Members of Utah’s Pacific Islander community met with with Rep. Ben McAdams, Utah’s only Democrat in its congressional delegation, in Washington D.C., to discuss the reauthorization of COFA (Compacts of Free Association) in 2023 and how changes to the U.S. healthcare system a few years ago took medicaid benefits from a population deserves them. Not only do residents of Micronesian countries, like the Marshall Islands, travel and work freely in the U.S., they pay taxes, and they were exposed to radiation as the U.S. tested weaponry near their communities in World War II. It is an informative and moving conversation about a little known reality for many members of the Micronesian community living in the U.S.

WashingTown

An Unkept Promise

If the Federal Government manages state land, how do local government’s generate revenue? In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams discusses public lands, including how the state is compensated for the public land managed by the federal government, with Piute County Commissioner, Darin Bushman, a Republican, and Summit County Councilman Glenn Wright, a Democrat. The trio have worked together before, and they are discussing some of the things they all agree on when it comes to generating revenue from public lands.

A Republican and Two Democrats discuss managing public lands

In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams talks with Utah surgeon Dr. Scott Leckman about his advocacy work for on behalf of the poorest among us. He talks about what Dr. Leckman has been involved with, how Congress has responded to his requests for help, and what he’s working on in the future. Dr. Leckman explains why the U.S. government should be concerned about disease and healthcare around the world.

The work of a surgeon activist

This is an extended episode in which, Rep. Ben McAdams visits the U.S. southern border with colleagues from the Problem Solver’s Caucus. He interviews Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a Republican from Ohio, Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, R-Virginia, about what they saw during their visit and how they might find solutions to the growing crisis. The problem, McAdams says, is much more complicated and nuanced that the public debate, which makes finding solutions more difficult.  For Gonzalez, some moments took him back to his childhood. One weeping woman, in particular, made him think of the many relatives who spent time at his home as they immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. “That was incredibly powerful for me,” Gonzalez said. “I couldn’t help but see members of my own family when I looked in her eyes and saw the tears running down her face.” This is a longer version of Episode 24, in which featured only Gonzalez.

Extended Episode: At the Border with the Problem Solver’s Caucus

In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams talks with Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare, about what innovative ways the company has found that might provide guidance for the federal government as they try to address health care issues. He also discusses how aspects of what’s being developed in Utah can serve as a model for other companies, other states and possibly the country with Florida Rep. Donna Shalala, who served as Health and Human Services Director under President Bill Clinton.  

Does Utah have the cure for the country’s health care woes?

  In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams visits the U.S. southern border with colleagues from the Problem Solver’s Caucus. He interviews Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a Republican from Ohio, about what they saw during their visit and how they might find solutions to the growing crisis. The problem, McAdams says, is much more complicated and nuanced that the public debate, which makes finding solutions more difficult. For Gonzalez, some moments took him back to his childhood. One weeping woman, in particular, made him think of the many relatives who spent time at his home as they immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. “That was incredibly powerful for me,” Gonzalez said. “I couldn’t help but see members of my own family when I looked in her eyes and saw the tears running down her face.” He also talks with Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, R-Virginia, about what moved them and what it might take to actually deal with the crisis at the border. Here is an article from the Deseret News about McAdams and Gonzalez’s trip to the border: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900081837/utah-ben-mcadams-border-immigration-crisis.html (https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900081837/utah-ben-mcadams-border-immigration-crisis.html)

At the Border with the Problem Solver’s Caucus

In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams talks with Salt Lake City Council members about why local government tends to get so much done despite very different political philosophies. From homeless issues to infrastructure projects, local government officials set aside personal differences to accomplish a wide range of things that stall in halls of our federal government. City officials discuss the importance of autonomy of local government, but also the ways in which local officials can cooperate with federal representatives to “be a rising tide that lifts all ships.”

Shopping at the Same Grocery Store

In this episode, we bring you an edited version of the podcast “Thanks for sharing” with Jackie Pack. The Bountiful addiction recovery therapist is the older sister of Congressman Ben McAdams, and they discuss overcoming the difficulties of their childhood, how hardships shaped him, and how politics can become something that helps people and heals communities. You can find more from Pack, including the complete episode, at healingpathsrecovery.com.

A big sister’s perspective

In this episode Congressman Ben McAdams meets with USARA (Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness) about the realities of addiction and what programs and strategies help people escape the grip of addiction. Rep. McAdams talks with those in recovering about what helps – and what doesn’t – and how partnerships between community organizations and government entities can provide a lifeline to people and families. The conversation includes statistical analysis of local programs and how data can help tell the story of addiction and recovery. 

The Realities of Addiction

In this episode of WashingTown, Congressman Ben McAdams talks with two of his colleagues from the House of Representatives about the tenuous relationship between the U.S. and Iran. He talks with one member from each of the major parties – Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat who represents Michigan’s 8th District, and Rep. Mark Green, a Republican who represents Tennessee’s 7th District.  They each bring a unique and thought-provoking perspective to a political situation that is not well understood among many Americans. Rep. Green is a physician and veteran who served one tour in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq, while Rep. Slotkin is a former CIA analyst and Defense Department official who served three tours in the Middle East, and has worked on issues related to Iran most of her professional career.

Two views of Iran

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.

How does the federal government support local justice?

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.”

The Voices of Dreamers

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.

Why does the federal deficit matter?

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.

Lessons from an Olympic athlete

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.

Across the Aisle with John Curtis

U.S. Congressional Representative Ben McAdams, D-UT talks about his experiences in Washington, D.C. during his new job as congressman from Utah’s 4th district.

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