are not? David Harsanyi shares his insight on these questions, as well as his take on the coronavirus relief package passed by Congress last week.  David Harsanyi is a senior writer for National Review and a former senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of four books. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Weekly Standard, National Review, Reason, New York Post, and numerous other publications. David has appeared on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News and dozens of radio talk shows across the country. 

With the revelation that China has suppressed and manipulated the data on COVID-19, how do we, or any nation, trust China under the Chinese Communist Party? And what are the reasons behind the World Health Organization and many American politicians and media outlets parroting the CCP’s propaganda about the virus? China expert Gordon Chang joins us to answer these questions and examine how China is exploiting the virus to its geopolitical advantage. Gordon Chang is a columnist, author, and lawyer who lived and worked in China and Hong Kong for almost two decades. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and National Review and he is the author of The Coming Collapse of China. Find him on twitter at @GordonGChang.

In this very special episode, Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. joins Dan to talk about adapting to life in quarantine (hint: the training doesn’t stop, it just gets more creative). They dive into their workout routines, injury stories, and the right balance for celebrities and politics. Dan also shares further proof that he is in fact Wolverine.

Social Security is projected to be insolvent in 2035 - which means that millennials and gen z paying into the program today may never receive its benefits. Dr. Charles Blahous returns to the show to talk about how we got to this point, and a realistic plan to save the program for future generations. Dr. Charles Blahous is the J. Fish and Lillian F. Smith Chair and Senior Research Strategist at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where he specializes in domestic economic policy and retirement security, as well as federal fiscal policy, entitlements, and health care programs. Blahous is the author of Social Security: The Unfinished Work and Pension Wise: Confronting Employer Pension Underfunding and Sparing Taxpayers the Next Bailout, as well as the influential studies The Costs of a National Single-Payer Healthcare System and The Fiscal Consequences of the Affordable Care Act.

Single-payer health care systems, such as Medicare-for-All, have long been pursued by far-left activists - but until recently remained on the fringes of the Democratic Party. Now it is front and center in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary and openly advocated for in mainstream media. What would really happen if we gave the federal government complete control of our health care system? Health care expert Chris Jacobs joins Dan to shed light on a policy that would have dramatic consequences for every American. Chris Jacobs, the Founder and CEO of Juniper Research Group, has spent more than 15 years studying health care on and off Capitol Hill. He has analyzed health policy and legislation for some of the leading lights of the conservative movement—including Jim DeMint, Bobby Jindal, Mike Pence, Pat Toomey, and Jeb Hensarling. He is the author of “The Case Against Single Payer - How ‘Medicare for All’ Will Wreck America’s Health Care System - And Its Economy”.

This is a special episode of the podcast. No guests this time, just Dan here to give you a very detailed overview of the stimulus bill. Find out what’s in it, what’s not in it, and how the Democrats have been lying through their teeth constantly in a game of petty politics. There is a ton of detail in this episode, so to help you sort through it we’ve included a breakdown of topics: 0:25 - Recap of what Democrats did this week to block passage of the stimulus bill. 3:12 - Why Americans need an economic rescue package and how this is very different from the 2008 bailout. 7:00 - What is really in the stimulus bill. 11:00 - The truth about Democrats claims that by delaying the bill’s passage they got stricter controls on provision of credit to big business. 16:45 - The long list of progressive items that had nothing to do with COVID-19 which the Democrats tried to add to the stimulus bill, like climate change studies and new emission standards for airlines. 19:35 - On the bill that passed the Senate on Wednesday night (almost the same bill which could have been passed last weekend but for the Democrats delays). Details in the bill: 24:53 - Individual tax rebates 27:25 - Expansion of unemployment benefits 30:37 - Small business loans 32:40 - Housing support 33:38 - Support for medical professionals on the front lines 35:30 - Loans to distressed industries 37:14 - Education and student loan relief Frequently asked questions about the bill: 39:00 - Is there really $25 million allocated to give Congress a raise? 39:38 - How does the bill help restaurants? 40:00 - What does the bill do to support airline workers and keep the airline industry afloat? 40:30 - What about the impact on non-profits like the YMCA? 40:47 - Does the bill include funding for PPE, grant CMS authority to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, and increase tele-health? 41:25 - Does the bill provide for student loan cancellation? 42:13 - Does it provide relief for health clubs and studios? 42:33 - What kind of stuff did Nancy Pelosi get into the bill that has nothing to do with COVID relief? 43:22 - Is there a loophole for Planned Parenthood to get funding? 43:37 - Will individuals who were injured and unable to work last year be eligible for stimulus? 43:51 - Is there a way for an individual to prove that their finances are substantially less than in the previous tax year, so that they can be considered eligible for the stimulus? 44:38 - Will this bill include Pelosi’s pork? Will there be consideration for the Green New Deal? 45:08 - Why are we bailing out cruise ships that are registered in other countries so they can avoid paying taxes? 45:34 - Are people that own their own businesses eligible for the crisis assistance? 45:45 - How will the assistance be disbursed? Will it be automatically deposited or will they have to apply for it individually? 45:59 - What about adults that don’t report anything to the IRS because their sole income comes from Social Security? 46:08 - Concluding thoughts about the bill and the way forward from here.

Dr. Richard Ludwick, President of the University of St. Thomas, joins Dan to talk about how his campus is adapting and responding to the threat of COVID-19, why skin in the game is so important for students choosing the major that will define their career, and how St. Thomas creates a culture of free and open dialogue among students in an era when identity politics and outrage culture are destroying many campuses.

Dan went on the Joe Pags Show to discuss one of the most cynical, disgusting, malevolent actions committed by Democrats in recent history: blocking the urgent relief needed for Americans out of work, businesses of all sizes, and our health care system. Call the office of every Democrat in Congress. Do not let them get away with this. Special thanks to Joe Pags for allowing us to re-broadcast his interview. Follow him on Twitter @JoeTalkShow.

On Sunday night the Democrats torpedoed a bipartisan emergency bill that would have increased unemployment benefits, provided payroll and rent for small businesses, and financial assistance for millions of American households. Oren Cass joins us to discuss these and other stimulus measures which would bring desperately needed economic relief to Americans in the age of COVID-19. We also have a wide-ranging conversation about everything from the real cost of climate change to whether or not the gig economy is undermining American industries, and much more. Oren Cass is the executive director of American Compass, whose mission is to restore an economic orthodoxy that emphasizes the importance of family, community, and industry to the nation’s liberty and prosperity. From 2015 to 2019, Cass was a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where his work on strengthening the labor market addressed issues ranging from the social safety net and environmental regulation to trade and immigration to education and organized labor. Cass regularly writes for publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Affairs, and National Review, speaks at universities, and testifies before Congress. He is the author of The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America.