The Fly-In | Honest Reactions to a Crazy Week in Congress

Republican Reconciliation, Corruption, & Baseball with Rep. Mike Levin

Today, the New Democrat Coalition released Episode 14 of Season 2 of The Fly-In, hosted by Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Marc Veasey (TX-33). This week, Landsman and Veasey are joined by Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) to discuss Republicans’ legislation to give an additional $70 billion to ICE and CBP without any of the common-sense reforms Americans overwhelmingly support. Rep. Levin also talks about his recent visit to a detention center in San Diego, sharing some of the difficulties that Members of Congress face when trying to inspect facilities and speak with detainees. Importantly, this Republican bill does nothing to prevent President Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund and $1 billion taxpayer subsidy for his ballroom. As co-founder of the recently-formed End Corruption Caucus, Rep. Levin speaks on the blatant levels of corruption coming out of this administration, and what Congress needs to do to address it. In honor of the Congressional Baseball Game this week, Landsman and Veasey wrap up the show by asking Rep. Levin about early-morning team practices and quizzing him on his baseball knowledge. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newdemocratcoalition.substack.com [https://newdemocratcoalition.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Fly-In | Gerrymanders and Gumbo with New Orleans Rep. Troy Carter

This week, co-hosts Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) are joined by Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), who represents a district impacted by Republican lawmakers’ gerrymander effort in the wake of the Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court Decision. Carter gives an overview of the immediate effects of the demolition of the Voting Rights Act in his community and across the country, placing this moment in historical context and discussing the path forward for Democrats in the fight to restore voting rights. The Members then take on the Republican reconciliation bill that would give a $70 billion blank check to ICE and CBP without any of the reforms demanded by the American people. They connect this legislation to the Trump Administration’s widespread corruption, which sees Trump, his sons, and his allies raking in profits off of backroom deals and contracts while the American people suffer with higher prices and an unpredictable economy. Landsman and Veasey wrap up the show by quizzing Rep. Carter on one of his passions: gumbo. They cover Carter’s famous gumbo recipe and figure out the do’s and don’ts of cooking this iconic dish. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newdemocratcoalition.substack.com [https://newdemocratcoalition.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Fly-In | Voting Rights are Under Attack with Rep. Andrea Salinas

This week, co-hosts Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Greg Landsman (OH-01) are joined by Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), New Dem Leadership Member and the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. The Members start the episode with a discussion about the state of mental health in America, and delve into Congresswoman Salinas’s work in Congress to improve care, increase access, and lower costs. Then, the group transitions to a wide-ranging conversation about the nationwide efforts by Republican lawmakers in the wake of the Supreme Court’s destruction of the Voting Rights Act. They talk about how Republicans in states like Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and elsewhere are gerrymandering congressional district maps to eliminate majority-minority districts, the implications for the American people, and what must be done to ensure voters have the final say in elections. They also cover Rep. Salinas’s experience on a non-Jeopardy Alex Trebek-hosted game show in 1989, and react to a clip of President Trump insisting he doesn’t care about the finances of the average American. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newdemocratcoalition.substack.com [https://newdemocratcoalition.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Fly-In | Honest Reactions to a Crazy Week in Congress

In this special edition episode, co-hosts Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) discuss a chaotic week on the House floor that saw multiple bills pulled, votes left open for hours at a time, shouting matches between Republicans, and a testing of Mike Johnson’s Speakership. The members opine on Johnson’s future and which Republican member might take the reins of their Conference if he is ousted in the new Congress. Later, Landsman and Veasey react to the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which effectively gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), creating a number of opportunities for Republican-controlled states to eliminate majority-minority districts and silence minority voices in Congress. Veasey gets into the history of the VRA and how Republican appointed Justices have long worked toward this goal, and Landsman recounts the many strong reactions in the immediate aftermath of the ruling. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newdemocratcoalition.substack.com [https://newdemocratcoalition.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Fly-In | Abundant Energy & Election Integrity with Rep. Scott Peters

This week, Fly-In co-hosts Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) are joined by Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50) from San Diego, one of the foremost experts on energy policy on the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee. After discussing his personal connection to Martin Luther King Sr., Peters talks through his work in Congress to accelerate clean energy production and lower prices. Then, the three Members discuss the impact of Trump’s war in Iran on the American people and Congressional Republican efforts to disenfranchise millions of voters through the SAVE Act. Landsman, Veasey, and Peters also react to the clip of the week, which features Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lying about consumer confidence. To wrap up, Peters is quizzed by the hosts on how well he knows his favorite musical artists’ discography – tune in to find out who it is! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newdemocratcoalition.substack.com [https://newdemocratcoalition.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]