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The Political Junkie: Shutdown Looms, Bannon Resists Subpoena, Thomas Farr Nomination Advances

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks to the chamber to appeal for an end to the partisan stare-down over demands by Democrats.
J. Scott Applewhite
/
AP Photo
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks to the chamber to appeal for an end to the partisan stare-down over demands by Democrats.

The House has approved a stopgap measure to fund the government through mid-February, but Senate Democrats seem dissatisfied. They want concessions including deportation protection for some young immigrants before giving their vote.

An update on national news headlines with the Political Junkie Ken Rudin.

Meanwhile former White House strategist Steve Bannon has been subpoenaed by the Mueller investigation to speak before a grand jury, and now he has also been subpoenaed by The House Intelligence Committee. But it does not look like he will been sharing state secrets anytime soon. Bannon’s lawyer has called the order to re-appear in front of the committee just two days after first appearing an “unreasonable” call by the House Intelligence Committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved President Trump’s controversial nomination of Thomas Farr for federal judge in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Farr is a former lawyer for Jesse Helms. His nomination now moves to a full Senate vote. Plus, the Supreme Court blocked the redraw of North Carolina’s congressional districts. How will upcoming rulings in Texas and Maryland be affected? Host Frank Stasio speaks with Political Junkie Ken Rudin for his analysis of the latest political headlines. 

Copyright 2018 North Carolina Public Radio

Laura Pellicer is a producer with The State of Things (hyperlink), a show that explores North Carolina through conversation. Laura was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, a city she considers arrestingly beautiful, if not a little dysfunctional. She worked as a researcher for CBC Montreal and also contributed to their programming as an investigative journalist, social media reporter, and special projects planner. Her work has been nominated for two Canadian RTDNA Awards. Laura loves looking into how cities work, pursuing stories about indigenous rights, and finding fresh voices to share with listeners. Laura is enamored with her new home in North Carolina—notably the lush forests, and the waves where she plans on moonlighting as a mediocre surfer.
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.