Washington Today

Épisodes

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  James Carville on the 2026 Midterms & Rafael Mangual on Falling Crime Rates 15.08.2026 27min

  A look at the 2026 midterm elections and the primary season with veteran Democratic strategist James Carville and RealClearPolitics co-founder Tom Bevan, including the growing influence of democratic socialist candidates within the Democratic Party. Then, Manhattan Institute fellow Rafael Mangual discusses new crime data showing violent crime at or near historic lows in many U.S. cities and whether federal policies and National Guard deployments have played a role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  President Trump touts anti-crime agenda at police academy in NY; Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges related to shooting death of health care executive 14.08.2026 55min

  President Donald Trump speaks at a police academy in Garden City on Long Island, New York about his anti-crime and anti-illegal immigration agenda with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Republican nominee for New York governor; North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee Roy Cooper continues his series of campaign events highlight affordability with a stop in Henderson; Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins starts a reelection bus tour in Kittery and is asked about ICE funding; Today is the 91st anniversary of Social Security being signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt; Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal court to charges related to the shooting death of health care executive, Brian Thompson; President Trump comments about the alleged troubles surrounding the long deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, and he says about the war with Iran he might declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory; On this five year anniversary of the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan, a quarter of the world's nations, including the United States, condemn the Taliban's treatment of women and girls, and harboring of terrorists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Attorney General Blanche praises Justice Dept career staff in first speech; Kennedy Center board votes for 2 year closure for renovation & for putting Donald Trump's name back on the facade   13.08.2026 57min

  Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks to the employees at the Justice Department about their hard work and integrity, respecting the authority of the judiciary, and letting people of different political backgrounds disagree to work out the best policy. Reporters note that he did not talk about the Biden administration's alleged weaponization of the Justice Department or about 'activist' judges, which he and President Donald Trump have often mentioned in speeches; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is asked at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Atlanta how he would work with President Trump should the Democrats win a majority of House seats this November and he is elected Speaker; We check in on a close House race in Michigan, as well as the governor's race in that state; Vice President JD Vance's Anti-Fraud Task Force accuses hospitals of using fake billing codes to get insurance companies to cover transgender care for minors and bring in tens of millions of dollars; Kennedy Center board votes to move forwards with a closure for two-years for renovations and to put President Trump's name back on the facade in a different form than what was struck down by a judge. It would read, “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump”; Trump Administration accuses China of evading U.S. tariffs by shipping products through other countries to the U.S.; United Nations Security Council holds a meeting on Yemen, where attacks by Iranian-supported Houthis on Saudi Arabia and international shipping have increased, sparking fears of a wider war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  DSA candidate loses WI Gov. primary, another wins MN Sen. primary; Inflation cools in July; DOJ announces arrests in fake marriages-for-Green-Cards scheme 12.08.2026 1h

  Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor David Crowley calls for unity after his surprise upset victory over Francesca Hong, whose views align more with Democratic Socialist agenda, while in the Minnesota U.S. Senate Democratic primary, the more progressive candidate Peggy Flanagan beats the moderate Angie Craig. Also in Minnesota, Republican candidate for governor Mike Lindell, an ally of President Donald Trump, refuses to concede defeat to Lisa Demuth, who was declared the winner in the primary by the Associated Press, citing voting 'anomalies'. Attorney General Todd Blanche announces arrests in an alleged scheme to orchestrate over 1,000 sham marriages with foreign nationals, primarily from China, to obtain U.S. Green Cards; Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) & NY Attorney General Letitia James (D) are asked about plans to buy for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks; Labor Department's inflation report: prices increased 0.1%, or 3.4% year over year, down from 3.5% in June; FDA's Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas provides an update on the response to the cyclospora outbreak; Justice Department says the President can claim Executive Privilege to shield his conversations not just with government employees, but also 'private advisers'. We will talk about the implications with The Hill's National Security and Legal Affairs Reporter Rebecca Beitsch. (50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  American Robert Gilman released from Russia prison & flown home; Campaign primary day in six states; The Hill's Miranda Nazzaro on WH not releasing AI safety/security testing guidelines 11.08.2026 58min

  American Robert Gilman is released from prison in Russia and flies home. President Donald Trump says it was after he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it was for humanitarian reasons due to Gilman's poor health and "Russia asked for no one in return"; Campaign primary day in six states. Republicans in South Carolina are choosing a replacement nominee for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, and among whose running is his sister, Darline Graham, who has been appointed to replace him, while Democrats in Minnesota and Wisconsin are faced with candidates pitting the moderate and progressive wings of the party against each other, for a Senate seat & governorship, respectively; Today is the anniversary of President Trump's declaration of a crime emergency in Washington, DC that led to the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops patrolling the streets; White House has reportedly developed guidelines for voluntary testing of artificial intelligence models for safety and security, but is sharing them only with certain technology companies and not the public. We will talk about that with The Hill's Senior Technology Reporter Miranda Nazzarro. (41) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Weekend Edition: Iran War, U.S. Munitions, and the Push for Independent Candidates & Primary Reform 08.08.2026 26min

  Defense policy expert Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies discusses the latest developments in the U.S.-Iran war, including reports that U.S. munitions stockpiles are running low. Then, Adam Brandon of the Independent Leadership Council explains the group's new effort to elect independent candidates to federal office. Finally, Unite America Executive Director Nick Troiano discusses his organization's campaign to reform political primaries and what those changes could mean for the future of U.S. elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Senate on way to confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney Gen. after GOP Sen. Cassidy says he will vote 'yes'; Fed. appeals court panel puts WH ballroom on hold 07.08.2026 58min

  Senate is on track to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General, after the final two undecided Republicans announced how they will vote: Lisa Murkowski (AK) is a 'no', but Bill Cassidy (LA) is a 'yes', meaning Blanche has just enough support to make it; Senate passes the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia & Iran Act' with an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It gives the U.S. President power to sanction countries that import Russian oil and gas, aiming to cut off the Russia's money supply to continue its war against Ukraine; Labor Department says the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July… not what forecasters had expected; Federal appeals court panel rules construction of President Trump's White House ballroom must stop because it requires Congressional approval. President says he will appeal to the Supreme Court, calling the project necessary for presidential security and the court's decision was "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful"; What is next for the Farm Bill now that the Senate Agriculture Committee has voted it down over party disagreements about food aid funding? We will talk with Grace Yarrow, Food & Agriculture Reporter for Politico (36); House Speaker Mike Johnson predicts his Republican party will buck the historical trend of the President's party losing House seats in the midterm elections.. and he will remain Speaker after November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Senate Cmte votes to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress over his taking the Fifth at a COVID hearing; Pres. Trump signs order banning 'birth tourism' citizenship 06.08.2026 59min

  Senate Committee votes to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci, former top government official during COVID-19, in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions at last week's hearing on the origins and response to the pandemic; Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) talks about what could be voted on in the Senate these final few days in session before the August recess; Senate Agriculture Committee votes down a 5 year Farm Bill after Democrats demanded, and Republicans, rejected a two-year delay to changes to the food-aid program SNAP; FCC votes to repeal a rule that prohibits any company from owning television stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. TV households; Latest on the war with Iran and talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the reported clash him had with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the how the war has reduced the U.S. supply of certain munitions; President Trump signs Executive Orders to limit birthright citizenship, including in cases known as 'birth tourism'; Congressional Democrats highlight today's 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act being signed into law, warning of the voting restrictions being pursued by Republicans today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Progressive Abdul El-Sayed Defeats Moderate Haley Stevens in Michigan U.S. Senate Democratic primary 05.08.2026 59min

  Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed is declared the winner in a very close Michigan U.S. Senate Democratic primary over more moderate candidate Haley Stevens; Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) signs Congressional redistricting legislation that could result in Republican losing their only current U.S. House seat in the state; Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) signs a bill to restrict U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in places like schools, hospitals, and courthouses. She calls it the calling it the toughest and strongest state law in this area; President Donald Trump visits Las Vegas to talk about the economy and immigration; Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche is asked about the President's anger at U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping charges against defendants in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cases; Vice President JD Vance says he wants Congress to take steps to advance the White House Anti-Fraud Task Force efforts; Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announces the federal government is ending its relationship with an organ donation coordination group – Network for Hope – after findings cases where the organ procurement process began in patients that showed signs of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Senate Judiciary Cmte approves Todd Blanche Attorney General nomination; 19 in Pennsylvania charged with multi-million dollar home health care fraud 04.08.2026 58min

  Senate Judiciary Committee votes along party lines to approve the nomination of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be in that role permanently; Senate leaders discuss the agenda for what they hope will be the last week in session in Washington before the August break, including a bill to prevent another government shutdown in October; Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) asks for and get a House Ethics Committee investigation of allegations of domestic abuse made by his ex-wife against him, he says to clear his name. We will hear from his former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), who has said he is unfit to be in office; Justice Department announces charges against 19 people in Pennsylvania accused of collecting more than $4 million in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid home health care claims; Stocks jump on Wall Street, partly on hopes the energy waterway Strait of Hormuz will soon reopen; Astronaut Chris Williams, who returned to Earth a week ago from the International Space Station, is asked about support of family during his mission, including from his uncle, Fox News Senior Political Analyst Juan Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Trump Calls Iran Talks 'Last Chance' as Senate Backs Todd Blanche 03.08.2026 43min

  President Trump says upcoming talks with Iran represent the country's "last chance" to reach a deal and avoid an escalation in U.S. military action. We have the latest from the White House on negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program. On Capitol Hill, Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis announce they'll support Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General after he rescinds the administration's anti-weaponization fund. Plus, the Senate begins its final week before the August recess, and Campaign 2026 heads to Michigan, where Democrats are set to choose their U.S. Senate nominee. We also look at the latest races in Ohio, New Hampshire, and Maine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Weekend Edition: Interest Rates, Dr. Fauci Hearing and the Iran War 01.08.2026 33min

  This weekend, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, Punchbowl News Senior Financial Services Reporter Brendan Pedersen reacts to the week's economic news and the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady this week. Then, a conversation with White House trade adviser Peter Navarro ahead of Dr. Anthony Fauci's contentious senate hearing earlier this week. Finally, Former NATO Ambassador Kurt Volker gives us his take on where we are in the nearly 5-month war with Iran and the U.S. role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  President Trump says anti-weaponization fund is dead, but 'I wish it weren't'; Politico's Lisa Kashinsky on why some donors are upset with DNC Chair Martin 31.07.2026 1h 1min

  President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting at the presidential retreat Camp David in Frederick County, Maryland, where he acknowledges a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund designed to pay defendants in the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol and others who he says were unfairly targeted by the government is 'dead,' but he adds, 'I wish it weren't'; President also says, 'This has nothing to do with Todd,' referring to Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche, whose confirmation has been held up by a few Republican Senators opposed the fund; President Trump also claims 'Israel is very happy" with his Board of Peace reaching a deal with Hamas to disarm in exchange for Israel withdrawing troops from Gaza; Three potential 2028 Democratic Presidential candidates speak at the National Urban League conference in Nashville, Tennessee: former Vice President Kamala Harris, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is reportedly coming under fire from some donors not happy with his leadership. We will talk about it with Politico National Political Reporter Lisa Kashinsky (35); Discussion about what the rise of artificial intelligence means for people's jobs in the future with two governors: Wes Moore (D-MD) and Spencer Cox (R-UT). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Sen. Cornyn's Demand Pres. Trump IRS Immunity Be Scaled Back Keeps Blanche Attorney General Nomination on Hold 30.07.2026 1h

  Nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General is still in limbo after Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), whose vote is needed to report the nomination from committee, says the White House has not agreed to put in writing limits on tax audit immunity the President Donald Trump and his family received from a recent lawsuit settlement. President Trump says he may pull the nomination until after the midterm elections and let Todd Blanche remain Acting Attorney General; Senate Health Committee votes to approve CDC Director nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz and Assistant Health Secretary nominee Sean Kaufman, but not before committee chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) gives a speech about the value of vaccines; Economic growth slowed in the 2nd quarter from 2.1% to 1.5%, and June inflation dipped to 3.7% from 4.1% in May; National Urban League releases its 50th annual State of Black America report; President Trump promotes a program to get more veterans into truck driving positions quicker, as the Administration has been cracking down on CDL's given to illegal immigrants or those with limited English proficiency; Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduces a bill to create an Anti-Corruption Bureau to restrain presidents like President Trump whom he calls the "grifter-in-chief"; Senate defeats another Iran War Powers Act resolution introduced by Democrats aimed at requiring the president to withdraw U.S. forces absent Congressional authorization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the Fifth at Senate committee hearing on COVID response; Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged 29.07.2026 57min

  Dr. Anthony Fauci called to testify before a Senate committee under subpoena about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic invokes his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times. Committee Chair Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) accused Dr. Fauci of covering up evidence of the "lab leak" theory for coronavirus. Dr. Fauci calls Sen. Paul "unhinged" and trying to trap him in any lie before Congress to start a prosecution. And Sen. Paul is threatening to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress; President Donald Trump says the U.S. would be hitting Iran hard and "smacking them a little bit" after an attempted Iranian surprise missile attack on American targets in the Middle East; Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh announced the Fed is keeping interest rates steady for a fifth consecutive meeting, but the Fed is still determined to bring down inflation; Senate Republicans block Senate Democrats' attempt to pass a bill to create a legal pathway for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status, as TPS for 300,000 Haitian immigrants in the U.S. expired this week and the Trump Administration said it will move to start deportations; President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveil a $22 billion renovation plan for Dulles International Airport; We talk to AP reporter Bill Barrow about the Joe Biden tapes, the conversations he had with a ghostwriter in 2016 & 2017, released after a conservative group filed a Freedom of Information Act request. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Memorial services in DC for late Sen. Graham; Israeli PM & Ukrainian Pres. visit White House; AP's Julie Carr Smyth on Ohio Senate race 28.07.2026 1h

  Memorial services today for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Capitol Hill and at Washington National Cathedral. President Donald Trump calls Graham "a true American original" and "beloved friend" who "died doing the work he was born to do, serving the country he loved"; Lindsey Graham's funeral brings world leaders to Washington, including Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both met President Trump at the White House about the war with Iran and Russia's war with Ukraine, respectively; Very close U.S. Senate race in Ohio between incumbent republican Jon Husted and Democratic challenger, former Senator Sherrod Brown, is shaping up to be pivotal in helping decide which party controls the Senate after the midterm elections. We will hear from the candidates and talk with an Associated Press National Political Reporter in Ohio, Julie Carr Smyth (36); former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) at a Reagan Foundation forum talks about why bipartisanship today is not like years ago; President Trump responds to critical diary entries by Dr. Anthony Fauci released ahead of his Senate testimony on the COVID-19 pandemic response this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  POTUS Trump Warns Iran as Senate Tackles Funding and Confirmations 27.07.2026 55min

  The pause in the Iran war continues after two weeks of escalating strikes, as President Trump warns the U.S. is prepared to respond if Iran again threatens shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The latest comes as senior U.S. officials raise concerns about dwindling munitions stockpiles. We'll hear the president's comments from earlier today before he traveled to Michigan. On Capitol Hill, the House has begun its August recess, but the Senate remains in Washington with a packed agenda. Lawmakers are expected to take up legislation to keep the government funded beyond the end of September, along with confirmation votes for a new Director of National Intelligence and attorney general. We'll have reaction from Senate leaders. And with fewer than 100 days until Election Day, the campaign trail is heating up. Maine Democrats have a new Senate nominee, candidates in Michigan are rallying supporters, and we'll have the latest developments in Georgia's closely watched Senate race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Weekend Edition: Iran War Funding and Cyclospora Outbreak 25.07.2026 32min

  In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. It was a big week in Congress with Iran war funding front and center. We talk to two lawmakers on BOTH sides of the aisle on the Pentagon's 60-billion dollar ask: California Republican Tom McClintock & Hawaii Democrat Jill Tokuda. And then a conversation with Dr. David Acheson, former chief medical officer at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. He discusses the cyclospora outbreak and the federal government's role in food safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  New Trump Admin tariffs to combat forced labor take effect; Pres. Trump asked about possible 'massive attack' on Iran; Preview of rescheduled White House Correspondents Assn. dinner 24.07.2026 57min

  Trump administration puts in place new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 major trading partners, covering nearly 100% of U.S. imports, under the rationale of combatting forced labor; President Trump is asked about his comment this week that he is considering a "massive attack" on Iran because that country has not yet received "enough pain" in the war so far; President is asked about his reported frustration with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) over the Senate not passing a bill to require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote, and Sen. Thune firing back that the White House needs to work to round up votes needed for passage instead of criticizing; Democratic National Committee's rules committee recommends South Carolina hold the first presidential primary in 2028, and five other states be allowed to hold primaries earlier than the rest of the states: Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, New Mexico and Virginia;; Race for U.S. Senator from Michigan this year is being talked about as a bellwether for the future of the Democratic party. We will hear from the two major candidates: progressive Abdul El-Sayed and moderate Haley Stevens; Jewish leaders in New York City criticize Mayor Zohran Mamdani's position on Israel after a double stabbing of a suspect who reportedly yelled in Arabic 'God in great'; preview of tonight's rescheduled White House Correspondent Association dinner, featuring a speech by President Trump, after the original event was called off when a gunman burst in allegedly trying to assassinate the president and other government officials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  House passes, Senate defeats, Iran War Powers Act resolution; Pres. Trump promotes pledge data centers won't increase consumer electricity bills 23.07.2026 57min

  Both the House & Senate vote again on Iran War Powers Act resolutions sponsored by Democrats to force President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces without Congressional approval. House resolution passes, Senate resolution fails; President Trump says the civilian nuclear agreement the U.S. signed with Saudi Arabia requires Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel, something that was not in the original agreement; President welcomes electricity companies and governors joining technology companies in signing a pledge that the expansion of data centers will not mean consumers have higher utility bills; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director nominee Brian Johnson goes before the Senate Banking Committee; House passes a bill to explore ways Social Security Disability recipients can earn more money without losing their benefits; Race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator from Maine is now down to two candidates ahead of Saturday's convention; House Oversight Committee interviews former Barclays bank executive Jes Staley in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation; Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Judiciary Committee chair, refers former special counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department for prosecution for allegedly lying to Congress; Former James Woolsey, former CIA Director in the Bill Clinton Administration has died. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices