Welcome back to Breaking Battlegrounds! Sam Stone kicks off the show with Sean Noble as they welcome David Catanese to compare the enthusiasm and confidence between the Republicans and Democrats, discuss whether this is truly the "worst it’s ever been" in politics, JD Vance's future, and Kamala Harris' ability to "fake it till she makes it." Later, Chuck Warren sits down with Congressman Jason Smith, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, to cover the budget process, the future of Social Security and Medicare, and the impact of Harris’ call to let the Trump tax cuts expire—this, in the face of the 20.5% inflation tax that has occurred under her watch as Vice President. Finally, Shay Khatiri joins us to explore growing dissatisfaction within Iran’s conservative base over Khamenei's leadership, the potential cracks within the regime, and why U.S. involvement in shaping these developments is crucial for protecting its interests in the Middle East. Stay tuned for an insightful discussion on the pressing issues shaping the future of our country and the world.

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About our guests:

David Catanese is a Washington-based political writer and Host of Too Close To Call. He's written for McClatchy, The Atlantic, U.S. News & World Report & Politico. You can read his work at davidcatanese.substack.com and you can follow him on X @davecatanese. 

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Shay Khatiri is the VP of development and a senior fellow at Yorktown Institute. An immigrant from Iran, he is an alumnus of Arizona State University and the Strategic Studies Department at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies. He publishes the Substack newsletter, The Russia–Iran File. You can follow him on X @ShayKhatiri.

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Congressman Jason Smith is a 7th generation Missourian, a 4th generation owner of his family’s farm, a citizen-legislator, and a champion for the rights and values of rural Missourians. Jason chairs the Ways and Means Committee – the oldest committee in Congress. He became the youngest Ways and Means Chairman since before the Civil War and the first Missourian to lead the committee since John Phelps – the namesake of Missouri’s Phelps County – in 1859. The committee has broad jurisdiction over some of the most consequential issues facing Missourians today, including all federal tax policy, all U.S. trade and tariffs, Social Security, Medicare, and many welfare programs.As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Smith’s top priority is delivering for the working families, farmers, and small businesses that make the American economy the envy of the world. In his first term, Smith has passed out of his committee pro-worker, pro-family, pro-small business tax relief; trade agreements that expand opportunities for small businesses and farmers; legislation that expands access and lowers the cost of health care for working families; and legislation to recover fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance. His committee has also engaged in aggressive oversight, including an investigation into certain colleges’ unwillingness to curb antisemitic protests on their campus as well as being selected to help lead an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.Smith was elected to Congress in 2013 after serving in the Missouri General Assembly for eight years. He served in elected House leadership during the Trump administration and in 2021 he was elected as Republican Leader of the House Budget Committee.Jason comes from humble roots and learned the value of hard work growing up in Salem, Missouri. He attended Salem High School, where he was an active member of FFA. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, Jason earned degrees in Agricultural Economics and Business Administration. After receiving degrees from both programs in three years, he graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law at the age of 23.Jason has been rated as the top conservative in the Missouri delegation by the American Conservative Union; he is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a supporter of the right to life movement and traditional values. Jason attends Grace Community Church in Salem.

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