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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Pragmatism Over Purity On Healthcare
- Ro Khanna supports a clean extension but is open to compromises to achieve bipartisan relief.
- He emphasizes Medicare-for-all as his goal but won't let perfection block practical bipartisan help.
Use Targeted Limits And Reforms In Extension
- Lawler wants income eligibility limits (e.g., 700% FPL) for subsidy extensions to target aid.
- He argues reforms like PBM fixes and modest premium fees can curb zero-premium distortions.
Transparency Law Could Expose Powerful Figures
- Ro Khanna says judges ordered release of Epstein-related files and DOJ cited their transparency law to comply.
- He argues release will reveal survivors' claims about powerful people and local police intimidation.