Closed hearings to examine the Department of Defense budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by an open session at approximately 11:00 a.m. in SD-G50. — hearing of 30 April 2026: transcript & video

00:00 - 00:41

Speaker 1

Gas prices have reached a new high since the start of the Middle East conflict. AAA says gas prices have jumped 30¢ in the past week, now averaging $4.30 a gallon. That's the highest pump prices since July 2022. We're now paying a dollar 30 more per gallon than before the war started, and the Strait Of Hormuz remains closed along with The US continuing its blockade of uranium ports. The stalemate is leading to a longer disruption of fuel supplies from the Middle East.

As CBS correspondent Nancy Cordes reports, president Trump had plenty to say yesterday about the Iran conflict.

00:41 - 01:05

Speaker 2

President Trump said yesterday that he had actually rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait Of Hormuz, get oil tankers flowing again because he said it would have put off an agreement about Iran's nuclear program until later. Trump insisted The US blockade is gonna remain in place for now and that he has the upper hand. He discussed all of this with the crew of Artemis two arrayed behind him.

01:05 - 01:08

Speaker 3

It takes people like this to make our country great.

01:08 - 01:20

Speaker 2

It was an over office event meant to celebrate Artemis two's successful mission around the moon. But the conversation quickly veered to pressing issues back here on Earth, including the impasse in Iran.

01:20 - 01:29

Speaker 3

They have to cry uncle. That's all they have to do. Just say, we give up. We give up. Their economy is really in trouble.

01:29 - 01:51

Speaker 2

The US economy is suffering too, with gas prices jumping 7¢ in just one day to an average of $4.30 a gallon. Global oil prices climbed above a $120 per barrel Wednesday, the highest since 2022 as investors came to terms with the possibility of a months long disruption to supply.

01:52 - 01:53

Speaker 4

It hasn't even peaked yet.

01:53 - 02:01

Speaker 2

The Federal Reserve declined to lower interest rates Wednesday with chairman Jerome Powell citing the rising cost of gas.

02:01 - 02:09

Speaker 4

Remember, when gas prices go up, that's disposable income coming out of people's pockets, so they're gonna spend less on other things.

02:09 - 02:21

Speaker 2

With The US and Iran both claiming to control the street of Hormuz, shipping traffic has fallen to 5% of its normal levels. In a social media post, Trump warned Iran,

02:21 - 02:21

Speaker 5

no

02:21 - 02:31

Speaker 2

more mister nice guy, brandishing a weapon in this AI image. There are no talks currently scheduled, though Trump insisted he can get a deal done by phone.

02:31 - 02:38

Speaker 3

The blockade has been a 100% foolproof. It shows how good our navy is. I can tell you that nobody's gonna play games.

02:38 - 02:56

Speaker 2

Germany's chancellor has a very different view. He said a few days ago that the Americans obviously have no strategy for exiting this nine week war. Well, on Wednesday, in a what appeared to be a tit for tat, Trump announced he's now considering pulling some US troops out of Germany.

02:56 - 03:54

Speaker 1

That's CBS correspondent Nancy Cordes. Happening at this hour, the first direct commercial flight between The US and Venezuela is scheduled to depart and will land in Venezuela's capital of Caracas in a matter of hours. Today's flight from Miami is coming seven years after The US suspended flights there, citing safety concerns. The resumption follows the reopening of the US embassy in Caracas and the restoration of full diplomatic relations. It is the next step after The US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a stunning nighttime raid back in January.

For the past seven years, US passengers had to rely on international airlines and indirect routes through neighboring Latin American countries to reach Venezuela. It's 10:18. Traffic and weather on WTOP back to the traffic center and Rob Stallworth.

03:54 - 04:32

Speaker 5

Inner Loop in Virginia, the main lanes in Annandale at 236 Little River Turnpike still with the left side block for the broken down tractor trailer now attached to a heavy duty wrecker, but delays are back to I 95 in Springfield. The 495 express lanes are running with no problems, so you might wanna pay the extra cash if you're running late or impatient. Northbound 395 before the 14th Street Bridge. That crash is clear to the right shoulder. All your travel lanes are open.

Just minor delays as you approach Boundary Channel Drive. I 95 southbound on the brakes leaving Lorton if you're gonna a

04:35 - 04:35

Speaker 2

chance

04:39 - 05:19

Speaker 5

That's where the right time is blocked for the work road. Zone. No problems on the Beltway in Maryland through Prince George's or Montgomery County. Two problems southbound on the Baltimore Washington Parkway. The first one is near 198.

That's the report of a crash, and further southbound near the Beltway after 193 is a report of a wreck as well, so watch out for that. If you're in the district, keep in mind, Southbound DC 295 slows approaching the usual spot near Burroughs Avenue headed toward East Capitol Street, but your travel lanes are indeed open and available. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation has been at the forefront of inflammatory bowel disease research and care for over fifty years. Learn more about research, education, and support at crohn'scolitisfoundation.org.

05:20 - 05:31

Speaker 1

I'm Rob Stallworth. Your next traffic report in about ten minutes. Alright. Let's move to meteorologist Steve Root, and he joins us live with the seven news first alert forecast. Nice to have the sun back today.

05:31 - 05:59

Speaker 6

Nice to have the sun. All the wet weather is completely gone, so good news there. But the winds are beginning to kick up, and we'll see wind gusts today, 25 to 30 miles per hour. So even though highs will be in the mid sixties to lower seventies, it's going to feel a little bit colder than that. Our skies are going to be clear overnight, upper thirties to middle forties by early tomorrow morning.

Should note our sunset tonight, 08:00 on the dot. Partly sunny with a chance for a few evening showers tomorrow, 65 to 70. We're mainly cloudy on Saturday.