#TheFinal5: Biden?s bet on an Olympic ?boycott?
When the Winter Olympics kick off in Beijing next month, the U.S. will compete ? but without the visible presence of government leaders. That?s because China?s human rights record has prompted the Biden administration to declare a so-called diplomatic boycott. But will it do anything? Weifeng Zhang from the Mercatus Center at George Mason joins Jim to explain what it all means, and why Vladimir Putin aims to take advantage of the situation.
#TheFinal5: Decorating the White House for Christmas
Each year, thousands of people apply to get the honor of helping the President and First Lady decorate for the holidays, but only a handful get the call. Kellie Makar, a teacher at Pennsylvania?s North Catholic High School was one of them ? in fact, she?s now had the honor of doing it for both the Trump and Biden White Houses. She joins Jim on The Final 5 to explain how she ended up in D.C., and what she?d like to do next.
#TheFinal5: Small businesses and Build Back Better
A new poll from Small Business for America?s Future suggests major support for the President?s social spending bill. As the debate continues in the Senate, former Biden business advisor and head of Public Private Strategies Rhett Buttle joins Jim to explain why.
#TheFinal5: Tracy and Kelly on what?s at stake in 2022
As 2021 draws to a close, all eyes are on next year?s midterms and what that could mean for Democratic control of Congress and the Republicans? hopes of taking the reigns. Tracy Dietz and Kelly Gibson return to The Final 5 to join Jim for a look at what?s on the horizon for 2022.
#TheFinal5: Kevin Walling on Biden, Dems? priorities
With the Democrats? self-imposed deadline to pass President Biden?s social spending package looming, how realistic is a deal? As senators debate which priorities will stay and which ones could go, political strategist Kevin Walling joins Jim to look at what?s at stake, what he makes of the President?s poll numbers, and where he believes the Biden administration should place their focus next.
#TheFinal5: Biden goes one-on-one with Putin
President Biden held a video call with Russian president Vladimir Putin today as Russia builds its true presence at the Ukraine border. So what does this mean for the United States, and has foreign policy shifted much with the change in administrations? Anatol Lieven with the Quincy Institute joined Jim to break down what is at stake.
Will Twitter?s new CEO herald any changes?
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO of the social media site, replaced by Parag Agrawal, but will new leadership make any difference? As big tech firms face criticism from conservatives, who say they?ve been unfairly discriminated, Agrawal is in the hot seat. Nate Hochman joins Jim on The Final 5 to look at what could change, and what may stay the same.
How businesses have adapted through COVID
The omicron variant is in the headlines, but for the many small businesses that have weathered the pandemic, it shouldn?t pose any unfamiliar obstacles. Gabriella Hoffman from Young Voices joins Jim on The Final 5 to weigh in.
Katie Barlow breaks down SCOTUS arguments on abortion
The Supreme Court heard arguments today on Mississippi?s new law that bans abortions after 15 weeks. Now comes the waiting game. FOX 5?s Katie Barlow, who?s also an attorney, joined Jim on The Final 5 to take a look at what?s before the nine justices, the early indications on how they may come down on the law, and what it says about the increased perception that the high court has become too politicized.
Dr. Oz runs for Senate, Cuomo suspended
News that TV physician Dr. Mehmet Oz is running for the U.S. Senate followed the announcement from CNN that it?s suspending anchor Chris Cuomo for his involvement in handling his brother Andrew?s scandals. Siraj Hashmi, co-host of the Habibi Bros. on Rumble and keeper of the List (@ListComesForAll) joined Jim to break down the political headlines, including the feud between Congresswomen Lauren Boebert and Ilhan Omar.
New variant prompts new concerns
The COVID-19 Omicron variant has sparked an entirely new round of concerns, but how does it compare to the reaction to the Delta variant earlier this fall? Dr. Dyan Hes of Gramercy Pediatrics joined Jim to look at how some elected leaders are handling it so far, and how calls to suspend elective medical procedures may do more harm than good. Plus, they look at the impact vaccination efforts for younger Americans are having so far.
Stephen Kent melds his passions into a new book
Friend of ?The Final 5? Stephen Kent returns to the show to talk about his new book ?How The Force Can Fix the World,? which adapts his love of the ?Star Wars? franchise into ways to address modern-day policy decisions. He joined Jim to talk about what inspired him to write the book.
Small businesses face unique pandemic challenges
While thousands of small businesses were unable to withstand the pandemic, many more are finding ways to adjust to a new pandemic (and eventual post-pandemic) reality. Carissa Reiniger, CEO of Small Biz Silver Lining, joined Jim to take a look at how supply chain and worker shortages are highlighting new priorities as small businesses evolve for the future.
Acrimonious days loom on Capitol Hill as spending debate rages on
Days after President Biden signed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal brokered by Democrats and Republicans, the House and Senate now debate the fate of the so-called ?Build Back Better? social spending plan. What?s next in the seemingly endless debate? And what message will both sides take after Wednesday?s censure of Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ?) Former White House HHS advisor and JK Strategies founder Jack Kalavritinos joined Jim on The Final 5 to weigh in.
Rumors of Biden/Harris discord underscore problems for female politicians
A report out this week, citing anonymous sources, suggested a rift between President Biden and Vice President Harris. But while anonymous reports are nothing new, the circumstances raise concerns about the motivation behind the whispers. Princeton political science professor Dr. Lauren Wright and Barbara Lee Family Foundation executive director Amanda Hunter joined Jim on The Final 5 to discuss.
Infrastructure battle shows party divide
More than a dozen Republicans who voted for the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill are being threatened by party leaders with committee assignments and chairmanships. That revelation came shortly after the bill?s passage. Now that it?s signed, there?s a new battle head. Rina Shah from the Renew Democracy Initiative joined Jim on The Final 5 to break it all down.
America?s new crop of veterans face new challenges
An entire generation of Americans have seen the nation at war virtually their entire lives. Iraq War veteran Chris Neiweem joins Jim on The Final 5 to take a look at the new challenges today?s veterans are facing.
Book offers glimpse into 'Secret Washington DC'
Everyone knows D.C. landmarks, so author JoAnn Hill set out to find the off-the-beaten-path gems of the city. In her book ?Secret Washington D.C., A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,? she gives readers a look into some of the unknown aspects of the region, some of which are right under our noses. She joined Jim on The Final 5 to give a few of her favorite spots.
Democrats plot path ahead after infrastructure bill victory
Now that a $1.2 trillion infrastructure funding bill passed with bipartisan support ? more Republicans voted for it than Democrats who opposed it ? the focus turns to that massive social spending proposal. But after a week where Democrats saw major losses at the ballot box, what?s next? Democratic strategist Kevin Walling joined Jim on The Final 5.
How did GOP gains sway infrastructure vote?
While House Democrats had troubles getting everyone on board for the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, Tuesday?s election results may have changed the political calculus for some in getting it passed quickly. Joseph Zeballos-Roig from Business Insider joined Jim during Friday?s intense negotiations from the Capitol with a look at what was at stake.