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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Wednesday Evening Open Thread: Enconium

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: Enconium

by Anne Laurie|  May 31, 20236:31 pm| 97 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, President Biden

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NEWS: 241-187, House votes to adopt the rule to advance the Biden-McCarthy debt limit legislation.

29 Republicans vote NO.

52 Democrats vote YES.

This sets up a final House vote later today.

A very good sign for the bill's prospects of passage.https://t.co/KgWEyD9fBR

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) May 31, 2023

Note: There will almost certainly be some GOP "yes" votes on the rule who vote "no" on the bill. Likewise some Democrats who voted against the rule are highly likely to vote for the actual bill.

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) May 31, 2023

Rothkopf’s not wrong here, but this twitter-essay is maybe just a little over the top…

Stealthily, without proportionate recognition, Joe Biden is not just having a good presidency, he's having one that is historic in its concrete achievements and successes. The fair & balanced types in the media won't characterize it fairly because to do so, would "feel" biased.

— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) May 30, 2023

The opposition won’t cover it because it is not in their interests to tell the truth. (It’s why they never do.) Editors and producers will shy away from it because positive stories don’t sell like conflict does. Consequently most of the media won’t present the simple facts.

It should be said, Biden uses the lack coverage to his advantage. He let’s the crazies & the partisans and the weathervane pundits and the people who have forgotten that the first job of journalists is to report the truth as it is, as a kind of shield while he just does his job.

He sidesteps controversy. He does not rub his opponents noses in it every time he outmaneuvers them. (Yesterday he explicitly stated he was conscious of this, that he was not going to bang the drum about the debt deal because it would imperil it.)

Some in his own party lament the lack of self-congratulatory chest-thumping. But governing well is Biden’s communications strategy. He’s just old school enough to believe in the common sense of the American people.

And his electoral results and that of the Democratic Party during his presidency have also defied conventional wisdom (which is always wrong these days for just the reasons cited above) and been much stronger than expected.

You know the list. Everyone knows the list. Massive legislative accomplishments greater than those of any president since LBJ with the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act…

…300 bipartisan bills passed, etc. Should the current debt deal pass, it will rank among these achievements (and will, in part, because he knows it must be structured so his opponents can take credit for the outcome too.)…

===

No fair-minded observer can doubt that Biden has achieved what he has while fighting a movement to gut American democracy and strip away the basic rights of voters, of women, of the LGBTQ community, of people of color and of the poor.

Again, he has done this with actions and not just words–by appointing more judges than any of his predecessors in the same period of time, by ensuring those judges like his cabinet, looks more like the American people, is more diverse than any in history.

If he had done nothing at all, achieved none of the above, but was simply the only actively pro-democracy, pro-Constitution candidate running for president, was the only leading candidate who actually stands up to & opposes our enemies like Russia (rather than kowtowing to them)-

then he would deserve the support of every patriotic American, everyone who believes in the promise of the American idea. But of course, that stark fact is not covered for what it is either. Because to say Biden is pro-democracy and pro-American and his opponents are not…

…would be considered by the mush-minded, click and ratings hungry leadership of the mega-businesses that control what we see and hear to be “slanted.” Yes, it would be slanted toward the truth. Yes, it would be slanted towards real journalism…

But they don’t care. But, fortunately for us all, Biden has found the path around them. He has chosen the path that leads directly to the people. He has delivered. The majority of Americans can see what he has done and is doing and stands for.

They know he wants to protect our freedoms, protect our children from guns, protect us from our enemies, ensure our future, ensure the government works for all Americans–from the middle out and from the bottom up–and they know the MAGA GOP and its chosen leaders do not.

It is why, personally, I have confidence that in 2024, we will see Biden and the Democrats win by big margins. We will see the voters send the message that MAGA extremism is a loser. We will see them express their displeasure with economic terror tactics and institutional racism.

Naturally, given the filters through which we view everything, we must not be complacent. Indeed, we should not seek to eke out a win. We should, as we have discussed on my podcasts recently (with folks like @SimonWDC) we should be seeking the biggest margins in recent memory.

But we have a great advantage in that effort. We have a historically significant president who has tuned out the Beltway noise and is working on compiling a record for the ages. We have a @VP who is herself making history daily and is herself compiling a great record.

Should we share this message? Should we make sure we do what we can in this age when all of us have platforms on social media, using new media, within our own networks, to make sure the truth is heard? Of course.

But we can take comfort in knowing that truth is on our side and that this exceptionally accomplished administration has no plans to stop exceeding expectations, to stop making history on behalf of all of us and what we need at this precarious moment in our history.

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Reader Interactions

97Comments

  1. 1.

    satby

    May 31, 2023 at 6:37 pm

    I’m not so sure Rothkopf is over the top at all.

  2. 2.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    May 31, 2023 at 6:39 pm

    My wife wanted Biden to be President more than anyone I know.  She’s an AP Gov teacher.  I teased her for almost 2 years after he declared. He wasn’t even in my top 3.  Never been happier to be so wrong.  He is the right President at the right time. Kudos, Dark Brandon!

  3. 3.

    terraformer

    May 31, 2023 at 6:45 pm

    I don’t think Rothkopf’s essay is over the top at all

  4. 4.

    Ohio Mom

    May 31, 2023 at 6:50 pm

    I dunno, I don’t have that much faith in those perennially undecided voters. But I am more than willing to be wrong.

  5. 5.

    Miss Bianca

    May 31, 2023 at 6:51 pm

    @terraformer:

    I think Rothkopf might be overestimating our electorate somewhat, but other than that…I have to say I agree with him.

  6. 6.

    Jim, Foolish Literlist

    May 31, 2023 at 6:54 pm

    @Ohio Mom: I think we’re a year away from having any idea of what the political ground will look like for ’24, from the economy to foreign policy to who the GOP nominee– if there were political bookies out there, I’d bet against DeSantis even if the actuarial tables and McD’s fryer oil take trump away. I think Manchin is toast, Tester will hang on and Sherrod Brown will need all the help we can give him

  7. 7.

    eclare

    May 31, 2023 at 6:55 pm

    @satby:

    I didn’t think so either.

  8. 8.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    I agree with the factual substance of the Rothkopf essay, no question.

    As far as the tone, there’s a deeper truth here that needs expressing. The President needs some goddamn cheerleaders. He’s doing a great job, just really fucking effective.

    I don’t agree with everything he’s done as President, but this is the best version of Joe Biden I’m aware has ever existed along with the best version of the Democratic Party. They’re advancing important priorities in surprising ways, many of which have been stuck for decades.

    So Rah, rah, sis, boom, bah! Let’s go, Joe!

  9. 9.

    JaneE

    May 31, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    Again, not over the top.  And saying that is is a little over the top also proves his point.

    we should be seeking the biggest margins in recent memory.

    Yes we should, but we should also not expect that even the largest margins in history will prevent a certain party and his political party from screaming that the election was stolen, in terms designed to incite violence if not a civil war.

  10. 10.

    piratedan

    May 31, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    would agree regarding my fellow Jackals take on Rothkopf, the only reason he doesn’t sound like a Balloon Juice commenter is that there’s a decided lack of profanity in his take.

    He’s doing ALL of this despite the media and going against a party that has condoned (if not embraced) Fascism as their new model for governance.

  11. 11.

    BigJimSlade

    May 31, 2023 at 6:58 pm

    Since this is an open thread… cat adoption event:  if there’s anyone in the Cleveland, OH, area, there’s an adoption event this Saturday. I think there will be some kittens, but the adults Archie and Amanda could use adopting!

  12. 12.

    H.E.Wolf

    May 31, 2023 at 6:59 pm

    I’m very willing to help the Democrats to a landslide victory in Nov. 2024, up and down the national and state tickets.

    And I’ve got time to help the Dems in Virginia do likewise in Nov. 2023. :)

  13. 13.

    Miss Bianca

    May 31, 2023 at 7:00 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation: Count me in on the Joe Biden Cheerleading Squad.

    GOOOOO JOE!!

  14. 14.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    @Miss Bianca: I think Rothkopf might be overestimating our electorate somewhat, but other than that…I have to say I agree with him.

    Maybe, maybe not. But things feel different now. Fewer, though more intense, wingers seem to be out there providing their unsolicited wisdom. The sparsely engaged people I know don’t have a problem with Biden. Unrepresentative sample going on vibes, but I’m confident.

    Hell, look at some trends. We millennial haven’t been buying the Republicans’ shit and Gen Z after us even less so. Young folk have been showing up too. Keep the pressure on, I want 2024 to be a watershed year in American politics.

  15. 15.

    schrodingers_cat

    May 31, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    Tuning out the journo bros and the horseshoe Twitter amen chorus is Biden’s superpower

    ETA: Compared to the farcical stage managed events by PM Modi I realize how lucky we are to have Biden as the President.

  16. 16.

    Frankensteinbeck

    May 31, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    I am trying with mixed success to hold off gloating until the votes are all done and the budget is going to Biden’s desk.

  17. 17.

    Matt

    May 31, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    Stealthily, without proportionate recognition, Joe Biden is not just having a good presidency, he’s having one that is historic in its concrete achievements and successes.

    A good reminder that the only thing dumber than a Trumpkin is a centrist.

    Multiple states are literally enacting genocidal policies against trans people, and Rothkopf is cheering for how effectively the administration has stood up to hippies.

    They lied to get a bill full of highway pork passed then stuffed the BBB straight down the memory-hole and now they want us to clap for all the “accomplishments”.

  18. 18.

    WaterGirl

    May 31, 2023 at 7:07 pm

    @Matt: Who is “they”?

  19. 19.

    JPL

    May 31, 2023 at 7:07 pm

    @Frankensteinbeck:  Same!

  20. 20.

    mrmoshpotato

    May 31, 2023 at 7:09 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation:

    So Rah, rah, sis, boom, bah! 

    Best cheer ever!

  21. 21.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 7:10 pm

    @Matt: They only did what they could do and not what they couldn’t do.  That makes me grumpy.

    More of BBB than you acknowledge made it to final passage and know what I see when I look at the parts they failed to pass?

    Goals for the next go-around.

  22. 22.

    Omnes Omnibus

    May 31, 2023 at 7:14 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation: Some politician recently said, “Let’s finish the job.”  I wonder who that was?

  23. 23.

    Bill Arnold

    May 31, 2023 at 7:14 pm

    Joe Biden’s main superpower[1] is that his opponents consistently underestimate him. Since the USA media’s political coverage of POTUS Biden is mostly in opposition to him, they too are very often beclowned by this superpower.
    [1] In part it’s Joe Biden’s stutter.
    In part it’s the USA right-wing’s compulsion to always confidently downgrade their assessments of the competence of their opposition, and upgrade their assessments of their own competence. They don’t do Eeyore-ing like Democrats do.
    In part, it’s that GOP/(USA)Conservative members are more gullible on average than their opposition.
    In part, it’s that the parasites that grift off the GOP/RW use well-crafted falsehoods that target RW conceptual biases to fatten their grift-take.

  24. 24.

    Old School

    May 31, 2023 at 7:16 pm

    @Matt:

    Rothkopf is cheering for how effectively the administration has stood up to hippies.

    I assume you are referencing some other piece because that doesn’t summarize the above essay in the slightest.

  25. 25.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 7:16 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Some regular Joe…

  26. 26.

    mrmoshpotato

    May 31, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    @Matt:

    A good reminder that the only thing dumber than a Trumpkin is a centrist.

    Centrism Silver -driftglass

  27. 27.

    Raoul Paste

    May 31, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Good attitude

  28. 28.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 7:19 pm

    @Bill Arnold: In part, it’s that the parasites that grift off the GOP/RW use well-crafted falsehoods that target RW conceptual biases to fatten their grift-take.

    I mean they get the job done but “well-crafted?” Not a lot of craft needed for people who see what they want to see.

  29. 29.

    Dan B

    May 31, 2023 at 7:19 pm

    @Matt:  It’s unclear who “they” are and what they “lied” about.  Details please.

  30. 30.

    Cameron

    May 31, 2023 at 7:19 pm

    In addition to cash and get-out-the-vote work, running for offices for which no other Democrat is in the race is something I think some of us should consider.  I know I’m considering it, since I’m a lone old fart who has the time to do so.  I have no illusions that I could actually win anything here in Manatee County, but anything that makes Republicans do a little work and spend a little money is all to the good.

  31. 31.

    JML

    May 31, 2023 at 7:24 pm

    Biden does have an advantage over most of the modern presidents: he actually knows how the federal government works and has a lot of experience in moving legislation. It’s been held as gospel truth for a long time that it’s easier to win the presidency from the statehouse than Congress, but they don’t talk as much about what prepares you better to govern.

    Obama did a lot of great things, but had a couple of significant flaws as a president: not being able to turn his personal popularity and accomplishments as president into larger legislative majorities after his election, and struggling to negotiate legislative deals (he never got past the GOP and the Lieberman’s of the world moving the goalposts on him). Biden seems to have a handle on the legislative deal-making in a better way, which may come both from his experience in the Senate, but also seeing what went wrong when he was VP. We’ll see if he can leverage his personal likability and significant accomplishments into legislative majorities in 2024…

    Biden is dealing with the most incompetent and recalcitrant GOP House you could have possibly designed. The GOP Senate has less power since they’re still in the minority, barely, but Senate rules give them more power than they deserve; they’re equally recalcitrant, but generally more competent, even with their rump of utter crazies. It’s really rather staggering just how awful they all are. Even Obama had more to work with there, he was just more likely to get stabbed in the back by members of his own party…

  32. 32.

    bbleh

    May 31, 2023 at 7:27 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literlist: concur on all points given what we know now

    (Has it always said “Literlist”?  Like, have I been misreading all along?)

  33. 33.

    jonas

    May 31, 2023 at 7:27 pm

    You know the list. Everyone knows the list. Massive legislative accomplishments greater than those of any president since LBJ with the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act…

    …300 bipartisan bills passed, etc. …

    Maybe I’m pessimistic, but I’d wager about 90% of the American public has never heard about/read/seen of any of this. A small group of partisan Democrats has because they (rightfully) think it’s awesome, and a small group of partisan Republicans have because they’ve been told they’re all signs of the Socialist Apocalypse. The rest? They care about what a gallon of gas costs and who made the playoffs.

  34. 34.

    JML

    May 31, 2023 at 7:28 pm

    @Cameron: running is a great idea! the more people who run as Democrats and present those values in a reasonable fashion so more people can hear them proudly at every level matters. Wins can and will happen in surprising places, and they all matter.

  35. 35.

    Bill Arnold

    May 31, 2023 at 7:29 pm

    @Matt:

    how effectively the administration has stood up to hippies.

    If by “hippies” you mean people who are quite OK with Republicans winning (though they will act insulted when this is said), then sure. (Hippies were originally young Boomers, yes?)
    The GOP grabbed control of the House. In part by at least one major case of (non-traditional) election fraud, “George Santos”. (Resume fraud) Also with significant incompetence by Democrats in New York State and California.
    The budget negotiations will be lit, but some parameters limiting the Republicans have already been set.
    The GOP’s main tool in the budget negotiations will be is a government shutdown; the next phase is to start solidifying the narratives to make instigating a government shutdown solely to damage the USA for political gain, a terrible, anti-American action.

  36. 36.

    bbleh

    May 31, 2023 at 7:31 pm

    @jonas: AND whether they have a job, and whether they can pay the bills with a little left over, and how much their medications cost, etc., all of which are sequelae of his primary accomplishments, even if the laundry list wouldn’t mean much to most people.

    Also, I think they appreciate how “normal” he is.  The contrast with the Krayzees couldn’t be more stark (and I’m willing to bet he plays to it very deliberately), and people pay attention to “character” when it comes to voting.

  37. 37.

    Jim, Foolish Literlist

    May 31, 2023 at 7:32 pm

    @JML:

    Biden seems to have a handle on the legislative deal-making in a better way, which may come both from his experience in the Senate, but also seeing what went wrong when he was VP

    he also has a very different Senate, including the Dem caucus, and a GOP that is both tainted and energized by trumpism, and what I think I’ll call Alitoism. I noted last week that I was surprised how little Jamie Dimon’s calls for a deal seemed to be resonating with McCarthy. Now I wonder if it wasn’t so little after all. The Uhleins may be wackaloons, but they’re wackaloons who know and care about make in gooney

    ETA: In short, America is a fascinating land of contrasts and contradictions

  38. 38.

    Bill Arnold

    May 31, 2023 at 7:35 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation:

    Not a lot of craft needed for people who see what they want to see.

    By craft, I mean effective emotional/sentiment manipulation. Yeah, agreed that a lot of it is extremely crude by rational standards, but they have to work with their sophistication level of their targets.

  39. 39.

    Matt McIrvin

    May 31, 2023 at 7:35 pm

    Liberals are just not inherently cheerleaders. Right now, most of what I hear outside of places like this is indifference, punctuated by protests when Biden occasionally does something liberals don’t like.

  40. 40.

    Geminid

    May 31, 2023 at 7:39 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literlist: If he runs, I’m not counting Manchin out.

  41. 41.

    Jim, Foolish Literlist

    May 31, 2023 at 7:40 pm

    meanwhile, whatever intelligence, maturity and survival instinct McCarthy showed by getting a deal, apparently it was temporary

    No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen @NoLieWithBTC 5h
    Breaking: Kevin McCarthy announces a “commission” to “look at” cutting Social Security and Medicare: “I’m going to make some people uncomfortable.” He attacked Biden for “walling off” cuts to Social Security and Medicare during debt ceiling negotiations.

    I really can’t believe he’s doing this. If he sticks to it, they ought to be revving up just as the election cycle is getting in to high gear, and trump is already campaigning against De Santis as Paul Ryan Redux

    @Matt McIrvin: that indifference, the apathy of the broad middle, has been confounding me for seven years now.

  42. 42.

    Steeplejack

    May 31, 2023 at 7:44 pm

    Typo in the title. It’s “encomium.”

  43. 43.

    MisterDancer

    May 31, 2023 at 7:44 pm

    @JML: Biden seems to have a handle on the legislative deal-making in a better way, which may come both from his experience in the Senate, but also seeing what went wrong when he was VP.

    I think Biden’s VP experience — and afterwards — is crucial, here.

    Obama faced a huge issue in that the Blue Dogs had no incentives to drive Progressive legislation thru. i think we risk way underplaying how damaging the Libermans were, in ways that, due to polarization, Biden doesn’t face. There are certainly fewer Democrats now, but the “big tent” is far more coherent and cohesive, and that makes a difference.

    In other words, Biden would be facing the same challenges Obama has, and having to navigate them in similar ways, just because the composition of the Congress at that point made pushing anything thru really hard. So, sure, he’s learned from that, yet he’s also in a position to understand some of the lessons around that, both from decades of experience and directly seeing what a “swampy” Congress does to ideas, as VP.

    But there’s more, and it’s crucial. Biden has a deep and abiding friendship with Obama. I posit that has helped him more deeply empathize — without pandering — with Black folx; not to say he didn’t before, but he got a front-row seat at the horror-show of racism in America, and how deep that rot is. He already came to the Veep spot, based upon my understanding, with empathy for LBGTQIA+ folx. And he just seems like a decent guy who got too caught up in the political sphere over the years, esp. in an era where “centrism” was a key goal…until he saw the limits of that approach.

    And then there’s the Charlotteville incident, which he’s said was key to his decision to run. I cannot imagine a person like Joe who claims a key friendship with a Black family…I mean, can you imagine what Barack and Michelle said to him, in private, about that situation? Can you imagine you, hearing it from them, knowing you have the power to change things in America?

    Could you stand still in that moment, and say no to this?

    So yeah, I think y’all discount how all that motivated Biden. I think we discount how years of hate has motivated all of us, has made the petty shit a lot of legislators used to bring to the Capitol just fall away like the scales over their eyes.

    I submit there’s an awareness by many (not all) that this is no longer a game — many who, in the past, might not have run, and if they did wouldn’t have taken getting real shit done, seriously. Biden has the chops to ride that wave of determination, and the institutional knowledge (along with Pelosi, Chuckie S., and even the new crew) to implement it, even during headwinds. It’s a potent and powerful combination.

    So yes, Joe gets a lot of credit he deserves. But to me, that credit gets spread around, and invokes cultural forces Barack just didn’t have available in his time.

    [ETA: @Jim, Foolish Literlist said it much more concisely!]

  44. 44.

    MisterDancer

    May 31, 2023 at 7:45 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literlist: “Please Proceed, Speaker.”

  45. 45.

    Albatrossity

    May 31, 2023 at 7:46 pm

    The folks who want to break everything and make sure that government never works will certainly never come over to Rothopf’s view of things. But I think that majority of the country wants the government to work, they understand that it is necessary for the lives that they have and that they want for their kids, and they are (perhaps most importantly) tired of the drama generated by partisan flamethrowers and media click-seekers.

    If that really is the case, Biden wins. I’m cautiously optimistic that having a working government and less drama for a few years is indeed a winning strategy.

  46. 46.

    WaterGirl

    May 31, 2023 at 7:50 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literlist: When did you change your nym?

    Also, curious as to what Literlist means?  (that was hard to type because autocorrect kept changing it to your original name, Literalist.

  47. 47.

    Miss Bianca

    May 31, 2023 at 7:55 pm

    @Steeplejack: Oh, you mean it wasn’t just me?

  48. 48.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    May 31, 2023 at 8:02 pm

    @MisterDancer: I think people forget what a pin-up boy Paul Ryan was during that time. Just an earnest young fella with a metaphorical green eyeshade looking to put our fiscal house in order after all the excesses of bailouts and stimuli. I never could believe anybody bought into his smarmy Eddie Haskell act, but Cokie Roberts and Bob Schieffer were all in. Ted Yoho, who was calling for default at the time, didn’t get the coverage Marge Greene does.

    @WaterGirl: just a typo I thought I’d corrected. I’ll try again

    I’m back

  49. 49.

    JPL

    May 31, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Paul Ryan survived with  his Social Security Survivors fund, McDonalds pay and low tuition.  So we all should.   Paul Ryan doesn’t understand how things change.

  50. 50.

    JPL

    May 31, 2023 at 8:09 pm

    Once the debt bill is approved, does that also take care of his budget?

  51. 51.

    MazeDancer

    May 31, 2023 at 8:12 pm

    Totally missed the announcement 3 months ago that RI Representative David Cicilline was leaving the House. He is going to head a foundation in RI.

    Today is his last day. Voting on raising the debt limit will be his last vote.

    While his replacement will be a Dem, probably won’t be gay. And that’s too bad. But, who knows, might be.

  52. 52.

    zhena gogolia

    May 31, 2023 at 8:13 pm

    @satby: Me either

  53. 53.

    JPL

    May 31, 2023 at 8:16 pm

    Assuming they raise the debt ceiling, does that also take care of thi budget, or do continue the fight down the road?

  54. 54.

    Matt McIrvin

    May 31, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literlist: Our betters at the Washington Post are going on about the need to cut Social Security and Medicare in, I think, today’s unsigned editorial. Ooh, tough choices!!!

  55. 55.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    May 31, 2023 at 8:23 pm

    @JPL: Oh, the McDonalds job. Without diminishing the loss of his father (who was a successful lawyer whose cousins owned one of the largest construction companies in the country– they gave Ryan his only post-college private sector job, IIRC): he had a part time job in high school. It’s amazing to me how he managed to sell the idea that he was supporting his widowed Ma by working the McFlurry machine.

  56. 56.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 8:35 pm

    @Matt McIrvin: Liberals are just not inherently cheerleaders. Right now, most of what I hear outside of places like this is indifference, punctuated by protests when Biden occasionally does something liberals don’t like.

    Then we must be the cheerleaders and the recruiters.

  57. 57.

    Steeplejack

    May 31, 2023 at 8:36 pm

    @Miss Bianca:

    I thought there might be some double-secret play on words, but I couldn’t find it.

  58. 58.

    Gvg

    May 31, 2023 at 8:45 pm

    @MisterDancer: I suspect Biden/Obama is not the only connection. I think this Congress also saw a lot of the same problems and shortcomings of the prior approach, had blinder knocked from their eyes, had black friends telling them things. Not just the Congress people who were in Congress then and still are, but the new ones too. Heck, we who aren’t in Congress know a lot of things now that we didn’t before those prior failures. It matters that the republicans have been screwing us blatantly and dangerously really recently, and that compromises and friendliness have been used against us. We remember. We learned. Of course the democrats in Congress learned too. It’s amazing how well they stick together compared to the past, but it’s the only thing that has worked, so they learned to do it.

  59. 59.

    CaseyL

    May 31, 2023 at 8:46 pm

    @jonas:

    The rest? They care about what a gallon of gas costs and who made the playoffs.

    This is pretty much what the MSM said before the 2022 elections, when they mocked Biden for making it a referendum on democracy.

    They were wrong.  People were paying attention, and they voted accordingly.

  60. 60.

    Uncle Cosmo

    May 31, 2023 at 8:47 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literlist: Call it Alitosis – it stinks to high heaven every time it opens its rotted mouth,

  61. 61.

    bbleh

    May 31, 2023 at 8:58 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo: lol, stolen

  62. 62.

    CaseyL

    May 31, 2023 at 9:24 pm

    The debt ceiling bill has passed the House.  Vote is 303-112, with 20 not voting (11 of those not voting are Democrats)

    D in favor – 163

    R in favor – 142

    R opposed – 69

    D opposed – 43

    Now… on to the Senat

    (Strangely, only NBC News has this; the other networks haven’t caught up.  But NBC has a CSPAN feed, so it’s real.)

  63. 63.

    WaterGirl

    May 31, 2023 at 9:32 pm

    @CaseyL: Beginning last Thursday, I missed all the debt ceiling stuff, so I have no idea what really happened.  But surely someone somewhere – the big banks, the big money people, someone – let the Rs know that they should not fuck with the debt ceiling.

    Is that the case?

    Because they sure seemed willing to drive the country into a ditch when I left on Thursday.

  64. 64.

    pieceofpeace

    May 31, 2023 at 9:34 pm

    Referring to previous post re Jerry Fallwell (appropriate, considering his magnificent fall from grace, and while this is now ‘old news,’ I recognized the scene from awhile back and found it occurred in 2020?  Is this the one thought to be recent or do I need to lay off the celebratory sangria now?

    https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/04/jerry-falwell-photo-backlash-391348

  65. 65.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 9:38 pm

    @CaseyL: The debt ceiling bill has passed the House. Vote is 303-112, with 20 not voting (11 of those not voting are Democrats)

     

    D in favor – 163

     

    R in favor – 142

     

    R opposed – 69

     

    D opposed – 43

    Looks like a well-struck compromise to me.

  66. 66.

    Another Scott

    May 31, 2023 at 9:40 pm

    @JPL: This 99 page bill only sets a few top-line numbers in a few areas.  The regular appropriations bills still have to be written and voted on.  The areas subject to this 99 page bill will have to have the appropriations bills adjusted to meet the stated numbers.

    There’s still the need to get the new budget for FY24 in place before October 1, 2023.  All the usual stuff still applies.

    What this does is take the debt ceiling off the table until January 1, 2025.

    Others have noted that the GQP doesn’t shut down the government during an election year – there’s too big a risk for them that people will remember in November.  So if we can make it into January without a shutdown, then we should be Ok (on that score).

    HTH a little.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  67. 67.

    David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch

    May 31, 2023 at 9:48 pm

      just a little over the top

    Why?

    Even Bernie and Warren supporters give Biden highest marks:

    “He was not my first or second choice for president, but I am a convert.”

    “President Biden has risen to the moment, and I really do give him an ‘A’ in what he’s done so far. It’s been bold, it’s been progressive, it’s been what the country needs.”

    Pramila Jayapal, leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus

  68. 68.

    Jackie

    May 31, 2023 at 9:48 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation: More Dems than GQP voted Yea. Looks like McQuarthy needed more help than he wanted.

    Is this enough to hang him?

  69. 69.

    David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch

    May 31, 2023 at 9:49 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation: ​
      another bi-denpartisan victory

  70. 70.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 9:53 pm

    @Jackie: More Dems than GQP voted Yea. Looks like McQuarthy needed more help than he wanted.

    Is this enough to hang him?

    Considering the Republicans were the ones with the hostage, it makes sense. The real determining factor in whether he gets hung is whether the Dems will get him through a confidence vote.

  71. 71.

    Jackie

    May 31, 2023 at 9:53 pm

    @David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch: Good one!👍🏻

  72. 72.

    Jackie

    May 31, 2023 at 9:57 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation: I’m really torn… I can see Dems protecting him (owning him) but I’d also enjoy seeing him sweating profusely trying to keep his precious Speakership.

  73. 73.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    May 31, 2023 at 10:00 pm

    @Jackie: I look at it this way; I don’t have a lot of confidence in McKevin, but what little I have was engendered by this deal which will be the reason provided for any imminent challenge

    ETA: It’s the national stability choice, which is kind of the Democratic brand right now .

  74. 74.

    Jeffro

    May 31, 2023 at 10:04 pm

    @Old Dan and Little Ann: He is the right President at the right time. Kudos, Dark Brandon!

    this, This, and THIS

  75. 75.

    Jeffro

    May 31, 2023 at 10:09 pm

    @Jonas:I’ d wager about 90% of the American public has never heard about/read/seen of any of this. A small group of partisan Democrats has because they (rightfully) think it’s awesome, and a small group of partisan Republicans have because they’ve been told they’re all signs of the Socialist Apocalypse. The rest? They care about what a gallon of gas costs and who made the playoffs.

    Great!  So let’s push that 90% down to 85%, or even 80%.  Because despite all that not-paying-attention stuff, we’re still winning pretty handily and can do even better in 2024!

  76. 76.

    Jeffro

    May 31, 2023 at 10:11 pm

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation:Then we must be the cheerleaders and the recruiters.

     

    Co-signed here!  Sitting around bitching is beyond useless.  As they say in certain RWNJ circles:

    LET’S GO BRANDON!!!

  77. 77.

    JaySinWA

    May 31, 2023 at 10:22 pm

    Boebert was a definite no https://www.cpr.org/2023/05/30/debt-ceiling-bill-lauren-boebert-ken-buck/

    But when push came to shove she was a no show:

    REPUBLICAN

    • Banks R-IN, Not Voting
    • Boebert R-CO, Not Voting

    DEMOCRATIC

    • Craig D-MN, Not Voting
    • Ross D-NC, Not Voting
  78. 78.

    Another Scott

    May 31, 2023 at 10:27 pm

    @JPL: @Another Scott:  A better summary of what this means for the budget is at GovExec.com:

    The agreement, while avoiding the more drastic cuts Republicans had sought and the Biden administration had warned would force agencies to furlough employees, will allow for discretionary spending at non-defense agencies to remain essentially flat in fiscal 2024. The bill carves out the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, where funding would meet President Biden’s request. It would cap spending at 1% growth for fiscal 2025 for both defense and non-defense agencies.

    To avoid deeper cuts, the measure rescinds some not-yet-spent funding provided for COVID-19 relief and claws back some of the $80 billion cash infusion Congress provided to the Internal Revenue Service as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill specifically spells out $1.4 billion in rescissions, but White House officials told reporters there is an additional agreement to rescind another $10 billion in both fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The reduction is not expected to change any immediate plans for IRS, which is looking to hire 30,000 employees over the next two years to boost enforcement and customer service, as the agency could spend the remaining $60 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds whenever it sees fit. White House officials said the provision does not “fundamentally change” IRS’ short and medium-term plans, but will require additional cash for the agency several years down the line.

    The deal also seeks to limit the threat of a shutdown for the next two years. If by Jan. 1, 2024, Congress has not passed all 12 annual appropriations bills, a continuing resolution would kick in that cuts discretionary spending for defense and non-defense agencies by 1% until such bills are passed. The provision is intended to incentivize lawmakers to pass line-by-line funding bills, as both Democrats and Republicans want to avoid a cut to their key priorities. The same contingency would be in effect for 2025.

    Current funding is set to expire Sept. 30, meaning a fall shutdown could still occur.

    More at the link.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  79. 79.

    JaySinWA

    May 31, 2023 at 10:41 pm

    @Another Scott:

    Current funding is set to expire Sept. 30, meaning a fall shutdown could still occur

    This sentence doesn’t make sense given the rest of the article. It isn’t explained even when I read the whole thing. What is this supposed to mean?

  80. 80.

    Geminid

    May 31, 2023 at 10:43 pm

    @CaseyL: Whoa! I assumed that Democrats would grudgingly parcel out enough votes to pass the bill, but require McCarthy to provide a majority. It’s like Jeffries and company are claiming the Win. Kind of an Aikido move.

  81. 81.

    Eolirin

    May 31, 2023 at 10:47 pm

    @JaySinWA: Well, if I’m reading it correctly, the automatic spending only kicks in starting in January, so if things aren’t resolved before October, the government could shut down for a few months. But there’s no way they can force shutdowns going into 2024, which is a big deal. The bomb throwers won’t be able to try to fuck with things during the election year.

  82. 82.

    Albatrossity

    May 31, 2023 at 10:52 pm

    @Jackie:

    Is this enough to hang him?

    Dunno. But as long as the GOP caucus keeps shooting at each other and failing to pass bills, I’m OK with it.

  83. 83.

    cain

    May 31, 2023 at 10:53 pm

    So, with all the book banning going on in this country. My motherland seems to be trying to say “hold my beer”, and I’m sure @schrodingers_cat would appreciate this – but it seems that the RSS assholes are busy trying to remove a number of things from school curriculum.
    https://science.slashdot.org/story/23/05/31/1525242/india-cuts-periodic-table-and-evolution-from-school-textbooks

    Cutting the periodic table, resource management, the teaching of evolution – I’m flabbergasted. Apparently all of this is driven by the RSS.

    I don’t understand how this is actually being supported especially by the Indian middle class. Indians deeply care about education and it’s highly competitive. So, I’m trying to figure out how the hell this is supposed to be a good thing.

    In the article, it claims that the RSS is trying a lot of things.

    “There is a movement away from rational thinking, against the enlightenment and Western ideas” in India, adds Sucheta Mahajan, a historian at Jawaharlal Nehru University who collaborates with Mukherjee on studies of RSS influence on school texts. Evolution conflicts with creation stories, adds Mukherjee. History is the main target, but “science is one of the victims”, she adds.

     

    As far as I’m aware, Hinduism has no conflict with creation stories. When your religion tells you that reality is only an illusion however the fuck you got to where you are is not gonig to be conflict.

  84. 84.

    jonas

    May 31, 2023 at 10:59 pm

    @Jeffro: ​
      Dude, from your keyboard to the FSM’s ears. I would *love* for Biden’s/the Dem Senate’s accomplishments to get out there to the general public. Dems have thus far proven themselves utterly, totally incapable of doing this. Now, granted, they lack an official propaganda cable channel (Fox + a score of Fox Jr. wannabees), the entire AM radio spectrum, and the MSM tries daily to carry water/run interference for Republicans, but still…

    I wish Hakeem Jeffries daily briefings — which are awesome — were carried somewhere other than on an occasional Twitter.

  85. 85.

    JaySinWA

    May 31, 2023 at 11:00 pm

    Roll call  for the final passage (without the hundreds of links that put my other post in moderation (Powers That Be: feel free to delete the other one):
    From here:

    https://www.c-span.org/congress/votes/?congress=118&chamber=house&loadImg=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.c-spanvideo.org%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fajax-loader.gif&vote-status-sort=all&vote-number-search=243&vote-majority-required=all&vote-question-type=all&vote-start-date=&vote-end-date=&vote-billnum-search=&vote-billtitle-search=&vote-billtopic-search=
    REPUBLICAN

    Aderholt R-AL, Aye
    Alford R-MO, No
    Allen R-GA, Aye
    Amodei R-NV, Aye
    Armstrong R-ND, Aye
    Arrington R-TX, Aye
    Babin R-TX, Aye
    Bacon R-NE, Aye
    Baird R-IN, Aye
    Balderson R-OH, Aye
    Banks R-IN, Not Voting
    Barr R-KY, Aye
    Bean R-FL, Aye
    Bentz R-OR, Aye
    Bergman R-MI, Aye
    Bice R-OK, Aye
    Biggs R-AZ, No
    Bilirakis R-FL, Aye
    Bishop R-NC, No
    Boebert R-CO, Not Voting
    Bost R-IL, No
    Brecheen R-OK, No
    Buchanan R-FL, No
    Buck R-CO, No
    Bucshon R-IN, Aye
    Burchett R-TN, No
    Burgess R-TX, Aye
    Burlison R-MO, No
    Calvert R-CA, Aye
    Cammack R-FL, No
    Carey R-OH, Aye
    Carl R-AL, Aye
    Carter R-GA, Aye
    Carter R-TX, No
    Chavez-DeRemer R-OR, Aye
    Ciscomani R-AZ, Aye
    Cline R-VA, No
    Cloud R-TX, No
    Clyde R-GA, No
    Cole R-OK, Aye
    Collins R-GA, No
    Comer R-KY, Aye
    Crane R-AZ, No
    Crawford R-AR, Aye
    Crenshaw R-TX, Aye
    Curtis R-UT, Aye
    D’Esposito R-NY, Aye
    Davidson R-OH, Aye
    De La Cruz R-TX, Aye
    DesJarlais R-TN, No
    Diaz-Balart R-FL, Aye
    Donalds R-FL, No
    Duarte R-CA, Aye
    Duncan R-SC, Aye
    Dunn R-FL, Aye
    Edwards R-NC, Aye
    Ellzey R-TX, Aye
    Emmer R-MN, Aye
    Estes R-KS, Aye
    Ezell R-MS, Aye
    Fallon R-TX, No
    Feenstra R-IA, Aye
    Ferguson R-GA, Aye
    Finstad R-MN, No
    Fischbach R-MN, No
    Fitzgerald R-WI, Aye
    Fitzpatrick R-PA, Aye
    Fleischmann R-TN, Aye
    Flood R-NE, Aye
    Foxx R-NC, Aye
    Franklin R-FL, Aye
    Fry R-SC, No
    Fulcher R-ID, No
    Gaetz R-FL, No
    Gallagher R-WI, Aye
    Garbarino R-NY, Aye
    Garcia R-CA, Aye
    Gimenez R-FL, Aye
    Gonzales R-TX, No
    Good R-VA, No
    Gooden R-TX, No
    Gosar R-AZ, No
    Granger R-TX, Aye
    Graves R-LA, Aye
    Graves R-MO, Aye
    Green R-TN, Aye
    Greene R-GA, Aye
    Griffith R-VA, No
    Grothman R-WI, Aye
    Guest R-MS, No
    Guthrie R-KY, Aye
    Hageman R-WY, No
    Harris R-MD, No
    Harshbarger R-TN, No
    Hern R-OK, No
    Higgins R-LA, No
    Hill R-AR, Aye
    Hinson R-IA, Aye
    Houchin R-IN, Aye
    Hudson R-NC, Aye
    Huizenga R-MI, Aye
    Hunt R-TX, No
    Issa R-CA, Aye
    Jackson R-TX, No
    James R-MI, Aye
    Johnson R-LA, Aye
    Johnson R-OH, Aye
    Johnson R-SD, Aye
    Jordan R-OH, Aye
    Joyce R-PA, Aye
    Joyce R-OH, Aye
    Kean R-NJ, Aye
    Kelly R-MS, Aye
    Kelly R-PA, Aye
    Kiggans R-VA, Aye
    Kiley R-CA, Aye
    Kim R-CA, Aye
    Kustoff R-TN, Aye
    LaHood R-IL, No
    LaLota R-NY, Aye
    LaMalfa R-CA, Aye
    Lamborn R-CO, Aye
    Langworthy R-NY, Aye
    Latta R-OH, Aye
    LaTurner R-KS, Aye
    Lawler R-NY, Aye
    Lee R-FL, Aye
    Lesko R-AZ, No
    Letlow R-LA, Aye
    Loudermilk R-GA, Aye
    Lucas R-OK, Aye
    Luetkemeyer R-MO, Aye
    Luna R-FL, No
    Luttrell R-TX, No
    Mace R-SC, No
    Malliotakis R-NY, Aye
    Mann R-KS, No
    Massie R-KY, Aye
    Mast R-FL, No
    McCarthy R-CA, Aye
    McCaul R-TX, Aye
    McClain R-MI, Aye
    McClintock R-CA, Aye
    McCormick R-GA, No
    McHenry R-NC, Aye
    Rodgers R-WA, Aye
    Meuser R-PA, Aye
    Miller R-WV, Aye
    Miller R-OH, Aye
    Miller R-IL, No
    Miller-Meeks R-IA, Aye
    Mills R-FL, No
    Molinaro R-NY, Aye
    Moolenaar R-MI, Aye
    Mooney R-WV, No
    Moore R-UT, Aye
    Moore R-AL, No
    Moran R-TX, No
    Murphy R-NC, Aye
    Nehls R-TX, Aye
    Newhouse R-WA, Aye
    Norman R-SC, No
    Nunn R-IA, Aye
    Obernolte R-CA, Aye
    Ogles R-TN, No
    Owens R-UT, Aye
    Palmer R-AL, No
    Pence R-IN, Aye
    Perry R-PA, No
    Pfluger R-TX, Aye
    Posey R-FL, No
    Reschenthaler R-PA, Aye
    Rogers R-KY, Aye
    Rogers R-AL, Aye
    Rose R-TN, No
    Rosendale R-MT, No
    Rouzer R-NC, Aye
    Roy R-TX, No
    Rutherford R-FL, Aye
    Salazar R-FL, Aye
    Santos R-NY, No
    Scalise R-LA, Aye
    Schweikert R-AZ, Aye
    Scott R-GA, Aye
    Self R-TX, No
    Sessions R-TX, No
    Simpson R-ID, Aye
    Smith R-MO, Aye
    Smith R-NJ, Aye
    Smith R-NE, Aye
    Smucker R-PA, Aye
    Spartz R-IN, No
    Stauber R-MN, Aye
    Steel R-CA, Aye
    Stefanik R-NY, Aye
    Steil R-WI, Aye
    Steube R-FL, No
    Stewart R-UT, Aye
    Strong R-AL, No
    Tenney R-NY, Aye
    Thompson R-PA, Aye
    Tiffany R-WI, No
    Timmons R-SC, No
    Turner R-OH, Aye
    Valadao R-CA, Aye
    Van Drew R-NJ, No
    Duyne R-TX, No
    Van Orden R-WI, Aye
    Wagner R-MO, Aye
    Walberg R-MI, Aye
    Waltz R-FL, No
    Weber R-TX, No
    Webster R-FL, Aye
    Wenstrup R-OH, Aye
    Westerman R-AR, Aye
    Williams R-TX, Aye
    Williams R-NY, Aye
    Wilson R-SC, Aye
    Wittman R-VA, Aye
    Womack R-AR, Aye
    Yakym R-IN, Aye
    Zinke R-MT, No

    DEMOCRATIC

    Adams D-NC, Aye
    Aguilar D-CA, Aye
    Allred D-TX, Aye
    Auchincloss D-MA, Aye
    Balint D-VT, Aye
    Barragán D-CA, No
    Beatty D-OH, Aye
    Bera D-CA, Aye
    Beyer D-VA, Aye
    Bishop D-GA, Aye
    Blumenauer D-OR, Aye
    Blunt Rochester D-DE, Aye
    Bonamici D-OR, No
    Bowman D-NY, No
    Boyle D-PA, Aye
    Brown D-OH, Aye
    Brownley D-CA, Aye
    Budzinski D-IL, Aye
    Bush D-MO, No
    Caraveo D-CO, Aye
    Carbajal D-CA, Aye
    Cárdenas D-CA, Aye
    Carson D-IN, Aye
    Carter D-LA, Aye
    Cartwright D-PA, Aye
    Casar D-TX, No
    Case D-HI, Aye
    Casten D-IL, Aye
    Castor D-FL, Aye
    Castro D-TX, No
    Cherfilus-McCormick D-FL, Aye
    Chu D-CA, No
    Cicilline D-RI, Aye
    Clark D-MA, Aye
    Clarke D-NY, No
    Cleaver D-MO, Aye
    Clyburn D-SC, Aye
    Cohen D-TN, Aye
    Connolly D-VA, No
    Correa D-CA, Aye
    Costa D-CA, Aye
    Courtney D-CT, Aye
    Craig D-MN, Not Voting
    Crockett D-TX, No
    Crow D-CO, Aye
    Cuellar D-TX, Aye
    Davids D-KS, Aye
    Davis D-NC, Aye
    Davis D-IL, Aye
    Dean D-PA, Aye
    DeGette D-CO, Aye
    DeLauro D-CT, No
    DelBene D-WA, Aye
    Deluzio D-PA, Aye
    DeSaulnier D-CA, No
    Dingell D-MI, Aye
    Doggett D-TX, Aye
    Escobar D-TX, Aye
    Eshoo D-CA, Aye
    Espaillat D-NY, No
    Evans D-PA, Aye
    Fletcher D-TX, Aye
    Foster D-IL, Aye
    Foushee D-NC, Aye
    Frankel D-FL, Aye
    Frost D-FL, Aye
    Gallego D-AZ, Aye
    Garamendi D-CA, Aye
    Garcia D-TX, No
    Garcia D-CA, Aye
    García D-IL, No
    Gluesenkamp Perez D-WA, Aye
    Golden D-ME, Aye
    Goldman D-NY, No
    Gomez D-CA, No
    Gonzalez D-TX, Aye
    Gottheimer D-NJ, Aye
    Green D-TX, Aye
    Grijalva D-AZ, No
    Harder D-CA, Aye
    Hayes D-CT, No
    Higgins D-NY, Aye
    Himes D-CT, Aye
    Horsford D-NV, Aye
    Houlahan D-PA, Aye
    Hoyer D-MD, Aye
    Hoyle D-OR, No
    Huffman D-CA, No
    Ivey D-MD, Aye
    Jackson D-IL, Aye
    Jackson D-NC, Aye
    Lee D-TX, Aye
    Jacobs D-CA, Aye
    Jayapal D-WA, No
    Jeffries D-NY, Aye
    Johnson D-GA, Aye
    Kamlager-Dove D-CA, No
    Kaptur D-OH, Aye
    Keating D-MA, Aye
    Kelly D-IL, Aye
    Khanna D-CA, No
    Kildee D-MI, Aye
    Kilmer D-WA, Aye
    Kim D-NJ, Aye
    Krishnamoorthi D-IL, Aye
    Kuster D-NH, Aye
    Landsman D-OH, Aye
    Larsen D-WA, Aye
    Larson D-CT, No
    Lee D-CA, No
    Lee D-NV, Aye
    Lee D-PA, No
    Fernandez D-NM, Aye
    Levin D-CA, Aye
    Lieu D-CA, Aye
    Lofgren D-CA, Aye
    Lynch D-MA, Aye
    Magaziner D-RI, Aye
    Manning D-NC, Aye
    Matsui D-CA, Aye
    McBath D-GA, Aye
    McClellan D-VA, Aye
    McCollum D-MN, Aye
    McGarvey D-KY, Aye
    McGovern D-MA, No
    Meeks D-NY, Aye
    Menendez D-NJ, Aye
    Meng D-NY, No
    Mfume D-MD, Aye
    Moore D-WI, No
    Morelle D-NY, Aye
    Moskowitz D-FL, Aye
    Moulton D-MA, Aye
    Mrvan D-IN, Aye
    Mullin D-CA, Aye
    Nadler D-NY, No
    Napolitano D-CA, Aye
    Neal D-MA, Aye
    Neguse D-CO, Aye
    Nickel D-NC, Aye
    Norcross D-NJ, Aye
    Ocasio-Cortez D-NY, No
    Omar DFL-MN, Aye
    Pallone D-NJ, Aye
    Panetta D-CA, Aye
    Pappas D-NH, Aye
    Pascrell D-NJ, Aye
    Payne D-NJ, Aye
    Pelosi D-CA, Aye
    Peltola D-AK, Aye
    Peters D-CA, Aye
    Pettersen D-CO, Aye
    Phillips D-MN, Aye
    Pingree D-ME, Aye
    Pocan D-WI, No
    Porter D-CA, No
    Pressley D-MA, No
    Quigley D-IL, Aye
    Ramirez D-IL, No
    Raskin D-MD, Aye
    Ross D-NC, Not Voting
    Ruiz D-CA, Aye
    Ruppersberger D-MD, Aye
    Ryan D-NY, Aye
    Salinas D-OR, Aye
    Sánchez D-CA, Aye
    Sarbanes D-MD, Aye
    Scanlon D-PA, Aye
    Schakowsky D-IL, No
    Schiff D-CA, Aye
    Schneider D-IL, Aye
    Scholten D-MI, Aye
    Schrier D-WA, Aye
    Scott D-GA, Aye
    Scott D-VA, No
    Sewell D-AL, Aye
    Sherman D-CA, Aye
    Sherrill D-NJ, Aye
    Slotkin D-MI, Aye
    Smith D-WA, Aye
    Sorensen D-IL, Aye
    Soto D-FL, Aye
    Spanberger D-VA, Aye
    Stansbury D-NM, No
    Stanton D-AZ, Aye
    Stevens D-MI, Aye
    Strickland D-WA, Aye
    Swalwell D-CA, Aye
    Sykes D-OH, Aye
    Takano D-CA, Aye
    Thanedar D-MI, Aye
    Thompson D-CA, Aye
    Thompson D-MS, Aye
    Titus D-NV, Aye
    Tlaib D-MI, No
    Tokuda D-HI, Aye
    Tonko D-NY, Aye
    Torres D-NY, No
    Torres D-CA, No
    Trahan D-MA, Aye
    Trone D-MD, Aye
    Underwood D-IL, Aye
    Vargas D-CA, No
    Vasquez D-NM, Aye
    Veasey D-TX, Aye
    Velázquez D-NY, No
    Schultz D-FL, Aye
    Waters D-CA, Aye
    Coleman D-NJ, Aye
    Wexton D-VA, Aye
    Wild D-PA, Aye
    Williams D-GA, No
    Wilson D-FL, No

  86. 86.

    rikyrah

    May 31, 2023 at 11:05 pm

    @BigJimSlade:

    I hope everyone finds a forever home🤗

  87. 87.

    Jackie

    May 31, 2023 at 11:20 pm

    I’m out of free Daily Beast articles for the month, so here’s the RawStory summary…

    “House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) cleared a massive challenge on Wednesday when he managed to deliver just enough votes from the Republican caucus, along with a large cohort of Democrats, to pass the landmark debt ceiling and deficit reduction agreement he brokered with President Joe Biden, which is now expected to move quickly through the Senate and avert a national default after weeks of tense bipartisan negotiations.”

    “But now he faces another potential obstacle, reportedThe Daily Beast: the far-right wing of the House GOP, who is enraged the deal happened at all — and want McCarthy to suffer for it…”

    “…The deal passed Wednesday night 314-117, with 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats voting for it, and 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats voting no. Republicans control the House, but it was Democrats who primarily got the measure across the finish line.”

    “As a result of this, some far-right lawmakers are ramping up threats to use a parliamentary procedure to force a confidence vote to eject McCarthy from the Speakership — something he was, ironically, forced to put in the rules in order to get the votes necessary to become Speaker in the first place.”

    https://www.rawstory.com/kevin-mccarthy-2660755956/

    Hoping Used Chapstick sweats awhile…

  88. 88.

    JaySinWA

    May 31, 2023 at 11:30 pm

    @Jackie: They may think about it but they don’t currently have the votes if they pull the trigger. 71 votes won’t get rid of him, they need a minimum of a majority of the R’s and with D’s not working against it

    ETA OTOH If they do try, it could split the party or at least weaken his slim majority.

  89. 89.

    Jackie

    May 31, 2023 at 11:36 pm

    @JaySinWA:🤞🏻🤞🏻

  90. 90.

    kalakal

    May 31, 2023 at 11:44 pm

    @JaySinWA: Agreed, if they pull the trigger they’ll find they were loaded with a blank.

    This is a pretty big kick in the teeth for the freedumb caucus. They’ve been a  screamin and a pouting but when push came to shove they got told to go forth and multiply. They have very publicly failed and been shown to be a minority. The next set of primaries will be something to behold, vicious beyond belief, and with candidates that make Kari Lake look like empiricism incarnate

    Let the GQP carry on shredding itself

  91. 91.

    Geminid

    May 31, 2023 at 11:50 pm

    I think we should make “enconium” a new word. A special accolade for Joe Biden, suggesting an ice cream cone.

  92. 92.

    Chris T.

    June 1, 2023 at 12:33 am

    @WaterGirl:

    Also, curious as to what Literlist means? (that was hard to type because autocorrect kept changing it to your original name, Literalist.

    Apparently it was a typo. And here I was thinking that “Literalist” had gotten too heavy, so he made it Liter (pronounced “lighter”, not like the metric system measurement of volume). 😀

  93. 93.

    Jackie

    June 1, 2023 at 12:49 am

    Official Statement from the White House:

    “Tonight, the House took a critical step forward to prevent a first-ever default and protect our country’s hard-earned and historic economic recovery. This budget agreement is a bipartisan compromise. Neither side got everything it wanted. That’s the responsibility of governing. I want to thank Speaker McCarthy and his team for negotiating in good faith, as well as Leader Jeffries for his leadership.

    This agreement is good news for the American people and the American economy. It protects key priorities and accomplishments from the past two years, including historic investments that are creating good jobs across the country. And, it honors my commitment to safeguard Americans’ health care and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. It protects critical programs that millions of hardworking families, students, and veterans count on.

    I have been clear that the only path forward is a bipartisan compromise that can earn the support of both parties. This agreement meets that test. I urge the Senate to pass it as quickly as possible so that I can sign it into law, and our country can continue building the strongest economy in the world.”

    https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/31/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-house-passage-of-the-bipartisan-budget-agreement/

  94. 94.

    a thousand flouncing lurkers (was fidelio)

    June 1, 2023 at 12:59 am

    @bbleh: He knows how to read a crowd and how to work it—remember the bit with a crying child in the audience that went around a little while ago? Handled perfectly. The US is ready for Loving Grandpa instead of  Mean and Angry Grandpa. Loving Grandpa might give you a talking-to, but you know he loves you and he’s worried about you.
    You can’t underestimate the power of emotions and perceptions among voters. We may try to be rational actors in the voting booth, but not all of us do, and even those who are careful to study the issues still have feelings about things.

  95. 95.

    brantl

    June 1, 2023 at 7:03 am

    @Bill Arnold: And those lampreys are weakening them.

  96. 96.

    ChrisSherbak

    June 1, 2023 at 4:26 pm

    @Cameron: Put up an Act Blue link and I’ll donate. I totally agree that making the GOP work a little harder for those ‘free’ seats (dare we call them “welfare” seats?) is certainly worth it. Gotta think there’d be journos somewhere in the state that’d love to cover the “David vs. Goliath” story. cf. Jessica Piper and other “Dirt Road Democrats” https://flatlandkc.org/news-issues/meet-jessica-piper-missouris-dirt-road-democrat/

  97. 97.

    ChrisSherbak

    June 1, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    @jonas: I think Mayor (sic) Pete is doing a great job of this – between standing in front of Yet Another Bridge and touting the FAA Dashboard and getting the airlines on board with rebates when they f-ck up.

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