The Weekly: Iran War Dominates Washington as DHS Pick Faces Scrutiny and SAVE Act Advances

This week, the war in Iran dominated the conversation, as the Pentagon asked for billions more in funding and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle questioned the cost — and the path forward. Back home, the spotlight turns to the Department of Homeland Security, where the President’s nominee to lead the agency faced scrutiny on Capitol Hill amid heightened concerns over border security and national preparedness. And on the legislative front, an elections bill takes center stage. The SAVE Act — which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote — has passed the House and is sparking an intense debate in the Senate over voting access and election integrity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion with National Security Institute founder and former Bush administration official Jamil Jaffer on the Iran war and potential threats to the homeland as a result. Then, we talk about rising oil and gas prices as the Iran conflict drags on. That conversation with Clay Seigle - a global energy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Finally, we check in with Reuters transportation reporter David Shepardson on how the partial homeland security department shutdown – nearly one-month long – is impacting air travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump says he does not want a ceasefire in Iran and is asked about his post that opening the Strait of Hormuz from Iran's blockade is "a simple military maneuver"; Senate votes down for a fifth time a bill to end the partial government shutdown of the Homeland Security Department. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) says the two sides are still far apart in finding an agreement to reform federal immigration enforcement procedures; Senate passes a bill to require Members of Congress to go through the same airport security as everyone else. TSA employees have been working without pay during the shutdown, and security lines in some airports are stretching to a more than two hour wait; Congress will soon be voting on whether to reauthorize the FISA Section 702 warrantless surveillance program or let it expire. There is some opposition coming from both sides of the aisle. We will talk about it The Hill's National Security Reporter Rebecca Beitsch (28); U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz testifies at a House field hearing at the UN in New York City about the U.S. pulling out of dozens of international organizations; FCC approves Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of Tegna’s TV stations, despite a lawsuit from Democratic Attorneys General to try to stop it. We will talk about that with Variety Business Editor Todd Spangler (42); Chuck Norris, martial artist and movie & TV star, has died. Over 30 years ago, he campaigned for a U.S. president's reelection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump says he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to strike any more Iranian energy sites after an attack on one led to an Iranian hit on energy infrastructure in Qatar; President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirm a report that the Administration sent to Congress a request for $200 billion in Iran war supplemental spending; President Trump in a White House meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, when asked why Japan did not get advanced warning of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, said, "we didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? OK, why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"; Senate Homeland Security Committee approves the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be Homeland Security Secretary, by one vote, thanks to Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA); House Oversight Committee Democrats walk out of a closed briefing in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation with Attorney General Pam Bondi after she would not commit to complying with a committee subpoena for a sworn deposition; Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) renames a holiday that had honored the late labor rights leader Cesar Chavez after this week's revelations that he sexually abused young women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate Homeland Security Committee chair Rand Paul (R-KY) accuses Homeland Security Secretary, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), of having  'anger issues' and says he will oppose the nomination. Sen. Mullin also testifies about immigration enforcement, striking, as several news outlets put it, a 'milder tone' than his predecessor Kristi Noem on issues such as immigration enforcement. The hearing comes as the Homeland Security Department is still shut down over party disagreements over how to reform Immigration & Customs Enforcement or ICE. We will talk about the latest negotiations with USA Today Congressional Reporter Zach Shermele (17); Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is asked about President Donald Trump's assessment that Iran posed an imminent threat to the U.S., justifying the war, as she testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee; Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announces the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged for a second straight meeting, and says the Iran war's effects on energy prices and inflation is currently uncertain; House votes on a proposed Constitutional Amendment to require a balanced federal budget; Lt. Gov. Julia Stratton (D-IL) wins a contested Democratic primary for U.S. Senator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate begins what is expected to be a long, full week of debate on a bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote; Senate Democrats send to the White House their latest offer to reopen the Homeland Security Department; National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigns over the war against Iran, telling President Donald Trump Iran did not pose an immediate threat and he was tricked into supporting the war by Israel; U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan testifies before a House subcommittee about a budget increase request in part to handle an increase in threats of violence against Members of Congress; Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts says personal criticism of federal judges is dangerous and “it’s got to stop"; Postmaster General David Steiner tells a House subcommittee the Postal Service will run out of cash in one year without Congress loosening its operating regulations; Ireland's Prime Minister, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, visits Washington, DC on this St. Patrick's Day, meeting President Trump in the White House Oval Office and attending a Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus luncheon in the U.S. Capitol building. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump criticizes U.S. allies who won't help keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Senate prepares to take up the SAVE Act requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Homeland Security Department shutdown enters its second month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: Retired Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt joins us with a deep dive into U-S and Israeli military operations in Iran – and some of the risks he sees has the conflict continues. Then: Documentary director James Jacoby discusses his PBS Frontline film "Remaking the Middle East" – updated with new information on the Iran war. And Finally: a conversation Charlie Cook – founder of the famed Cook Political Report – with his take on how the midterm elections are shaping up – and how issues like affordability and now the war in Iran – might play in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance responds to reports he was 'skeptical' and 'opposed' to the U.S. and Israeli combat operation against Iran; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon news conference touts what he says has been great success in the war thus far, taunts the Iran leadership for hiding underground, says of the closed Strait of Hormuz to oil shipments by Iran, “We have been dealing with it, and don’t need to worry about it", and mourns the deaths of six U.S. servicemembers in an airplane accident over Iraq, which  the military says was an accident and not from hostile or friendly fire; Germany's Chancellor opposes the U.S. suspending of sanctions against Russia so more Russian oil can enter the world market and lower energy prices; Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) calls Thursday's attack on a synagogue in her state an act of "antisemitism" and "hate, plain and simple"; Federal judge blocks Justice Department subpoenas in the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell criminal investigation, writing there is a mountain of evidence the subpoenas were designed to get Powell to vote to lower interest rates or resign; British House of Lords abolishes the 700-year-old practice of some members getting their seats based upon their parents, known as hereditary peers. We will talk about it with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles. (49) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A suspected attacker is dead after a vehicle reportedly packed with explosives rams into a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, which has a school & daycare center. A guard was injured, but no children or staff; A deadly shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia is being investigated as an act of terrorism. The suspect has connections to ISIS; Iranian TV says the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in his first statement says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to oil tankers affiliated with the U.S. and Israel; Energy Secretary Christopher Wright talks about the release of the more than 170 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to curb rising gas prices; Another Senate vote to end the Homeland Security Department shutdown fails, with Democrats still demanding reforms to federal immigration enforcement be attached and Republicans opposing that; Senate passes a bill to promote more affordable housing, but it differs from the House-passed version. We will talk with Reuters Congressional reporter Richard Cowan about what happens next (32); Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) says a bill to require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote will come up next week, and reports are the debate will be extensive, with late nights expected; Long-time Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), former No. 3 in the House Democratic leadership, announces he will not retire, but run again this November; conversation with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett; President Donald Trump & First Lady Melania Trump host a Women's History Month celebration at the White House; NASA gives an update on the Artemis II moon mission schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices