Inside Sources Full Show December 2nd, 2024: Biden Pardons Hunter, Utah hits record for women in Legislature, Congress funding resolution

Biden pardons his son, Hunter 

President Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter after months of uncertainty surrounding the decision. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan break down this decision and take a look at past presidential pardons as well as President Biden’s legacy as he prepares to leave office. 

Hoang Nguyen: the first Vietnamese American in Utah’s Legislature 

Hoang Nguyen made history this past month as she became Utah's first Vietnamese American state legislator after winning 71% of the vote to represent district 23. Her story is as unconventional as any and she joins Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan to talk about how she was able to win a seat in Utah's House of Representatives and what she’s planning to do looking ahead. 

 Can Congress resolve the funding issue in three weeks? 

The deadline to figure out a resolution for government funding is December 20th and Congress is running out of time to get it solved. Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pass a short-term continuing resolution that extends into 2025. The big question is how long it would last. Some are saying late January to early February. Others are saying it'll last until March. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan discuss what the options are to get a resolution done 

Utah hits record for women in Legislature 

31 Female lawmakers will be in office this upcoming year, nearly 30% of the 104 total lawmakers here in Utah. This is all according to a Rutgers University-New Brunswick study. The report found the number of women who are state lawmakers has increased to a record high nationwide, as well. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan discuss what’s changed in Utah and how Utah ranks compared to the rest of the country. 

 Is it really a Republican Trifecta? 

The Republican party will have the majority in the House and the Senate starting next year, but what does that really mean when it comes to passing legislature? How much of a majority do you need to really make a difference? And history shows that the "trifecta" doesn't always last. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan break down other presidencies that also had a trifecta and weren’t able to pass their priorities through Congress and look at how things could play out for the Republicans over the next two years 

Trump nominates Kash Patel for FBI director

Donald Trump said on Saturday that he wants to replace Christopher Wray with Kash Patel as FBI director. The nomination has made waves similar to his nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Patel has worked as a federal prosecutor and a public defender but has little of the law enforcement and management experience typical of F.B.I. directors. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan discuss Trump’s latest nomination and some of the issues that are involved. 

What is Utah doing for it's air quality? 

Utah's air quality in the winter is always bad. Inversion sets in and you can literally see how bad it is with your own eyes. Utah legislators are pushing to have more of a say over the rules about the state's air quality. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan talk about how Utah’s legislators can get more involved and what it’s going to take to clean up Utah’s air. 

Legislative session preview 

With the legislative session on the horizon, what issues are going to be looked at up on the Hill. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan take a look at some of those issues and break down how things could play out from January to March.