Politics and views in the United States

The White House won't seek an Iran War authorization from Congress. A deputy TSA administrator testifies on the impact of DHS shutdown, and the SAVE America Act could limit how rural voters access the ballot.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

We've also had our top national security officials go to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers, again, out of courtesy and out of respect for them.

So at this moment, it's unnecessary, but of course, the president in this administration will always abide by the law.

Despite being a month into the Iran conflict, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says the administration won't seek war authorization from Congress.

Lawmakers from both parties have called the military actions illegal without one. 2,000 to 3,000 paratroopers are deploying to the region, adding to the forces there.

Levitt insists the war will probably be over in a month and a half, although Iranian leaders have rejected a ceasefire proposal and are demanding payment for the damage.

Republican House leaders say they're confident about passing a $200 billion supplemental military appropriation.

Opponents of the conflict in Congress may try to stop that, arguing without a war powers boat, the budget is one of the few ways they can act.

Meanwhile, according to Homeland security, nearly 500 TSA agents have quit since agency funding ran out more than a month ago.

By Friday, the government will owe TSA workers a billion dollars in late paychecks.

Deputy Administrator Han Nguyen McNeil testified to the House Homeland Security Committee.

Many in our workforce have missed bill payments, received eviction notices, had their cars repossessed and utilities shut off, lost their child care, defaulted on loans, damaged their credit line, and drained their retirement savings.

ICE agents are at work in U.S. airports but may also be assigned more controversial tasks.

On a right-wing podcast, Borders R.

Tom Homan said falsely that immigration agents have a legal role in securing elections.

Notably, Homan joined a list of White House officials refusing to rule out sending ICE to polling sites this fall.

Watchdogs say rural voters could find it harder to access the ballot if Congress passes the Save America Act.

The strict voter ID law would require them to drive long distances to register in person at their county seat.

Greta Bittakovics with the Center of American Progress says their research many would have to drive four hours round trip.

This bill has asked people to either have a passport, pay $165 to get one, or to have an original certified copy of their birth certificate.

This is really not voter ID, and it's critical that Americans understand that.

An amendment to the bill would ban mail-in voting except for people in the military, hospitalized or disabled.

Mail-in voting is especially popular among rural voters.

With Markwayne Mullen moving to Homeland Security, his Oklahoma Senate seat will be open.

Governor Kevin Stitt has tapped Energy Executive Alan Armstrong to serve the rest of Mullen's term, although by law, Armstrong has to pledge not to run in November.

Stitt says Armstrong's values match those of the Sooner State.

He's a strong business leader who understands the power of free markets and limited government.

He spent his career fighting for Oklahoma's energy industry and providing affordable, reliable energy to all of America.

Armstrong says in his abbreviated term he wants to speed up permitting for energy projects.

Trump has endorsed Republican Representative Kevin Hearn for a full six-year term.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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