In an interview with Chris Ryan and Justin McIsaac, the U.S. Representative from Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, Tim Ryan, evaluates the start of the Biden Administration, predicts what could build momentum for President Biden’s approval rating, weighs in on whether Republican leaders who had a role in stirring up the mob which attacked the Capitol will be held accountable, discusses the future of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, gives his opinion about the proposed raising of the minimum wage to $15 per hour and whether the Senate should eliminate its filibuster rule.
Congressman Ryan feels that the Biden Administration is off to a good start. The cabinet posts are being approved rapidly by the Senate. The Congressman applauds Joe Biden’s candor when he levels with the American people about how difficult it will be to conquer the COVID pandemic. Such honesty will build trust and will lead to healing and uniting the country.
If the vaccine distribution problems get ironed out and the economy gets rolling again, Congressman Ryan predicts that President Biden could have a run of popularity that could last a few years.
The Congressman isn’t sure how the House or the Senate will deal with the attack on the Capitol. He contends that President Trump, and Republican Senators Cruz and Hawley, who are accused of inciting the mob to attack the Capitol Building, are being isolated by former donors from the business community.
Congressman Ryan is hopeful that the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package will get through Congress and out to help the American within a few weeks.
In theory, the Congressman is in favor of a federal $15 per hour minimum wage; but, in practice he suggests several ways that it should be nuanced.
The Senate filibuster rule permits a senator or group of senators to block legislation unless three-fifths or 60 out of 100 senators vote to end their debate—called invoking cloture. Congressman Ryan, having once been in the minority party, can see how the filibuster rule could potentially protect the American people from bad legislation being passed. However, he would also like to see the Senate move into the twenty-first century, and he thinks that the filibuster rule is a relic of the past.