WashingTown

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How does the federal government support local justice? Jun 19, 2019

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In this episode of WashingTown, Congressman Ben McAdams talks with Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill about how the federal government supports local efforts to solve crimes and support victims.Mr. Gill discusses how federal money means better investigative techniques, more training and less trauma for victims of sexual assault, especially children. They have a wide-ranging discussion that reveals just how valuable it is to have local and federal officials working in tandem to solve problems.

The Voices of Dreamers Jun 13, 2019

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In this episode, Congressman Ben McAdams talks with Luis Garza, executive director of Comunidades Unidas (https://www.cuutah.org/) and several Utah students, who discuss how they feel about the House of Representatives passing the Dream and Promise Act. The Act gives those who were brought to the U.S. as children legal status and opportunities for permanent legal status in the only country most of them know. “The individuals known as Dreamers are our classmates, our coworkers, our neighbors and members of our congregations,” McAdams said after the bi-partisan bill passed on June 4, 2019. “Brought here as young children, this is the only home most of them have ever known. They are working, serving in the military, enrolled in college, and are giving back to the community. For too long, they have been in limbo about their future and this legislation offers a solution.”

Why does the federal deficit matter? Jun 06, 2019

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In this episode Congressman Ben McAdams talks with Phil Smith from the Concord Coalition (https://www.concordcoalition.org) about a budget workshop they held with some of McAdams’ constituents. The nonpartisan group advocates for fiscal responsibility and raises awareness about how federal money is actually being spent.In the workshop, about 40 people were divided into seven different committees that looked at how the federal government is funded and then they propose cuts. Smith and McAdams discuss the realities of a federal deficit, the Trump tax cuts and whether a balanced federal budget is a realistic possibility.

Lessons from an Olympic athlete May 30, 2019

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In this episode, Congressman Ben McAdams has a wide-ranging conversation that includes, building Olympians through youth programs, the mindset of a gold medalist, and how the lessons of sports and teamwork apply to the job we ask of our federal representatives. Congressman McAdams shares his frustration with the partisan language that undermines the spirit of cooperation and compromise. Derek Parra shares how representing the country should unite us in finding solutions rather than pit us against each other.

Across the Aisle with John Curtis May 24, 2019

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In this episode, Congressman Ben McAdams talks with another member of Utah’s Congressional delegation – Republican Rep. John Curtis. They discuss working together on Utah issues, and what gets in the way when they try to work across party lines at the federal level. They also discuss successes and current issues in this unique public discussion of Washington’s partisan system.

The 150-year wait: An immigrant’s quest May 09, 2019

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This is a conversation with Ashish Patel, who came to the U.S. on an H1B Visa, a visa that allows companies to hire highly skilled, specialized workers from around the world. He was granted status as an immigrant in 2011, but will wait decades for a green card without changes to the current immigration laws. In this conversation, Patel discusses his 10-year effort to change the immigraiton quota system that now means immigrants from countries like India would wait more than 150 years for a green card.He also discusses why his wife couldn’t work, and what it’s like to live with uncertainty. For some, he said, the U.S. system is too difficult to navigate, and recently many are opting to make their homes in Canada instead.

WashingTown Live, Part 2 May 02, 2019

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This episode is part two of a WashingTown live event. Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics discusses the Mueller report, trying to accomplish legislative goals in the wake of the report and future hearings, the reasons he feels a constitutional amendment is necessary to balance the federal budget, and how he deals with situations where his personal conscience conflicts with the demands of his constituents. He also talks about how the current political climate has made solving even the most minor problems more difficult, especially because of dysfunction in the Senate.

WashingTown Live, Part 1 of 2 Apr 25, 2019

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In this episode, Congressman Ben McAdams discusse shis first 100 days in office with Hinckley Institute of Politics director Jason Perry in front of an audience at KSL Broadcast House. Mr. Perry talks about the class that changed the congressman’s career path, his bipartisan roots and how difficult it has been to take the philosophy that made him successful in Utah to a deeply divided federal government.

Transportation – Troubles and Solutions Apr 18, 2019

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In this issue of WashingTown, Congressman Ben McAdams talks about being in Utah for a couple of weeks to discuss issues that require cooperation between local governments and federal lawmakers. In this episode, he talks transportation – infrastructure and issues – with Utah Transit Board of Trustees Carton Christensen, board chair; Beth Holbrook, and Kent Millington. They talk about some of the new and innovative projects UTA hopes to undertake and what some of the issues are when trying to help people find the ability to live mobile lives.

The Art of Testifying Before Congress Apr 11, 2019

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Attorney Mehrsa Baradaran discusses what it’s like to testifying in front of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions, a subcommittee on which McAdams serves. Her testimony came during discussions about the Community Reinvestment Act and what possible updates or changes might be necessary, especially if financial institutions don’t have incentives to help with issues that are not profitable for them. The author of books and academic papers on the subject, she talks about why she was asked to testify, and why it’s difficult to deal with the nuances of the issues in a committee hearing.

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