Ask Chuck: Should Member Pay and Benefits Change?

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down why Washington feels paralyzed — and how Trump’s gravitational pull still dictates everything from congressional gridlock to campaign strategy. From Mike Johnson’s dependence on Trump to Democrats’ internal tug-of-war between moderates and progressives, Chuck explores how both parties are struggling to govern in a fractured information ecosystem. He also looks at growing calls among policy thinkers for constitutional reform — from term limits and age caps to rethinking the incentives that drive political behavior. Despite the chaos, Chuck makes the case for cautious optimism: America’s democracy may be clogged, but it’s not beyond repair.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and looks ahead to the weekend in college football.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

02:15 When Trump is overseas, the news cycle feels slower & less urgent

03:15 The American government is clogged like a toilet

04:00 Mike Johnson can’t do anything without Trump

05:15 There are not enough empowered moderates in congress

07:00 Republicans haven’t created an ACA alternative for 10 years

08:30 Democrats could pay a price for SNAP benefit cut

10:00 Democrats can extend funding for 3 weeks, and keep their leverage

12:30 The political elite in DC has self segregated in Trump 2.0

13:45 There’s no security for companies holding government contracts 

15:00 Grifters have flooded to DC

15:45 Some progressives feel they can take over the Democratic party

16:30 Moderate Dems trying to find a way to grow the coalition

17:15 Large group of policy analysts worried about information ecosystem

18:45 DC gatherings being held to discuss preventing another Trump

21:00 America desperately needs to update the constitution

22:30 We shouldn’t be afraid to ask voters to make big changes

23:15 Strong argument for a 75 year old age limit for office

25:00 Trump is too lazy to pursue the worst course of history

26:45 The case for optimism during a dark political moment

27:30 Reforming the constitution is an 80/20 issue

28:15 Case for reform needs to tied to voters day to day lives

30:30 A bull in the China shop personality cult can’t run a country

31:30 We need to update the blueprint of the democracy

33:15 We desperately need better incentive structures for leaders

35:15 A leader needs to make the case for reform that isn’t about themselves or Trump

37:45 Ask Chuck 

38:30 Would Dems impeach with control of both houses of Congress in '27? 

43:00 Should we be paying congress more to attract better candidates? 

48:00 If possible, would you make the US a parliamentary system? 

53:30 Is 60 Minutes devolving into a FOX style program that lobs softballs? 

59:30 Violent and dangerous rhetoric not equal on both sides? 

1:03:15 World series reaction

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