U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins The Conversation with Dasha Burns on Politico

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined The Conversation with Dasha Burns on Politico, discussing President Trump's military actions against the Iranian regime, DHS funding negotiations, her leadership role in the United States Senate, and more.

Senator Britt discussed Trump's leadership on Iran, praising him and calling the strikes "the definition of America First": "Well first, my heart is broken for our fallen service members, and their families and loved ones. Certainly, so grateful for their service, for their ultimate sacrifice, and I know that countless American lives are going to be safer as a result…

"I had an opportunity obviously to speak to Secretary Rubio, amongst others, but making sure that Iran's capabilities have diminished greatly both from a nuclear perspective, which we know there it's about not being able to reconstitute nuclear weapons and or uranium enrichment … and I am glad, for one, that the Ayatollah is no longer here … What I am grateful for is that we actually have a president who does what he says he's going to do … He gave opportunity for the Iranians to come to the table when they chose not to … give up their desire for [nuclear] enrichment, when they chose to continue to fund this terrorist activities all across the region that are putting our own troops in harm's way and Americans back here at home. President Trump is going to act. And to me, that is the definition of America first."

The Senator discussed ongoing legislative priorities and wins: "If you look at the Working Family Tax Cuts that we passed last year, I think a lot of people are starting to see the effects of that as they file their taxes and start to learn of all of the good work that we did. And one thing in there, Dasha, that I was really proud to lead the effort on was child care. So, affordability and accessibility of child care, it's something that I not only hear from the people that I serve and I hear it from our largest businesses and our mom and pop in the small towns … but I've lived it myself … and so for the first time since 1986, we actually changed the tax code … we created a permanency in that … That is just the tip of the iceberg. You've heard us talk about Trump accounts. There's a lot of things that are coming out and I think that the more people learn, I think the more they're going to be impressed."

Senator Britt discussed the ongoing DHS shutdown and the consequences it poses: "We need to be vigilant right now and that means every single component of Homeland Security, whether it is the U.S. Coast Guard, whether it's CBP, whether it is ICE, whether it's HSI, you know, whether it's Secret Service, whether it's CISA… TSA. These people don't need to worry about their next paycheck. We don't need to be asking them to fulfill their mission, which is to keep the American people and our homeland safe while they're worried about making their wife's cancer treatment payment or having to sleep in their car… And so, my thought is that elected leaders, people who were sent here by their people of their state, need to get in a room and have a conversation and try to figure out a pathway forward. We owe it to the people we serve and certainly owe it to the country that we love."

The Senator highlighted her close working relationship with President Trump and role in the Senate: "He [President Trump] is focused on what he can do for the American people, then okay, what do we need to do and then how do we actually do it? … When you're on the phone with him, nothing is off limits. And so, you can talk about any issue or anything, and you know, he's got a very … purposeful and thoughtful direction in many things … Nobody gets the President to do anything. The President makes decisions about where he wants to go and where he wants to focus policy. It's about giving him information that then he can utilize to help fulfil the mission he's put in front of the American people, and he campaigned in front of the American people … when you look at the achievements of this administration, they are vast, I mean they are significant. He wants all the tools in his toolbox to be effective for the people he serves."

Senator Britt discussed her bipartisan leadership on social media legislation, including the Kids Off Social Media Act: "I'm a mom … I don't have to ask people what it's like to raise a family. I'm actually living it right now. I see the effects of social media, not just on our community at large … but really on our kids and our next generation … We know the rate of depression more than doubled amongst young people. It perfectly coincides with the rise in social media between 2011 and 2019. And so, I feel passionate that we must do something … I mean, we have a crisis on our hands, and I think it is incumbent upon us to actually fix it."

On her approach to working across the aisle: "You don't have to agree to show someone respect. And I think if we as a nation went back to a place where that was the case, I think we would be so much better off. And I am trying to conduct myself in this body in a way that allows me to lead, allows me to fight for our values, fight for our people. Create opportunity, and tackle challenges … But I'm hopeful that the more that we can have these kinds of dialogues and hopefully create solutions in some spaces, I think it gives people both permission and hope to do that themselves. And it doesn't mean you back away from your values or that you stand down on things that matter to you."

The Senator discussed her perspective on leadership and how she stays focused on fulfilling her promises to deliver for Alabamians: "I have found in this job that it is important for me to be laser focused on how I can help the people of Alabama. And if I start kind of wading into everything everyone has to say about me, like or dislike, I think you lose focus on your purpose. And for me, it's, you know, God's purpose and plan. How can I be a vessel for Him and His kingdom? How can I make sure that I'm serving the people who sent me here? I said when I ran, I want the unseen to be seen. I want to close the gap between the have and have-nots. I want the people to see Alabama through the lens that I do."

You can watch the Senator's full interview here.

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