Article One with Molly Hooper

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Latest Episodes:

Ep. 14: Former White House Legislative Affairs Director Eric Ueland Feb 02, 2021

Eric Ueland has worn many hats in the U.S. Capitol. Big. Hats.

Chief of Staff to former Senate Majority Leader.
Staff Director of Senate Committee.
Legislative Affairs Director to former President Donald Trump.

Eric Ueland is well-known to Capitol Hill insiders. They would agree he is one of the most appropriate individuals to break down what-the-heck-is-going-on-in-the-Senate.

During his career in the U.S. Capitol, Ueland, known for his extensive knowledge of Senate history, always had time to explain arcane procedural rules to reporters, staffers and lawmakers.

Over the years, Ueland, an Oregon native, served as chief of staff for former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). staff director of the Senate Budget Committee and legislative affairs director for former President Donald Trump.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Ueland describes how a 50-50 Senate can operate in a time of deep division in the country. He lifts the curtain on how the White House works with Congress to get deals done e.g. the CARES Act. And he touches on the current impeachment charges against his former boss.

Take a listen and let me know what you think.

Special Guest: Former Legislative Affairs Director Eric Ueland.

Links:

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) tribute to Ueland on Senate Floor — "Eric is gifted with a passion for history, a thirst for knowledge, and a high reverence for the Senate. These talents have made him a uniquely capable adviser and leader in the majority leader's office. He contextualizes every Senate debate, recalls appropriate precedent, and draws parallels to moments in history. A nameplate is discretely displayed on his desk, and the name it bears: ``Information.'" - Bill Frist on the Senate Floor

Ep. 13: Former Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer Jan 16, 2021

Former U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Terry Gainer talks with Article One as Congress reels in the aftermath of an unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Gainer, who led the USCP as police chief from 2002-2006 and then served as Senate Sergeant at Arms (SAA) from 2007-2014, shares his informed insights on the Jan 6th attack, its aftermath and what may come next to protect the thousands of staffers, lawmakers and support staff who work on the Capitol Complex.
He says an outside, independent investigation, similar to the 9-11 Commission, is needed to discover the failures of intelligence and to recommend measures to prevent a similar attack from occurring in the future.
Gainer also touches on the morale of his friends and former colleagues on the USCP force.
Please take a listen and let me know what you think.

Special Guest: Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer.

Ep. 12: Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) Jan 03, 2021

House Administration Committee Ranking Member Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) knows tough elections, tested friendships and the value of family.
The top-ranking Republican on the Administration Committee talks to Article One about challenges facing a narrowly divided 117th Congress ... including the decision to seat or not seat Iowa Rep.-elect Marianne Miller-Meeks.
Davis spoke with Article One in late December.

Special Guest: Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) .

Ep. 11: Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Dec 18, 2020

Rep. Peter Welch was elected to the House in 2006, when Democrats regained control of the chamber from Republicans. He was one of Speaker Pelosi's "majority makers." Nearly 15 years later, the Vermont lawmaker is cited as a member who works with both sides of the aisle to take care of business.
He even shares with us his experience in ultimate bipartisan team building ... it entails descending 1000ft underground in a little elevator with a trusted GOP colleague.
You will find the story approximately 13 minutes in to the show.
Take a listen and please leave a rating or review! It really helps others find Article One.

Special Guest: Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) .

Links:

Rep. Welch's sponsored bills that have become law.
Laws co-sponsored by Rep. Welch — This number is much larger because Rep. Welch was one of a number of lawmakers to co-sponsor bills that were signed into law.

Ep. 10: Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) Dec 04, 2020

House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) chats with ARTICLE ONE - he says his party isn't very good at "empathy."

Yarmuth, serving in his seventh term, represents Kentucky's 3rd Congressional district, based in Louisville.

The former journalist spoke with me in a lengthy discussion. In our conversation, Yarmuth reveals the dynamics among the Kentucky congressional delegation (reminder, Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) and Sen. Rand Paul (R) belong to that bunch), how his Bourbon Caucus actually influences policy, what reconciliation could mean if Democrats win back control of the Senate and how earmarks helped rebuild parts of his Louisville-based district.

Take a listen - let me know what you think. If you enjoy what you hear, please share this podcast with a friend or colleague and leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts.

Special Guest: Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) .

Links:

Kentucky's Third District

Ep. 9: Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) Nov 19, 2020

Outgoing Florida Rep. Ted Yoho was elected to Congress in 2012 and is leaving the House at the end of the year. Yoho is making good on his self-imposed limit to only serve four terms.

Over the past eight years, the former veterinarian has weathered controversy, challenged leaders in both parties and reached across the aisle to strike deals on key legislation.

In our wide-ranging discussion, Yoho discusses his most recent controversy (involving popular progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aka AOC), defying odds and aspects he will miss most once his term in the House ends.

Take a listen and let me know what you think.

Special Guest: Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) .

Ep. 8: Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) Nov 12, 2020

Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.) plays a very important role in the Congress. As a "cardinal," the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations subcommittee chairman is in charge of more than $70 billion worth of departmental and agency funding.
Serrano spoke with me recently and made the case for a return of earmarks, how the Congressional Hispanic Caucus works and what it takes to get a mascot in the district with its own twitter feed.
He also explains how it is possible to enact policy changes related to police reform through the FY'21 Appropriations bill.
Take a listen, leave a rating or review and please let me know what you think.

Special Guest: Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.) .

Links:

Congressman José E. Serrano | Representing the 15th District of New York

Ep. 7: Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) Nov 03, 2020

Florida GOP Rep. Francis Rooney won't say which presidential candidate he is voting for on Election Day. The outgoing lawmaker opted NOT to run for re-election this year.

After only four years in Congress, Rooney tells Article One that he made good on his campaign promises and it's time to call it quits.

In this reflective interview, Rooney parts ways with the new GOP and presses the party to reengage on an issue it once owned: the environment.

Take a listen and let me know what you think.

Special Guest: Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) .

Ep. 6: Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) Oct 29, 2020

House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, a self-described liberal, Democrat from Massachusetts, talks with Article One about getting things done in Congress. Like previous guests, McGovern says the key is to reach across the aisle.
In our wide-ranging discussion, McGovern - who has more than 20 years of lawmaking under his belt - shares stories of prior victories, setbacks and civility. He takes listeners behind-the-curtain to learn how deals are struck and ideas become law.
Shortly after the coronavirus pandemic closed down business in much of the country, McGovern was tasked with figuring out how the House of Representatives could continue operating - holding hearings and casting votes - at a time when travel was perilous for lawmakers. And, he did.
We discuss the success of remote voting, the potential of an economic stimulus measure, the projects McGovern has won for his Worcester-based district and his "hope" that earmark spending will return to Congress.
Our conversation took place in mid-October.
Please take a listen and let me know what you think.

Special Guest: Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) .

Links:

Ep. 5: Rep. Greg Walden Oct 28, 2020

Outgoing Oregon Republican lawmaker Greg Walden has worn many hats in the House over his two decades serving in the House of Representatives. The top-ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee spoke at length with Article One recently.
During the conversation, Walden discussed the recent wildfires that hit his massive Eastern Oregon district, how COVID-19 has impacted his congressional district, how to work effectively in the House and actually have bills signed into law.
Walden also talks about working across partylines, how President Donald Trump has impacted Capitol Hill and how the administration has dealt with the coronavirus pandemic.
As the top-ranking GOP lawmaker on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden has had unique experience overseeing the administration's handling of COVID-19.
And ... Walden shares his favorite parliamentary tools ...

Special Guest: Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) .

Links:

Cosponsored bills that became law — Per Congress.gov 143 bills that Walden co-sponsored have become law
Walden sponsored bills that became law
Walden sponsored bills that passed the House
Walden co-sponsored bills that passed one chamber - 561
Walden co-sponsored bills introduced in house - 1838
Co-sponsored bills that failed - 10 ...

Ep. 4: Rep. Anthony Brindisi Oct 16, 2020

New York's 22nd Congressional District Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D) joins Article One to discuss his accomplishments for the district, a COVID relief package, bipartisanship, effective legislating, broadband, who he would support for Speaker among other topics.

Special Guest: Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.) .

Ep. 3: Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) Oct 16, 2020

Arizona's Sixth Congressional District Rep. David Schweikert (R) joins Article One to discuss optimism, bipartisanship, COVID relief, Valley Fever, ideological extremes, mail in voting, House ethics violation, among other things.

Arizona's 6th District

Special Guest: Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) .

Ep. 2: Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) Oct 16, 2020

Virginia's 7th District Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) joins Article One to discuss among other things, constituent work, legislating, broadband, bipartisanship, law enforcement, her next vote for Speaker, outlook on a COVID relief deal before Election Day and how her CIA experience helps her operate effectively in the House.

Special Guest: Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) .

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