WASHINGTON (AP) — In one of first acts for Democratic majority, House passes bills to re-open government without funding border wall.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 4, 2019
Evolving thread about Pelosi and the new majority quickly passing a bill that lands the shutdown right in Mitch McConnell’s lap. https://t.co/eLSGPjJxxW
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) January 4, 2019
Of course Trump doesn’t mind being in the spotlight, even a negative spotlight. But Mitch McConnell is every bit as selfish as Donny Dollhands, and a lot smarter about how he’s perceived by normal people his voters. He doesn’t mind being the anonymous Little Man Behind the Curtain, destroying other peoples’ lives for his own benefit — but how much appetite does he have for getting yelled at in public?
From the Washington Post, “House Democrats vote to reopen government and deny Trump wall money, defying veto threat”:
The newly Democratic-controlled House passed a package of bills late Thursday that would reopen the federal government without paying for President Trump’s border wall, drawing a swift veto threat from the White House and leaving the partial shutdown no closer to getting resolved.
But two Senate Republicans who are up for reelection in 2020 broke with Trump and party leaders on their shutdown strategy, saying it was time to end the impasse even if Democrats won’t give Trump the more than $5 billion in border funding he is demanding.
The comments from Sens. Cory Gardner (Colo.) and Susan Collins (Maine) — the only Senate Republicans running for reelection in states Trump lost — pointed to cracks within the GOP that could grow as the shutdown nears the two-week mark. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reiterated Thursday that the Senate will only take up government spending legislation that Trump supports…
The six-bill package passed the House 241-190 Thursday night, and the short-term Homeland Security spending bill passed 239-192. A handful of Republicans broke ranks on each measure to vote “yes” with the Democrats.
The House strategy could allow Senate Republicans to pass legislation that would reopen most of the government while setting aside the debate over the border wall. But thus far, because of Trump’s opposition, party leaders have refused…
“What we’re asking the Republicans in the Senate to do is to take ‘yes’ for an answer. We are sending them back exactly, word for word, what they have passed,” Pelosi said. “Why would they not do that? Is it because the president won’t sign it? Did they not hear about the coequal branch of government, and that we the Congress send the president legislation and he can choose to sign or not?”…
Did he lose it in foreclosure? https://t.co/D9XQ32WmDM
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) January 4, 2019
Pence on Fox: "Bottom line, if there's no wall, there's no deal."
Pelosi on Hill: "The fact is the wall is an immorality … We're not doing a wall. Does anybody have any doubt that we are not doing a wall?"
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 4, 2019
They’re suicide bombers https://t.co/6MKe3pKCUf
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) January 3, 2019
I have every confidence it is now somebody's job to keep track of how many front page stories Pelosi gets compared to Trump and report back to him daily.
— Schooley (@Rschooley) January 4, 2019
She’s right behind me, isn’t she? pic.twitter.com/rzeBOf3z2b
— Schooley (@Rschooley) January 3, 2019
Mary G
That last one is how I would like to see the State of the Union go, with
her getting to hit him with the gavel every time a lie comes out of his mouth.
mrmoshpotato
@Mary G: So you want her to inadvertently crack his head open on national TV?
Achrachno
@mrmoshpotato: Sneaking up behind with Nancy’s Silver Hammer?
Litlebritdifrnt
@mrmoshpotato: Only if she then gets to brain Pence and make herself POTUS
Mnemosyne
@mrmoshpotato:
“Inadvertently.” ?
Steeplejack
@Mnemosyne:
Yeah, no. Advertently is fine with me.
Brachiator
Just saw another story about how Pence is standing by his man Trump, and supporting the president and the Wall.
But the Democrats have the advantage, I think, and I really hope they do not yield.
An under-reported advantage. Many IRS employees have been furloughed, but the agency has not completed preparations for the upcoming tax season. You cannot yet file tax returns. And don’t try calling the IRS with a question, you will just get a recorded message.
So, the government cannot yet collect revenue from individual returns. That ain’t good.
The cherry on top: The Republicans need to at least let a continuing resolution pass, because they know that they need to tack on some tax provisions to fix some problems in the shitty Republican tax cut law and to address a couple of other tax issues. This must be done, and it will again impact tax filing season.
So, if the GOP relents and makes a deal, maybe tax filing could start by January 29, with some forms made available later.
And this is just the tax related stuff. The burden on federal employees is bad and growing.
We know that Trump is stubborn and stupid. But is he totally clueless? And how far is the GOP leadership willing to go in foolishly backing the Orange Doofus?
sukabi
@Brachiator: don’t think drumpf or McConnell realize how bad they will get hammered on continuing the shut down. The next couple of weeks are going to be a disaster for them.
LosGatosCA
McConnell definitely understands how bad this will get. I’ll bet he’s thinking this will be a ‘teachable’ moment for Trump from Nancy and he’s going to stay the hell out of it until Trump or Pelosi capitulate.
Also, too, I don’t think McConnell gives one rat’s ass about the wall. Which makes it easy for him. There’s very little he cares about which makes his job easier. Judges and tax cuts. That’s about it.
The Dangerman
@Brachiator:
Yes.
He hasn’t cracked a book that he didn’t “write” in who knows how long and he doesn’t watch any news that isn’t in the tank for him; I believe he thinks this is going great for him.
hervevillechaizelounge
@The Dangerman:
Trump thinks the shutdown is going great because Fox News is telling him it’s going great—the only reality he’ll acknowledge is the one he sees on the TV.
It’s kind of staggering how much power Fox has at this point.
Ken
The rabble in the Commons may do as they wish, but the members of the House of Lords know that their first duty is to the King.
Another Scott
Good morning, and happy Friday.
Pet peeve: Every time the word D-E-A-L is used in talking about US politics, Donnie gains strength points. Art of the Deal, “I make the best deals”, etc., etc.
Politicians who oppose him, and the press that should be attempting to force him to act rationally, should avoid that word. “Agreement”, “compromise”, “was forced into a humiliating defeat”, etc., are perfectly good words.
Cheers,
Scott.
Kenneth Kohl
@Brachiator:
He’s sabotaging the US government – just as his paymaster has demanded