PG108: Health Bills, Meetings with Russians, FBI Confirmation Hearings, & Mike’s Favorite Regulatory Agency

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This week’s show starts off with a look at the latest iteration of the Senate health care bill. While there are some changes from the initial version, Mike is still opposed, Jay is still ‘eh’ and neither of them think it has the votes to pass – at least not without seriously sweetening the pot for some GOP senators and their states.

After that, it’s a look at the recent revelations about Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian government connected attorney claiming to have damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Both Jay and Mike agree that it was incredibly stupid for Trump Jr. to not only take the meeting, but to indicate his eager interest to take the meeting in email. The best possible light to put this in is that the Trump administration is, at the highest level – composed of rank amateurs. The more ominous interpretation is that top Trump campaign operatives knew what they were doing was wrong, but assumed they wouldn’t get caught.

After that, it’s a look at the confirmation hearing for FBI Director nominee Christopher Wray – both the Guys agree he’s a fine choice – and discussion of whether the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Mike’s favorite regulatory agency) is doing consumers a favor with a new rule banning mandatory arbitration.

What Jay’s Reading
Windfall: The End of the Affair. William F. Buckley

What Mike’s Reading
James Mattis Mercer Island High School interview
Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal (documentary)

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This episode is sponsored by Brooklinen – Mike’s new favorite sheets. For $20 off and free shipping, use promo code tpg at brooklinen.com

2 thoughts on “PG108: Health Bills, Meetings with Russians, FBI Confirmation Hearings, & Mike’s Favorite Regulatory Agency”

  1. Started listening about a month ago and decided to become a member because I believe in the work you guys are doing. More intelligent and open-minded discourse is our only hope going forward. Feel like maybe you guys are getting a little too bogged down in the Trump-Russia stuff, which seems more like stupidity by team Trump (shocking!) than anything else, but it’s a minor quibble.

    I really enjoy the show (especially the ones with Trey). Thank you and I hope you do this for a long time!

    1. Thanks Doug! We try to keep the Trump / Russia stuff to a reasonable level, but I understand how at this point even small doses can be awfully tiresome. – Mike

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