Episode 586 Show Notes- Congress Averts Government Shutdown, 2024 Year in Review

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Episode Description

In this episode of The P.A.S. Report Podcast, Professor Nick Giordano breaks down Congress’s last-minute deal to avert a government shutdown, exposing the political theater and consequences of their actions. He provides a review of the events and top stories that shaped 2024, from two attempts on President Trump’s life to Joe Biden dropping out of the race, he reflects on key moments and offers insights into what lies ahead for 2025. With the political landscape constantly evolving, Professor Giordano unpacks what these developments mean for ordinary Americans and the future of the Republic.

Episode Highlights:

• Analysis of Congress’s government shutdown deal and its long-term impact on federal spending and governance.
• A detailed 2024 year in review, covering pivotal political, economic, and cultural milestones.
• What’s in store for 2025, including policy changes, political trends, and challenges on the horizon.

Be sure to subscribe and tune in to stay informed on the critical issues affecting America!

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Show Notes- Congress Averts Government Shutdown, 2024 Year in Review

Welcome to The P.A.S. Report Podcast

[Intro Transcript]

Hello everyone, and welcome to The P.A.S. Report Podcast. I’m your host, Professor Nick Giordano. Be sure to subscribe and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Also, visit The P.A.S. Report website at https://pasreport.com. And I encourage you to share this podcast with your family and friends. We talk about a lot of important issues on this podcast and this week is no different.

For today, I have a great episode lined up. I want to do a 2024 year in review and talk about some key moments that changed the dynamics of our politics. I then want to turn to the continuing resolution passed on Friday as Congress averts a government shutdown. I then want to discuss what lies ahead in 2025, including some things I have lined up for The P.A.S. Report podcast.

Obviously, the top story of 2024 was the political comeback of President Trump.

Once Democrats brought criminal and civil charges against the former President, his nomination for President was all but guaranteed in the Republican primary, and I say Democrats because understand that all the cases brought against the former president were political prosecutions. Ironically, the Democrats still don’t realize how the weaponization of our political and judicial system completely backfired on them.

Just about every American thought the civil case against the Trump organizations was completely ridiculous, and they saw the $464 million dollar judgment as an attempt to try and bankrupt Trump.

Not only that, but Democrats prevented any real primary challenge against Biden.

On April 15, the New York City criminal trial of Trump began, and this would mark a major turning point. First, Trump would capture the news cycle on a 24/7 basis. More importantly, while on trial, Trump was stuck in New York and made the most out of it. He visited the bodega where DA Alvin Bragg initially charged the store owner after the store owner was attacked and killed his attacker. He visited construction sites and met with workers. He gave a rally in the Bronx, which all signaled that he was going after voters that the Republican party has largely ignored over the last few decades.

Two weeks before the jury conviction, President Biden’s team ditched the debate schedule and proposed a take it or leave it to hold a debate in June and one in September. The debate proved to be a disaster for Biden as it exposed how far gone his cognitive abilities were. He was largely incoherent, and the calls for Biden to drop out of the race began to grow.

Just two weeks later, we would witness the first assassination attempt on Trump where a bullet grazed his ear. Trump would get up and scream fight, fight, fight before being taken off stage at the rally, and the now historic image of Trump with blood dripping down the side of his face with his fist in the air amidst the backdrop of the American flag, would become a rallying cry. Interestingly enough, we still know very little about the assassin. So bizarre and ridiculous that we still don’t have any answers.

A week later, Democrats led by Pelosi and Obama conducted a soft coup, and forced Biden to drop out of the race. He immediately endorses Kamala Harris boxing the Democrats into a corner.

In September, we saw the second assassination against Trump. Again, we still know virtually nothing about the failed assassin, and it appears we have a media that isn’t too interested in getting answers.

While Kamala Harris’s campaign tried to keep her on script, they weren’t able to do it as her poll numbers began to drop, and she ended up being a disaster of a candidate.

Ultimately, Trump would win the presidency, both electorally and through the popular vote, increasing his margins in every single demographic.

As we were busy with the presidential race, a lot was unfolding internationally. From Russia making gains on the battlefield in Ukraine to Israel decimating Hamas and Hezbollah to the collapse of Assad.

It was a historic year, and any one of these stories would have been the top story in and of itself, but for all this to happen in a year, reflects the craziness of the times we are living in.

Now, we need to take a quick break. When we get back, I want to talk about the fiscal disaster our Congress has created and how Congress averts a government shutdown.

So, hang tight and we will be right back.

Break

Congress Averts Government Shutdown

Welcome back to The P.A.S. Report. In this segment, I want to take a look at the fiscal trainwreck our country is and how Congress has failed once again.

Congress may have successfully averted a government shutdown, but let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture – this so-called “victory” is nothing more than political theater masking a deeper crisis. Our lawmakers cobbled together a pared-down version of the 1,500-page monstrosity they initially tried to push through, shrinking it to just over 100 pages. While this might seem like a step in the right direction, it’s still a slap in the face to Americans who are watching their government dig us deeper into a fiscal abyss.

The issue isn’t just the length of the bills. It’s the process itself. How can we expect accountability or transparency when bills are rushed through without sufficient time for anyone to read, let alone comprehend, their contents? This is why I’ve long advocated for a new Constitutional amendment that limits bills to no more than 20 pages, written in plain English, not lawyer-speak. Imagine a world where every American could understand what their government is doing. Radical thinking, right?

But the deeper problem goes beyond the process. Outside of a handful of principled lawmakers, most in Congress lack the cojones to make the tough decisions necessary to close the deficit and address our crippling national debt. Instead of statesmen and stateswomen committed to the long-term fiscal health of this country, we have politicians addicted to wasting our hard-earned tax dollars so that can keep the gravy trains flowing and curry favor with special interests.

But we can’t put all the blame on the swamp in Washington. As much as they are at fault, so to are the American people, and they share in this dysfunction. Polls consistently show that while 65% of Americans believe the government is too big and spends too much, an equal percentage also think the government isn’t doing enough to solve their problems. This is a mutual contradiction and highlights our dysfunction. Americans demand spending cuts in theory, but as soon as specific programs are on the chopping block, the outcry begins: “You can’t cut that!”

This mindset is unsustainable. We are fast approaching a critical crossroads. We either implement policies to drastically reduce spending and reignite economic growth, or we continue kicking the can down the road until the entire system collapses under its own weight. And let me tell you, when that collapse comes, it won’t be about minor cuts or tinkering around the edges. Entire programs will be gutted overnight, and the consequences will be far worse than anything the fearmongers claim would happen under a leaner, more efficient government.

Speaking of fearmongers, every time someone suggests radical downsizing of government or slashing bureaucracy, we hear the cries of “doom and gloom.” That it will destroy our economy. But let me ask you: would you rather bet on a streamlined, limited government that empowers individuals and communities, or cling to this bloated, unsustainable system? I’ll take my chances with the former.

Every one of you out there should consider how over the past few years, federal spending has ballooned to nearly $7 trillion annually. That’s a staggering $3 trillion increase compared to pre-2020 levels. Let that sink in for a moment. Anyone who claims there is no spending to cut is either delusional or deliberately misleading you.

They claim that deep cuts will impact social security and defense. Do you really think the nearly $3 trillion increase in spending went solely to social security and defense? Biden Clip

You don’t add $3 trillion in annual spending without massive, reckless expansions of government programs and waste. These aren’t just numbers; this is our hard-earned money being funneled into a bureaucratic black hole.

And yet, Congress continues to operate under this absurd framework, avoiding normal budget procedures. Instead of passing 12 separate bills, each with time for amendments and debate, we get these eleventh-hour, all-or-nothing omnibus packages. Lawmakers don’t even have time to read these bills, much less evaluate their impact, nor do they care. But this is no way to govern, and it’s certainly no way to ensure a prosperous future for our nation. It shows how our lawmakers are completely irresponsible.

So, while Congress pats itself on the back for averting a government shutdown, let’s not lose sight of the real story which is that the fiscal trainwreck continues, and the only question is how long we’ll keep ignoring the warning signs.

Alright everyone, we have to take a quick break, so hang tight, and we will be right back.

Break

What lies ahead for 2025

Welcome back to The P.A.S. Report podcast. As we look ahead to 2025, the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President, coupled with Republican control of both the House and Senate, presents a potential turning point for the nation. While the GOP’s congressional margins are slim, this unified government could enact bold reforms if party members remain disciplined and focused on their shared priorities. Here’s what may lie ahead.

First and foremost, securing the southern border will be a top priority. Trump has already signaled his intent to reinstate and expand policies like “Remain in Mexico” and enhance border wall construction. Additionally, his administration will likely push for an aggressive deportation plan, focusing on removing individuals with criminal records and others deemed a threat to public safety.

On the cultural front, the death of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in federal agencies and education seems inevitable. Republicans have long argued that these programs promote division rather than unity, and dismantling DEI frameworks could become a cornerstone of the administration’s broader push to eliminate what they view as far-left ideological overreach.

Economically, Trump is likely to double down on reducing regulations to spur growth, much as he did during his first term. The regulatory rollback could benefit industries ranging from energy to technology. The aim is to restore American competitiveness and reduce bureaucratic red tape that stifles innovation and growth. I am hopeful that we can see a dramatic drop in energy prices that can finally alleviate the economic pain many households find themselves in.

Finally, Trump’s return to the international stage could reintroduce a sense of stability in global affairs as our adversaries will be much more hesitant. With a focus on “peace through strength,” the administration is expected to recalibrate relationships with allies and rivals, particularly in countering China’s influence and addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict where Trump may force a settlement.

Challenges will undoubtedly arise, but 2025 has the potential to mark a pivotal year for advancing policies that many conservatives believe will restore America’s strength and prosperity.

As far as The P.A.S. Report goes, one thing was abundantly clear to me, and it is how little people know about the founding of our country and the original intent of our founding fathers. Next year, I plan to introduce several series that explore certain topics. These will be quick episodes about 10-15 minutes that explore certain topics. The first series is going to be on the founding fathers, but not the founders that everyone already knows. I want to focus on the founders who have been ignored in our history but played a pivotal role in our founding.

I intend to do another series that focuses on our Constitution. Another on the waste, fraud, and abuse in the system, and so on. If you have any suggestions or would like to learn more about a specific topic, shoot me an email podcast@pasreport.com, and I will be happy to consider a future series on the topic.

I am hoping to launch this in February so stay tuned. In the meantime, Merry Christmas, and enjoy the holiday break. I will see you all in 2025.

Thanks for tuning in. Please share this episode with family and friends, and don’t forget to subscribe and follow the Podcast so you never miss an episode.

To listen to the full episode, click play above or visit your favorite podcast platform!

Click here to read Professor Giordano’s latest piece at Campus Reform

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