PoliticsAside: An Appropriations Deep Dive

At the height of what many in DC affectionately term "Appropriations Season" Congressman Porter sat down with Porter Group's own Chris Porter and Ben Rosenbaum to discuss the complex federal funding process, including the rebirth of 'earmarks' as Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) or Community Project Funding (CPF) requests in recent years. 

Join our expert panel for a discussion that serves as a guide for communities and organizations aiming to navigate the federal funding maze. 

To kick off 2024, Congressman Porter and Nathan Fiala spent some time with Tanya Skeen, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions and a Navy veteran. Skeen masterfully unpacks the very real consequences funding stopgaps and Continuing Resolutions have on military readiness and shares with us her knowledge of the ties binding government fundings to the front lines of global conflict.

Congressman Porter and Nathan Fiala had the unique opportunity to spend time with National Security and Emerging Critical Technology Consultant Mike MacKay.  Along with 20-plus years as a marine,  his service includes time at the Department of Defense and advising Defense Appropriations Chair Congressman Calvert and Senator Joni Ernst. 

In this enlightening episode of PoliticsAside, we explore the importance of defense spending, the dangers of operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) to our national security and the future of venture capital investment in defense technology. 

Congressman Porter had the opportunity to sit down with Nevada's Secretary of State, Cisco Aguilar as SOS Aguilar shared his insights on the future of elections, the potential future impact of artificial intelligence in our elections, and the excitement in Nevada over FormulaOne and the 2024 Superbowl. 

In honor of Veterans Day and the 248th Birthday of the Marine Corps, Congressman Porter sat down with Master Sergeant (ret.) John Rose to discuss his years of service in the Marines,  his life-altering experience surviving an IED blast in Afghanistan, and his transition to advocacy on behalf of veterans and individuals with disabilities. 

In honor of Veterans Day, Congressman Porter sat down with Brigadier General (ret.) Robert P. Daniels to discuss the history and significance of the day. With his years in the National Guard, experience in academia and decades in the nonprofit sector supporting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, General Daniels brings an inspiring perspective on the importance of public service. 

“You're literally taking your quarterback out of the game in the third quarter without anyone to replace him.” For the first time in American history, the US House of Representatives voted to unseat its Speaker as Kevin McCarthy was removed this week by a vote of all Democrats and 8 members of his own party. This followed on the heels of his decision to rely on Democratic votes to keep the government open.

Does this send a message that the days of compromise are over? Are the guardrails irreparably broken down? What happens next?

"Whatever your politics (and putting “politics aside”), having known Speaker McCarthy for 25 years, he is a good person who works tirelessly and cares deeply about the future of the country. He deserves our respect and gratitude." - Congressman Porter
 
 In the latest PoliticsAside, Congressman Porter sits down with Rokk Solutions Co-Founder and renown political strategist Ron Bonjean to discuss how the events of the past 15 years got us to this point and how things might look moving forward. 

As we head toward a federal government shutdown, Congressman Porter is joined on PoliticsAside by two experts to discuss the implications of government shutdowns on national defense.

Join Congressman Porter, Chris O'Donnell, former senior executive at the Department of Defense, and Porter Group's Nate Fiala, as they dissect the real impact of the 14 shutdowns that have occured since 1981. Learn from insiders about the challenges faced by government employees, defense contracts, and the Pentagon's struggle to counter potential threats from overseas. 

Earlier this month Congressman Porter had the opportunity to sit down with Ted McKinney, the former Under Secretary at the US Department of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and now the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.  They discussed the complexities of the Farm Bill and its direct impact on families, businesses, and communities across the US. From funding various food services to agricultural projects and nutrition programs - the Farm Bill plays a pivotal role in ensuring food safety and availability to all Americans. 

In the latest episode of PoliticsAside, Congressman Porter is joined by special guest Brian Burns  - a bluegrass musician, festival promoter, Porter Group's creative lead and a seasoned 'burner'. 

Brian guides us through the experience of taking part in the annual Burning Man Festival, which began in 1986 as a small artist's project and today is a cultural phenomenon hosting 80,000 attendees annually.