Who?
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) — Ranking Republican, Senate Armed Services Committee
LISTEN: Laslo & Wicker
Ask a Pol asks:
We heard you have a problem with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s UAPDA amendment to the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) — any truth to that?
Key Wicker:
“I don't know where you would have heard that,” Sen. Roger Wicker exclusively tells Ask a Pol.
ICYMI — UAPDA has a chance after the November elections
Caught our ear:
“What does that stand for?” Wicker asks Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo.
Defense Authorization Act…*
*things we do for you, fam!
Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), slightly edited for clarity.
TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Roger Wicker
Background: Laslo’s covered Wicker for Mississippi Public Broadcasting for years, so he’s used to him being quiet, if cagily so, and refusing to answer questions, though he’s also learned Wicker often ascribes much weight to the few words he does divulge while walking through the US Capitol at an almost leisurely southern pace.
SCENE: As the Senate was minutes away from gaveling out until after November’s elections, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo spotted Sen. Roger Wicker and a senior aide strolling through the Capitol’s marble halls.
Matt Laslo: “Sen. Wicker, I was curious if in the NDAA — I heard that you...”
Roger Wicker: “What does that stand for?”
ML: “Defense Authorization Act.”
First time Wicker’s ever quizzed Laslo, and it seems Prof. Laslo got an A…
ML: “But I heard that you had some problems with Schumer's UAPDA amendment?”
RW: “I don't know where you would have heard that.”
ML: “So it's not true?”
Awkward silence, as the three keep walking, until Laslo laughs.
Wicker Aide: “You got his statement?”
ML: “That's my question.”
RW: “No, the statement that came out on the weekend. You're asking about PDA — Presidential Drawdown [Authority] programs?”
ML: “No. U-A-P-D-A — Schumer's amendment with Rounds.”
Silence.
ML: “So no comment? Thank you.”
Wicker says something inaudible as they keep walking. Laslo stops, snaps some pics and then heads in the opposite direction, where he had been heading...
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Discussion about this episode
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The title seems a little bit misleading. He thought you're talking about the PDA. When you specified about UAPDA he didn't deny it unless silence means that? Sorry, English is not my first language so this is what I get from the dialogue. 🤷
Yeah. Got confusing. But Wicker heard me. His staffer was confused.
He comes off a bit dodgy. His silence following your clarification speaks volumes.
You should NOT be a Senator if you do not know what the NDAA is. It's a Bill the Senate passes every year with nearly a trillion dollars in funding. What a disgrace! Unfortunately Mississippi voters are too clueless to fire him in November.
Think that was him testing — or fucking with… — me…
Lol you have the patience of a saint Matt! I'd be responding back with something snarky like "Wait... You don't know the acronym for the largest funding bill passed every year?!"
It seems like he either had no idea what the UAPDA was or was surprised to be asked about it. Always interesting, either way!
Is this what is called a non-denial denial?