# 7-27-23 - UPS Crisis Averted, McCarthy’s Can of Worms, & Texas Border Struggles

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 27 Jul 2023, 14 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/24a26375-937d-45a2-99e2-b4d700277813/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your 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 News at a Glance: • UPS and Teamsters strike… a Deal! • House Speaker McCarthy threatens to impeach President Biden. • Texas struggles with its heightened border security. 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: Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable
[0:04] Speaker 1: in the sight of all men. If it is possible,
[0:07] Speaker 1: as much as it depends on you, live at peace
[0:09] Speaker 1: with all people. Romans 12, 17-18 Dear Heavenly Father, In
[0:16] Speaker 1: a world that is often promoting revenge and retaliation, teach
[0:20] Speaker 1: us the strength of forgiveness and the power of love.
[0:23] Speaker 1: Help us to resist the urge to repay evil with evil,
[0:27] Speaker 1: but instead, Empower us to respond with kindness and understanding.
[0:31] Speaker 1: Guide us, Father, to do what is right. Let our
[0:34] Speaker 1: actions reflect your righteousness, inspiring others to also seek your truth.
[0:39] Speaker 1: Help us, as far as it depends on us, to
[0:42] Speaker 1: live peaceably with everyone, to be ambassadors of your peace
[0:45] Speaker 1: in a world that desperately needs it. In Jesus' name
[0:49] Speaker 1: we pray. Amen. Welcome to Pray News, where hope is
[0:54] Speaker 1: our only bias. Today's news at a glance, UPS and
[0:57] Speaker 1: Teamsters strike. A deal. House Speaker McCarthy threatens to impeach
[1:02] Speaker 1: President Biden. And Texas struggles with its heightened border security.
[1:06] Speaker 1: The news always has the potential to make us angry, bitter,
[1:09] Speaker 1: and hopeless. Even in the midst of a broken world
[1:12] Speaker 1: with broken people, we cling to the hope of Jesus.
[1:15] Speaker 1: We rely on his word to guide us as we
[1:17] Speaker 1: navigate the choppy waters of culture. If you've enjoyed this
[1:21] Speaker 1: take on the news, consider leaving a review. Doing so
[1:24] Speaker 1: will help others find prey news and find a bit
[1:26] Speaker 1: of hope every day. Before we dive into these stories,
[1:29] Speaker 1: let's hear a word from these sponsors. Our first story
[1:33] Speaker 1: comes from the bustling streets of logistics, where UPS and
[1:36] Speaker 1: Teamsters Union have pulled a last-minute save worthy of an
[1:39] Speaker 1: action movie. They've come to a preliminary labor agreement, narrowly
[1:42] Speaker 1: avoiding a strike that could have made next week look
[1:45] Speaker 1: like a scene from an apocalyptic movie. No one wants
[1:48] Speaker 1: to live in a world without timely package delivery. And
[1:51] Speaker 1: for now, we don't have to. This labor deal isn't
[1:54] Speaker 1: a penny pincher either. According to Teamster's general president, Sean O'Brien,
[1:58] Speaker 1: it's worth a whopping $ 30 billion. In O'Brien's words, quote,
[2:02] Speaker 1: we demanded the best contract in the history of UPS
[2:05] Speaker 1: and we got it, unquote. The deal promises to raise
[2:09] Speaker 1: for both full and part-time workers. The part-timers will get
[2:14] Speaker 1: a raise of at least $ 21 an hour, and the
[2:16] Speaker 1: full-time workers will be sitting pretty at an average of
[2:19] Speaker 1: $ 49 an hour. For all the hard-working UPS drivers out there,
[2:23] Speaker 1: they can finally enjoy their days off without fear of
[2:25] Speaker 1: mandatory overtime. UPS CEO Carol Tomei seemed thrilled about the agreement.
[2:30] Speaker 1: Per her statement, quote, together we reached a win-win-win agreement
[2:34] Speaker 1: on the issues that are important to Teamster's leadership, our employees,
[2:37] Speaker 1: and to UPS and to our customers, unquote. It does
[2:41] Speaker 1: seem like a win-win-win. UPS doesn't have to halt its operations,
[2:45] Speaker 1: the workers get the raises they asked for, and consumers
[2:48] Speaker 1: will be able to get their as-seen-on-TV neck massagers and
[2:51] Speaker 1: snuggies delivered on time. The workers still need to ratify
[2:55] Speaker 1: this tentative deal, though, with voting from August 3rd to
[2:58] Speaker 1: August 22nd in the works. The National Retail Federation has
[3:02] Speaker 1: already broken out the party hats, cheering the agreement. Stability
[3:07] Speaker 1: is the name of the game here in the retail world,
[3:10] Speaker 1: and this agreement is sure to bring just that. However,
[3:13] Speaker 1: before we get too excited, let's remember that these are
[3:16] Speaker 1: preliminary negotiations, and they don't always seal the deal. Case
[3:20] Speaker 1: in point, FedEx's pilots just recently rejected a labor agreement.
[3:24] Speaker 1: For now, this story seems like a victory for everyone involved.
[3:28] Speaker 1: This summer has seen an uptick in high-profile labor strikes,
[3:32] Speaker 1: the most notable being the writer and actor strike in
[3:35] Speaker 1: Hollywood currently happening. This story with UPS gives us hope
[3:39] Speaker 1: that collaboration can be possible between unions and businesses. 1
[3:43] Speaker 1: Corinthians 12, 26 says, Now, this is in the context
[3:53] Speaker 1: of the body of Christ and how all of us
[3:55] Speaker 1: play a crucial role, a vital role in God's kingdom,
[3:58] Speaker 1: and we all need one another. This passage is a
[4:00] Speaker 1: testament to the impact of unity, negotiation, and understanding that
[4:04] Speaker 1: we all play a vital role in society. And we
[4:06] Speaker 1: can't help but be reminded of this when we see
[4:09] Speaker 1: union workers and businesses collaborate to find a mutually beneficial deal.
[4:14] Speaker 1: In conclusion, it's always good to remind ourselves, especially in
[4:16] Speaker 1: the hustle and bustle of our work days, that the
[4:19] Speaker 1: ultimate one we serve is not a business, it's not
[4:21] Speaker 1: a union, but it's the Lord. Colossians 3.23 reminds us,
[4:25] Speaker 1: whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and
[4:28] Speaker 1: not for men. While higher wages and more earnings is
[4:31] Speaker 1: great for companies, workers, families, we know that the most
[4:35] Speaker 1: worthwhile effort is the energy we put into the kingdom
[4:38] Speaker 1: of God. That being said, let's lift all of this
[4:40] Speaker 1: in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the
[4:43] Speaker 1: gift of collaboration and unity, as we are reminded in
[4:45] Speaker 1: 1 Corinthians 12, that when one part is honored, every
[4:48] Speaker 1: part rejoices. We pray for the UPS workers and all
[4:51] Speaker 1: involved in these negotiations, asking that you guide them in
[4:55] Speaker 1: the upcoming ratification process. May they remember the words of
[4:58] Speaker 1: Colossians 3, to work heartily, but not for themselves or
[5:01] Speaker 1: not for a business, but for you, O Lord. knowing
[5:04] Speaker 1: that the ultimate rewards come from serving your kingdom. We
[5:08] Speaker 1: love you. We praise you. And it's in Jesus' name
[5:10] Speaker 1: we pray. Amen. Our next story is about the can
[5:13] Speaker 1: of worms that Kevin McCarthy is opening in Washington. House
[5:17] Speaker 1: Speaker Kevin McCarthy has set the political scene abuzz with
[5:21] Speaker 1: his recent threat to launch an impeachment inquiry against President
[5:25] Speaker 1: Joe Biden. This move excites the hardline Republicans, but not
[5:29] Speaker 1: so much everybody else. This potential move carries significant risks
[5:33] Speaker 1: for McCarthy and for the Republican Party. Some have called
[5:36] Speaker 1: it a can of worms. The optics of this seem
[5:39] Speaker 1: partisan on the outside and a bit hypocritical, as indicated
[5:43] Speaker 1: by his previous comments stating that the country disfavors politically
[5:46] Speaker 1: motivated impeachments. The impeachment talks have been spurred by allegations
[5:51] Speaker 1: involving the Biden family, notably the president's son, Hunter Biden,
[5:55] Speaker 1: and potentially improper business dealings that he was a part of.
[5:58] Speaker 1: IRS whistleblowers testified last week about Justice Department officials' interference
[6:03] Speaker 1: in the investigation of Hunter Biden. An international FBI document
[6:07] Speaker 1: containing unverified allegations of foreign bribery involving the Bidens was
[6:12] Speaker 1: also released by Senator Chuck Grassley. Republicans hope the testimony
[6:17] Speaker 1: of Devin Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden,
[6:21] Speaker 1: will provide additional evidence here. Archer, convicted of fraud in 2018,
[6:25] Speaker 1: is expected to testify that Hunter Biden involved his father
[6:29] Speaker 1: in discussions with foreign business partners. However, the White House
[6:33] Speaker 1: maintains that President Biden was never involved in his son's
[6:36] Speaker 1: business dealings. Now, this wouldn't be the first time people
[6:39] Speaker 1: are being dishonest to the press, so we'll see how
[6:41] Speaker 1: this unfolds. The potential impeachment has ruffled feathers even within
[6:46] Speaker 1: the Republican Party, with some moderates expressing frustration and others
[6:51] Speaker 1: believing McCarthy is trying to placate the more conservative members.
[6:56] Speaker 1: Democrats argue that McCarthy's actions are largely driven by former
[6:59] Speaker 1: President Donald Trump and his influence. They are accusing McCarthy
[7:03] Speaker 1: of being used as a tool to punch back at
[7:05] Speaker 1: Trump's recent legal troubles. There's a growing trend of impeachment
[7:09] Speaker 1: trials and escalating legal issues during campaign season. This probably
[7:14] Speaker 1: isn't a coincidence and perhaps signals a broader issue of
[7:18] Speaker 1: weaponizing the courts for political and partisan fighting. Now, from
[7:22] Speaker 1: a Christ-centered perspective, we have to be careful. We want
[7:26] Speaker 1: to be reminded of Romans 12. Repay no one evil
[7:29] Speaker 1: for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of
[7:31] Speaker 1: all men. If it is possible, as much as it
[7:33] Speaker 1: depends on you, be at peace with all men. While
[7:36] Speaker 1: we applaud any attempt to keep leaders accountable for their actions,
[7:40] Speaker 1: we do not applaud a back-and-forth legal sparring to gain
[7:43] Speaker 1: a political advantage. We will watch closely as these events
[7:46] Speaker 1: unfold and see how all these trials, and maybe trials,
[7:50] Speaker 1: will shape up. We can all draw from the wisdom
[7:53] Speaker 1: of Proverbs 21.3, which says, To do what is right
[7:57] Speaker 1: and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
[8:01] Speaker 1: As such, we pray that all parties involved prioritize justice, truth,
[8:05] Speaker 1: and the nation's welfare over political gamesmanship. May the outcome
[8:09] Speaker 1: of these impeachment discussions and impeachment trials reflect a commitment
[8:14] Speaker 1: to these values and lead to a stronger, more accountable,
[8:18] Speaker 1: and just United States, not a more divided one. The
[8:22] Speaker 1: nature of this story is delicate and wrought with controversy. Therefore,
[8:26] Speaker 1: we're going to release it up to the Lord in prayer.
[8:28] Speaker 1: Dear God, in times of political tension and strife, we're
[8:31] Speaker 1: reminded of your word in Romans 12. To respect what
[8:35] Speaker 1: is honorable, strive for peace. We pray for all parties
[8:38] Speaker 1: involved in these discussions, that they prioritize justice, truth, and
[8:42] Speaker 1: the welfare of the nation over political gains. As Proverbs
[8:45] Speaker 1: 21 teaches us, may we do what is right and
[8:48] Speaker 1: may we do what is acceptable to you. Guide us
[8:51] Speaker 1: to reflect these values in our actions, not just critiquing leaders,
[8:54] Speaker 1: but looking inward to what you would have for us.
[8:58] Speaker 1: We trust you for these things, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
[9:02] Speaker 1: Our last story of today has to do with border
[9:05] Speaker 1: struggles happening in Texas. The Lone Star State has been
[9:08] Speaker 1: channeling billions of dollars into an aggressive bid to control
[9:11] Speaker 1: federal border security for the past two years. Texas Governor
[9:15] Speaker 1: Greg Abbott has prioritized Operation Lone Star, an initiative that
[9:20] Speaker 1: challenged the national government's authority over international borders and immigration enforcement.
[9:25] Speaker 1: The state's border control efforts have raised numerous concerns and
[9:28] Speaker 1: questions about its efficacy. The program was recently criticized for
[9:32] Speaker 1: alleged inhumane treatment of migrants per an email sent by
[9:36] Speaker 1: a trooper and medic to their superiors. Allegations including forcing
[9:40] Speaker 1: a nursing mother back into the river, denying water to
[9:43] Speaker 1: migrants in extreme heat, and stopping a four-year-old from crossing
[9:46] Speaker 1: the border The program's efficiency has also been called into question.
[9:51] Speaker 1: Despite the influx of resources and numerous arrests made under
[9:54] Speaker 1: Operation Lone Star, these only account for about 1% of
[9:58] Speaker 1: the encounters by border control in the same period. While
[10:02] Speaker 1: it's undeniably costly as well, with more than $ 9. 5 billion
[10:06] Speaker 1: spent and allocated to be spent in 2025, Texas remains
[10:11] Speaker 1: committed to its strategy, though. In fact, Abbott has requested
[10:14] Speaker 1: other states to send their National Guard soldiers and police
[10:17] Speaker 1: officers to assist Texas in its border control efforts. The
[10:21] Speaker 1: state's approach to addressing illegal immigration by arresting migrants on
[10:24] Speaker 1: low-level state charges has also overwhelmed courts in rural counties. Interestingly,
[10:30] Speaker 1: even with increased resources, counties that adopted the program saw
[10:34] Speaker 1: a rise in illegal crossings compared to those that didn't.
[10:38] Speaker 1: The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against
[10:41] Speaker 1: Texas Governor Greg Abbott over a buoy barrier installed on
[10:44] Speaker 1: the Rio Grande River as an effort to prevent illegal
[10:47] Speaker 1: border crossings for Mexico. The DOJ claims this barrier violates
[10:52] Speaker 1: federal environmental law, endangers public safety, and has raised diplomatic
[10:56] Speaker 1: concerns with Mexico. Texas has also established razor wire barriers
[11:01] Speaker 1: along river crossing points, which have allegedly led to numerous injuries.
[11:06] Speaker 1: The state is investigating accusations that officials ordered officers to
[11:10] Speaker 1: forcibly return migrants, including minors, to the river and to
[11:13] Speaker 1: deny them water. Governor Abbott, however, asserts that the barriers
[11:17] Speaker 1: are legal under the state's sovereign authority to protect its borders.
[11:21] Speaker 1: The International Boundary and Water Commission, though, which has jurisdiction
[11:25] Speaker 1: over the river, stated that it did not authorize the barrier.
[11:28] Speaker 1: Despite the controversy and criticisms, Abbott and other state officials
[11:31] Speaker 1: have defended the operation. They argue that it's essential strategy
[11:36] Speaker 1: to control legal immigration, drug trafficking, and weapon smuggling across
[11:39] Speaker 1: the border. To be fair, Texas has the burden of
[11:43] Speaker 1: being the largest border state in the U.S. Because of this,
[11:46] Speaker 1: there are bound to be high level of border issues.
[11:49] Speaker 1: So we can empathize with Texas lawmakers, law enforcement, and
[11:53] Speaker 1: leaders who constantly struggle to maintain peace and control at
[11:56] Speaker 1: their border. Even if they somehow had the perfect plan
[11:59] Speaker 1: in place, which Operation Lone Star clearly isn't, it's bound
[12:02] Speaker 1: to be messy. Regardless, though, Operation Lone Star is causing
[12:06] Speaker 1: ripples of concern and disapproval among the U.S. The expense
[12:11] Speaker 1: and the human rights concerns have sparked debate about handling
[12:15] Speaker 1: border security and immigration in a humanitarian manner. As believers,
[12:20] Speaker 1: we believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every
[12:22] Speaker 1: human being created in the image of God, doesn't matter
[12:25] Speaker 1: where they come from. Consequently, we are called to approach
[12:28] Speaker 1: issues like border control and immigration with compassion and respect
[12:32] Speaker 1: for human life, never demeaning others, even while we're keeping
[12:35] Speaker 1: people safe. The allegations of inhumane treatment against migrants, if proven,
[12:40] Speaker 1: are cause for concern. Jesus calls us to love our
[12:43] Speaker 1: neighbors as ourselves. On the other hand, these border states
[12:46] Speaker 1: have been blighted by drug and weapon smuggling. Securing the
[12:50] Speaker 1: border for the sake of protecting citizens from the threat
[12:52] Speaker 1: of drugs and violence isn't inherently wrong. Sometimes we do
[12:56] Speaker 1: the wrong thing for the right reasons, and this could
[12:59] Speaker 1: be an example of that very dilemma. In assessing Operation
[13:03] Speaker 1: Lone Star's approach and efficiency, we must ask, is the
[13:06] Speaker 1: program achieving its stated goals in a just and humane way?
[13:10] Speaker 1: If not, it may be time to reassess and recalibrate,
[13:13] Speaker 1: seeking solutions that align with our calling to uphold justice, mercy,
[13:16] Speaker 1: and love. In Deuteronomy 10, the people of Israel were
[13:20] Speaker 1: reminded to love the sojourners, for they were once sojourners themselves.
[13:25] Speaker 1: That being said, let's lift all of this in prayer.
[13:27] Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, we seek your wisdom and guidance in this
[13:30] Speaker 1: world of complexities and challenges. We pray for those in
[13:33] Speaker 1: positions of authority who are making decisions on critical issues
[13:37] Speaker 1: such as border control and immigration. May their actions reflect compassion, justice,
[13:42] Speaker 1: and respect for the dignity of human life. We also
[13:45] Speaker 1: pray for the safety and well-being of those affected by
[13:47] Speaker 1: these policies, whether it be border control agents or people
[13:51] Speaker 1: trying to cross the border. We pray all these things
[13:53] Speaker 1: in Jesus' name. Amen.

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