The Issue Is... Kevin McCarthy, Michael Bloomberg and California Strong

LOS ANGELES - It’s been another busy week in Washington DC.

Here to break it down is House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

As tensions mount with Iran, the Bakersfield Republican says the world is a safer place following the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. 

The seven-term congressman also discusses his failed House resolution which aimed to show support for Iranian protesters who have taken to the streets in the aftermath of Iran shooting down a commercial airplane.

“America has a long history of standing with those who provide and want freedom.”

A close associate of President Trump, McCarthy reveals the biggest misconception Americans may have about the President - the idea that he’s too rigid on policy - and what he thinks Republicans need to do to win back control of the House. 

He also reacts to the unfolding cheating scandal that is captivating and angering baseball fans, saying the Dodgers were robbed of a World Series.

As impeachment grips Washington, McCarthy also questions Speaker Pelosi’s timing in submitting the articles to the Senate so near to the Iowa caucus. With the Senators running for President now sidelined in DC as jurors, McCarthy says it’s only fair Joe Biden and other non-Senators running for President suspend campaigning until the impeachment trial has ended.

“If you are a supporter of Bernie Sanders, you know this, you understand it, and you’re seeing it happen to you one more time.”

Iran and impeachment were also central issues at Tuesday night’s Democratic Debate, where the six top candidates took to the stage one final time before the first votes are cast on February 3.

Back in Los Angeles, Elex sat down with six undecided voters to discuss their reactions to the biggest debate moments, their thoughts on the race, and whether they’re any closer to picking a candidate.

One candidate who wasn’t on the stage Tuesday night was Michael Bloomberg. Elex caught up with the former New York City Mayor at the opening of his DTLA campaign headquarters.

The billionaire candidate has already spent some $200 million on advertising, and says he plans on spending as much as necessary to defeat President Trump come November.

“I’m spending my billions of dollars to try to defeat Donald Trump, so if you don’t want Donald Trump to be the President for the next four years, you should ask me to spend even more - I don’t think you want me to spend less."

While Bloomberg spends millions, California Strong has raised millions to combat disasters across California. 

The organization, founded by Rams’ QB Jared Goff, MLB players Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun, and Mike Moustakas, and Brewers’ owner Mike Attanasio, has raised money to help survivors of the Woolsey Fire, the Borderline Shooting and other statewide tragedies.

This week, California Strong held their second annual Celebrity Softball Game at Pepperdine University. Big name players that took to the field included Mira Sorvino, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Adam Sandler, and our very own Elex Michaelson.

All this, as we’re joined by this week’s house band, members of the San Pedro High School Golden Pirate Regiment - the award winning marching band who have been named the LAUSD Champions AND SoCal Champions for the past five years in a row.

Having just marched in the Rose Parade, the band, led by award-winning director Darnella Davidson, is now hoping to represent the entire state of California in this year’s Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC. But first, they need help raising the $120,000 needed to make the trip a reality.

"The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson" is California's only statewide political show. For airtimes and more information, go to TheIssueIsShow.com