No Pay for Congress? The Shutdown Fight Gets Personal

Stay connected with us at americangroundradio.com, on Facebook, and Instagram. You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for March 23, 2026.  In this episode of American Ground Radio, we dive headfirst into one of the biggest debates happening right now—President Trump’s handling of Iran—and why it’s not just the left pushing back, but voices on the right as well. We talk through the criticism coming from figures like Tucker Carlson and Rand Paul, and ask a bigger question: is this really about policy disagreements, or is it about discomfort with a president who actually acts instead of just talking? We break down the geopolitical reality of America’s allies and explain why, whether people like it or not, Israel may currently be our strongest partner on the world stage. And when it comes to Trump, we make the case that what frustrates the so-called “expert class” isn’t what he says—it’s what he does. In the “Top 3 Things You Need to Know,” we cover Trump’s announcement of a temporary pause in bombing Iran and the conflicting reports about behind-the-scenes negotiations. We also get into how ICE agents are stepping up to help with airport security during a funding standoff, and a tragic murder in Chicago that raises serious questions about immigration enforcement and accountability. We also dig into a major case before the Supreme Court that could redefine how mail-in ballots are handled across the country. Should ballots arriving days—or even weeks—after Election Day still count? We walk through the arguments, the growing concerns about trust in elections, and why this issue matters no matter where you fall politically. And speaking of accountability, we highlight a proposal from John Kennedy that would stop Senators from getting paid during a government shutdown—something that sounds like common sense, but ran into immediate opposition from Brian Schatz. We break down what happened and why it struck a nerve. We also take a moment to talk about the state of our culture, reacting to comments from Charlamagne tha God and what they reveal about just how divided the country has become. Then the American Mamas join us with some real-life wisdom—advice for younger generations about debt, relationships, social media, and how fast life really moves. It’s one of those conversations that hits a little deeper. Plus, we dig into a fascinating (and honestly concerning) trend in the economy—companies using your personal data to charge you different prices than someone else for the exact same thing. Is that just smart business, or something else entirely? All that and more as we question the narrative, challenge the “experts,” and try to make sense of a world where decisive action seems to make some people more uncomfortable than inaction. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776! Trump says Iran wants a deal as he postpones airstrikes. Recap Trump Deploys ICE Agents to Airports to Assist TSA on Monday Illegal immigrant charged with killing Loyola student released under Biden, DHS says Justices appear skeptical of late mail-in ballot deadlinesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.