Congress' leadership is still divided on how to respond to Russian cyberhacks - we debate and analyze their options; KPCC's new "Broke" series reports on why more California families are ending up homeless - is the government responsible?; and with the next Inauguration Day ahead, how will you remember President Obama's legacy?
Is it time for the US to impose greater sanctions on Russia?
For the first time, US intelligence chiefs publicly stated this morning that senior Russian leadership approved cyberhacking to influence the US presidential race.
The statements came before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper was joined by NSA head Admiral Michael Rogers and Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Marcel Lettre. The trio submitted joint remarks to the Armed Service Committee that claimed Russian cyberattacks pose a "major threat" to the US. They cited as vulnerable the country's power grid, communications systems, financial institutions, government operations, and military.
Incoming President-elect Trump has consistently expressed skepticism about Russian responsibility. Some Republicans in Congress have gone along with that but others, like Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, take issue with Trump's posture on Russia and the credibility of US intelligence gathering.
If Congress becomes convinced Russia was behind the DNC and John Podesta hacks, and that the country poses a larger cyber threat to the US, what can it do? Particularly if the new President doesn't agree? Larry and his panel weigh Congress' options for dealing with Russia.
Guests:
William Danvers, Senior Fellow specializing in National Security at the Center for American Progress - a left-leaning think tank in Washington, D.C.
Anton Fedyashin, Professor of Russian History, American University in Washington, D.C.
AirTalk asks: what role should government assistance play in stemming family homelessness?
KPCC’s Broke series looks at why more California families are ending up homeless and what some of the solutions might be to prevent that.
California’s version of cash welfare, CalWORKs, is one program intended to prevent families from falling into homelessness. It gives a parent with two children a maximum of $714 a month. According to the California Budget & Policy Center, an average low-cost apartment in California costs $870 a month. From 2000 to 2012, rent in L.A. increased 25 percent, but in that same period, legislators cut the CalWORKs grant by $7 per month.
Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with a roundtable about what role government assistance should play in stemming family homelessness and whether increasing housing costs justify increasing government cash grants like CalWORKs.
Guests:
Rina Palta, KPCC correspondent covering Southern California's social safety net
Holly Mitchell, California Democratic Senator, Mitchell’s district includes Culver City and Ladera Heights
Kevin Corinth, Research fellow in economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on homelessness and the programs and policies put in place to assist the homeless
Looking back on 44: AirTalk debates President Obama’s legacy
As of January 20, President Barack Obama will no longer call 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue his home.
His second term has all but ended, President-elect Trump is transitioning into power, and now President Obama faces the post-presidency world after holding the most powerful job in it.
So how will history remember President Obama? Being the first black president will no doubt be a major part of his legacy, but how and what role it will play is largely up for debate. There are, of course, his legislative accomplishments and sometimes controversial directives, from the Affordable Care Act to the auto industry bailout to his executive actions on immigration. As commander-in-chief, Obama pioneered military drone use and greenlit a risky operation in Pakistan that ultimately led to the death of Osama bin Laden.
But some will remember him for promises left unkept -- think closing Guantanamo and pulling the U.S. out of Afghanistan. Others may remember how race relations seemed to degrade during his tenure, and point to incidents in places like Ferguson or Charlotte or Baton Rouge or Dallas. And others still will remember him for his captivating speaking abilities and overall good humor, whether it was poking fun at himself while slow-jamming the news with Jimmy Fallon or throwing zingers around the ballroom at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner.
How do you think history will remember President Obama? Will he be seen more or less favorably as time passes? What will you remember about his presidency?
Guests:
Douglas Brinkley, presidential historian & professor of history at Rice University; Fellow, James Baker, III Institute for Public Policy
Christopher Caldwell, senior editor at The Weekly Standard; he is also a regular contributor to The Financial Times and Slate