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--:-- Host (John Bickley): This episode is brought to you by LifeLock. Between two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and a VPN, you try to be in control of how your info is protected. But many other places also have it, and they might not be as careful. That's why LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second for threats. If your identity is stolen, they'll fix it. Guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit LifeLock.com slash podcast for 40% off. Terms apply.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Following 15 votes and a convincing plea to holdouts, Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected Speaker of the House. We must get America back on track. What promises did the new Speaker have to make? And how will they shape the direction of the new Congress? I'm Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Monday, January 9th, and this is Morning Wire.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): The crisis at the southern border has reached a tipping point, prompting President Biden to make his first official border visit and announce some changes to immigration policy. Starting today, if you don't apply through the legal process, you will not be eligible for this new parole program. Will the visit and the changes be enough to stem the tide? And a high-profile custody battle escalates after California's new trans kids sanctuary law goes into effect. We have the details.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): The current administration's New Year's goals are to tax, spend, and turn a blind eye to inflation. If that's at odds with your goals, get in touch with the experts at Birch Gold today. Birch Gold makes it easy to convert an IRA or 401k into an IRA and precious metals. Text WIRE to 989898 to claim your free info kit on gold and talk to one of their precious metal experts. You can trust Birch Gold to help protect your savings. Text WIRE to 989898 today.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): On Friday night, following the longest election since before the Civil War, California Republican Kevin McCarthy was finally elected Speaker of the House, securing the necessary support on the 15th vote. Here are the details on how we got over the finish line and what it means for Congress is Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: So tell us what happened. It was about as dramatic an evening as you'll see on the House floor, with the whole process taking until nearly 2 a.m. to finally wrap up. And it was a wild conclusion, to say the least.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: McCarthy had started to gain momentum on Friday afternoon, slowly peeling off members of the 20 or so GOP holdouts. As each of those reps announced their support one by one, the Republican side of the chamber erupted in cheers on the floor. But as voting ended Friday afternoon, with Congress set to break for the weekend, McCarthy still did not have the votes.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: But then in a surprise twist, he called members back for a 10 p.m. vote, indicating that he had been able to win over the remaining holdouts led by Florida's Matt Gaetz and Colorado's Lauren Boebert. But Gaetz and a handful of others still refused to vote for him, clearly angering GOP leaders on the floor who thought they had it in the bag.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: After the vote, an agitated McCarthy could be seen approaching Gates on the floor and exchanging words before Alabama rep Mike Rogers appeared and really went after Gates. Yeah, he was. Rogers became so incensed that he had to be physically restrained by another member who pulled him away, tried to cover his mouth from behind.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: The video of the scene is pretty wild. Yeah, it really gives you an idea of just how contentious things got there. It was more action than C-SPAN has seen in years. And after that failed 14th vote, It looked like things would have to wait until Monday, but that's when the breakthrough happened.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: We don't know exactly what was said, but Gates could be seen talking with McCarthy and his team, which at some point prompted cheers from the floor and chants for one more vote, indicating that the deal had finally been struck. So on the 15th and final ballot McCarthy secured the votes necessary and became the next Speaker of the House ending like Georgia noted the longest such stalemate since before the Civil War and making for some very happy Congress members on both sides who were just ready to get sworn in and go home.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Now, what ultimately was the turning point for McCarthy? How did he get this deal done? Well, because the deal was made behind closed doors, we still don't know all of the details, but we've got a few ideas.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: First, McCarthy agreed to submit a House budget that balances itself within 10 years and caps certain discretionary spending for Congress. We also know three seats on the powerful House Rules Committee, which determines which bills come to the floor, will be awarded to some of those holdout members.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: There were also other committee assignments offered and concessions on rules that make it easier for the speaker to be voted out. So if you're one of those GOP holdouts, you're pretty happy with the final outcome, all the concessions you were able to get. Yeah, sounds like it.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): All right, so what does this long battle mean for McCarthy now that he's finally elected? Yeah, that's the interesting question. Now, politically speaking, it really depends on how you look at it.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: McCarthy allies would say that this shows he's got a firm grip on the vast majority of the party. The fact this thing went 15 rounds and he maintained the support of almost every member who voted for him on the first ballot could absolutely be viewed as a sign that he is the clear party power broker.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: But critics say the fact it took him so long to get nominated, remember, every speaker from the last century was elected on the first ballot, shows that his grip on the speaker's gavel may not be as firm. And remember, because of those new rules that he agreed to in order to win over those holdouts, it'll only take a handful of members to initiate a vote of no confidence, which is basically a recall vote on the speaker.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): So we could have an answer to the question of how strongly he's positioned very soon. Yeah, we could. Well, we know there's going to be a lot more coming from this split Congress in the coming months. Cabot, thanks for reporting.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Anytime.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): That's Daily Wire senior editor, Cabot Phillips. Coming up, President Biden visits the border and makes some big changes to immigration policy. Last year, the S&P 500 ended its worst year since 2008. In fact, Bank of America expects zero returns in 2023. But Masterworks just handed back a 35% net return to their investors. You see, with Masterworks, you can invest in fine art from legends like Picasso and Banksy. Their last three sales delivered over 10, 13, and 35% in returns. Go to masterworks.com and use promo code MORNINGWIRE for priority access. That's masterworks.com, promo code MORNINGWIRE. See important disclosures at masterworks.com slash cd.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): President Biden made his first official visit to the U.S. southern border on Sunday. He's faced bipartisan pressure to make the trip since taking office in 2021. Since his term began, the U.S. has experienced an unprecedented amount of illegal migration over the southern border. Here to talk about Biden's trip and the president's updated approach to border security is Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce.
--:-- Tim Pierce: So, Tim, tell us about the visit. Sure. This was the first trip to the border during his presidency, and it looks like the first dedicated border trip of his political career. In 2008, he traveled in a motorcade for a few miles along the border on the way to a campaign event in New Mexico, but there's no record of him making any stops.
--:-- Tim Pierce: That said, he has worked on immigration issues before. For example, he's had discussions in Congress and met diplomats in the U.S. and in Mexico over immigration. Now, has he laid out any specific plans or updated plans for border security? In a speech on Thursday, he indicated that he would be talking to officials at the border to formulate a plan.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Here's what he said. Next week, I'm going to travel to Mexico, where I'm going to meet with President López Obrador. We have a big agenda that ranges from the climate crisis, economic development, and other issues. But one important part of that agenda is strengthening our border between our nations. And I will visit the border myself this Sunday in El Paso to assess border enforcement operations meet with the local officials and community leaders and the folks at the border sending me what they need that they don't have.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Biden also announced a few specific changes to policy during that speech. Mainly, he's expanding a parole program put in place for Venezuelan migrants last year to include migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba, and Haiti. Under that policy, the U.S. will accept 30,000 people from those countries per month, as long as they have a tie to the U.S. already.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Migrants who don't qualify or who didn't apply for the program correctly will face an expedited removal process. Here's Biden talking about the new program Thursday. My message is this. Do not, do not just show up at the border. Stay where you are and apply legally from there.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): What prompted this trip now? Well, he's facing increasing political pressure to address the situation at the border. Initially, that pressure was primarily from Republican border states, but now some blue states are also applying pressure as well.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Earlier this week, Colorado's governor said he is joining several Republican governors in busing migrants to sanctuary cities such as Chicago and New York City. Those sanctuary cities are really starting to feel the strain. New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently called the situation unfair. Here's what he said.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Now, Sid, we were notified yesterday this is just unfair for local governments to have to take on this national obligation.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Now, has Biden announced any new policies or updates since visiting the border? He hasn't made any official statements yet, but we will hopefully hear more later this week. All right. Well, Tim, thanks for reporting.
--:-- Tim Pierce: That's Daily Wire's Tim Pierce.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): A new transgender sanctuary law in California could complicate a high-profile custody battle in Texas. Here to discuss the latest in this years-long legal battle is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta-Giacomo.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: So Amanda, can you give us a brief background into the situation for those unfamiliar? Sure, John. Yeah, this case has gained national attention for years. It really strikes at the heart of the culture where it's brewing here in the West.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: And at the center of the case is young biological male named James. The boy's mother, a pediatrician named Dr. Ann Georgilis, She claims the boy has identified as a girl named Luna since the child was a toddler. The father, Jeff Younger, says his son has never presented as a girl and doesn't want him to undergo any transition, be it social or medical.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Younger, in 2019, released a cell phone video he took of James at age three. Here's an audio clip of that. You're a boy, right? No. I'm a girl. Who told you you were a girl? Mommy. When did she tell you you were a girl? I love girls. Oh, I see. So mommy told you you were a girl? Mm-hmm.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: And here's Georgilis in her own words at a custody hearing talking about James, whom she calls Luna. When she was about three, she started wanting to do things and dress in certain ways that were female. And then when she was about five, she told me that she didn't want this to be pretend anymore. And she had been telling us to use female pronouns for a year and a half. maybe a year at that point.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: As a child gets older, now nine years old, and medical so-called transgender care is on the table, the legal battle has become even more high stakes. A lot of this treatment for minors is irreversible and life-altering.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Now, the Texas Supreme Court recently ruled against an appeal from the father. What can you tell us about that ruling? Yeah, the court ruled 8 to 1 against Younger's request that his ex-wife move their child back to Texas from California, where younger fears Georgilis will be allowed to medically transition the child under California's SB107, which took effect on January 1st.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: That law obstructs the enforcement of out-of-state laws that prevent services like hormone therapy and so-called trans surgeries for kids, which opponents say are tantamount to sterilization and child mutilation. A note here, back in 2021, Georgilis was awarded full custody of their child and was permitted to live where she pleases within the US and treat the boy as a girl without the consent of Mr Younger.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Now the only caveat to that was that she was not allowed to move forward with puberty blockers or transgender reassignment surgery without her ex-husband's consent. This order was put in place before Texas moved to criminalize such treatments on minors, by the way.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Right. So with this new California law, Younger fears his ex-wife can now actually move forward with medical transition against his wishes. Right. And Younger claims Georgilis actually moved their children to California specifically for this reason.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Here's the father speaking on Tipping Point last week, just before the decision from the Texas Supreme Court was handed down. My ex-wife transferred her medical license to California, looks like, in September. So this was a well-planned legal strategy to get my son to California so he could be transitioned.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Now, a concurring opinion from one of the judges said Younger is misreading the California law, claiming SB 107 won't negate the Texas court order prohibiting unilateral reassignment medication or surgery for this child. The judge wrote, quoting here, I see no provision in the bill that would alter the enforceability in California of a Texas court order requiring divorced parents to agree before subjecting their child to gender transition therapy.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Okay, so some disagreement on SB 107. How has Younger reacted since this Texas Supreme Court's decision? He's vowed to never stop fighting against the transitioning of his child, and he's clearly not happy with the decision from the Texas Supreme Court.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Younger said on Twitter that the Texas Supreme Court effectively terminated his parental rights, adding, quote, My children are now subject to being chemically castrated in California.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): These sorts of transgender-centered custody battles seem to be becoming more and more common. And Amanda, thanks for reporting.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Anytime.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): That was Daily Wire reporter, Amanda Presta-Giacomo.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): Other stories we're tracking this week. Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who refused to accept his electoral defeat by his leftist rival, stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace in the Capitol on Sunday. Some of his supporters are calling for a military intervention to restore the right-wing Bolsonaro to power.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): A teacher was shot and injured by a six-year-old student in Virginia on Friday. The student reportedly opened fire after an altercation with the teacher in the first grade public school classroom. Police are currently investigating how the student gained access to the firearm.
--:-- Host (John Bickley): That's all the time we've got this morning. Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back later this afternoon with more news you need to know.
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--:-- Host (John Bickley): Hey guys, producer Brandon here. Black Rifle Coffee has expanded their team of active duty service members, veterans, and veteran family members, all thanks to your support. This year alone, they were able to donate 120,000 bags of coffee to veterans and first responders. If you want to keep supporting this incredible company, go to blackriflecoffee.com and use promo code WIRE for 10% off your purchase and your first coffee club order. That's blackriflecoffee.com, promo code WIRE. Black Rifle Coffee, America's coffee.
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