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Policy Week in Review - March 6, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 7 (TNSrep) -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:* * *
Policy Week in Review - March 6, 2026
Congressional and Administrative News
At a Glance
The Policy Week in Review, prepared by Littler's Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), sets forth WPI's updates on federal legislation, regulations, and congressional activity affecting the workplace.
By Shannon Meade, Jim Paretti, Alex MacDonald, and Maury Baskin
Littler WPI Releases Survey Report on 2025's Regulatory and Economic Changes on Employers
The first year of the second Trump administration was ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 7 (TNSrep) -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news: * * * Policy Week in Review - March 6, 2026 Congressional and Administrative News At a Glance The Policy Week in Review, prepared by Littler's Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), sets forth WPI's updates on federal legislation, regulations, and congressional activity affecting the workplace. By Shannon Meade, Jim Paretti, Alex MacDonald, and Maury Baskin Littler WPI Releases Survey Report on 2025's Regulatory and Economic Changes on Employers The first year of the second Trump administration wassomething of a roller coaster for employers, as rapid-fire policy shifts created persistent volatility for businesses of all shapes and sizes. From new immigration policies and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program crackdowns to booming artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and state legislative changes, businesses are navigating myriad impacts to their workplaces and workers alike. To assess where employers stand in this dynamic environment, Littler's Workplace Policy Institute(R) (WPI) - the firm's government relations and public policy arm - surveyed more than 300 in-house lawyers, human resource (HR) professionals and C-suite executives. Respondents are based across the United States and represent a range of company sizes and industries. The findings reveal the widespread effects of 2025's regulatory and economic changes on employers, providing crucial benchmarks and insights as business leaders prepare for ongoing changes in the year ahead. Link: Littler WPI Survey Report (https://www.littler.com/sites/default/files/2026-02/2026_littler_wpi_survey_report.pdf?3dqmx6l0wvm).
NLRB GC Issues Memo on Case Handling Guidance to Regional Directors
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Crystal Carey issued GC Memorandum 26-03, providing new case handling guidance to regional directors. Most notably, the memo instructed NLRB regional attorneys to deemphasize certain cases involving allegedly unlawful handbook rules. The memo stated that when a case involves only a freestanding, overbroad rule--one that has not actually been enforced--regional attorneys should "promptly seek settlement." The memo also cautioned regional attorneys to be judicious in prosecuting any such cases in the future. When evaluating handbook cases, they should target only "obvious, unjustifiable restrictions."
The memo also stated, among other things, that prior guidance set forth by Acting General Counsel Cowen remains in effect; encourages the resolution of cases through settlement rather than litigation when feasible, noting that enhanced remedies should not be routinely included in settlement agreements or complaints; requires a charging party to present evidence to support allegations within two week of filing a charge; and notes that not every case is appropriate for 10(j) injunctions.
ICYMI: U.S. Department of Labor Proposes New(ish) Worker-Classification Standards
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a new rule, entitled the "Employee or Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act." The proposed rule is designed to differentiate between employees and independent contractors.
ICYMI: NLRB Reinstates 2020 Joint Employer Standard: A Return to Direct Control
On February 26, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board formally reinstated its 2020 joint-employer standard. This action officially withdraws a Biden-era 2023 rule and restores a narrower framework for determining when two businesses share legal responsibility for the same group of workers. By returning to the 2020 standard, the Board is aiming to settle period of legal uncertainty that has loomed over the business community for years.
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Authors
Shannon Meade
Executive Director, Workplace Policy Institute
Washington, D.C.
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James A. Paretti
Shareholder
Washington, D.C.
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Alexander T. MacDonald
Shareholder
Washington, D.C.
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Maury Baskin
Shareholder
Washington, D.C.
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Original text here: https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/policy-week-review-march-6-2026
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Marcus & Millichap Arranges $2.18 Million Sale-Leaseback of Medical Office in Kinston, N.C.
ENCINO, California, March 7 -- Marcus and Millichap issued the following news release on March 5, 2026:* * *
Marcus & Millichap Arranges $2.18 Million Sale-Leaseback of Medical Office in Kinston, N.C.
Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, announced today the sale-leaseback of Eskra Plastic Surgery, a 6,959-square-foot single-tenant net-leased medical office in Kinston, North Carolina. The property closed for $2,180,000.
"Sale-leasebacks remain an attractive strategy for owner-users ... Show Full Article ENCINO, California, March 7 -- Marcus and Millichap issued the following news release on March 5, 2026: * * * Marcus & Millichap Arranges $2.18 Million Sale-Leaseback of Medical Office in Kinston, N.C. Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, announced today the sale-leaseback of Eskra Plastic Surgery, a 6,959-square-foot single-tenant net-leased medical office in Kinston, North Carolina. The property closed for $2,180,000. "Sale-leasebacks remain an attractive strategy for owner-usersseeking to unlock capital while maintaining long-term control of their real estate," said CJ Wilson, associate investments in Marcus & Millichap's Charlotte Uptown office. "I was pleased to put the right team in place to bring this transaction across the finish line and look forward to working with this client for years to come." Wilson represented the seller, Dr. Ben Eskra.
Located at 1001 Innovation Way, the property was originally constructed in 1999 and renovated in 2014. The 1.83-acre site includes a fully built-out clinical facility with exam rooms, treatment space and an on-site operating room. The property is situated near UNC Lenoir Health Care within Kinston's primary medical corridor.
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About Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (NYSE: MMI)
Marcus & Millichap, Inc. is a leading brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services with offices throughout the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2025, the company had 1,808 investment sales and financing professionals in over 80 offices who provide investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. The company also offers market research, consulting and advisory services to clients. Marcus & Millichap closed 8,818 transactions in 2025, with a sales volume of approximately $50.9 billion. For additional information, please visit www.MarcusMillichap.com.
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Original text here: https://www.marcusmillichap.com/news-events/press/2026/03/3-5-eskra-plastic-surgery
[Category: BizRealEstate]
Las Vegas A's, Will Guidara, and Aramark Sports + Entertainment Reveal Vision for First-Of-Its-Kind Athletic Club Behind Home Plate of A's New Ballpark
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 7 -- ARAMARK, a provider of food, facilities, refreshments, hospitality and supply chain services, issued the following news release on March 6, 2026:* * *
Las Vegas A's, Will Guidara, and Aramark Sports + Entertainment Reveal Vision for First-of-its-Kind Athletic Club Behind Home Plate of A's New Ballpark
Acclaimed Restaurateur Guidara to Bring His Award-Winning Hospitality Strategy and Elevated Dining Experience to His First Concept Inside a Professional Sports Venue
All-Inclusive Space for Season Ticket Members to Reimagine Baseball Hospitality with Private ... Show Full Article PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 7 -- ARAMARK, a provider of food, facilities, refreshments, hospitality and supply chain services, issued the following news release on March 6, 2026: * * * Las Vegas A's, Will Guidara, and Aramark Sports + Entertainment Reveal Vision for First-of-its-Kind Athletic Club Behind Home Plate of A's New Ballpark Acclaimed Restaurateur Guidara to Bring His Award-Winning Hospitality Strategy and Elevated Dining Experience to His First Concept Inside a Professional Sports Venue All-Inclusive Space for Season Ticket Members to Reimagine Baseball Hospitality with PrivateRestaurant and Supper Club, Lounge, and Unique Game-Day Experiences
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The Athletics (A's), world-renowned restaurateur Will Guidara, and Aramark Sports + Entertainment (Aramark; NYSE: ARMK) today revealed the vision for the Athletic Club: a first-of-its-kind, all-inclusive hospitality experience that will be located directly behind home plate in the A's new Las Vegas ballpark, set to open in 2028. Tickets will go on sale later this month to individuals on the Priority Access List.
Designed to transform the traditional game-day experience and completely reimagine baseball hospitality, the Athletic Club has been meticulously crafted by Guidara -- author of Unreasonable Hospitality, former co-owner of the Best Restaurant in the World, and Co-Producer on the Emmy Award-winning series "The Bear" -- and marks the first time he's implementing his pioneering hospitality principles within a professional sports venue.
"What we set out to build here is something a little different -- a space built around a simple idea: what if getting to the stadium early became one of the best parts of the night?" said Guidara. "Some of the best moments in life happen around a table. It's where people slow down, share a drink, tell stories, and settle into each other's company. We wanted to bring that spirit into the ballpark and create a place where gathering together is part of the experience, not just a stop along the way to the game.
Every part of the space was designed with intention -- the food, the service, the atmosphere, the details you might not notice right away but feel the moment you walk in. At the center of it all is a commitment to thoughtfulness and genuine graciousness. Our hope is that it pushes the conversation forward about how people come together before a game and opens the door to a new kind of ballpark experience -- one that begins long before the first pitch."
The Athletic Club is designed to be the most exclusive space in the ballpark, with access reserved for A's premium season-ticket members seated behind home plate. Members will enjoy a private restaurant and supper club offering a multi-course, table-service menu, as well as an upscale lounge featuring small plates and a full bar with craft beer, curated wines, and premium cocktails.
Every game will feature personalized, high touch hospitality delivered by maitre d's, sommeliers, and dining concierges who anticipate needs, honor personal preferences, and create memorable moments. The experience has been designed to extend throughout the length of each game, sustaining a vibrant energy with special grab and go offerings, in seat beverage service, surprise culinary moments, and a dramatic signature candy wall.
Diamond Club Joins Lineup of Elevated Premium Spaces
To further amplify the stadium's premium hospitality program, Aramark and Guidara have also developed the Diamond Club, an all inclusive social hub for premium ticket members located adjacent to the Athletic Club behind home plate. Diamond Club members will enjoy a food and beverage experience featuring Vegas-inspired food stations inclusive of locally curated dishes, chef's specials, and a bold selection of elevated game day favorites.
Aramark Sports + Entertainment President and CEO Alison Birdwell said that Las Vegas inspired their premium approach from the start. "Vegas is a truly one of a kind market, and we set out to introduce an entirely new level of hospitality that matches the energy and spectacle of the city," she said. "We're creating a ballpark environment where service and food redefine the way fans enjoy baseball. Partnering with Will ensures that we deliver a Vegas worthy experience that creates memories for guests that will last a lifetime."
Ticket Information
The Athletic Club and Diamond Club will go on sale later this month to those on the Priority Access List. Fans interested in learning more or securing seats must schedule an in-person appointment at the Ballpark Experience Center at UnCommons, with availability offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit athletics.com/vegas.
"The Athletic Club is about providing fans with something innovative and unique that exists only in Las Vegas," said A's President Marc Badain. "By partnering with Will and Aramark, we're setting a new standard for baseball hospitality, delivering exceptional food and service in a way that feels right at home in this city."
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About Aramark Sports + Entertainment
Aramark Sports + Entertainment serves more than 150 award-winning food and beverage and retail programs in premier professional and collegiate stadiums and arenas along with convention centers, cultural attractions, performance venues, and unique entertainment destinations across North America. The company has received accolades for industry innovations including autonomous markets and dining concepts powered by artificial intelligence and has provided hospitality services at high-profile sporting events like the MLB World Series, MLB at Rickwood Field, NBA All-Star, and Indianapolis 500. Visit Aramark Sports + Entertainment's website to learn more or connect on LinkedIn and X.
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About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world's leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 16 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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Original text here: https://www.aramark.com/newsroom/news/2026/march/las-vegas-a-s--will-guidara--and-aramark-sports---entertainment-
[Category: BizConsumer Servicers]
Katrina Pagonis to Present at AHLA
LOS ANGELES, California, March 7 -- Hooper, Lundy and Bookman, a law firm, issued the following news on March 6, 2026:* * *
Katrina Pagonis to Present at AHLA
Katrina Pagonis will present "Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Update," on March 18 & 19, 2026, for American Health Law Association (AHLA)'s Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues.
The session will primarily focus on:
* Inpatient hospital payment update
* Wage index issues
* Uncompensated care payments
* Other Noteworthy Provisions in the IPPS Final Rule
* Beyond the IPPS: Key Policies in the OPPS Final Rule
* ... Show Full Article LOS ANGELES, California, March 7 -- Hooper, Lundy and Bookman, a law firm, issued the following news on March 6, 2026: * * * Katrina Pagonis to Present at AHLA Katrina Pagonis will present "Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Update," on March 18 & 19, 2026, for American Health Law Association (AHLA)'s Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues. The session will primarily focus on: * Inpatient hospital payment update * Wage index issues * Uncompensated care payments * Other Noteworthy Provisions in the IPPS Final Rule * Beyond the IPPS: Key Policies in the OPPS Final Rule ** *
Original text here: https://hooperlundy.com/katrina-pagonis-to-present-at-ahla/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
IHeartRadio Celebrates Harry Styles' "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" With Album Preview Parties in New York, Los Angeles and Boston
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 7 -- iHeartMedia issued the following news release:* * *
iHeartRadio Celebrates Harry Styles' "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" with Album Preview Parties in New York, Los Angeles and Boston
iHeartRadio stations nationwide will feature Harry Styles' "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" all day long on the album's release day
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iHeartMedia stations celebrated Harry Styles' fourth studio album "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" with special programming leading up to its release on Friday, March 6.
Ahead of the premiere, iHeart built excitement for ... Show Full Article SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 7 -- iHeartMedia issued the following news release: * * * iHeartRadio Celebrates Harry Styles' "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" with Album Preview Parties in New York, Los Angeles and Boston iHeartRadio stations nationwide will feature Harry Styles' "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" all day long on the album's release day * iHeartMedia stations celebrated Harry Styles' fourth studio album "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally" with special programming leading up to its release on Friday, March 6. Ahead of the premiere, iHeart built excitement forthe release with a series of "Album Preview Parties" in New York, Los Angeles and Boston. These early intimate listening experiences gave fans the rare opportunity to hear the full album before anyone else and supported Harry's return in a truly fan-first way.
On the day of the album's release, stations nationwide will feature the highly-anticipated project all day long across all iHeartRadio Pop and select Hot AC stations. Each station will air a different track from the album every hour in a coast to coast celebration helping fans instantly connect with the new music - including the album's first single "Aperture."
Fans can also stream Harry Styles on the iHeartRadio app and keep up with the latest music news by following iHeartRadio on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, Facebook and YouTube, and visiting iHeartRadio.com.
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About iHeartMedia, Inc.
iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with nine out of ten Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio in every month. iHeart's broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to both Podtrac and Triton, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, has the highest-reach and most engaged influencers, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
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Original text here: https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/iheartradio-celebrates-harry-styles-kiss-all-time-disco-occasionally-album-preview-parties
[Category: BizMedia]
Full Transcript: Sen. Katie Britt on The Conversation With Dasha Burns
ARLINGTON, Virginia, March 7 -- Politico issued the following news release:* * *
Full Transcript: Sen. Katie Britt (R- Ala.) on The Conversation with Dasha Burns
This is a full unedited transcript of POLITICO's interview with Sen. Katie Britt (R- Ala.) on "The Conversation with Dasha Burns"
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Sen. Katie Britt: Nobody gets the president to do anything. The president makes decisions about where he wants to go and where he wants to focus policy.
Dasha Burns: Hello, hello, and welcome to The Conversation. I'm Dasha Burns, Politico's White House Bureau Chief, and every week on this show, I invite ... Show Full Article ARLINGTON, Virginia, March 7 -- Politico issued the following news release: * * * Full Transcript: Sen. Katie Britt (R- Ala.) on The Conversation with Dasha Burns This is a full unedited transcript of POLITICO's interview with Sen. Katie Britt (R- Ala.) on "The Conversation with Dasha Burns" * Sen. Katie Britt: Nobody gets the president to do anything. The president makes decisions about where he wants to go and where he wants to focus policy. Dasha Burns: Hello, hello, and welcome to The Conversation. I'm Dasha Burns, Politico's White House Bureau Chief, and every week on this show, I inviteone of the most compelling and sometimes unexpected power players in Washington and beyond in for a chat to find out how they're navigating and shaping this incredible era of American politics.
And this week, I sat down with Alabama Senator Katie Britt. She's becoming a rapidly rising star in the Republican Party. She's young. She's a mom of school-age kids, and she's quickly become a prominent voice in the GOP on issues like the economy, border security, and family policy. But her first moment in the national spotlight went viral for all the wrong reasons and even became a sketch on SNL. And in our interview, she opens up about that and so much more.
Setting the backdrop for our conversation is the war in Iran and a major midterm primary. We talked about what the war means for not only global politics, but also for Americans at the gas pump and at the voting booth, plus how she navigates her unique relationship with the White House. Senator Katie Britt joins The Conversation.
Senator Katie Britt, thank you so much for joining The Conversation.
Sen. Katie Britt: I appreciate the opportunity to be on and be with you and in front of your listeners.
Dasha Burns: There's so much to dig into, but Senator, I do want to start with Iran because the United States is now involved in a rapidly escalating conflict with Iran with American troops already killed in retaliatory strikes, the region on edge. From your conversations with the administration, do you feel you have a clear sense of what the objectives are for this war?
Sen. Katie Britt: Well, first um, my heart is broken for our fallen service members um, and their families and loved ones. Certainly so grateful for their service, for their ultimate sacrifice, and I know that countless American lives are going to be safer as a result, but certainly want to put that first and...and...and in the forefront.
Yes, with regards to the mission um, had an opportunity, obviously, to speak to Secretary Rubio um, amongst others, but making sure that Iran's capabilities have diminished greatly, both from a nuclear perspective, which we know there it's about not being able to reconstitute nuclear weapons and/or uranium enrichment. When you're looking at ballistic missiles and what can happen in that just...not just now but in the next year or two, where those can reach and ultimately what that means for all of us. The arsenal that they have is truly unbelievable. The money that was sent from previous administrations to the Iranian government in hopes to help the Iranian people um, it is very clear where that money went. It didn't go to the people of Iran. It went up to build up these capabilities that ultimately could put our service men and women within the region and even those of us here at home at risk. So getting rid of that, getting rid of the naval fleet and that capacity there in Iran, I think we are well ahead of schedule of where the administration wanted us to be. Um, that doesn't mean that we don't have more to do, and I think it's important um, that...that we...that we finish these things off.
Dasha Burns: Do you have a sense of how this ends, of what the off ramp is for the United States?
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah, I think these capabilities being gone. So I think that that'll take kind of a multi-prong approach, but the ballistic missiles being gone, the Iranian naval fleet not being usable, and also the uh, manufacturing of these different missiles, making sure that they can't reconstitute that quickly, as well. So that'll be all-encompassing. It's going to be comprehensive in approach, and I...I am glad, for one, that the ayatollah is no longer here.
Dasha Burns: The ayatollah is gone, as are so many others in Iranian leadership. Do you think that the US should have influence over that...that leadership transition?
Sen. Katie Britt: Look, I think the Iranian people will...will ultimately be the deciders of that. What I am grateful for is that we actually have a president who does what he says he's going to do. And when you think about the countless number of both presidents and elected leaders, both in the Senate and the House, that have talked for years about the threat of Iran, who have talked about the ayatollahs, who have talked about them being the largest state sponsor of terrorism, but yet have either chose to look the other way or have placated them in certain ways. I'm glad that that day is over. I am glad that there has been a reckoning here. I think that we are safer, both abroad and at home, as a result of the ayatollah no longer being in power and these leaders being gone. So I think that this is a good thing, and I think that there is an off ramp. I think that this administration'll finish this off, and I think ultimately the Iranian people will be the ones that...that will decide their fate.
Dasha Burns: It's tough because you know, you mentioned you're glad there's a president that's going to do what he says he's going to do.
Sen. Katie Britt: Uh-huh.
Dasha Burns: He also did say - and I mean, I was on the campaign trail and I heard this multiple times - that he wasn't going to get the United States involved in any new conflicts. How do you square that?
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah. No, look, I think he is absolutely following through, Dasha, with what he said. So if you even look back on starting with securing our border, you know, under the Biden administration, we literally had countless numbers of illegal immigrants come across the border. In many cases, we didn't know who they were, where they were going, or what their intention was. And we're actually having to deal with that right now, which is kinda sort of another subset of needing to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which we can certainly talk about. But looking at, you know, the...the fentanyl overdoses, we have leaders all the time that can identify a problem, and you see that on campaign trails. I think what America wants is someone who's going to follow through, and that's exactly what President Trump has done.
He gave opportunity for the Iranians to come to the table. When they chose not to, when they chose to not give up their desire for enrichment, when they chose to continue to fund these terrorist activities all across the region that are putting our own troops in harm's way and Americans back here at home, President Trump is uh...is going to act. And to me, that is the definition of America first. Sending countless dollars over there like we've seen previous administrations that have clearly gone to ultimately hurt us and our allies, those days are gone. So I square it solely in that he absolutely laid in front of the American people, whether it was the border, whether it was the fentanyl crisis, whether it was, you know, making sure that Americans are safe abroad and at home, and he's going to do what it takes to actually achieve that. And I think it's refreshing, and I'm glad that...that he's following through.
Dasha Burns: The president has acknowledged that this war could drive up prices for oil and gas for Americans here at home. How do you explain that to your voters back in Alabama about why this conflict is worth those economic costs?
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah, well, first off, I mean, President Trump has been very firmly committed to unleashing American energy. We saw under the previous administration, both with overburdensome regulation and rhetoric and...and even um, things that were just put in place that didn't allow American energy to flourish. President Trump has come in and immediately begun to roll all of that back. He understands we don't need to just be energy independent but we need to be energy dominant. He has said to the American people look, that drives down prices, yes, at the gas pump, and it drives them down, you know, in your home, in the price of goods, and all types of things, but he's also talked about the national security element that comes along with that.
And when you're looking at what we're doing right now, you look at what Venezuela, you look at what's happening in Russia, you look at Iran, we know that this is where our adversaries go for this type of oil. We've seen the market already settle a little bit after this weekend. I think um, you know, President Trump, he is clear-eyed in...in what is in front of us. I think he understands the capability of China and their dependency on these places, and I think ultimately, given the approach that we've taken, both of unleashing American energy, working with these various sectors, whether it be, you know, in Venezuela or whatnot um, I think that we'll...we'll be able to have these prices settle and hopefully sooner rather than later. But I know that that's a priority of his, and I know it's something that he's thinking about.
Dasha Burns: So for your voters, I mean, am I hearing you say the message is basically like hang on in...in the short-term, but in the long-term this'll...this'll be okay?
Sen. Katie Britt: You think about an Iran without the ayatollah, you think about what that could possibly mean for safety and security of Americans, first and foremost, for our allies, but also the economic opportunity that is created for the Iranian people. I mean, we saw the ayatollah slaughter 30,000 innocent Iranians. We also know that every one of those people had hopes and dreams. I believe that as the Iranian people have an opportunity to take control of their own destiny, there's even greater economic opportunity, whether that is through trading and whatnot with regards to oil, or other economic opportunity that's there.
We also know that it's a dependency of China, and when we're looking at what's coming down the pipe 2027, which is next year, or beyond and what Xi Jinping has said uh, he would like to do, I also think that President Trump is taking a look at all of those different factors, and he's making sure that America is in the strongest place possible. And I think as more and more information comes out, I think people will see that obviously now's the time to put Americans first.
Dasha Burns: The president's political advisors - I sat across from James Blair like this just a few months ago - had been saying that once we hit 2026, there is going to be a laser focus on affordability, on the economy, on...on domestic issues.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah.
Dasha Burns: Do you worry that in a midterm year, this war will take focus away from those kitchen table concerns from...from voters?
Sen. Katie Britt: No. Um, I think if you look at what we're doing on the floor right now, I mean, we've got Road to Housing on the Senate floor at this very moment. We know housing affordability has been a problem under the Biden administration. You saw housing move from, you know, when people would be able to buy their first house it used to be at 26, and now we're looking at an average age of 38 or 39 before people can have that piece of the American dream. And for many people, it's not just a piece; it's a foundational element of who they want to be and what they want to achieve and...and kinda sort of what their hopes and...and visions are. We want to bring that back into reach. And so if you think about putting a bipartisan piece of legislation on the floor right now in the midst of all of the other things to say to the American people we are going to take a comprehensive approach to help make sure that home ownership is more affordable, I think that that's obviously first and foremost.
Dasha Burns: But do you think that that will break through the noise given we are in the middle of an escalating conflict in the Middle East? I guess that's what I'm asking because for voters, you know this so well, like it is about how people feel. And when the headlines and the conversation is about something abroad and not here at home, voters might not necessarily realize...
Sen. Katie Britt: You know...
Dasha Burns: ...how much you all are doing.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah. And I think we're looking at rate payers. I mean, I...I've been working with the president on this and proud to, you know, be a part of that announcement to say we're going to make sure that as we work to be innovative into the future and know that we have to lead and win on AI, we're going to make sure that rate payers are protected.
Dasha Burns: But the president's not...not beating the drum on that right now.
Sen. Katie Britt: Well...
Dasha Burns: He's focused on Iran.
Sen. Katie Britt: Well, I'm...we...we're going to be doing that today.
Dasha Burns: Okay.
Sen. Katie Britt: So there are a lot of things I think occurring there, and you also mentioned kind of like how you feel. So if you look at the working family's tax cuts that we passed last year, I think a lot of people are starting to see the effects of that as they file their taxes and uh, start to learn of all of the good work that we did. And one thing in there, Dasha, that I was really proud to lead the effort on was child care. So affordability and accessibility of child care, it's not something that I not only hear from the people that I serve and I hear from our largest businesses and our mom and pop in the small town about workforce and the reliability of child care and the impediment that that creates, but I've lived it myself. You know, I uh, went back to school with two little ones. I couldn't get them both in the same um...in the same facility 'cause there was a wait list so I was dropping off and going to school and picking up at different places, and then ultimately, you know, was working hard to kinda sort of figure out how do we make this work. Once we got them in the same place, then we moved. Then I felt like I was writing a check for my kids to go to college, not to go to preschool.
And we know as we build back America, which is President Trump's vision - build back America onshore and reshore, nearshore jobs - we have to have workers to do that. And as people want to reenter the workforce, and if you have or want the opportunity to stay home, absolutely want that for you, but if you want to reengage, I don't want child care to be an impediment to that. And so for the first time since 1986, we actually changed the tax code. So Regan was president last time that we bumped it up. So we bumped up the D-cap from 5000 to 7500. Um, we pumped up the CDCTC to nine hundred dollars. We had permanency. And we also worked on 45F from 150,000 to 500,000. I am hopeful that businesses will take advantage of that, being part of the solution here. We created permanency in that, and then also, for the first time ever...I'm the daughter of two small business owners, and so I always say like how can small business have a seat at the table. I think too often, government looks at the big guy and forgets about the trickle down effects or the people who make our main streets and communities run.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. You've heard us talk about Trump accounts. There's a lot of things that are coming out, and I think that the more people learn um, I think the more they're going to be impressed. Or MFN, for instance, all of these things I think the president has not just talked about, he said I'm going to do something about it. And I think people appreciate that.
Dasha Burns: Well, how do you want to see the president make sure that people do learn about it?
Sen. Katie Britt: Well, I think we've seen him get kinda sort of back out and about, and there is nobody better out in...in America on the stump um, than President Trump. That brings attention to all of the different things and the good work that we're doing.
Dasha Burns: Do you want to see him spend more time on the campaign trail?
Sen. Katie Britt: Listen, I...I want to...wherever...wherever he is the most effective, in the Oval Office or out, I...I think he can balance both beautifully. But there's certainly no better messenger than him. Uh, but I do think that the more we're able to let people know, I think that the more they'll be able to take advantage of it. But I think they'll be some natural implications of the work we've done through these various sectors that I...that I think people will start to feel.
Dasha Burns: People will start experiencing it.
Sen. Katie Britt: I do.
Dasha Burns: As an appropriator, are there any...[horn] oh, that's the votes.
Sen. Katie Britt: Got to love it. Got to love it. Got to love it. Got to love it.
Dasha Burns: We are...you know, listen, we are living...living, breathing Congress in real time here. The Pentagon is reportedly working up a supplemental spending bill to fund the war in Iran. So as an appropriator, are there any strings, guardrails that you would want to see before voting for more money?
Sen. Katie Britt: Well, first off, I want us to do our job right now, and that means fund the Department of Homeland Security. I am the chair of the subcommittee for Homeland Security. I think we have certainly come to the table in good faith in a number of ways in a way that I feel like our Democratic colleagues I hope will have the conversation about how we make sure that we essentially reopen that department. I think right now we just talked about Iran. We clearly know the increased threat level. We saw that in Austin. But we also know that from the failure of President Biden to secure our border and let countless number of um, known got-aways into our interior. We need to be vigilant right now, and that means every single component of Homeland Security, whether it is the US Coast Guard; whether it's CPB; whether it is ICE; whether it's HSI; um, you know, whether it's Secret Service; whether it's CISA uh, we know Iran's uh, cyber capabilities and other words; TSA um, these people don't need to worry about their next paycheck. We don't need to be asking them to fulfill their mission, which is to keep the American people and our homeland safe, while they're worried about making their wife's cancer treatment payment or having to sleep in their car, as we've seen from TSA officers that've said they're having to donate plasma to make ends meet over the last shutdown. I mean, a 43-day shutdown has real implications. We are now into day 17.
I mean, this is about the American people. This is not about politics. This is not about November. And I would hope that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle would come to this clear-eyed and find a pathway forward. So...
Dasha Burns: Is that argument sticking? Like where are you with...
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah, so...
Dasha Burns: ...with Democrats on this? I know you've been a lead negotiator here.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah, so the last, I'd say, two...two weeks, it's really been Senator Schumer's office and...and the White House. And at the end of last week um, look, I said we've...we've got to get some member-level engagement here because as much as I appreciate people's teams, I know I appreciate mine so much and I have been a part of one and it's such a valuable, incredible asset, none of those people were elected to make a decision. And so it is my thought that elected leaders, people who were sent here by their people of their state, need to get in a room and have a conversation and try to figure out a pathway forward. We owe it to the people we serve, and we certainly owe it to the country that we love. So allowing a staffer to talk to another staffer and tell us that we can't find a pathway forward, I think is unacceptable. And I think there is too much at stake right now to allow that to be the case.
So in reengaging in these conversations this weekend, was very encouraged both from conversations with Democrats and Republicans who called and said hey, how can we help 'cause they want that the safety and security of American citizens has to come first. And so now is not a time for politics. Now is a time for action. So...
Dasha Burns: So where have you...
Sen. Katie Britt: ...I...I hope...
Dasha Burns: Where do you feel like you've been able to make some progress?
Sen. Katie Britt: You know, I mean, we've...we've started to kind of begin to un...un...um, kinda sort of break the...the logjam, if you will. But look, it's going to take some people stepping up and saying okay, let's do it. But can you believe that? I mean, think about that. I am telling you that nobody has had a conversation. I am telling you we are 17 days...18 days into a shutdown of the department that is supposed to keep us safe, our homeland safe, and you have members that are elected to sit up here and haven't had a conversation? It's not okay. Look, I am really sick of people that can go out there and identify a problem but aren't willing to do what it takes to actually find a solution.
Dasha Burns: Well, do you...do you point the finger to both sides of the aisle here?
Sen. Katie Britt: What I am saying to you is I am ready and willing to have those conversations and have...engage with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in order to be able to do that. So my finger-pointing is at the fact that every one of us knows that we owe the people that we serve more. We have a duty to them to try to figure out a pathway forward. And if you can't find a pathway forward, you can't find a pathway forward. But I can guarantee you you'll never find one, Dasha, if you don't actually try. And so I appreciate the work that's been done from people's teams to get us um, to a point, but we are at a standstill and so we have to try something different.
I am grateful for the men and women who serve in the Department of Homeland Security. They took an oath. They love our nation. And they certainly deserve us to have tough conversations to try to figure this out. Them going without a paycheck and...and also that financial insecurity that occurs from that, at the very moment that they're supposed to be the most vigilant while we're trying to look for threats on our interior, it is mind-boggling to me. So I'm hopeful um, and I'm going to keep working at it. And I have had encouraging conversations on both sides of the aisle.
Dasha Burns: Is there some ground to give for some of Democrats' demands on clearer limits on how federal agents operate in order to fund the department? Are their demands unreasonable or is there...is there a compromise there?
Sen. Katie Britt: Well, I do think that the way that negotiation, or lack thereof, has taken place has...has certainly been a frustration for me personally. And I think I've just articulated that. I think members need to have these kind of conversations and figure...and figure that out, and I'm committed to doing that. Look, we have said obviously we're...we're not going to change the law or back away from enforcing it. The...the way you do it matters. We certainly want to do it the right way, and you've seen uh, from the top down, from President Trump to calling to the governor and the...the mayor. You've seen the Secretary send out the body cameras. You've seen Tom Homan draw down the number of people there as we've had a lot more cooperation from a local and a state level, which is really welcome and makes it better for everyone. It helps us keep our law enforcement officers safe, and it also helps us keep citizens safe. It's very important that we do that. So there's absolutely a conversation to be had on...on that how we do it, but it takes actually um...
Dasha Burns: Talking.
Sen. Katie Britt: ..talking to be able to do it.
Dasha Burns: [Laugh] There's a conversation in The Conversation.
Sen. Katie Britt: That's right. Look, in The Conversation. That's right. That's right. Yeah.
Dasha Burns: Um, and we are invoking the name of the podcast. I love it.
Sen. Katie Britt: That's right. That's right.
Dasha Burns: Speaking of conversations, I mean, you are...are one of the senators that has been able to sort of be the translator between Democrats, Republicans, the White House. You know, there have been a lot of reports of you privately expressing concerns and finding sort of a tactful way in with the president to...to deliver some messages from...from your colleagues. You were one of the Republicans that spoke out after President Donald Trump shared that video portraying uh, President Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. You said it should never have been posted. It's not who we are as a nation. What made you decide to call it out publicly, and do you think that more Republicans should be willing to do the same when things like that happen?
Sen. Katie Britt: Well, first off, I...I don't think there has been any president in my lifetime that has done as much for the black community as President Trump. I mean, you look at his first term, you look at the unemployment rates of the black community; you look at the job opportunity; you look at the wages and those numbers; you look at the investment in HBCUs, which I am so proud that Alabama has more HBCUs than any other place in the nation. When we're looking at that, when we're looking at the scholars' program and the investment there; when you're looking at opportunity zones, which really, as we have seen, has helped in majority minority communities and help create that opportunity uh, for so many. Look at the first step-back that he did um, and you look at all these different things that he did that I think have...have been um, really, really, really incredible. For me, when...when you're...when you're from the south, you have an obligation to speak up. Sometimes these things just hit different. And I think it's important to make sure that we do that. And I...I appreciated the White House. They...they took that down.
Dasha Burns: Did you talk to the president about it? Did you get any...any pushback from the White House?
Sen. Katie Britt: You know, I talked to the White House about it. Um, obviously they let me know that it was posted um, there in error, just what you saw online. And I think that um, I appreciated them, you know, taking that down.
Dasha Burns: I talked about sorta your role as the...the Trump whisperer or the translator or whatever you want to call it in...in your role as...as sorta the liaison between folks here on the Hill and the White House. You know, you've been described as one of the...sorta the key back-channelers. How would you describe your approach to...to the president, how you have some of these sometimes difficult conversations?
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah. So look, he is focused on what he can do for the American people. Then okay, what...what do we need to do, and then how do we actually do it. And obviously you've got a ton of people within the administration that are tasked with fulfilling those things. So where there are times where you either have malicious compliance to something or whether you may have somebody who may be off the mission a little bit, I think any time you're able to kinda sort of um, bring that back into focus, the president is always quick to make sure that he refocuses those individuals on what is at hand. And that's been my experience with him and certainly appreciate his openness and his dialogue. I mean, look, he takes calls from members of Congress all the time. I have never heard of another president being so accessible, not just to the media. We did not see Joe Biden. Uh, the president sees the media all the time. Um, I know he sat down with you amongst a number of other people. But he's got that level of access to members of Congress so he will...he'll call us up and say hey, you know...he'll call me up and say hey, what do you think about this, or he'll call other members up or we can call him and...and have that dialogue.
But any time you've got a large group of people working to achieve a mission, there will be times where there may be people that the way that they choose to fulfill it steps outside of the vision that the president's created. And any time I've ever had an opportunity to bring that to his attention um, he quickly refocuses those individuals and that project um, in a way that fulfills what he set forth.
Dasha Burns: Do you get the 2:00 a.m. phone calls? [Laugh]
Sen. Katie Britt: You know, I'm not quite a 2:00 a.m.-er. I'm not quite a 2:00 a.m.-er. But I do...I do have some colleagues that...that get those for sure.
Dasha Burns: I mean, I do know that he calls a...sometimes about things you expect and sometimes about things you don't expect. Has there been a...a surprising phone call that you've received?
Sen. Katie Britt: You know, one thing I did love talking with him about, which was the...we were talking about a different issue, but um, I got to hear about...about his um...his golf swing. And it was pretty great. He had just hit a uh, incredible drive, incredible drive, and he joked that it went further than even my husband's could have gone. And as you know...
Dasha Burns: Oh, boy.
Sen. Katie Britt: As you know, my husband is um...is quite a big human. The...the president often says he's the biggest man he's ever met. Uh, so I loved that. It was kind of a fun...
Dasha Burns: Did you tell your husband that?
Sen. Katie Britt: I did. I relayed the message. He said you know what? I think he's right; 285 yards, I think that's right.
Sen. Katie Britt: When you're on the phone with him, nothing is off limits. And so you can talk about any issue or anything and you know, he's got very um, you know, kinda sort of purposeful and thoughtful direction in many things. And there's other things...
Dasha Burns: Well, and you've been able to move the needle on stuff. Like how...how do you get him to sort of get on...on the same page as you or how do you...
Sen. Katie Britt: Nobody gets the president to do anything. The president makes decisions about where he wants to go and where he wants to focus policy. It's about giving him information that then he can utilize to help fulfill the mission he's put in front of the American people. And he campaigned in front of the American people. He talked about so many different issues. And he wants to achieve, and when you look at the achievements of this administration, they are vast. I mean, they are significant. He wants all the tools in his toolbox um, to be effective for the people he serves. So it's about giving him in the...the information, and the president will utilize it to make things happen.
Dasha Burns: I mean, one thing that is going to be, I think, a priority for Republicans and for the president is the Senate race in Texas.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yes.
Dasha Burns: We just got...got the results.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yes.
Dasha Burns: There's a runoff now, Cornyn and Paxton. Do you think and would you urge the president to endorse here? We know that his endorsement has a huge impact.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yes, there is nothing more powerful than President Trump's endorsement. I want to see John Cornyn come back to the United States Senate. And I think John has done um, an exceptional job internally in our conference articulating the...the president's vision in a number of ways of uh, how we actually achieve it. Because as you know, the Senate is a beast in and of itself. So there's one thing to have a goal. It's another of like how are you going to get this goal across the finish line. Um, John pops up consistently in our conference meetings and says why don't...why don't we try this? What if we do this? Here's...here's how we can move this. He was actually one of the ones...we were tasked by Leader Thune...there was about a group of probably five of us that were tasked over August of, you know, we had that unprecedented obstruction by Democrats with regards to the president's nominees. And they were filing cloture on every single one of them, like people that you wouldn't even, you know...
Dasha Burns: Know about. Yeah.
Sen. Katie Britt: ...know...yes. And...and look...and...and that's a...that's a...that's a stark contrast from what it used to be. I mean, they didn't even file cloture on Clarence Thomas. So if you're not going to file cloture on Clarence Thomas, you certainly are not going to file cloture on like the assistant to legal advocacy for Fish and Wildlife or...or whatever the...the actual name of it is. And so that calendar, I dug in um, over August and did the research of like what it would take at the record we were doing it doing nothing else, not being able to do anything else. By the end of this first Congress, we would only have like 445 people actually confirmed if we did nothing else.
Now, we have appropriations bills, which you know I am all about getting passed, and we have so many other good things like we just talked about that we need to get done. At that rate, too, by the end of his term, he would've only had, you know, eight to 900 people confirmed. And that's totally unacceptable when you're looking at the fact that we need to confirm 1200 people. And many previous administrations, and this one, will have people that, you know, take another opportunity within the midst of that so you need to reconfirm someone else.
Dasha Burns: So Cornyn played a role?
Sen. Katie Britt: So Cornyn played a critical role in that as well. So I dug in and did the research. You know um, Cornyn was trying to figure out what is the pathway forward; how do we actually change these rules to make that happen. So that's just one example...
Dasha Burns: So is this the message that you will take to the president? Will you urge him to endorse Cornyn?
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah. Yes, and I...I think also, too, when we're looking at the landscape in November, I think Cornyn not only um, as I've mentioned, has done really great things in our conference and has done a number of things stepping up for President Trump and saying okay, how do we get this done, but I also think um, he is without a doubt the best candidate uh, to win in November.
Dasha Burns: You've been a really strong advocate for legislative action on social media, especially for kids. You helped introduce the Kids Off Social Media Act. You've done a number of other um, bipartisan work on this issue. Why is this such a priority for you?
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah. Um, look, I'm a mom. I tell people all the time I don't have to ask people what it's like to raise a family. I'm actually living it right now. I see the effects of social media, not just on our community at large, I mean, truly, I mean, but...but really on our kids and our next generation. And so whether it's just anecdotally, what I see personally, what I hear from my friends, or what I hear from other parents, I think um, in addition to that, it's the data. I mean, the data itself shows, Dasha, so one in three high school young women said that she actually considered taking her own life. And then 25% of high school young women said they made a plan to commit suicide, and...and then you have about 9% of high school young women in our country that attempted death by suicide. When you add in young men, that number goes to about 12% or so. Regardless, that is insane that we are allowing that to happen.
We know the rate of depression more than doubled amongst young people. It perfectly coincides with the rise in social media between 2011 and 2019. And so I feel passionate that we must do something. We've seen other countries, other communities step up, and for whatever reason, Congress continues to be feckless when it comes to actually addressing this. Look, we know the harms now that we didn't know then. I think we have a duty to protect the next generation from them. They are our greatest asset. They are our most valuable asset. The voiceless deserve to have a voice. And so I think putting up guardrails, I think is the bare minimum that we can do to help achieve that with our kids.
And...and Dasha, I have heard way too many stories, whether it is from a parent whose child bought Adderall on Snapchat, you know, thinking they were going to stay up for a test and...and obviously, we don't want people doing that. But you certainly don't think it's laced with fentanyl. It only takes the equivalent of five grains of sand to ultimately create an overdose. Sextortion is on the rise. I did not grow up with a front-facing camera, and this generation is not only growing up with that but also is taking that into our homes and our bedrooms. You know, we used to be able to lock our doors at night and think that we had kept our kids safe and take a sigh of relief. And now, many times the enemy or someone who wishes to do them harm is actually in the palm of their own hand.
So when we're looking at those things, we're...we're looking at things that you know about, bullying and whatnot, I mean, we have a crisis on our hands. And I think it is incumbent upon us to actually fix it. And I've come together with people on the other side of the aisle.
Dasha Burns: On both sides. Yeah. Yeah.
Sen. Katie Britt: On the other side of the aisle. We have some kinda sort of unlikely pairings. But I think that that tells you how important it is. Like one, for instance, the Kids Off Social Media Act is Brian Schatz and Chris Murphy and me and Ted Cruz. [Laugh]
Dasha Burns: I mean, maybe it gives a model for like hey, it is possible to get some stuff done working across the aisle. I mean, one thing that makes you so unique as a Senator, your age. [Laugh]
Sen. Katie Britt: Right, right, right.
Dasha Burns: Right? Um, and the fact that you do have school-age children and so you just...you have skin in the game I think in a different way than...than...than some of your...your...your peers here. As there's a...a conversation happening right now in both parties about what the future of Democrats looks like, what the future for Republicans looks like, how do you see your role in shaping kinda where the GOP goes next?
Sen. Katie Britt: My priority every day is obviously serving the people of the great state of Alabama and creating greater opportunity for them, for the people of this nation, representing our values, representing where we want to go, and so I think continuing to be that voice. I kind of alluded to it earlier when we were talking, but I think anyone can identify a problem. I think the people of Alabama elected me to work to get in a room and try to figure out a solution. And that means earning the trust and respect of your colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Dasha Burns: Which you've gotten some flak for sometimes. Like bipartisanship is not like the trendy, sexy thing right now.
Sen. Katie Britt: That's fair. Um, but it...it's absolutely necessary. You don't have to agree to show one...to show someone respect. And I think if we as a nation went back to a place where that was the case, I think we would be so much better off. And I am trying to conduct myself in this body in a way that allows me to lead, allows me to fight for our values, fight for our people, create opportunity, and tackle challenges. And so that takes...that takes time though 'cause I think trust and respect aren't given; they're earned. But I am hopeful that the more that we can have these kinds of dialogues and hopefully create solutions in some spaces, I think it gives people both permission and hope to do that themselves.
And it doesn't mean you back away from your values or that you stand down on things that matter to you. It means that if you share a common goal with somebody, they happen to be on the other side of the aisle, you have a duty to get in a room and try to kinda sort of figure out a pathway forward. I think that's the bare minimum. If the pathway's not there, it's not there. But you're certainly not going to know it if you don't try. And I have been encouraged by a number of my colleagues. You know, we were just talking about social media. Senator Fetterman and I have the Stop the Scroll Act to try to protect that. We've got a number of things, you know, worked with child care with Senator Kaine, worked um...working on homeless children issues with Senator also Brooks, working with Senator Gillibrand to make sure that those in our armed services have access to...to, you know, mental health resources, NIH Improve with Senator Booker. We have the...one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. It disproportionately effects black women. In 2026, that should not be the case. How do we send that in the other direction?
So there are a lot of things that people see in the news where we don't agree. And I think that we're all going to stand kinda sort of firm in those spaces and try to move forward in those areas. But there are a lot of places where there is an overlap, and I am hopeful that we can do more of that. You're seeing that through the housing bill and others. Senator Reed and I have a provision in the housing bill that helps people go from government assistance to actually creating their own pathway to homeownership and really proud of that transition. So there's a number of things that we're actually working on.
Dasha Burns: You've taken on a lot. You...you've taken on a lot and...
Sen. Katie Britt: And we're going to keep doing it, too.
Dasha Burns: I can't let you go without going backwards just a little bit...
Sen. Katie Britt: Okay. Okay.
Dasha Burns: ...um, to when you first stepped into the national spotlight.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah.
Dasha Burns: You were asked to give the State of the Union rebuttal to...
Sen. Katie Britt: Yes.
Dasha Burns: ...President Biden. You were a surprising choice given you were a freshman senator, like relatively little name ID.
Sen. Katie Britt: And Joe Biden showed up awake that night so that was something.
Dasha Burns: It...it...there were a lot of surprises that night. Nobody really knew who you were, and then suddenly, everybody knew who you were, including Scarlett Johansson um, on SNL.
Sen. Katie Britt: Which still may be one of my greatest achievements, by the way. Actually...
Dasha Burns: I...I...I mean, that's...that's...
Sen. Katie Britt: ...somebody said something to me yesterday about this. I kid you not. And they said did you feel like, I mean, Scarlett Johansson, I'm like that's...that's a pretty big win right there. That's a pretty big win.
Dasha Burns: I mean, to have that on your Wikipedia page is...is just really something. [Laugh] But you know, we...we laugh about it now.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah.
Dasha Burns: But I...I...I know in that moment, it's easy for people to criticize from the outside, but I've always wanted to ask you this.
Sen. Katie Britt: Yeah.
Dasha Burns: Like take me into that moment. I want to understand that from your perspective. Like having to sit there in the kitchen waiting for your moment and then...
Sen. Katie Britt: Well, they actually had said that Biden was going to give a really short speech so they had pulled me earlier than anticipated. He obviously did not. He had a bout of energy, and certainly...and certainly did not give a...give a short speech; although, I think obviously President Trump holds the record on...
Dasha Burns: Yep. That...that's right. There's no...no debate there.
Sen. Katie Britt: ...on the length of...length of the speech. That experience um, has shaped me in a number of ways. I think, you know, first, you figure out who your friends are and who they're not. Any time you go through anything like that, it is very clear people who are willing to say hey, how can I help or what can I do and those that maybe don't. And so to learn something like that so early in my career will likely prove to be invaluable in a number of ways. But truly, you know, I think for me, making sure that I could continue to do good things for the people I served was probably the thing that came to mind most. But it taught me overall, trust in the Lord and trust in His plan and His purpose. And also to keep moving because in keeping moving and keeping moving, you know, look at what we've been able to do. Whether it's help make sure the Tuskegee Airmen were properly honored or restarting the flight program there or child care or helping with NIH and making sure that the proper research dollars went to life-saving and life-changing research; whether it's working to change the Senate rules; whether it's, you know, the work that we've done making sure that people have an opportunity to bring life into the world, there's a number of things that we have tackled. None of that would be possible without like...
Dasha Burns: But when...but when Scarlett...
Sen. Katie Britt: ...without moving...without moving forward.
Dasha Burns: Without Scarlett Johansson...
Sen. Katie Britt: Without Scarlett, that's like, you know, I had somebody that wanted me to dress up as the Black Widow for Halloween. And I thought, you know, that would be...that'd be kinda spicy, you know, just...
Dasha Burns: Okay. Octo...October 31st, 2026, I'm...I'm...I'm waiting for it. But what was...
Sen. Katie Britt: But that is what...that is what my husband said to my kids. He was like the Black Widow...they had to bring in an Avenger to play your mother. I mean, come on. Come on.
Dasha Burns: [Laugh]
Sen. Katie Britt: So that...that actually...that was pretty cool.
Dasha Burns: What did go through your mind when you saw Scarlett in that?
Sen. Katie Britt: I have not seen it.
Dasha Burns: You haven't watched it?
Sen. Katie Britt: No. No. You know, I have found...we talked a little bit about social media earlier, and we talked about the effects of that on kids. But the truth is, like go find an adult who tells you that they feel better...
Dasha Burns: Well, this thing, I mean...
Sen. Katie Britt: ...that they feel better after spending time online. Look, I have found in this job that it is important for me to be laser focused on how I can help the people of Alabama. And if I start kind of wading into everything everyone has to say about me, like or dislike, I think you lose focus on your purpose. And for me, it's, you know, God's purpose and plan. How can I be of a soul for Him and His kingdom? How can I make sure that I'm serving the people who sent me here? I said when I ran, I want the unseen to be seen. I want to close the gap between the have and the have nots. I want people to see Alabama through the lens that I do. And so instead of getting caught up in those things, which I think it's kind of easy...when you give something a little bit of air, it's easy for it to take you away. I have been consistently focused on the legislative agenda in front of us, the people who come through these doors and say hey, we need your help or hey, we want to tell you about something that I think needs to be changed. And I have found that that has been the best thing in that whole let's keep moving forward. And it's also what continues to give me drive and purpose as I work to do this job.
Dasha Burns: Senator Katie Britt, thank you so much for taking the time.
Sen. Katie Britt: Thank you. I really appreciate it.
Dasha Burns: This has been The Conversation with Dasha Burns. We'll be back next week. If you want to catch future episodes of The Conversation, be sure to click that subscribe button below. Thanks for watching.
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Original text here: https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-press/2026/03/06/full-transcript-sen-katie-britt-r-ala-on-the-conversation-with-dasha-burns-00816865
[Category: BizMedia]
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Simple Swap Could Change How Hospitals Test Antibiotics for Drug-Resistant Infections
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 7 (TNSjou) -- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center issued the following news:* * *
A Simple Swap Could Change How Hospitals Test Antibiotics for Drug-Resistant Infections
New Method Accelerates Testing for Drug Resistant Infections
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Microbiologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have developed a faster, simpler way to test whether antibiotics will work against drug-resistant bacterial infections. The elegant method could save patients precious time while supporting responsible use of the antibiotic arsenal.
In a study published in the Journal ... Show Full Article BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 7 (TNSjou) -- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center issued the following news: * * * A Simple Swap Could Change How Hospitals Test Antibiotics for Drug-Resistant Infections New Method Accelerates Testing for Drug Resistant Infections * Microbiologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have developed a faster, simpler way to test whether antibiotics will work against drug-resistant bacterial infections. The elegant method could save patients precious time while supporting responsible use of the antibiotic arsenal. In a study published in the Journalof Clinical Microbiology (https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.01822-25), a team led by James E. Kirby, MD, director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at BIDMC, showed that simply changing the materials in a standard lab test to grow bacteria can deliver gold-standard results in a fraction of the time and with less effort.
"Our technology provides a simple way for standard clinical labs to perform testing that was previously beyond their capabilities," said Kirby, whose laboratory has extensive experience translating complex diagnostic methods into routine clinical practice, including leading early large-scale COVID-19 testing efforts in 2020. "This is a new tool in our fight against multidrug-resistant pathogens."
Kirby's team replaced the agar -- the medium bacteria grow on in petri dishes -- with an alternative called poloxamer. The key difference: agar is solid at room temperature whereas poloxamer is liquid. That one property streamlines the entire process for lab workers delivering gold-standard results while avoiding the technical pitfalls of the traditional method that can compromise test accuracy.
The elegant solution solves a longstanding problem. When a patient has a serious bacterial infection, physicians need to know which antibiotics will actually clear it, as soon as possible. That answer comes from the lab, where medical laboratory scientists find the lowest drug dose necessary to stop bacterial growth, a measurement called the minimum inhibitory concentration, or MIC. For most antibiotics, those tests run on automated machines. But for a handful of drugs -- including some of the most important weapons against drug-resistant infections -- the machines don't give reliable results. The only trusted method is agar dilution: making a fresh batch of agar mixed with a precise concentration of antibiotic, pouring it into a plate, waiting for it to set, then repeating at the next concentration, and the next. The results are excellent, but hospitals' limited time, space and staffing can add days to a process where hours count.
"Hospitals don't need new instruments or commercial kits to use this approach," said lead author Matthew T.J. Uy. "Labs can order the materials, validate the test locally as an in-house assay, and then begin using it for patient care."
The timing gives this extra urgency. The FDA recently approved a new intravenous formulation of the antibiotic fosfomycin for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. But, while hospitals can test whether some bacteria respond to fosfomycin, most clinical laboratories cannot easily perform the specialized testing needed to precisely measure how much of the drug is required to stop a patient's infection. The reference method is agar dilution, and most hospitals can't routinely perform it.
The poloxamer method solves that problem, bringing reliable fosfomycin testing within reach of standard hospital labs for the first time. And the approach could also work for other antibiotics where agar dilution is required, expanding hospitals' diagnostic reach at a time when drug-resistant infections are on the rise.
Co-authors included Andrea Kirmaier and Lindsey M. Rudtner formerly of BIDMC; and Matthew T.J. Uy and Aidan Pine of Northeastern University and BIDMC.
This work was supported by a Novel Therapeutics Delivery Grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center and a Carole Shapazian Research Co-op Fellowship from Northeastern University. The HP D300 digital dispenser was provided by TECAN (Morrisville, NC); TECAN had no role in study design, data collection, or interpretation.
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About Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a leading academic medical center, where extraordinary care is supported by high-quality education and research. BIDMC is a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and consistently ranks as a national leader among independent hospitals in National Institutes of Health funding. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a healthcare system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.
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Original text here: https://bidmc.org/news-stories/all-news-stories/news/2026/03/simple-swap-could-change-how-hospitals-test-antibiotics-drug-resistant-infections
[Category: BizHospital]