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You are here: Home / Organizing & Resistance / Call Congress

Call Congress

by David Anderson|  March 22, 20173:50 pm| 231 Comments

This post is in: Organizing & Resistance, All we want is life beyond the thunderdome, Get Angry

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There is a chance that we can win tomorrow.

Let’s work to increase that chance. Call Congress. If you are represented by a Democrat or a Republican who is on the 100% No list as maintained by the New York Times , thank them, or their interns.

If you are represented by an Undecided or Concerned Republican, encourage them to vote No.

If you are represented by a highly probable yes Republican, tell them to have fun losing in November of 2018.

There is no guarantee that we can win tomorrow. There might be a seven hour vote as arms get twisted and bribes concessions are offered to flip votes. But I would rather try and fail then resign myself to learned helplessness. So call.

Here is the House Rep finder:

Update 1 For the waverers, they will vote to be on the winning side. If there are twenty three or more quick GOP NO votes, we will see a cascade of No Votes as there is no upside to be a Yes and Fail. If there is only 10-20 GOP NO votes in the first 12 minutes, we’re in for a long afternoon of arm twisting.

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Reader Interactions

231Comments

  1. 1.

    rikyrah

    March 22, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    Will pass it on, Mayhew.

  2. 2.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    I’ve been on Facebook soapbox about this all week, and have called my rep (to thank him), emailed the rep in the place where my wife and I go to the beach (to exhort him) and tried to call the odious but nearby Barbara Comstock, whose lines were unanswered at both the local and D.C. offices. I will persist, in the spirit of Elizabeth Warren.

  3. 3.

    zhena gogolia

    March 22, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Called my rep to thank her.

  4. 4.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    Didn’t know that Vichy Times dabbled in fiction. Apparently they believe that a species called moderate Republicans, exists!

  5. 5.

    eclare

    March 22, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    Called my rep to thank him.

  6. 6.

    Mnemosyne

    March 22, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    @randy khan:

    If you have access to a fax machine, try and send Comstock a fax. It’s better than an email.

  7. 7.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    @randy khan: @Mnemosyne: You can also send a fax online.

  8. 8.

    Yarrow

    March 22, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    Just called. My Rep is a Dem and is solidly against. Made sure to tell the intern to thank my Rep.

    Neighboring district Rep is a far right Republican. My zip code crosses his district, so I called his office and named my zip code. The intern who answered the phone said he was “still considering how to vote.” So I asked him to vote against it. Thought it was interesting that the intern was instructed to say he was still considering it. On that NYT list you linked, he’s under “Support or Lean Yes.”

  9. 9.

    Jeanne

    March 22, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    Called my moderate republican Dent, lol, he has still not decided but is going to continue to listen to his constituents. I am assuming he knows he eventually will have to make a decision. Will keep calling.

  10. 10.

    Ohio Mom

    March 22, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    Surprised to see my Tea Partier Rep, Brad Wenstrup, in the wavering column, at least according to the NYT. I’ll give him another call.

  11. 11.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    I called my Democratic rep, and I have posted VA-10 contact information on Facebook for Barbara Comstock and I strong armed my sister in law and her husband to call their “leaning no” but clearly wishy washy Republican rep in Pennsylvania.

    ETA: For those in Pennsylvania, the eastern half of the state, especially the rural counties, will be hit hard by this bill. In my SIL’s district, 55,000 people have exchange or expansion coverage, and most will be worse off under the repeal proposal.

  12. 12.

    LurkerNoLonger

    March 22, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    Fucking Faso can lick my balls for supporting this shit.

  13. 13.

    Schlemazel

    March 22, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Ellison was thanked.

  14. 14.

    The Moar You Know

    March 22, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Neat trick: called Issa’s office through AARP’s system. They pick up those calls.

    1-844-567-7800. Works for all representatives.

  15. 15.

    Jeanne

    March 22, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    @Barbara: I am in dauphin county and they are going to get crushed by AHCA.

  16. 16.

    Yutsano

    March 22, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Of course Newhouse has no public opinion available. Fucker is the worst squish with no spine whatsoever.

  17. 17.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    That’s a thought.

    I’m betting that Comstock won’t vote until she knows whether it will pass or not, and then she’ll take the route that she thinks will hurt her least. The problem for her is that I bet there are a couple of dozen others thinking exactly the same thing.

  18. 18.

    Mary G

    March 22, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    @The Moar You Know: Great to know. I have been leaving voicemail messages and sending letters, faxes and emails.

    ETA: I just opened Twitter and in the first seven tweets, there are two ads telling me to call Issa and tell him to vote no, one from Planned Parenthood and one for the Club for Growth because it’s too liberal.

  19. 19.

    TriassicSands

    March 22, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    OT — Still watching the Gorsuch hearings.

    Senator Mazie Hirono is suddenly my hero. She isn’t impressed with Gorsuch’s aw-shucks demeanor and gee, I’m just a judge whose personal beliefs never enter into my judgering [sic].

    She referenced an article (“Liberals and Lawsuits”) Gorsuch wrote, before he was the world’s most objective thinker, and finally said that clearly politics matter in the judiciary or else “We would have Merrick Garland before us now instead of you.” (Not an exact quote.)

    Hirono isn’t as polished a questioner as say, Coons, but she has been more effective in pointing out problems that Gorsuch’s approval will create for millions of ordinary Americans.

  20. 20.

    TKinNC

    March 22, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    Richard Anderson/David Mayhew – I just outed you to Mark Walker’s staff – sorry. But they need some understanding of the issues. He’s a firm yes so I knew it was futile going in.
    BTW – Welcome to NC! Land is cheap in Person County. Services are few but if 5 or 6 thousand extra D voters from Durham/Orange moved north, we could flip the county commission, raise taxes on people like me and get some nice things for everyone.

  21. 21.

    NYCMT

    March 22, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    @LurkerNoLonger: Faso’s Kinderhook office had the phone off the hook as of 2pm. Call Delhi. Also, Albany (Cuomo) has been opening a big can of whoop-ass on Collins, Faso, Donovan, and the other weasels who finagled that AHCA amendment.

  22. 22.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    @Jeanne: I have posted this before, but a lot of Dent’s constituents are screwed under the repeal proposal:

    http://kff.org/interactive/tax-credits-under-the-affordable-care-act-vs-replacement-proposal-interactive-map/?utm_campaign=KFF-2017-March-Tax-Credit-Maps&utm_content=51279696&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

  23. 23.

    tobie

    March 22, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    I called Rep Andy Harris (MD1) again. He’s no for now but the intern on the phone said things might change so we do need to keep up the pressure.

  24. 24.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    A friend just called the local office of Chris Smith (NJ-4), and was told that the DC office is handling all ACA calls, but they would tally his opinion and pass it along. That was kind of interesting.

  25. 25.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    @Jeanne:

    I am assuming he knows he eventually will have to make a decision.

    He’s probably desperately hoping that the whip count will be bad enough that Ryan withdraws the damn thing and he doesn’t have to go on the record. I suspect most of the unclear/decline to state Republicans are in that boat.

  26. 26.

    piratedan

    March 22, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    called my Rep McSally, told the guy in the office I was incredibly disappointed. For someone who ran on the platform of not being a cookie cutter GOP rep, for her to line up behind this bill was incredibly shortsighted and stupid. She may have been able to fly planes in combat, but it sure wasn’t an indication of analytical thinking.

  27. 27.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    @randy khan: Comstock should be lining up against Trump every which way because her district has lots of federal employees and she is going to be groveling hard next year to distance herself from the looming bloodbath. However, we have been told by local activists who have met with her that as of last week, she was a yes.

  28. 28.

    Jeanne

    March 22, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    @Barbara: Thanks for that information.

  29. 29.

    Ohio Mom

    March 22, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    It took a couple of tries to find an office with an intern to pick up the phone (the mailbox at the DC office was full).

    I gave the intern my “If Wenstrup cares so much about veterans, why does he want to take health care away from them?” speech. Because that’s Wensteup’s schtick, the military (one day I’m going to make a point of telling him that no soldier did anything to get me the right to vote, it was women in bloomers).

    As I learned on a Vets Vote video, many vets are not eligible for the VA, and have gotten coverage theough the ACA, as have their families.

    I ended by saying that vets are just like the rest of us: they depend on the same ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security as everyone else, and yes, some of them depend on Meals on Wheels. Every time Congress votes to hurt us, they are hurting veterans too.

    I like to think that at least some interns are getting educated, because I’m having a hard time imagining Wenstrup breaking rank.

  30. 30.

    frosty

    March 22, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    Called PA-4. Staffer said Perry stated at his townhall Saturday that he would vote No on the bill “in its current form. He’s a Freedom Caucus RWNJ so he’s not opposed for the right reason, but I’ll take it.

  31. 31.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    @NYCMT: Cuomo can kiss my ass. Seriously, he has done just about everything in his power to preserve the status quo ante of Republican state and federal officials by putting his thumb on the scale for redistricting in a way that disadvantages Democrats in one of the most Democratic leaning states in the nation. It’s worse at the state level but it influences the federal level as well. I am convinced he makes it hard so he can claim hero status when things actually get done.

  32. 32.

    Ohio Mom

    March 22, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    @randy khan: That is what the leaders of my Indivisible group keep stressing, Call the DC office, that is where the policy staff are!

    But I often can’t get through to the DC offices, not even to leave a voice mail.

    So I go down the list of local offices that’s on the bottom of the Congressman’s home page until I get a human. If you can call anyone even remotely assiciated with the Republican Party a human…

  33. 33.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    @Ohio Mom:

    I think you have to call whatever office you can reach; there’s no point in calling a number that’s constantly busy.

  34. 34.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    @Barbara:

    There’s a long New York tradition of the Governor brokering legislation and (most important!) the budget between the Assembly and the Senate, and of course that’s where the Governor derives a lot of power. If the Dems held both houses, then the Governor could get left out, and Cuomo doesn’t want that. It’s terribly frustrating and one more reason to dislike him.

  35. 35.

    Mike J

    March 22, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    Jason Sparks‏ @sparksjls
    In GOP @RepDanDonovan’s district “calls to his office are running about 1,000-to-1 against the Republican plan.”

  36. 36.

    PaulW

    March 22, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    Also: Call Democrats to encourage them to stand strong.

    AND CALL THE DNC AND MAKE GODDAMN SURE *EVERY* CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AND STATE LEGISLATURE SEAT ARE CHALLENGED IN 2018 (2017 for those states that vote odd years, I’m looking at you Virginia).

  37. 37.

    BretH

    March 22, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    I simply don’t have the stomach to call my VA rep. (Garrett) since the only reason he opposes it is because it’s not a full repeal. Gah.

  38. 38.

    retr2327

    March 22, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    “Pence, along with several senior Trump aides at the meeting, rejected the conservatives’ push either to “start over” on repealing Obamacare or a least to add language stripping out the law’s essential health benefits. “They steeled our resolve by their unwillingness to lower premiums on hard-pressed American families,” Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama told reporters afterward. ”

    Somebody needs to translate this line of BS for the voters. For example, when Republicans claim that they will “lower premiums” for health insurance by stripping out the essential health benefits requirements, it’s like lowering the cost of dining at a steak house by allowing the steak house to serve dog food in place of steak.

  39. 39.

    themann1086

    March 22, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    Called Meehan’s (R-PA07) DC office and it was full, called the Springfield office and told the nice young woman that I strongly hoped he wouldn’t vote to take away my healthcare (exact words). If he votes yes I will be much less polite.

  40. 40.

    ? Martin

    March 22, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    I’m not sure if I want this vote to fail, or for the GOP to have this failure around their necks (as there’s no fucking way this makes it through the Senate).

  41. 41.

    bystander

    March 22, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    Slightly OT: Schiff is on and he’s waxing wroth. Visibly angered by Nunes’ stunt.

  42. 42.

    zhena gogolia

    March 22, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    @bystander:

    Tell him to let Roth wax him for a while.

  43. 43.

    Yarrow

    March 22, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    @BretH: Makes no difference why they vote against it, so long as he vote against it. Let them know you support his vote against it. Stiffen his spine. Just say that little bit–zip code and you support his voting against it. Hang up.

  44. 44.

    Mike J

    March 22, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    @Yarrow: And before people argue it, yes, they will come back and try again. We know that. They’ve taken over 300 votes trying to kill the ACA. We’ll worry about killing the next attempt after we’ve killed this attempt.

  45. 45.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 22, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    For your phone call

    How many people will lose insurance in each district.

    ETA: I’m guessing I”m not the first person to say this but, OY, could somebody turn off the trump autoplay down below?

  46. 46.

    Iowa Old Lady

    March 22, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    My R rep, Blum, says he’s a no vote. He’s Freedom Caucus so I’m sure it’s for the wrong reasons, but I’ll take it anyway.

  47. 47.

    TooManyJens

    March 22, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    I’ve called my idiot Congressman Rodney Davis so many times, and he’s still out there boosting this piece of crap bill. Judging by his rhetoric, everyone who opposes the AHCA is either a left wing extremist or a right wing extremist. I’m so sick of this guy.

  48. 48.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    @Yarrow: I would say to let them know you appreciate the no vote but that you absolutely support keeping the ACA. When they don’t hear from supporters, that let’s them pretend that their district is on board with whatever they do for whatever reason. VA-5 is one of the most gerrymandered districts in the state. If we work hard in 2017 there is a good chance Garrett will find himself in a redrawn district that doesn’t effectively dilute the votes from Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Also, the rural counties that love him are the ones that are more likely to be getting coverage on the exchanges. There are close to 35,000 people in his district who have coverage through the exchange.

  49. 49.

    Booger

    March 22, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    @BretH: Call his Charlottesville office. Got a human there, nice person.

  50. 50.

    Jackie

    March 22, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    Just moved into Mark Meadows district, he’s a no for all the wrong reasons. But I just said ” thank the congressman” and suppressed the urge to spit.

  51. 51.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    @Barbara:

    I am convinced he makes it hard so he can claim hero status when things actually get done.

    I would guess it’s not so much hero status he’s after as power broker. If it’s nearly impossible to get stuff done, everyone has to go to him and beg for help, and that gives him a ton of influence.

  52. 52.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    Nunes just squid inked all over this investigation. What a complete fucking piece of shit.

  53. 53.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    @Roger Moore: I am thinking specifically of the pre-Obergefell gay marriage act that was passed on New York. That act should have been a much less uphill battle in a state like New York. Instead, the governor made a big show of persuading Republicans to vote yes and taking all kinds of credit for it.

  54. 54.

    dmsilev

    March 22, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    @? Martin: I hope it fails. Because then the House GOP looks like a bunch of idiots, Trunp will come across as a loser who Can’t Close The Deal, and guaranteed they’ll come back in a month or two and try to pass something even more likely to faceplant in the Senate.

  55. 55.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    Tell him to let Roth wax him for a while.

    Hyman Roth?

  56. 56.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    @Corner Stone: A scared fucking shitless piece of shit leaking like a full diaper, by what seems to be coming out.

  57. 57.

    David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch

    March 22, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    ABC News Politics‏ @ABCPolitics

    NEW: Pres. Trump’s approval drops to 37% in new Quinnipiac national poll, his worst rating ever; 56% disapprove.

    177 replies 581 retweets 1,041 likes

  58. 58.

    A Ghost to Most

    March 22, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    Whoa, Schiff just basically said that Nunes is working for the WH, and obstructing the Intelligence Committee.

  59. 59.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    @Mike J:

    We’ll worry about killing the next attempt after we’ve killed this attempt.

    One of my hopes is that killing this attempt will make them at least a little bit scared about their next one, especially if it stirs up dissension between wings of the Republican party. AFAIK, there’s also going to be a problem with using reconciliation again this year, so stopping this one will make a meaningful delay.

  60. 60.

    JPL

    March 22, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    My rep is HHS Secretary. I’m glad he won’t be voting, though.

  61. 61.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    You’re the Chairman of the Intel Comt. You get info from FBI and you brief ZEGS and then the WH but no one else on the Committee?
    What in the fucking fuck fuck?

  62. 62.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    @BretH:

    I simply don’t have the stomach to call my VA rep. (Garrett) since the only reason he opposes it is because it’s not a full repeal. Gah.

    I get that. I’ve been telling Republicans when I call that I’m concerned that the bill will raise costs for older Americans. That way you can give a reason that’s on the side of the angels while also telling them something that they will at least make believe matters to them.

  63. 63.

    Hellbastard

    March 22, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    Called my rep, Arrington in Texas 19th. HIs staff engaged in a bit of a back and forth with me. I cited the CBO analysis and his argument was that those 24 million people would now be in a position to choose insurance if they so want it. I told him the dead bodies are on Arrington if he votes for this.

  64. 64.

    Mike J

    March 22, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    so stopping this one will make a meaningful delay.

    To be fair, this is the only meaningful vote they’ve had.

    Important to get loser stink over Trump, Ryan, and the entire Republican party.

  65. 65.

    zhena gogolia

    March 22, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    @A Ghost to Most:

    Is there a scenario by which Schiff becomes POTUS by tomorrow? Or next week would be okay.

  66. 66.

    Timurid

    March 22, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    I called. Clay Higgins is to the right of Lucius Sulla and an all-around corrupt asshole… but at least the assistant who took my message sounded very tired at the end of what was no doubt a very long day…

  67. 67.

    NickM

    March 22, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    @randy khan: I called the odious Barbara Comstock’s office – she represents half my town- and they picked up quickly. The staffer told me she was still undecided.

  68. 68.

    JPL

    March 22, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    @zhena gogolia: Is there a scenario where Obama will fly back from whatever island he’s on this week, and save us?

  69. 69.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    @David Canadian Anchor Baby Koch:

    Same as Gallup, pretty much. -19 on the +/- is, ah, not so good, especially 2 months in.

  70. 70.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 22, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    @Corner Stone: no matter how many times I quote Lily Tomlin that no matter how cynical you get, you can’t keep up, I keep having to say it over and over again

  71. 71.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    @NickM: Wow. If that’s true, that’s a change from the last information we were given by people who met with her in person.

  72. 72.

    A Ghost to Most

    March 22, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    @zhena gogolia:
    I can definitely see him as our 2020 Presidential Candidate. He seems like a sane responsible man surrounded by corrupt apparatchiks.

    I hope the Russians don’t get to him.

    eta: we need to send Nunes some ‘Complicit’ cologne.

  73. 73.

    rikyrah

    March 22, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    @BretH:
    A No is a No.
    Make the call

  74. 74.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    They get to put one bill through reconciliation every year. There’s apparently no specific time frame for it, although I keep hearing people say the window closes in April.

    In any event, if this fails, then it’s back to the drawing board, but with a weakened Speaker and a weakened President, which makes it harder. (Not to mention that McConnell is much too smart to expend any of his political capital unless he is sure it will pass, which means the Senate will.not.go.first.)

  75. 75.

    brendancalling

    March 22, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    I have been doing a double-pronged approach here in Tennessee.

    I called up my Democratic rep, whose office assured me there would be a vote of NO.

    Then I called up as many nearby wingnuts as possible (Marsha Blackburn, that DeJarlais lunatic) and presented myself as a fellow traveler. I gave them the hardcore Freedomworks line: the bill doesn’t go far enough, it doesn’t repeal anything, it’s Obamacare lite, Paul Ryan is not to be trusted, etc. And of course the threat of a primary unless they vote NO.

    As i see it, the GOP could not care less about what Democrats want. They DO care about primaries from the right.

  76. 76.

    Msb

    March 22, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    Thanks for the links and info. Was able to get “my” Rep’s DC office for the first time. Interestingly, the Times lists him as a yes, and his staffer said he is undecided and interested in constituents’ views. I rained hard on AHCA, and asked for Trump’s taxes and whether anyone could yet tell me whether he was or was not the agent of an enemy government.

  77. 77.

    David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch

    March 22, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    David Frum‏ @davidfrum

    Wednesday as of lunch:
    Lethal terror attack in London.
    Leak confirms Trump campaign manager lobbied for Putin.
    Collapse of GOP health bill.

    9:55 AM – 22 Mar 2017

    79 replies 716 retweets 1,263 likes

    rogueJoelGarfield‏ @joelgarfield

    I think America is getting tired of winning.

    4 replies 7 retweets 53 likes

  78. 78.

    Another Scott

    March 22, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    @dmsilev: I agree that it failing in the House would be a good thing. Donnie threatened the Congressmen that he was going to campaign against them if they didn’t pass it, and supposedly it turned 10 votes against him according to a RawStory headline.

    The GOP was so effective against Obama because they voted as a block. If they lose that, the infighting will be delicious. And it should help increase their losses this fall and in 2018….

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  79. 79.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    @NickM:

    Glad you got through and glad they’re saying she’s still undecided. I think that means she’ll try not to provide the 216th vote in either direction.

  80. 80.

    Buskertype

    March 22, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    My rep’s office (Alex Mooney WV-2) told me he was leaning no, Even though the NYT list has him as a yes vote… so I’m about ready to call this goose cooked. :)

  81. 81.

    jacy

    March 22, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    It also eats up the clock. They don’t pass this, tax reform stalls. They have to cobble together another piece of shit. The infighting increases. Trump becomes even less helpful and lashes out. It’s like kicking over an anthill. (And no constituent on earth is happy no matter what they do, for different reasons. Mayhem is our friend.)

  82. 82.

    bupalos

    March 22, 2017 at 5:46 pm

    David Joyce’s office is picking up calls, and quickly. One ring.

  83. 83.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    Is there a scenario by which Schiff becomes POTUS by tomorrow? Or next week would be okay.

    Sure, for the “next week” version. Ryan shits the bed so badly with the AHCA vote tomorrow that a group of Republicans defects and demands his resignation as Speaker. Through an orgy of backroom deals, they team up with the Democrats to make Schiff speaker. He appoints a real committee to investigate the Russia allegations, and Trump and Pence disappear to dachas in Sochi. Schiff becomes president.

  84. 84.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    @jacy:

    Mayhem is our friend.

    You misspelled Mayhew.

  85. 85.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 22, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    GOP ex-electeds and non-candidates are all solidly anti-Trump. I keep meaning to go back and see what Jolly was saying about trump before the election

    David Jolly‏
    @ DavidJollyFL
    @ mkraju – @ DevinNunes and house #GOP has zero credibility now. Blew it. @ AdamSchiffCA now the cerebral hero of this investigation.

  86. 86.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    @brendancalling: You’re the man! Seriously, I can’t believe there are too many people who are in support of this just because if you look at the CBO score regarding who will receive the tax cuts, there just aren’t that many people making $250,000 per year and up. The people who hypothetically might benefit from the tax credits for buying coverage mostly have group health insurance through some employment relationship, or don’t have a big problem affording it right now.

  87. 87.

    Elizabelle

    March 22, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    @Jackie: That’s my template. Just thank the congressman.

    I have Freedom! Caucus member Dave Brat, the photogenic and psychopathic Ayn Randian. Beat Eric Cantor, so there is that.

  88. 88.

    Josie

    March 22, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    Called Rep. Henry Cuellar (D) to say thank you.

  89. 89.

    ? Martin

    March 22, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    @bystander:

    Slightly OT: Schiff is on and he’s waxing wroth. Visibly angered by Nunes’ stunt.

    I can imagine…

    My suspicion all along is that Flynn’s call was tapped because he was in the Dominican Republic at the time of the call – most likely on a temporary SIM. How would the intel agencies know that he was a US citizen receiving a call there from the Russian ambassador? And because he’s out of the country, I’m pretty sure that a FISA warrant isn’t needed, so of course they would have recorded the conversation. The intel agencies likely don’t want to admit that they record US citizens when overseas and rehash that whole part of the Patriot (or Protect, or whichever revision it was) Act so they don’t want to have to explain this, other than to deny that there was a surveillance order on Flynn.

  90. 90.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    @randy khan:

    In any event, if this fails, then it’s back to the drawing board, but with a weakened Speaker and a weakened President, which makes it harder.

    And a severely weakened Republican caucus in the House. The big thing this whole episode shows is that there’s a very wide gap between the wings of the Republican party. The less crazy wing is worried about taking insurance away from their constituents, even if it’s only because they’re worried about reelection. The extremely crazy wing is full of right wing purity ponies who will only pass something if it destroys Obamacare root and branch. They’re irreconcilable views, and any attempt to get rid of Obamacare is going to collide head on with that reality.

  91. 91.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 22, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    @brendancalling: Ha! I love it

  92. 92.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    @? Martin:

    The intel agencies likely don’t want to admit that they record US citizens when overseas

    That’s a secret?

  93. 93.

    SgrAstar

    March 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    I called my RWNJ rep’s office and got a staffer who was interested in hearing my views until he began to realize that I might be one of those “liberals” he was making fun of. I don’t know exactly what I said that blew my cover…it might have been my concern about people losing their coverage. Sympathy for the less fortunate is definitely a symptom of moral weakness in these parts.

  94. 94.

    debbie

    March 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    @? Martin:

    What’s most important is that pass or fail, Trump has broken his promise that “everyone” would have insurance. He needs to be called out as a liar.

  95. 95.

    bystander

    March 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    @zhena gogolia: Only if TengUPhule gets to spend some quality time in DC.

  96. 96.

    Это курам на смех

    March 22, 2017 at 6:03 pm

    @David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch:

    Pres. Trump’s approval drops to 37% in new Quinnipiac national poll

    Only ten more points to go.

  97. 97.

    debbie

    March 22, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    @bystander:

    Google’s no help. What did he say?

  98. 98.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Its gonna back the House. And the Senate, even if by the skin of its teeth and even if the Turtle needs to suspend the Byrd rule. ObamaCare is getting repealed. The GOP at the end of the day will circle their wagons.

    Because if they can’t get this passed, both Trump AND Congressional GOP look weak and disorganized. Making getting the rest of their agenda passed even harder. Which agenda demands two things: (1) massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate America – because those guys paid for this Congress and the demand a return on their investment and (2) a complete evisceration of the Great Society social safety net in order to destroy whatever bare threads are left of a sense of economic security by working so that the wealthy elites can cut taxes even further.

    This is about money. Its always about money. Democrats can spend all the time they want “resisting” and telling themselves fairy tales about how it will all blow back on the GOP, so Susan Collins better be nervous, goshdarnit.

    Won’t matter. Democrats years of incompetent strategy and inability to disengage their mouths from the same teats the GOP feeds at are coming home to roost.

  99. 99.

    zhena gogolia

    March 22, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    Bedtime story! Tell me again, daddy.

  100. 100.

    SiubhanDuinne

    March 22, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    Called my rep to thank her.

    @eclare:

    Called my rep to thank him.

    The only time I can imagine thanking my rep for anything is in the exceedingly unlikely event that he voluntarily resigns his seat.

  101. 101.

    ? Martin

    March 22, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: No, but it’s something people assume is false and they don’t want to bring light to it again.

  102. 102.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    And they are here!

  103. 103.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    @jacy: Their need to pass a corporate welfare bill (I refuse to call it “tax reform”), is precisely why they will succeed in repealing Obamacare. Regardless of how shitty their repeal bill is, and regardless of how much it will “hurt” their constituents. Their constituents are rich people (who it won’t hurt, but instead will provide a tax cut to), Christian jihadis who lost touch with reality decades ago, and angry white people in flyover country who will crawl over glass to vote for anyone who whips them into a xenophobic frenzy.

  104. 104.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    That’s a secret?

    Absolutely! And the Israelis don’t have nukes too!

  105. 105.

    Mike J

    March 22, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    @debbie: Here’s a link to twitter, where he released a graphic of some text, rather than putting it in the press releases section of his web site as actual copyable text

    https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/844649549696286724

  106. 106.

    Elizabelle

    March 22, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    @goblue72: Will you put your money where your mouth is and make a generous contribution to pet rescue if the GOP do NOT succeed in killing Obamacare this outing?

    Because I think it would take about $1,000 out of your pocket, funding innocent little animals, to make me think kindly of you.

  107. 107.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    @bystander: I’d still need fifty steel head pikes, one fire axe, 2 rubber blankets, a roll of duct tape, a sonic screwdriver and a banana.

  108. 108.

    guachi

    March 22, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    @? Martin:

    How would the intel agencies know that he was a US citizen receiving a call there from the Russian ambassador? And because he’s out of the country, I’m pretty sure that a FISA warrant isn’t needed, so of course they would have recorded the conversation.

    If he used his own phone, the fact he used a US phone number would be a good clue.

    Also, if you are an American you could be on Mars and the government couldn’t legally target you without a warrant.

  109. 109.

    Chet

    March 22, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    My congresscritter is a dem and a safe no vote. I called his office a week ago and said I wanted to voice my opinion on the AHCA. The guy on the phone took my info and said, “all right, what would you like to say?” I said “it sucks!” and he chuckled.

    My town straddles two districts, and the other district is repped by a Repub in the Tuesday Group. I have been calling him too (I just give my town name so they listen as if I were actually a constituent). He’s in the no column so far, so I asked his office if he’s still a no. They said: so far. So I encouraged him to hold steady.

  110. 110.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    and a banana.

    You get muscle cramps? Or is that needed to get them to slip and fall into the Tiger Trap?

  111. 111.

    rikyrah

    March 22, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    @jacy:
    Time is on our side. Getting this shyt voted down is important.keeping people insured is important.

  112. 112.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    @Elizabelle: I make my charitable donations to nonprofits serving the poor.

    Will you make a donation of $1,000 to the National Low Income Housing Coalition if the GOP succeeds in passing its Obamacare repeal bill?

  113. 113.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    What in the fucking fuck fuck?

    Treason is in season.

  114. 114.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    @Corner Stone: Yes.

  115. 115.

    debbie

    March 22, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    @Mike J:

    Thank you. What bullshit! There’s this from NBC News:

    (Nunes) said the intelligence agencies will have to provide the reports to the intelligence committee in order for any Democrats to see them.

    Is that even legal?

    ETA: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/house-intel-chairman-trump-s-communications-possibly-picked-incidental-surveillance-n737201

  116. 116.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    I agree – every time the Republican caucus can’t find a compromise that gets to 216 (or 218, once the special elections are done), they’re weaker.

  117. 117.

    JMG

    March 22, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    @goblue72: Bill might well pass, but all you had to say about it was a crock. You can’t have it both ways: Dems can’t be faulted for not fighting hard enough by the same person saying resistance is futile. Take your revolution of the ego somewhere else.

  118. 118.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    @Это курам на смех: Primarily driven by his increasing unpopularity amongst people who didn’t vote for him.

    Amongst Trump voters, he has lost very little support: Only 3% of Trump Supporters Regret Their Vote

  119. 119.

    ? Martin

    March 22, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    @guachi:

    If he used his own phone, the fact he used a US phone number would be a good clue.

    Did he, or did he pick up a SIM at the airport?

    Also, if you are an American you could be on Mars and the government couldn’t legally target you without a warrant.

    Flynn wasn’t targeted. The Russian Ambassador was. Does the fact that he was calling someone in DR who happened to be an American exclude their ability to use that information? I’m pretty sure it doesn’t.

  120. 120.

    cain

    March 22, 2017 at 6:22 pm

    @goblue72: Never has so much been sacrificed for people who have everything.

  121. 121.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    @goblue72: Three percent would have been more than enough to change the outcome of the election.

  122. 122.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    @goblue72:

    Amongst Trump voters, he has lost very little support: Only 3% of Trump Supporters Regret Their Vote

    Which is why when Canada occupies the former Republic, prior voting or showing any sign of support for Trump will be a felony punishable by 20 years of unpaid forced labor picking organic fruit and working in the Solar Panel Mines.

  123. 123.

    ruemara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    @debbie: No, it is Republican solidarity and as such, beyond the pettiness of legality.

  124. 124.

    Elizabelle

    March 22, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    @goblue72: No, because I’m not the one gloom and dooming here. You excel at that.

    So: a thousand dollar contribution FROM YOU to low income housing if the GOP pulls off its ACA repeal? Are you on for that? Is that that enjoyable a prospect?

  125. 125.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    @? Martin: Although I don’t do this any longer, I did at one time, and lots of people actually still get prepaid cellphones when they travel abroad because their U.S. carrier charges so much for data and calls. They might or might not have a U.S. exchange. If you make a lot of calls this would be a smart thing to do.

  126. 126.

    Millard Filmore

    March 22, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    @TenguPhule: ??? “and a banana” ???

  127. 127.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 22, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    @goblue72: shut the fuck up, Dwight

  128. 128.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    @Elizabelle: Another data point to prove my hypothesis from the morning thread about the gloom and doom caucus.

  129. 129.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    @JMG: Democrats in Congress should absolutely oppose everything Trump puts up. Its an important signal to their base. That said, that alone won’t be enough. Waiting for the GOP to implode and usher in a redux of the 2006 election in a hope that lightning strikes twice is not a strategy. Much as “if we wait long enough, demographics will be to our advantage” is also not a strategy.

    Democrats really haven’t figured out what their coherent & SHARP alternative to the GOP is – and a means to convince voters that they will do what they say if returned to power. Nor figured out what their voter coalition needs to be – given that their current one can’t them over the finish line anywhere outside of California and a handful of deep Blue states. The AARP brigade is still running the Democratic caucus in DC, so I am not expecting much out of them beyond them voting “no”. Next gen of Democratic leadership is going to come out of a combination of state government and Democratic Baby Boomers in Congress finally retiring or croaking. (GOP is ahead of the game and doesn’t have that problem – they already have the next generation running things in the House and in the states)

  130. 130.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    @Millard Filmore: You don’t seriously expect me to chop all those heads off on an empty stomach, do you?

  131. 131.

    gene108

    March 22, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    Called my Rep. Tom MacArthur (R, NJ-3), but per the NY Times article he’s a ‘Yes’ vote.

    It’s a safe Republican seat, as long as the Republican doesn’t go full-tilt Freedom Caucus loon.

    I’ll call again tomorrow, but I’m not sure it’ll help.

  132. 132.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    @Corner Stone:
    You’re asking too many questions. Just get the damn banana.

  133. 133.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    @Barbara: For POTUS. Not for either house of Congress or any of the states.

    Democrats focus too much on the top of the pyramid and not the base its built upon. Our foundation is a shambles.

  134. 134.

    Mike J

    March 22, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Kailani Koenig‏ Verified account @kailanikm
    Schiff just told @chucktodd he’s seen “more than circumstantial” evidence of collusion btwn Trump camp & Russia. Previously “circumstantial”

  135. 135.

    goblue72

    March 22, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    @Elizabelle: That ain’t a bet, tootsie. A bet involves both sides.

  136. 136.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    @goblue72:

    You know, you may be right about it passing, but I sure am tired of you saying there’s nothing to be done about it. If for no other reason, we should make a stand on this because it’s the right thing to do. So, with the greatest respect for your views, I say that you should shut up here and vent your frustration on some Republican in Congress.

  137. 137.

    Millard Filmore

    March 22, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    @? Martin:

    did he pick up a SIM at the airport?

    After Osama found out that each phone device can be uniquely identified by a hardware ID and changing SIM cards does not matter, he stopped using cell phones altogether.

  138. 138.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    @goblue72: On that we can mostly agree. But it probably would have changed the outcome for Senate in three additional races as well.

  139. 139.

    guachi

    March 22, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    @? Martin:

    If Flynn did use a SIM purchased in the Dominican Republic, I can only imagine the WTF moment the analyst who first listened to the call must have had.

  140. 140.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    You’re the Chairman of the Intel Comt. You get info from FBI and you brief ZEGS and then the WH but no one else on the Committee?

    When you were also on Trump’s transition team, that’s what you do. Nunes is trying to cover his own ass. This is a billboard-sized sign that the transition team was in cahoots with the Russians.

  141. 141.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 6:35 pm

    @Roger Moore: I ain’t falling for no damn banana in the tailpipe!

  142. 142.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: My troll filter excludes responses to trolls too, but judging by the number of comments it’s blocking, there must be some quality trollin’ going on, real quality trollin’.

  143. 143.

    Kay

    March 22, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    This is funny. “Sorry I let you down- I’m changing my vote” Goes from “no” to “hell, no”

  144. 144.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    March 22, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    @A Ghost to Most:

    Whoa, Schiff just basically said that Nunes is working for the WH, and obstructing the Intelligence Committee.

    Reads like Nunes is just making stuff up now just to support Trump’s fantasy. This mealy mouthed “Well some of Trump’s people were talking to some people the FBI was legally wiretapping, so Trump is RIGHT!”

    Really Nunes, now why would a respectable men like Trump’s people, who are only the best after all, be talking to the sort that the FBI would be looking into?

  145. 145.

    ArchTeryx

    March 22, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    Called Paul Tonko’s (D-NY20) office to thank him, as well as my two NY Senators. None of them are impressed with the “Empire kickback”, apparently – it’s a way to make sure the hole blown in NYS’s budget by repealing Expanded Medicaid gets even larger. It’s a direct attack against Cuomo.

    Not that I think that PoS Prince Andrew deserves the slightest bit of consideration, but I’m one of the people lined up for the guillotine if this thing passes, so if Cuomo wants to lobby the upstate R Congressmen to sink this ship, go Governor!

  146. 146.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    March 22, 2017 at 6:40 pm

    @Another Scott:

    The GOP was so effective against Obama because they voted as a block. If they lose that, the infighting will be delicious. And it should help increase their losses this fall and in 2018….

    Why wait, the Debt Limit and Budget are coming up next month and everyone been predicting this year will be the show down inside the GOP.

  147. 147.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:42 pm

    @Kay: It’s funny, but they are so dishonest when they say things like “health insurance isn’t health care!” No shit Sherlock, but I still think I would be safe betting my house that you don’t plan to give up your own health insurance anytime soon. Health insurance is how we PAY for health care. If you can’t PAY for health care you usually suffer adverse health or financial consequences or both.

  148. 148.

    JMG

    March 22, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    Politico reporting White House is letting Freedom Caucus repeal all mandatory coverage parts of the law such as pre-existing conditions. So it will pass tomorrow. And the Senate, too. It’s now cruel enough to make Republicans happy.

  149. 149.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    @Millard Filmore:

    After Osama found out that each phone device can be uniquely identified by a hardware ID and changing SIM cards does not matter, he stopped using cell phones altogether.

    And look where that got him. If he had had a mobile device he could have called in a “Mobile Strike” and defeated the infidel! Instead, *laughing* “The Courier” *laughing* got him killed.

  150. 150.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    Why wait, the Debt Limit and Budget are coming up next month

    Wall Street Bankers jumping to their death time as the market tanks.

    There is no conceivable way that the House can pass a debt limit increase that does not involve spiked Polonium tea wiping out the entire Freedom from Freedom Caucus.

  151. 151.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:46 pm

    @JMG:

    Politico reporting White House is letting Freedom Caucus repeal all mandatory coverage parts of the law such as pre-existing conditions.

    Which means it dies in the Senate.

    Someone is going to chicken out there, because that’s the kind of thing a dropped constituent would literally kill over.

  152. 152.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    Wall Street Bankers jumping to their death time as the market tanks.

    See, now it’s late enough in the day for snuff fantasies!

    @JMG:

    Politico reporting White House is letting Freedom Caucus repeal all mandatory coverage parts of the law such as pre-existing conditions. So it will pass tomorrow. And the Senate, too. It’s now cruel enough to make Republicans happy.

    Wait, what, you can’t do that with reconciliation.

  153. 153.

    guachi

    March 22, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    If the mandatory coverage provisions are removed then the bill needs 60 votes to pass in the Senate.

  154. 154.

    Kay

    March 22, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    Ivanka Trump sits with foreign dignitaries during important meetings, is setting up an office in the White House, is being issued government communications devices, and is seeking national security clearance. What’s she doing exactly? Nobody knows. What qualifies her? Apparently, being the president’s daughter.
    There’s a word for this: nepotism. And it makes everything Ivanka has done up to this point to position herself as an example for working women into a farce. By taking this role, Ivanka is taking away a life-changing opportunity from another woman, who undoubtedly would have more expertise than the first daughter.

    The worst to me was sticking Merkel with her. I saw the photo and I couldn’t believe they did it. I mean. Jesus Christ. One of the most powerful women elected leaders in the world and the Trump family stick her with this impossible situation where she’s supposed to deal with Trump’s daughter. It’s so incredibly disrespectful on so many levels.

    They have horrible manners. I know that sounds priggish and minor but it’s really not. It’s about treating people with the respect they’ve earned. That’s where the “norms” came from. They’re BASED on real things! They matter to people! Merkel deals with Trump because Trump and Merkel are equals. They’re the decision-makers. Putting Merkel with Ivanka elevates Ivanka but lowers Merkel. I’m a nobody and I get this. No one in that White House gets it?

  155. 155.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    @guachi: That’s what they are trying to determine, apparently.

  156. 156.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    @JMG: There’s no way the pre-existing coverage comes out unless they just flat repeal the whole ACA.

  157. 157.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    March 22, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    @goblue72:

    Democrats focus too much on the top of the pyramid and not the base its built upon. Our foundation is a shambles.

    But according to you the Democrats are just as bad as the Republicans, so would the Democrats controlling Congress change anything?

  158. 158.

    dmsilev

    March 22, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    @JMG: Doesn’t changing regulations like that make the bill not-a-budget and hence need 60 for the Senate instead of 50?

  159. 159.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    @JMG: You seem pleased.

  160. 160.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: I’m serious. The financial losses between that and Brexit are going to be the stuff of nightmare. I expect literal trader suicides from the pressure and horror of suddenly finding themselves among the ranks of the poors..

  161. 161.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    @Kay: You know, they probably get it, but the reality is that Trump can’t function without one of his handlers nearby to record every statement for later discussion. Whether he has deteriorated or not I can’t say, but he clearly can’t do this kind of meeting on his own.

  162. 162.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    @JMG:

    Politico reporting White House is letting Freedom Caucus repeal all mandatory coverage parts of the law such as pre-existing conditions. So it will pass tomorrow. And the Senate, too.

    Only if they’re willing to overrule the parliamentarian. The reason they had left that stuff out is because it doesn’t have a budgetary impact and consequently can’t be passed through reconciliation. There’s no way they can jam it through the Senate if they face a filibuster, so they’re going to have to ignore the rules and pass it anyway.

  163. 163.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    @dmsilev: Rules only apply to Democrats. IOKIYAR.

  164. 164.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    @Roger Moore: Well, there’s no way they’re going to overrule the parliamentarian, either.

  165. 165.

    bystander

    March 22, 2017 at 6:52 pm

    @TenguPhule: What? No wet suits? And don’t forget a full martini shaker and glasses.

    @debbie: Nunes is acting as an advisor to Trump and trying to sabotage the investigation. He pissed off Schiff, so Schiff has escalated and said there is more than circumstantial evidence of collusion.

    ETA Schiff is reacting in real time and not letting the media turn this in to, See, that negro was wiretapping Trump.

  166. 166.

    Frank Wilhoit

    March 22, 2017 at 6:52 pm

    @goblue72: The “coherent and SHARP” alternative is acocuntability. The common thread among all conservative actions and proposals is unaccountability — for business, churches, police, fill-in-the-blank. The only possible, as well as the necessary, alternative is accountability.

  167. 167.

    japa21

    March 22, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    @Roger Moore: Still not sure that would be enough. A lot of the Freedom Caucus opposes subsidies which is what they see the tax credits to be.

  168. 168.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    @bystander: wetsuits are only for when you want to make the Republican corpse in question look bad.

    I’ve tried a martini. It was awful.

  169. 169.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    @Kay:

    Putting Merkel with Ivanka elevates Ivanka but lowers Merkel.

    That’s the point. Trump is playing asshole dominance games. Putting Merkel with Ivanka is a calculated insult.

  170. 170.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    @Kay:

    And it makes everything Ivanka has done up to this point to position herself as an example for working women into a farce

    Everything Ivanka has done to this point is a farce. This is no different. She has the best PR agents in the whole fucking world. It’s like that time the media spent a decade+ trying to convince us all that Paul Ryan was a deep thinker, a policy wonk, and really cared about poverty and the poor. Ivanka is just as much of a complete and total fraud, if not more so because she’s never been elected anywhere to anything.
    If I was Merkel I would have looked at that little POS beside me and said, “Are you fucking kidding me? Fuck this. Out.” Just like Trump not shaking her hand or acknowledging Merkel, this was another way to humiliate Merkel. Why did she play along? Why do they all allow him to steal their dignity and respect?
    Trump probably needed a diapy change and a nappie so he sent Ivanka out because no one could trust he wouldn’t start speaking in baby talk.

  171. 171.

    Barbara

    March 22, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    @japa21: It sounds like it’s really chaotic at this point. It is really hard to write legislation on the fly like this. It wouldn’t surprise me if they told them they would include or delete provisions that are not actually in what is voted on.

  172. 172.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Its one of the true blue ones.

  173. 173.

    Fair Economist

    March 22, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    Why wait, the Debt Limit and Budget are coming up next month and everyone been predicting this year will be the show down inside the GOP.

    The budget they can duck with continuing resolutions, and I expect they’ll have to and will. The debt limit will be a big headache but it’s about 6 months before they actually have to vote. The near-term deadline is for re-imposing the debt limit, but Treasury will be able to get by with the “extraordinary measures” (which are not particularly extraordinary) for several months.

  174. 174.

    JMG

    March 22, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: No. Upon further review, it will make things harder for them in the Senate to do this. I don’t want this to pass, but their strategy — make it worse for people — is unique. Reagan at least gave everybody a tax cut, even if the ones at the bottom were small. That’s how they hold their party together — cruelty to the weak. It’s not a political movement anymore, it’s a cult for extremely damaged human beings.

  175. 175.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    I’ve tried a martini. It was awful.

    Did you try a martini, or did you try a “martini”. If the primary ingredients aren’t gin and vermouth, it’s a “martini”, not a martini.

  176. 176.

    eclare

    March 22, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: I’m lucky to be in the blue oasis that is TN-9, surrounded on all sides by red desert.

  177. 177.

    debbie

    March 22, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    @Kay:

    So much for Trump’s gift of persuasion!

  178. 178.

    dmsilev

    March 22, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    According to TPM, we have this:

    Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), the deputy whip in the House, told TPM he received assurances Wednesday from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that he would amend the bill when it comes to the Senate to include a provision stripping out EHBs. McConnell’s office did not respond to TPM’s attempt to confirm Hudson’s account.

    So, they’re not going to change the text of the legislation for tomorrow’s vote but Ryan’s team pinky-swears that Mitch McTurtle will add the “Insurance Companies Can Sell Shit Again” amendment and pass it through the Senate with 50 votes.

  179. 179.

    randy khan

    March 22, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    @JMG:

    The Politico story is not definitive – it’s still a negotiation and it’s not clear where it’s going.

    Politico link (you’ve been warned)

    It sounds more like a Hail Mary than anything else. As others have noted, changes along those lines make it much harder to claim it qualifies for reconciliation, and at the same time killing pre-existing condition coverage would break one of Trump’s big promises in a way that really could hurt him – that’s one of the most popular parts of the ACA.

  180. 180.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    March 22, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    @Roger Moore: Worth considering if The First Donald is negociating this, he might not realize how Congress really works.

  181. 181.

    Another Scott

    March 22, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    @Roger Moore: If the Politico story is accurate, and we’re understanding the report correctly, doesn’t this just mean that the stripping coverage stuff will be in Part 2 (or Part 3)? Everyone understands that this can’t be in the Reconciliation part (Part 1) because it doesn’t (directly) affect federal spending and taxes. So, it’s basically just a promise from Trump, right?

    Does anyone trust anything he says? Will anyone on the Teabagger side buy this?

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  182. 182.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    @Roger Moore: It tasted like alcoholic seawater.

  183. 183.

    Jim Parene

    March 22, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    Vern Buchanon’s office in DC is not picking up. I emailed him expressing displeasure for his anticipated “yes” vote.

  184. 184.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    Why do they all allow him to steal their dignity and respect?

    He can’t steal their dignity; they can surrender it in response to what he does, becoming what Josh Marshall has called “dignity wraiths”, but he can’t take it by force. The real loss of dignity is when they respond to Trump’s insults by sucking up to him.

  185. 185.

    JMG

    March 22, 2017 at 7:03 pm

    Freedom Caucus to be at White House with Trump at 11:30 a.m. They got what they wanted. Now it’s up to “Senate moderates.” We know where that goes. They really think they’re bulletproof and that voters will stop caring about health care once Obamacare goes away,

  186. 186.

    debbie

    March 22, 2017 at 7:03 pm

    @bystander:

    Good, he’ll have to keep responding in real time to keep up with the bullshit. I wish Schiff would call for an investigation into Nunes’ actions. Certainly they rise to the level of leaks, which the WH is supposed to be so upset about. And wasn’t this information supposed to be confidential?

  187. 187.

    tobie

    March 22, 2017 at 7:03 pm

    @dmsilev: Can McConnell strip the bill of the essential health benefits provisions and use the reconciliation process?

  188. 188.

    JMG

    March 22, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    @tobie: Yes. All he has to do is have a majority vote to overrule the parliamentarian.

  189. 189.

    jenn

    March 22, 2017 at 7:09 pm

    @Mnemosyne: I have heard that tallying faxes can take a long time (up to 6 weeks), and that the fastest way to make your opinion known is to call.

  190. 190.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 7:09 pm

    @Roger Moore: I understand the premise, like Christie or Romney, but Merkel just as much gave up her dignity as those other guys did when she sat beside that fucking simp Ivanka. Like she was somebody.

  191. 191.

    Miss Bianca

    March 22, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    @goblue72: Oh, shut the fuck up, you tool. What action have YOU taken? Huh – you’re mighty eager to keep shitting on Democrats, but for all your bluster about what a man you are for the organizin’ you don’t seem to have a lot to say about what you’re doing to make things right. Did you even bother to contact your congress person? That’s what this thread is for, dipshit, not your usual “IT’LL NEVER WORK CUZ DEMOCRATS SUCK” act.

    Talkin’ loud…and sayin’ nothing…James Brown had your number.

  192. 192.

    dmsilev

    March 22, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    @tobie: The bill as (hypothetically) passed by the House at this point doesn’t have the “remove Essential Health Benefits requirement” section in it, so McConnell would have to add it in, and more to the point the House maniacs have to trust that he’ll add it in.

  193. 193.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    @JMG: Not really.

  194. 194.

    K Manning

    March 22, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    Hilarious how every non-snowflake comment vanishes. Just like Hillary did.

  195. 195.

    germy

    March 22, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    Adam Schiff‏Verified account
    @RepAdamSchiff

    Adam Schiff

    What kind of party deems advancing the date when people are thrown off their healthcare an improvement? What kind of President approves?

  196. 196.

    Baud

    March 22, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: So the presiding officer or Pence will do the deed.

  197. 197.

    K Manning

    March 22, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    I literally can’t stop laughing from reading all these inane comments. Most fun I have had since election night!!

  198. 198.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 7:18 pm

    @Baud: Or they won’t overrule the parliamentarian, which is my bet.

    Nobody actually knows how the Senate works, so voters won’t punish them for something procedural and confusing, and this way they can still blame Democrats for refusing to cooperate–what they REALLY need to REALLY repeal obamacare is 60 goopers in the senate.

    And it keeps their hands clean as Trump sabotages the ACA administratively and blames Obama.

    ETA: Or, Pence, being an agent of chaos muppet Trump, will overrule the parliamentarian, throwing Congress into total chaos and just fucking breaking everything in pursuit of a bill nobody really wants to pass to do something nobody actually wants to do.

  199. 199.

    Patricia Kayden

    March 22, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    @Hellbastard: Good for you for pushing back. Just saw an ad indicating that Barbara Comstock is going to vote in favor of the AHCA. Her behind needs to be voted out.

  200. 200.

    SiubhanDuinne

    March 22, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    @Miss Bianca:

    I love you, Miss Bianca.

  201. 201.

    Baud

    March 22, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Crazy stuff.

  202. 202.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Pence, being an agent of chaos muppet Trump, will overrule the parliamentarian, throwing Congress into total chaos and just fucking breaking everything in pursuit of a bill nobody really wants to pass to do something nobody actually wants to do.

    Take this one to the bank.

  203. 203.

    maeve

    March 22, 2017 at 7:29 pm

    I emailed my rep (Don Young, Alaska) for the first time ever – before always thought it was not worth it – to thank him for already opposing this.

    He is an a-hole but is really pissed off at the “new” republican reps – has been ever since they eliminated pork. Also realizes it is a very bad recipe for Alaska (for which ACA wasn’t ideal either – but we are an unusual market). Pointed out it would force elderly Alaskans to leave the state (they already have to when healthcare is unavailable or too expensive) and be hard on rural hospitals (which is much of the state).

    Also have emailed Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan – she replied (or her staff did with a generic email saying she supported repeal but not this bill) but he didn’t.

  204. 204.

    tobie

    March 22, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Or, Pence, being an agent of chaos muppet Trump, will overrule the parliamentarian, throwing Congress into total chaos and just fucking breaking everything.

    This is where we’re at. We’re so broken already. This would just make it plain as day. The Freedom Caucus never cared about Freedom in any event. Big money or racism…those are the only motivating factors in the GOP.

  205. 205.

    JMG

    March 22, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    Sen Mike Lee of Utah has told reporters the parliamentarian has told him they can repeal all regulations with 51 votes. Dunno if that’s true.

  206. 206.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    @JMG: Sounds like brinksmanship to me. Cuz there’s no way she would say that.

  207. 207.

    SRW1

    March 22, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    @Kay:

    Putin used his dog to try and humiliate Merkel, Trump his daughter. I suspect Merkel got the intention in both cases and is drawing her conclusions.

  208. 208.

    ? Martin

    March 22, 2017 at 7:40 pm

    @Kay:

    They have horrible manners.

    NYers have know this for decades. NYers aren’t known for their manners, but there are protocols that are followed – many strictly. They are instrumental to how the city operates. Trump crashes through all of them without any acknowledgement they ever existed – always has.

  209. 209.

    debbie

    March 22, 2017 at 7:40 pm

    @SRW1:

    If there’s any justice in the world, Putin’s dog will one day turn on him the way Ramsey’s hounds did.

  210. 210.

    debbie

    March 22, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    @? Martin:

    Oh, he did admit on Letterman that he didn’t treat women very nicely. So he knows; he just doesn’t care.

  211. 211.

    Roger Moore

    March 22, 2017 at 7:43 pm

    @TenguPhule:
    That sounds like a “dirty martini”; in addition to the gin and vermouth, they add an olive and some of the juice from the olive jar.

  212. 212.

    rikyrah

    March 22, 2017 at 7:43 pm

    @Kay:
    Kay ,
    They are trash with money. Nothing more.

  213. 213.

    hovercraft

    March 22, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    @Это курам на смех:
    That magical 27 % will never leave him, drove by a house in Sayerville, NJ this afternoon with two yard signs still up.

    TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT

    and

    HILLARY FOR PRISON

    They will never leave him. Sigh :-(

  214. 214.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    @rikyrah: well, without seeing their taxes all we can conclusively say is that they’re trash.

  215. 215.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    @Roger Moore: Someone guessed correctly that TP is probably 15.

  216. 216.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 7:48 pm

    @? Martin: You make it sound like NYC in The Age of Innocence. Now, that was a movie. And not one comic book superhero in sight.

  217. 217.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: But were any of the actresses well endowed?

  218. 218.

    zhena gogolia

    March 22, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    Yes, Miriam Margolyes.

  219. 219.

    hovercraft

    March 22, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    @Kay:

    Twitler is uncouth and always has been, that’s why even though he is rich, he is shunned by NY “society”, when he first came across the river he was invited in, but he attended all the charity functions that are a vital part of that scene, but he NEVER gave money so was soon crossed off the invite list. That’s why he hangs out with rappers and celebrities, real money cut him off. I’m sure he’d claim that he chooses not to mix with them, but he’s lying. Foisting his spawn on powerful people like Merkel is him showing that now he can force people to accept him. Apparently he doesn’t realize that yes she’s forced to meet with him, and be polite, but that doesn’t guarantee she’ll go along with his bullshit, if anything humiliating her will piss her and her constituents off, making it harder for her to cooperate with him even if she wanted to, which she doesn’t. World leaders are not Apprentice contestants.

  220. 220.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 22, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    @Corner Stone: You rent the movie and check out for yourself!

  221. 221.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    Nunes is going to jail one day in the not too distant future. He is praying for a pre-emptive pardon.

  222. 222.

    Mnemosyne

    March 22, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    He’s just pissy because a So Cal politician is eating the lunch of all of his vaunted Sacramento buddies.

  223. 223.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 22, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    CNN alert says “US officials have information that indicates Trump associates possibly coordinated with Russians to release information damaging to Clinton campaign”

  224. 224.

    Immanentize

    March 22, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: expect a big hurry up on Gorsuch.

  225. 225.

    Kay

    March 22, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    @Roger Moore:

    That’s the point. Trump is playing asshole dominance games. Putting Merkel with Ivanka is a calculated insult.

    But would that work? Merkel is probably scheduled down to the minute because they all are. The reason you don’t put a person who can make decisions with a person who can’t is it because it wastes time.

    Does wasting the time of Germany’s elected leader get anyone anywhere? It’s like a power play that gets no one anywhere.

    That’s how Merkel looked, too, like ” THIS is a waste of time”. We had an older lawyer here who used to make other lawyers talk to his assistant because he only speaks on matters of great importance or he’s lazy, either one. Finally we were like “no! No more of this! Tell Joe to get on the phone!” It’s not because we think we’re better than his assistant. It’s because she can’t speak for him so he is wasting our time.

  226. 226.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    @Roger Moore: It was.

  227. 227.

    TenguPhule

    March 22, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: Er, no they didn’t. They pulled that one out of their personal Trump.

  228. 228.

    Mnemosyne

    March 22, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    @jenn:

    Yes, but if all you’re getting is a busy signal, it’s better to fax than to do nothing.

    It may depend on the rep — I usually get a pretty quick response from faxes.

  229. 229.

    Shana

    March 22, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    @randy khan: That sure sounds like Comstock. A safe R vote when she can get away with it, otherwise a swish.

    BTW, her husband used to be the Assistant Principal at my daughters’ high school and was invariably odious to deal with no matter what the issue might be. Glad for all the kids who came after mine that he’s no longer there.

  230. 230.

    Steeplejack (tablet)

    March 22, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    Are we still doing “Phrasing!”?

  231. 231.

    Corner Stone

    March 22, 2017 at 8:45 pm

    @Steeplejack (tablet): I, for one, am.

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