Democrats Turn the Tables in GOP Hearings

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0:45Well, you're back on the goddamn front page now with two innocent people gunned down in broad daylight.

0:52Ben Meiselas:That right there was Democratic Congress member Magaziner. He was not holding back. And yesterday, we saw Democrats at the various hearings before the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate really punching back hard now that Congress has finally returned back into session. Let me show you what went down. I want to share this with you as Democratic Senator Jack Reed was cross-examining Supreme Court justices who testified before the United States Senate yesterday. And here, Senator Reid reads the Supreme Court justices who were testifying in order to try to get more money for the Supreme Court for their own personal safety.

1:33Ben Meiselas:Senator Reid read Donald Trump's words and was saying, you do realize like this is one of the main reasons why your court and why so many judges across the country are facing severe threats. Here play this clip. I want to pick up on a point that Senator Collins made about some outrageous statements that are being made by public figures, and I can't think of a more prominent one than the President of the United States. So on February 20th, following your decision on tariffs, he said, disgrace to our nation, fools, lapdogs for the rhinos and radical left Democrats, and very unpatriarchic and disloyal to the Constitution.

2:11And he was describing the Supreme Court. court. On March 15, he posted, our country was unnecessarily ransacked by the United States Supreme Court, which is a little more than a weaponized and unjust political organization. Now, I don't agree with anything he said, but if there's anyone in the country that commands more attention, it's the president, and I think that behavior is very dangerous to the court and to our whole system, and I just want that to be part of the record. Justice Kagan, you asked for an opportunity. If I could, Senator, please. Wherever these come from, and, you know, whatever political figure says them, whatever party that political figure is a member of,

3:00these statements are really unhelpful. They're dangerous in terms of individual justices' security, and they're not appropriate in the way to treat a coordinated branch of government. I think that Chief Justice had a year-end statement last year where he talked about this issue, and he talked about criticism is fair game. I mean, go for it. Life in the big city is that you're subject to all kinds of criticism. But intimidation is a different thing entirely. And when political figures of any stripe are trying to intimidate judges and justices to do things that they like rather than the things that they don't, that's where we really have crossed the line.

3:49I think you're exactly right, Your Honor, and you said it well. You wanted a moment to talk about the process where the$28 million request was made through appropriation channels and then$30 million appeared suddenly through private channels. Please. Yeah, I think Justice Barrett referenced this a bit. And first off, we apologize if we did anything so procedurally improper. But the reason for the additional ask, if you will, was that we were suddenly confronted with the loss of U.S. Marshall protection. And we thought that we were going to have U.S. Marshall Protection at our residences for another six months and all of a sudden learned from the Justice Department that that was going to be impossible.

4:39And so we had to do some sort of quick footwork to try to get additional monies in order to cover that six-month gap. And as I say, if we did that in a way that was procedurally less than optimal, my apologies. Well, your security is more important than procedural niceties, so there's no issue here.

5:03Ben Meiselas:Next, I want to share with you in the House of Representatives, Democratic Congress member Pocan cross-examining the Small Business Administration administrator, Kelly Loeffler. Now, Kelly Loeffler is a billionaire. She actually hates small business, and that's usually the criteria for Donald Trump picking somebody at a specific position. He picks an attorney general who hates the law. He picks a health secretary who hates health. He picks a energy secretary who is corrupt as hell and just represents the interest of oil companies. He picks a health secretary who hates health. He picks an environmental protection agency head who hates the environment.

5:43Ben Meiselas:I can continue to go on. He picks a defense department secretary who couldn't even run a nonprofit for the troops. So let me share with you as Congress member Pocan grills Kelly Loeffler. Here play this clip. Who pays tariffs?

6:01Congressman, according to Harvard and the Richmond Fed, 80 % of the tariffs are paid by the foreign countries where they originate. That's why the United States was on its heels for 50 years.

6:11Ben Meiselas:That would be like me saying if you said, what color is my hair? I'd say I have long flowing red hair, right? Because it's complete BS, right? That's not true. Who pays tariffs? are these small businesses who've been impacted, 42 ,600 on average last September, and then they pass the costs on to consumers. So before I sold my business, when Donald Trump started his tariffs last year, I started getting increases on aluminum sheets. I did engraving. It was one of the parts that I did. It's specialty printing. But I also got increases, by the way, on American-made walnut plaques because they decided they could also make money while they're doing the increased costs on tariffs.

6:47Ben Meiselas:They could pass on some other costs. So that's part of the fun of being a small business, not a really, really, really rich big business. But when you're a small business, that's the kind of stuff you have to juggle. So I did see the impact in invoices. Every single day, I would see those coming in, and we paid those extra costs. Yard sign wires for politicians. We made political signs for folks. We saw the steel costs increase because of the tariffs. So I'm just saying for the average small business, there's been a big impact. And the fact that you're talking to businesses and not hearing this, I'll tell you, just bluntly, not even a member of Congress, as a guy who's a small business who ran a business to business venture, I heard it all the time and I still hear it all the time.

7:34Ben Meiselas:And I sit down and meet with my small businesses and my community. So what can I say to them when I say the SBA administrator says foreign countries are paying tariffs, you just are imagining it or you're lying? Because they're not imagining it and they're not lying. Well, Congressman, with all due respect, I'm going to set aside the reductive comments you made about small business success, because every small business is not clear. So you're saying, you'll take my time back, you're saying a small, the real small venture doesn't matter if the bankruptcies are 50%, you only care about big businesses?

8:05Ben Meiselas:Is that the new policy of the SBA? A collision repair company. Unless Donald Trump and his sons can invest in, it's not something you care about? Is that what you're saying? The division repair company, you voted against the working family tax cut where that repairman, where that auto mechanic is not. Oh, please. If you want to go there, I need five more minutes. You have no clue. Give me five more minutes and I'll ask you questions about that. Yeah, well, I yield back. This administration is fighting for the American worker. Think about small businesses. Now, I do want to show you that full speech by Congress member Magaziner because it was very impressive.

8:35Ben Meiselas:Here, let's play this clip. Mr. Speaker, in the last week, ICE agents shot and killed two more innocent people in broad daylight. In both cases, the people they shot and killed weren't even the people they were looking for. In both cases, they shot and killed people who were on their way to work in front of their families. In Houston last week, Lorenzo Salgado Arrejo, a construction worker who has lived in the United States for 35 years, a husband with three children, no criminal record. He was driving to work with the lunch that his wife had packed for him and his brother riding in the passenger seat when ICE agents rammed his vehicle and shot him because they thought he was someone else.

9:29And then yesterday in Maine, Joan Sebastian Guerrero, 26 years old, legally authorized to work in the United States. Legally authorized. Shot and killed by ICE agents who thought he was somebody else. In front of his wife and his three-year-old daughter who screamed, wearing her bluey pajamas while she watched her father bleed to death. How many more innocent people have to be killed in broad daylight? How many more children have to watch their parents shot to death by masked men too cowardly to show their faces? When will this madness stop? When he took his position, Secretary Mullen said that his goal was to get the department off the front page of the news.

10:24Well, you're back on the goddamn front page now with two innocent people gunned down in broad daylight. Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed. It is total chaos. And you know what? In both of these shootings in Texas and in Maine, none of the agents were wearing their body cameras. Congress gave them tens of millions of dollars for body cameras, and none of them were wearing them. Where's the accountability? And you want to know why we won't vote, why I won't vote to give funding to this lawless, reckless, dangerous agency? Mark my words, we are not going to be silent about what is happening.

11:11We are not going to forget until there is justice.

11:14Ben Meiselas:And next, I want to show you what went down when you had the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, testifying. And Democratic Congress member Gregory Miller Meeks was cross-examining Kevin Warsh. And he got Kevin Warsh to say on the record that I am going to put the law over Donald Trump, that I won't listen to Donald Trump's threats. Let me show you this good cross-examination by Congressman Meeks. Here, play this clip. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And congratulations, Mr. Chairman. Let me just jump into this, because in your testimony, you talked about the Federal Reserve's, and I quote, rightful independence in the conduct of monetary policy, which is good.

11:58Now, as the Chairman Hill has indicated, I also do some foreign affairs work.

12:05Ben Meiselas:And I'm very concerned about what's taking place in the Strait of Hamos and rising cost of gas, because we know that when those prices go up at the pump, it's higher transportation and energy costs, and they work their way through the economy, generally making groceries, higher-end household goods, etc. So it depends upon handling it. So if the administration's handling of the conflict with Iran contributes to another inflationary shock, will you make the decision you believe is in the best interest of the American people and the American economy in that rightful independent stance. Congressman, that is always our commitment to make the best decision we can, consistent with the remit and our understanding of the world.

12:50And as I said to the chairman of the outside, we'll deliver price stability. So, and that's, you know,

12:56Ben Meiselas:still based upon what we've seen from the president thus far. I just want to be clear, make sure that, because I got to be clear on this, that if the president publicly pressures you to pursue a different course than the one you believe is in the economic data supports, will you follow the president's wishes or follow the data? My commitment to you is to follow the law and follow the data, follow our very best judgment. And that's even if he publicly criticizes you for doing it. If you decide this is the way to go, this is where the data shakes, and he publicly criticizes you and tells you how disappointed he's in you and all of that, will you still do what the data tells you to do?

13:45I will, Congressman.

13:47Ben Meiselas:You ready for that? I'm ready to follow the law and I'm ready for the Fed to deliver on the expansive remit that you gave us. I'll make only one other note. We have a wide lens. We're interested in what's happening in the war. We're interested in what's happening in military conflicts around. We have to take that all in, but then we have to shut the door and make our very best decision. That's what we're going to do in a couple of weeks. And that's what we'll do in the remainder of my tenure. Here's something most people aren't told about their credit score. It's not just whether you pay your credit cards.

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15:02Ben Meiselas:And if something needs attention, you can take care of it right there. That's huge. So before you apply for anything, a car, apartment, refinance, it makes sense to start with smart credit. Go to smartcredit.com slash Midas and try it for just$1. You may be surprised to see how many points smart credit estimates that you can gain. That's smartcredit.com slash Midas. Results vary. Cancel anytime. Going back to the Leffler cross-exam now for a moment. Let me share with you as Congress member Steny Hoyer cross-examined Kelly Leffler right here. Let's play this clip. Have you received any directions from OMB at any time during the course of your administration at the SBA to not disperse funding that has been appropriated?

15:58Well, we're working closely both internally and externally. So we work with OMB. We work with our internal political and career colleagues to ensure that the funds are going out as directed, as intended by Congress. and that they meet the law and that they meet the executive orders. And so we have continued to look at meeting all those objectives and making sure that the programs, I think small businesses would be interested to know that some of the programs that were lined up for funding were things like the Binational Institute for Human Development, which supports illegal aliens in Guatemala and Mexico.

16:39Excuse me, Madam Administrator. I have limited time, and my question was pretty simple, which I don't think you've answered. And that is, have you been directed at any point in time since you have been the administrator of the SBA by OMB and Mr. Vote, not necessarily him personally, but OMB, to not expend money that had been appropriated by Congress? I have been directed to follow the law, and in doing so, I'm following the White House executive orders. I'm working internally, and we're making sure that everything that you have directed to get out gets out. But we are not going to blindly write blank checks like the last administration did to the Chinese Mutual Aid Society.

17:23I know. Let me reclaim my time because my time is short. You didn't answer the question. I didn't ask you whether you have done things that are prudent to do. I asked you, have you been directed by either Mr. Vote directly or OMB not to expend funds that were appropriated by the Congress of the United States? Now, you're avoiding. That's an either yes or no question. I think I've been very clear that we are following all requirements to get. No, that's not very clear. And I do not work directly on grant disbursements. And I'll be happy to have my team follow up with you to clarify. But all of the funding that we've committed to getting out, we are getting out.

18:05Let me be clear. The Biden administration did not get their money out.

18:09Ben Meiselas:More cross-examination here about Loeffler closing SBA offices in blue cities and blue states and not in red states and red cities, totally politicizing it. Let's play this clip. Now, with all due respect, you're closing up cities around the country. Is that in terms of your reorganization to which the chairman referred? Is that accurate? That's inaccurate. Okay, what is accurate? When I came in, we had 132 offices. I think people would be shocked to know that we had 132 offices, 29 of which had zero or one employee. Okay, are you closing offices? Yes, we absolutely are. Can you name me an office that you are closing that is in a blue city or blue district?

18:56One. We don't classify them by blue city. Can you name one? We are making several. The president said he did consider the politics. No, we're changing areas. Can you name one, Madam Administrator? I can name several. Yeah, I can tell you we have had to move out. What are they? Los Angeles, Portland, New York, Chicago, Atlanta. No, that we're closed. Can you name me one that is scheduled to be closed that is not in a blue district? Yeah, I'm sure I can. I'll be happy to get that district or city. We don't target them by blue or red. No, I understand, but it would be. Is there anyone working in that office?

19:44Let me give you an example. We had an office for four years that had no employees working in it. We didn't even have access. We couldn't open it with the key. Matter of fact, it was closed if you had no people working in it. We were paying, the taxpayers were paying for it. The taxpayers are now saving$32 million. Madam Administrator, with all due respect, I've asked you two direct questions. You have not answered either one of them. That's regrettable. I will send you some questions in writing. I would hope you would answer them. Thank you very much.

20:12Ben Meiselas:then we heard from congresswoman delaro let me share with you her cross-examination right here let's play it i i just see the process does seem to favor and these are not my words i can quote you judge judge eaton i mean that's what i i wish to say this to you if you could get to us a rundown of with the refunds who was getting those refunds the amount of the refunds and their category is a large business, small business, or whatever it is, who are the companies getting the trade refunds so that you can dispel what is public knowledge about these efforts, which you don't seem to know about. So the process seems to favor large companies with in-house customs experts outside trade council, while smaller business often lack the resources.

20:59I want to ask you, does SBA share that concern? I'm afraid I'm going to get the same answer about the thriving small businesses. Have SBA conducted any assessment of whether small businesses are disproportionately struggling to access tariff refunds compared to larger firms? Are you doing an assessment of that? It's yes or no. No, ma 'am. You're not doing an assessment of what's happening. What I see every day is will you commit? Will you commit to working with CBP to provide this committee with a report identifying how many small businesses have successfully received refunds and what are the barriers that remain?

21:36I will commit to continuing to advancing the interests of small businesses. No, no. This is CBP to provide this committee with a report. Can you get us a report? We're frequently asked to deliver reports. These reports are not wet. My staff will be happy to meet with your staff. I wonder. This committee needs a report of what's happening. I can tell you what's happening on the ground with small businesses. Oh, God, no. No, you can't. Small businesses do not have access to the same legal resources as Fortune 500 companies. Let me be clear, this isn't a question of whether or not someone supports or opposes tariffs.

22:07It's about ensuring that the small businesses that you represent and the manufacturers in Connecticut are treated fairly. Federal government owes them money. They shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get it back. It is that simple. Mr. Chairman, I requested a report. I hope the committee believes that we should get a report and understand what is happening with the tariff refunds for large businesses and small businesses. I yield back.