# 9-14-2023 - Biden Impeachment, Poverty Rates Soar, & Modern-Day Slavery

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 14 Sep 2023, 17 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/9ec45638-46fb-41f8-b9ef-b4d7000d5ba8/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your Daily Christian news and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • House Speaker Keven McCarthy launches a formal Biden impeachment inquiry. • Poverty rates have soared in the wake of the Covid-era child tax credit. • A new discovery of lithium in Nevada is a huge discovery to relieve modern-day slavery. Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Open your mouth for the mute, and the cause of
[0:02] Speaker 1: all who are left desolate. Open your mouth, judge righteously,
[0:07] Speaker 1: and serve justice to the poor and needy. Proverbs 31,
[0:11] Speaker 1: 8-9 Dear Lord, You see everyone. You see the suffering
[0:19] Speaker 1: that prevails all throughout the world, and You hear the
[0:22] Speaker 1: cries of those who need Your help. Lord, would you
[0:26] Speaker 1: empower us to see those who are in need and respond?
[0:31] Speaker 1: May we be your hands and feet. Lord, may we
[0:34] Speaker 1: be people of action, empowered by your Spirit to extend love, compassion, grace,
[0:41] Speaker 1: and generosity to anyone who needs it. Lord, may we
[0:45] Speaker 1: be people who discern and judge righteously in this world.
[0:49] Speaker 1: In a world that is ever-changing and wrought with dysfunction
[0:52] Speaker 1: and corruption, Would you give us pure hearts? Would you
[0:56] Speaker 1: lead us to see the needs that are around us,
[1:00] Speaker 1: not ignoring them, but rather being your hands and feet
[1:04] Speaker 1: to be Jesus wherever we are? Lord, we know we
[1:08] Speaker 1: can't do this without your spirit. So would you empower
[1:11] Speaker 1: us every single day to be people fueled by compassion
[1:16] Speaker 1: and moved by passion? We love you, Lord, and we
[1:20] Speaker 1: trust you to work in us and through us to
[1:23] Speaker 1: make this world a better place, for your glory and
[1:26] Speaker 1: your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Welcome to
[1:31] Speaker 1: Pray News, where hope is our only bias. Today's news
[1:34] Speaker 1: at a glance, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy launches a formal
[1:37] Speaker 1: Biden impeachment inquiry, poverty rates have soared in the wake
[1:40] Speaker 1: of the COVID-era child tax credit, and a new discovery
[1:44] Speaker 1: in lithium in Nevada is a huge discovery to relieve
[1:47] Speaker 1: modern-day slavery. Today's news reminds us that we all have
[1:51] Speaker 1: a collective responsibility to the vulnerable people of this world.
[1:55] Speaker 1: Does that mean you need to give up everything and
[1:57] Speaker 1: leave your family to smuggle slaves out of North Korea?
[2:00] Speaker 1: Not necessarily. We aim to think globally but act locally.
[2:05] Speaker 1: We want to be aware of the world's issues and
[2:07] Speaker 1: take small steps in the right direction each day. A
[2:10] Speaker 1: small donation here, some volunteering there, and a few acts
[2:13] Speaker 1: of kindness in our community are like baby steps taken
[2:16] Speaker 1: each day to slowly make the world a better place.
[2:19] Speaker 1: As it says in Zechariah 4.10, Do not despise these
[2:23] Speaker 1: small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
[2:27] Speaker 1: We're glad you're here. We pray today's news leaves you
[2:30] Speaker 1: informed and transformed. If you've enjoyed this take on the
[2:33] Speaker 1: news so far, we would love it if you left
[2:35] Speaker 1: us a review. Doing so will help others find us,
[2:38] Speaker 1: and we would love to hear your thoughts. Before we
[2:42] Speaker 1: dive into today's first story, let's hear a word from
[2:45] Speaker 1: these sponsors. Our first story of today is more political infighting.
[2:49] Speaker 1: In a highly charged political environment, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
[2:52] Speaker 1: has initiated a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
[2:56] Speaker 1: The move comes as McCarthy navigates complex dynamics within the
[3:00] Speaker 1: Republican Party and has garnered responses that range from strong
[3:04] Speaker 1: support to skepticism, not just from Democrats, but from within
[3:08] Speaker 1: his own ranks as well. McCarthy, representing the Republican Party,
[3:12] Speaker 1: announced that House committees would open a formal impeachment inquiry
[3:16] Speaker 1: against President Joe Biden. The objective, according to the California Republican,
[3:20] Speaker 1: is to investigate the president's involvement in or benefit from
[3:25] Speaker 1: his son Hunter Biden's overseas business affairs. It is worth
[3:29] Speaker 1: noting that thus far no evidence has substantiated claims that
[3:32] Speaker 1: President Biden gained from his son's business activities or used
[3:36] Speaker 1: his authority to favor them. McCarthy faces intense internal pressure
[3:40] Speaker 1: from hard-right members of his party, including threats to remove
[3:44] Speaker 1: him as Speaker over budget disagreements. This initiative to scrutinize
[3:49] Speaker 1: President Biden not only provides the GOP with more investigative power,
[3:53] Speaker 1: but also serves as a risky political gamble. Some Republicans
[3:57] Speaker 1: have expressed reservations about this course of action, fearing that
[4:01] Speaker 1: it may backfire in future elections without substantial evidence in
[4:04] Speaker 1: misconduct by the president. The White House denounced the inquiry
[4:08] Speaker 1: as extreme politics at its worst. Ian Sams, a White
[4:12] Speaker 1: House spokesperson, stated that previous GOP investigations have yielded no
[4:16] Speaker 1: evidence of President Biden's wrongdoing. The administration also maintains that
[4:21] Speaker 1: the president has no involvement in his son's business activities.
[4:25] Speaker 1: In a departure from his previous stance that any inquiry
[4:28] Speaker 1: would require a vote, McCarthy decided not to hold one.
[4:31] Speaker 1: He defended his position by citing a precedent set by
[4:34] Speaker 1: former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who initiated an impeachment inquiry against
[4:38] Speaker 1: President Trump in 2019 without a vote. Some members of
[4:42] Speaker 1: the Republican Party agree with McCarthy's decision, arguing that a
[4:46] Speaker 1: vote would only highlight internal divisions. Counsel for Hunter Biden
[4:50] Speaker 1: have criticized the inquiry as an impeachment-first, reason-second process based
[4:55] Speaker 1: on recycled and inaccurate claims about Hunter Biden. Nevertheless, House
[4:59] Speaker 1: investigators intend to issue subpoenas for Hunter Biden's bank records.
[5:04] Speaker 1: Democrats have criticized the GOP for pushing ahead with the
[5:08] Speaker 1: inquiry without evidence. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that
[5:12] Speaker 1: Republicans might be pursuing the impeachment to settle political scores
[5:15] Speaker 1: and detract from former President Trump's legal issues. Recent polls
[5:19] Speaker 1: suggest impeachment is popular among Republican voters, but less so
[5:23] Speaker 1: among independents and Democrats. Approximately 80% of Republicans favor impeaching
[5:28] Speaker 1: President Biden, while about 37% of independent voters and more
[5:32] Speaker 1: than 90% of Democrats oppose the idea. This announcement has
[5:36] Speaker 1: far-reaching implications for both parties as it further polarizes an
[5:40] Speaker 1: already divided Congress and electorate. For McCarthy, the challenge lies
[5:45] Speaker 1: in balancing pressure from the far-right factions within his party
[5:49] Speaker 1: with the broader political implications of the inquiry. As both
[5:52] Speaker 1: parties continue to investigate and debate the merits of the inquiry,
[5:56] Speaker 1: the American public waits to see what concrete evidence, if any,
[6:00] Speaker 1: emerges to warrant the serious step of impeachment. In these
[6:05] Speaker 1: contentious times, we are reminded of Proverbs 18, 17. The
[6:09] Speaker 1: first to plead his case seems right until another comes
[6:12] Speaker 1: and examines him. As believers, it is crucial to wait
[6:15] Speaker 1: for all the facts before drawing conclusions and to pray
[6:18] Speaker 1: for wisdom and discernment for all involved in this deeply
[6:21] Speaker 1: divisive process. Both frontrunners for the 2024 election are under investigation,
[6:26] Speaker 1: and we as believers must try with all of our
[6:29] Speaker 1: might to discern what's happening, withhold harsh words towards those
[6:32] Speaker 1: who disagree with us, and press forward with integrity. For
[6:36] Speaker 1: those in positions of power, Romans 13.1 comes to mind.
[6:39] Speaker 1: Let every person be subject to governing authorities, for there
[6:43] Speaker 1: is no authority except God, and those that exist have
[6:46] Speaker 1: been instituted by God. Here's a concept. Being subject to
[6:50] Speaker 1: authority doesn't just apply to average citizens obeying the government.
[6:54] Speaker 1: In a representative form of democracy, the people are the
[6:57] Speaker 1: governing authority, and politicians elected by the people are subject
[7:02] Speaker 1: to them. So, leaders are in a position of responsibility
[7:05] Speaker 1: to their electorate, but also are accountable to a higher
[7:08] Speaker 1: moral authority, and that is God. So, with all of
[7:12] Speaker 1: these divisive things in mind, let's pray. Lord, in a
[7:17] Speaker 1: divisive and chaotic time, it is easy for our hearts
[7:21] Speaker 1: to become corrupt and bitter and angry at people who
[7:24] Speaker 1: disagree with us. Lord, while there is fighting going on
[7:28] Speaker 1: in Washington and political titans warring for power, may we
[7:33] Speaker 1: be people who exercise humility, meekness, and self-awareness. Lord, may
[7:38] Speaker 1: we never fall into the trap of hatred. Rather, would
[7:41] Speaker 1: you give us love for the people around us and
[7:44] Speaker 1: discernment as we look at all of these things that
[7:46] Speaker 1: are happening. May we as citizens and as voters be
[7:51] Speaker 1: wise in how we ingest our information. And Lord, would
[7:54] Speaker 1: you help us to proceed forward with love and grace,
[7:58] Speaker 1: understanding that people are imperfect, but also held to a
[8:01] Speaker 1: higher standard. May we not hold others to standards that
[8:04] Speaker 1: we are not willing to meet ourselves. And so, Lord,
[8:07] Speaker 1: would you empower us every single day to do what's
[8:09] Speaker 1: right and to walk with integrity. In Jesus' name, amen.
[8:14] Speaker 1: Recent data from the Census Bureau has unveiled a startling
[8:18] Speaker 1: surge in poverty rates in the United States last year,
[8:21] Speaker 1: particularly affecting children. In 2022, the poverty rate for children
[8:26] Speaker 1: leaped to 12.4%, more than doubling from the record low
[8:30] Speaker 1: of 5.2% in 2021. The overall supplemental poverty rate also
[8:35] Speaker 1: increased from 7.8% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2022, marking
[8:41] Speaker 1: the first such increase since 2010. This report aims to
[8:45] Speaker 1: provide a balanced examination of these figures, their implications, and
[8:49] Speaker 1: underlying causes. So, let's dive in. The American Rescue Plan
[8:53] Speaker 1: Act of 2021 provided a major but temporary boost to
[8:57] Speaker 1: the child tax credit, benefiting lower and middle-income families. According
[9:02] Speaker 1: to the Census Bureau, this enhancement lifted 2.1 million children
[9:06] Speaker 1: above the poverty line in 2021. Unfortunately, the relief was
[9:11] Speaker 1: short-lived as Congress did not extend the enhanced credit beyond
[9:15] Speaker 1: 2021 because we were officially out of the quote COVID era.
[9:18] Speaker 1: As a result, more than 5 million additional children fell
[9:22] Speaker 1: below the poverty line. Lawmakers, both Democratic and Republican, have
[9:26] Speaker 1: been actively discussing legislation to reinstate the child tax credit. Yet,
[9:32] Speaker 1: the extension remains the subject of bipartisan debate, complicating attempts
[9:36] Speaker 1: to provide timely financial relief to struggling families. While the
[9:41] Speaker 1: child poverty rate has spiked, other economic metrics offer a
[9:44] Speaker 1: more nuanced picture. Median household income, although decreasing by 2.3%
[9:50] Speaker 1: to $ 74, 000, needs to be understood in the context of
[9:53] Speaker 1: inflation and other economic variables. And, while the uninsured rate
[9:58] Speaker 1: fell to 7.9%, in 2022 from 8.3%, concerns linger as
[10:04] Speaker 1: states are expected to trim medical enrollment in 2023. A
[10:08] Speaker 1: recent poll revealed that 51% of Americans believe the economy
[10:12] Speaker 1: is in a downturn and getting worse by the day,
[10:15] Speaker 1: casting shadows over the Biden administration's economic achievements and policy choices.
[10:21] Speaker 1: More hardline Republicans and conservative members within the Democratic Party
[10:25] Speaker 1: argue that the decontinuation of the enhanced child tax credit
[10:30] Speaker 1: is necessary to balance budgets and prevent inflation, while others
[10:33] Speaker 1: advocate for its reinstatement as a moral and economic imperative
[10:37] Speaker 1: for struggling families. As believers, we are reminded of the
[10:41] Speaker 1: biblical exhortation found in Proverbs 31. Speak up for those
[10:44] Speaker 1: who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all
[10:46] Speaker 1: who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly. Defend the
[10:49] Speaker 1: rights of the poor and needy. While policy solutions to
[10:52] Speaker 1: poverty are complex and often contentious, the rise in child
[10:56] Speaker 1: poverty should concern us and compel us to act justly
[10:59] Speaker 1: and love mercy, as it declares in Micah 6. Whether
[11:02] Speaker 1: through community engagement, charity, or advocating for balanced policy measures
[11:07] Speaker 1: that protect the vulnerable, It's clear that fulfilling our Christian
[11:10] Speaker 1: duties extend to seeking the welfare of the least of these.
[11:13] Speaker 1: There may not be a one-size-fits-all answer, though. This is
[11:17] Speaker 1: a multifaceted issue. But there is a universal call for empathy, understanding,
[11:22] Speaker 1: and action. And each and every day, we're going to
[11:24] Speaker 1: do our best. So, let's lift this story up in prayer. Lord,
[11:28] Speaker 1: it's heartbreaking to hear that there are so many falling
[11:32] Speaker 1: under the poverty line, especially when we hear their children. Lord,
[11:36] Speaker 1: you have declared in your word that children are a
[11:39] Speaker 1: blessing from the Lord, a heritage that ought to be
[11:42] Speaker 1: treated as a gift and a treasure. Lord, you treasure them.
[11:46] Speaker 1: You see them. And so, Lord, we pray for provision
[11:49] Speaker 1: over anyone who has fallen under hard times, for families
[11:53] Speaker 1: that are struggling. Lord, would you empower all of us
[11:56] Speaker 1: each and every day to lift one another up? As
[11:59] Speaker 1: the body of Christ, may we be mobilized to meet
[12:01] Speaker 1: needs where possibly the government's fallen short. Lord, would we
[12:05] Speaker 1: be your hands and feet in times that desperately need
[12:08] Speaker 1: the love and the hope of Jesus? We love you, Lord,
[12:11] Speaker 1: and we trust you in all things. In Jesus' name, amen.
[12:17] Speaker 1: Our last story is some good news out of Nevada.
[12:20] Speaker 1: In an age when technology permeates every aspect of life,
[12:23] Speaker 1: from smartphones to electric vehicles, the news of a potentially
[12:27] Speaker 1: monumental lithium deposit discovered in the McDermott Caldera in Nevada
[12:31] Speaker 1: is met with palpable enthusiasm. Early analysts suggest that reserves
[12:36] Speaker 1: could be a staggering 40 million metric tons, 700% larger
[12:40] Speaker 1: than any known reserve on Earth. Geologists are ecstatic. As
[12:45] Speaker 1: they should be, this could fundamentally disrupt the global lithium market,
[12:49] Speaker 1: affecting everything from pricing to geopolitics. The prospects extend beyond
[12:54] Speaker 1: the balance sheets and into the realm of ethics. For years,
[12:58] Speaker 1: tech companies and manufacturers have struggled with a moral conundrum.
[13:02] Speaker 1: Many of their products are powered by lithium, sourced through
[13:05] Speaker 1: exploitive labor practices. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
[13:10] Speaker 1: rich in cobalt, a crucial component of lithium batteries, is
[13:13] Speaker 1: notorious for modern-day slavery conditions, including child labor and environmental degradation.
[13:20] Speaker 1: The discovery in Nevada offers a glimmer of hope for
[13:23] Speaker 1: establishing a more humane and regulated supply chain. Lithium America's corporation,
[13:28] Speaker 1: has surveyed the site and aims to start mining by 2026,
[13:33] Speaker 1: promising higher standards for labor and environmental practices. It's tempting
[13:37] Speaker 1: to view our digital devices as marvels of human ingenuity
[13:41] Speaker 1: and a sign that we are progressing into a more
[13:43] Speaker 1: civilized society. Yet, this rosy narrative bellies a harsh reality.
[13:47] Speaker 1: Our technological innovations are often gained in part by barbaric
[13:51] Speaker 1: and inhumane practices. Siddhartha Kara, a fellow at Harvard and
[13:56] Speaker 1: author of Cobalt Red, How the Blood of the Congo
[13:58] Speaker 1: Powers Our Lives, describes the situation as modern-day slavery, pointing
[14:03] Speaker 1: to dangerous labor conditions, inadequate pay, and a toxic work environment.
[14:07] Speaker 1: In theory, large industrial mines should not employ artisanal mining
[14:10] Speaker 1: methods involving manual labor under harsh conditions. However, the laws
[14:14] Speaker 1: flouted blatantly, as the reality of grinding poverty coerces people
[14:18] Speaker 1: into accepting virtually any form of employment they can get,
[14:22] Speaker 1: regardless of the risks involved. An entire population is faced
[14:25] Speaker 1: with an impossible choice— work under life-threatening conditions, or face starvation.
[14:31] Speaker 1: Kara rightly insists that transitioning to a sustainable energy should
[14:35] Speaker 1: not come at the expense of vulnerable populations. The newly
[14:39] Speaker 1: discovered Nevada deposit offers pathways towards ethical sourcing, provided it
[14:44] Speaker 1: is managed responsibly. With more transparent supply chains, companies will
[14:49] Speaker 1: have the luxury of avoiding suppliers linked to human rights abuses.
[14:53] Speaker 1: In contemplating this issue, we revisit the words of Proverbs 31.
[14:58] Speaker 1: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for
[15:00] Speaker 1: the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and
[15:03] Speaker 1: judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
[15:05] Speaker 1: This scriptural wisdom calls us to engage with the world's
[15:08] Speaker 1: injustices actively. It's not enough to express concern, as stewards
[15:13] Speaker 1: of the earth and its resources were called to ensure
[15:15] Speaker 1: the welfare of all of God's children. We start locally
[15:19] Speaker 1: and with the people around us, caring for the people
[15:21] Speaker 1: in our sphere of influence. Jesus declared, whatever you do
[15:25] Speaker 1: for one of the least of these brothers and sisters
[15:27] Speaker 1: of mine, you did for me. In light of the
[15:29] Speaker 1: Nevada discovery, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a change.
[15:34] Speaker 1: But this should be the beginning of a much broader,
[15:36] Speaker 1: long overdue conversation about the ethical implications of our consumer choices.
[15:43] Speaker 1: With all of this nuance in mind, let's offer up
[15:45] Speaker 1: prayers to the Lord and close our time together. Lord Jesus,
[15:49] Speaker 1: we understand that with increased knowledge comes increased sorrow. Sometimes
[15:54] Speaker 1: hearing humanitarian crises or natural disasters and having that knowledge
[15:59] Speaker 1: can leave us in despair. It can make us sorrowful
[16:03] Speaker 1: and lose hope. Lord Jesus, we pray that even in
[16:06] Speaker 1: the midst of bad news that happens out in the world,
[16:09] Speaker 1: that you would give us hope. Not hope in any
[16:12] Speaker 1: specific circumstance, but hope that you, Jesus, are in control.
[16:16] Speaker 1: You are able to transform and uplift. And you are
[16:19] Speaker 1: able to use us to make this world a better
[16:21] Speaker 1: place each and every day. Would you empower us, Lord?
[16:25] Speaker 1: Would you lift us up and encourage our hearts so
[16:27] Speaker 1: that we can press forward in this world and make
[16:29] Speaker 1: an impact for your kingdom? Lord Jesus, for any of
[16:33] Speaker 1: us who find ourselves stagnant or unable to move, would
[16:37] Speaker 1: you empower us with your spirit? Would we go out
[16:40] Speaker 1: into our workplaces and our families and our friendships each
[16:43] Speaker 1: and every day wanting to leave the world a better place?
[16:47] Speaker 1: We love you, Lord, and we trust you to transform
[16:49] Speaker 1: our hearts. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you
[16:53] Speaker 1: for joining us today on Pray News. It is our
[16:56] Speaker 1: aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you
[16:58] Speaker 1: would proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a
[17:01] Speaker 1: force for good. If you've enjoyed this take on the news,
[17:03] Speaker 1: consider writing this review and share your experience. You can
[17:06] Speaker 1: sign up for our newsletter at PrayNews.com. There you will
[17:08] Speaker 1: find sources to all of our reporting. And be sure
[17:11] Speaker 1: to download the Pray.com app to make prayer a priority
[17:14] Speaker 1: in your life. God bless.

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