Class Colloquium 2 Video: Yarmuth on Policy and Politics

A highly successful and well-attended second Class Colloquium featured John Yarmuth reflecting upon the current state of Congress … and then fielding questions from classmates on a wide variety of issues.

On Wednesday  June 17th, John presented prepared remarks on the Congressional failure to address long-term issues he considers as fundamental and of primary importance:  AI (especially automation unemployment), climate change, and the current high-intensity matters of race, the pandemic, healthcare, and the educational needs fundamental for a better future.  Presuming a continued Democratic House majority post-election and projecting changes in control of the Senate and White House, he anticipates radically different legislative agendas to be pursued next year.

In Q&A, he covered a broad array of other issues — single payer healthcare, immigration reform, his personal assessment of Mitch McConnell, and even our own Lamar Smith!

Following Q&A, the 128 attendees were divided into smaller groups facilitating intimate dialogue and an open forum for  personal views. Unlike the breakout groups following the first Covid Class Colloquium (with Ken Davis, MD), all registrants were assigned to random groups, an effective online method that encouraged new introductions and encouraged shared sentiments. Notwithstanding, some classmates prefer breakout groups by residential college.  Accordingly, we have a short survey to determine Class breakout preference for future Class Colloquia.