Federal lawmakers are returning from their Spring Break tomorrow, when the House goes back in session. And, what a two week recess it has been.

The President threatened Iran with destruction of its “whole civilization,” and then agreed to a cease fire. That cease fire is now in doubt after peace talks failed in Islamabad over the weekend and the U.S. military began a blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Meanwhile, congress is still battling over whether to fund the Department of Homeland Security with future pay for TSA agents and other workers in doubt.

And Cuba saw a brief respite from a U.S. oil blockade that has led to nationwide blackouts. My next guest says U.S. policy amounts to collective punishment of the Cuban people and she’s calling for formal negotiations to begin. 

Guest: 

Representative Pramila Jayapal

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes


Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Federal lawmakers are returning from their Spring Break tomorrow, when the House goes back in session. And, what a two week recess it has been.
The President threatened Iran with destruction of its &ldquo;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116363336033995961">whole civilization</a>,&rdquo; and then agreed to a cease fire. That cease fire is now in doubt after <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/us/jd-vance-pakistan-iran-war-talks.html">peace talks failed in Islamabad over the weekend</a> and the U.S. military began a blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, congress is still battling over whether to fund the Department of Homeland Security with <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/5826637-lawmakers-return-dhs-pay-uncertainty/">future pay for TSA agents and other workers in doubt</a>.
And Cuba <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CUBA-CRISIS/OIL-EXPLAINER/gkvlkjgxkpb/">saw a brief respite</a> from a U.S. oil blockade that has led to nationwide blackouts. My <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/pramila-jayapal-calls-u-s-oil-blockade-on-cuba-outrageous-full-interview-261197381859">next guest says</a> U.S. policy amounts to collective punishment of the Cuban people and she&rsquo;s calling for formal negotiations to begin.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
Representative Pramila Jayapal
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> 
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Representative Pramila Jayapal joins Soundside as federal lawmakers return from a two week recess.