The Morning Meeting A Bipartisan Conversation: Reps. Mike Lawler & Ro Khanna on Country Over Party & Fighting Big Pharma
Dec 19, 2025
Ro Khanna, a progressive U.S. Representative from California, and Mike Lawler, a Republican congressman, engage in a lively discussion on pressing political issues. They tackle health-care policies and the intricacies of bipartisan negotiations, emphasizing a clean extension for ACA subsidies. Khanna discusses the Epstein Transparency Act, while Lawler highlights the need for accountability in investigations. They also speculate on future political matchups and the potential for cooperation in addressing Big Pharma's influence.
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Speech Framed The Election Narrative
- Mike Lawler argues the president's speech framed the coming months and emphasized housing, health care, and energy as key economic issues.
- He expects tax cuts, lower inflation, and housing/health reforms to shape the election-year narrative.
Discharge Petition Forces Bipartisan Move
- Lawler says the discharge petition forces action because leadership wouldn't advance a bipartisan compromise.
- He predicts a January vote will pass in the House and produce a Senate bipartisan deal with reforms.
Separate Health Vote From Shutdown Talks
- Keep the ACA subsidy extension separate from government funding negotiations to avoid hostage politics.
- Pursue a bipartisan Senate group to craft a package that can clear 60 votes and return to the House.