Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee appeared on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business on April 24 to discuss topics including budget reconciliation, Department of Homeland Security funding, the upcoming midterm elections, and the United States’ competition with China in artificial intelligence.
Hagerty’s comments come at a time when Congress is considering key legislative measures and national security concerns. He said the third reconciliation process discussed by Speaker Mike Johnson is also being considered in the Senate as an opportunity to address funding for the Department of Homeland Security. “We’re going through this process right now to fund the Department of Homeland Security, that the Democrats have shut down now. They’ve shut down this department. The department charged with protecting us, the Counter-Terrorism department at a time when we are dealing with the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” Hagerty said.
On foreign policy and economic issues, Hagerty praised former President Donald Trump’s actions regarding Iran: “President Trump has done an outstanding job using executive orders to bring our country back to the most competitive place it possibly could be.” He also discussed economic incentives from recent legislation: “The reconciliation package that we passed last year… put in place more incentives for capital investment than we have seen in our careers.”
Discussing domestic politics ahead of upcoming elections, Hagerty commented on Democratic strategies related to redistricting and voting rules: “Democrats have demonstrated that they can’t win the hearts and minds of the American public so instead they’re going to try to change the rules.” On congressional dynamics he added: “I do not think we’ll lose the Senate. We’ll be able to maintain the fight, but they’ll make it certainly a lot more difficult for the American public.”
Hagerty addressed technology policy as well: “It is quite alarming [that China is attempting to steal innovation and intellectual property from the United States] but it’s not surprising.” He emphasized staying ahead in AI development while maintaining appropriate guardrails.
According to his official website, Hagerty was elected as U.S. Senator from Tennessee and serves on several Senate committees including Appropriations; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Foreign Relations; and Rules and Administration. He hails from Sumner County where he earned Eagle Scout rank—a distinction mentioned twice—and engages in community service through civic organizations according to his official website. His offices are located both in Washington D.C., as well as across multiple cities throughout Tennessee including Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Jackson, and Tri-Cities according to his official website.
Looking forward during his appearance on Fox Business, Hagerty expressed optimism about legislative progress such as moving forward with Kevin Warsh’s nomination for Federal Reserve Chair by mid-May.