Topic: Joe Barton

Texas Representative Blake Farenthold pledged to repay $84,000 in taxpayer funds used to settle a sexual harassment claim filed by a former staffer. Simultaneously, Representative Joe Barton announced his retirement following the leak of a private nude photo, and John Conyers faced pressure to step down in Detroit. In entertainment, Netflix confirmed House of Cards would resume production without lead actor Kevin Spacey.

Texas Representative Joe Barton, a supporter of the Keystone XL pipeline, argued that while the climate is changing, it may be natural rather than man-made. He cited the "Great Flood" from the Bible as an example of historical climate change. The hosts note that "Peak Oil" rhetoric has vanished now that the administration acknowledges vast domestic oil and gas reserves.