The Biden administration is under fire after a website to help keep federal funding of union work transparent disappeared. The federal site in question tracks what is called “official time,” a term for when taxpayer-funded federal employees use part of their work hours to work on behalf of a public union. The Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit group that works on these issues, released a report on the Biden administration change. The tracking site was on the Office of Personnel Management’s website...
Dec 03, 2023•6 min•Ep. 203
A new Biden administration rule forces schools to comply with progressive ideology on gender and sexuality or risk losing the federal aid for free and reduced-price school lunches. Legal observers say this is just the first in a slew of new rules on the horizon tying federal education funding to far-left policies on gender and sexuality. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support...
Dec 02, 2023•9 min•Ep. 202
House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has released email communication showing that a bank investigator raised concerns about Hunter Biden's overseas deals with a China-linked company. Comer's office said one of his several subpoenas to Biden family members and associates uncovered an email where a bank investigator raised concerns about "$5 million funding from Northern International Capital Holdings, a CEFC affiliated entity linked to the Chinese government, and the subseque...
Dec 01, 2023•9 min•Ep. 201
A new economic analysis of the U.S. economy projects a recession around the corner. An international nonprofit, The Conference Board, has released its Leading Economic Indicators report, which projects into the next year for the U.S. economy. That analysis, among other things, projects high inflation, high interest rates and declining consumer spending. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support...
Nov 23, 2023•8 min•Ep. 200
An update on the ongoing U.S. House investigation into the business dealings of President Biden's family. Stay up to date with this story and more at TheCenterSquare.com. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support
Nov 22, 2023•9 min•Ep. 199
Voters trust former President Donald Trump more than President Joe Biden on the economy, immigration, national security, foreign affairs and crime. Biden, however, is more trusted on health care, climate change, education and abortion. Those findings come from The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll , conducted in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support...
Nov 18, 2023•9 min•Ep. 198
The crisis at the southern border, the growing threat of terrorism, and overseas conflicts that could entangle the U.S. are among the growing threats to national security, U.S. House lawmakers were told at a Wednesday hearing. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray and National Counterterrorism Director Christine Abizaid testified at the hearing about the danger of worldwide threats spilling into the U.S. Support this podcast: https://podcaste...
Nov 17, 2023•9 min•Ep. 197
U.S. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., signed and issued subpoenas Wednesday for Hunter Biden, the president’s son, James Biden, the president’s brother, and their business associate Bob Walker. Pointing to released bank records and testimony from IRS whistleblowers and Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s business associate, Comer says the Biden family and associates received more than $24 million that was shuffled between about 20 shell companies. Support this podcast: https://podcas...
Nov 12, 2023•10 min•Ep. 196
Five Republican candidates trailing former President Donald Trump in the polls took to the debate stage to talk about foreign and domestic policy while trading barbs Wednesday in the third GOP debate. Trump skipped the debate Wednesday in Miami as he did the first two debates. The candidates on the stage – former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina – had plen...
Nov 11, 2023•10 min•Ep. 195
Former Ambassador and Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis both perform better against President Joe Biden in a hypothetical general election matchup than former President Donald Trump, according to The Center Square Voters' Voice poll. Conducted in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights, the poll found that in a hypothetical general election head-to-head faceoff, Biden would have 48% support among likely voters compared to Trump’s 44%. However, DeSantis does better in the same fac...
Nov 10, 2023•9 min•Ep. 194
U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., will introduce legislation Friday to block President Joe Biden’s “Climate Corps.” The bill, given in advance to The Center Square, would “prohibit federal funds from being made available for the Justice40 Initiative or for the American Climate Corps.” Biden announced in September he was formally creating the Climate Corps, promising to hire a “diverse generation” of 20,000 workers to improve the environment. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show...
Nov 05, 2023•9 min•Ep. 193
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote as early as Thursday on a controversial spending measure to send funds to Israel and pay for it by cutting from the Internal Revenue Service. The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act is the most contentious move yet backed by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in his new leadership role, a move that President Joe Biden has vocally opposed and which will face significant opposition in the Senate. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.s...
Nov 04, 2023•7 min•Ep. 192
Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chief Mark Morgan estimates the number of people who entered the U.S. illegally and evaded capture in fiscal 2023 is closer to one million, much higher than the "over 600,000" that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told U.S. senators at a Tuesday hearing. Morgan told The Center Square Wednesday in response to questions about Mayorkas' testimony that official known gotaway data could hit one million in fiscal 2023, and the nearl...
Nov 03, 2023•11 min•Ep. 191
The Pentagon released a statement late Thursday saying the U.S. military had struck two sites in Eastern Syria known to house Iranian-linked forces. Those strikes come after a series of attacks on U.S. troops in the region from forces linked to Iran. "Today, at President Biden's direction, U.S. military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups," the Pentagon said in a statement. "These p...
Oct 29, 2023•8 min•Ep. 190
More than 10 million people have been reported illegally entering the United States since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, the greatest number in history and of any administration. They total more than the individual populations of 41 states. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support
Oct 28, 2023•10 min•Ep. 189
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has laid out his vision for the House and legislative goals, but he faces the daunting task of reuniting a divided party in a slim majority and funding the government before the partial shutdown deadline in the middle of November. Before the vote to elect Johnson as speaker on Wednesday, Johnson sent a memo to his fellow Republicans asking for their support and promising an “ambitious” legislative agenda. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.co...
Oct 27, 2023•10 min•Ep. 188
The federal government is warning Americans to "exercise increased caution" when traveling overseas as tensions mount over Israel's war with the terrorist group Hamas in the Mideast." Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution," the department said in a " Worldwide Caution " alert pos...
Oct 22, 2023•8 min•Ep. 187
Republican members of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security say they are continuing to produce evidence to support their claim that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is derelict in his duty and should be removed from office. In July, the committee published its first report detailing the laws and court orders the committee says Mayorkas has “ignored, abused or failed to follow.” Members cite alleged violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), including an abuse ...
Oct 21, 2023•8 min•Ep. 186
U.S. House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told reporters Thursday afternoon that he would in fact keep running for speaker and hold another floor vote, despite reports that he was considering postponing his effort. The news came after Jordan reportedly said behind closed doors he would back the speaker pro Tempore, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. for a limited temporary speakership role so that lawmakers can hit key funding deadlines coming this year. Support this podcast: https://podcast...
Oct 20, 2023•7 min•Ep. 185
More known or suspected terrorists have been apprehended at the northern and southwest borders in fiscal 2023 than any other fiscal year in recorded history. In fiscal 2023, 659 known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) were apprehended attempting to illegally enter the U.S. – with the majority being apprehended at the northern border, according to CBP data last updated Sept. 15. The fiscal year ended Sept. 30. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support...
Oct 15, 2023•7 min•Ep. 184
President Joe Biden addressed the Hamas terror attacks in Israel during a speech from the White House Tuesday, pledging the support of the U.S. and saying that at least 14 American citizens had been killed and that some were being held hostage. Biden condemned the "brutality of Hamas" calling it "abhorrent" and comparing it to ISIS terrorism. "Women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies, families hid their fear for hours and hours desperately trying to keep their children quiet to avoid drawing ...
Oct 14, 2023•8 min•Ep. 183
U.S. House Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., was the leading contender to be the speaker of the House Thursday morning, but by the evening, news broke that he was dropping his bid for the position. Multiple lawmakers and media outlets reported Scalise's announcement, which he made to a group of reporters at the Capitol late Thursday. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is a key contender as well, but at least for now, neither seems able to nab the 217 needed votes to beco...
Oct 13, 2023•7 min•Ep. 182
Newly released inflation data breaks down how much prices have increased in each state. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released new data Wednesday for how the Personal Consumption Expenditure, a key marker of inflation, rose in each state last year. According to the BEA, PCE is a measure of the prices Americans pay for goods and services. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support...
Oct 08, 2023•7 min•Ep. 181
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is waiving 26 federal laws to finish completing a wall in the Rio Grande Valley in an area where it halted construction over two years ago. It announced the change in the Federal Register on Thursday after receiving pressure from Democratic elected officials. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support...
Oct 07, 2023•10 min•Ep. 180
U.S. House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La, both announced Wednesday their bid to replace Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as Speaker of the House. A vote for a new speaker is reportedly not expected until Oct. 11, giving lawmakers about a week to plan their next move. McCarthy, who was pushed out after striking a deal with Democrats to keep the government open, said he does not plan to run again for the position. Support this podcast: https://podcasters...
Oct 06, 2023•9 min•Ep. 179
During a rapid-fire two-hour debate, seven Republican presidential hopefuls exchanged canned one-liners and hurried remarks as they tried to stand out among a crowded field. Meanwhile, the elephant not in the room, former president Donald Trump, again opted out of the debate and stopped in Michigan to speak to a crowd of auto workers. Hosted by Fox Business and Univision, the Wednesday debate for top billing in the Republican Party presidential primary is a race for second, with the Real Clear P...
Oct 01, 2023•8 min•Ep. 178
U.S. House Republicans launched the first impeachment inquiry Thursday into President Joe Biden, who faces an array of allegations around bribery and financial impropriety related to personal business dealings spearheaded by his son, Hunter Biden. Republicans say they have significant evidence to back allegations that Hunter Biden received more than $20 million from several overseas entities in China, Ukraine, Russia and more. Hunter also faces gun and tax-related legal difficulties. Support thi...
Sep 30, 2023•8 min•Ep. 177
Lawmakers are scrambling to avoid a partial government shutdown this week. Funding for the federal government runs out at the end of September, Saturday at midnight, and lawmakers are still far from getting agreement on a deal that President Joe Biden can sign into law. In the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has been unable to persuade enough conservative Republicans to back his push for a Continuing Resolution, a temporary funding measure to buy time. Support this podcast: https://podc...
Sep 29, 2023•8 min•Ep. 176
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee announced its first impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden is scheduled for Sept. 28, next Thursday. The impeachment inquiry committee will have power to subpoena records and communications to dig up evidence and will likely be a thorn in Biden’s side heading into the 2024 election year. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support...
Sep 24, 2023•9 min•Ep. 175
Twenty-four Republican governors said illegal immigration burdens every state and asked President Joe Biden for "honest" and "accurate" information about the situation. A letter sent Tuesday blamed Biden's policies for a surge in illegal crossings at the southern border. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/america-in-focus/support
Sep 23, 2023•9 min•Ep. 174
