When it comes to the notion of Republicans standing up to Trump color me skeptical. Yes, there was the Epstein file release vote which but for a single House Republican would have been unanimous. I assumed that was the one instance of catching lightening in a bottle we’d see. However it seems possible that once again Republicans, worried no doubt about their re-election prospects this fall are prepared to defy Trump again with override votes on not just one but two bills Trump vetoed.
Again, I’ll believe it when it happens. However as Axios tells us later this week the House is set to hold override votes. Both measures passed with enough bi-partisan support to override. However as the linked article notes it’s possible some who initially voted for either or both bills will peel off and the attempt will fail. It does after all take a two-thirds majority to override a Presidential veto and that threshold usually isn’t met. One can be sure Team Trump is working GOPers who initially backed the measures to drop their support.
Then, even if the House GOP holds firm there’s still the Senate to contend with so whatever happens this week in the House will be only half the battle. Still, the fact it’s even because considered an actual possibility is significant. At least to me. Republicans on Capitol Hill read the same Trump polling we do. They also have their own internal polling which includes questions about how support (or not) for Trump affects their own chances of re-election. One has to think at some point they will sometimes decide to look out after their own butts instead of covering Trump’s!
So what are the two votes about? I recently wrote about one of them here on PZ since none other than Bobo the Congress Clown aka Lauren Boebert criticized Trump for vetoing a water project bill that among other things would have provided clean drinking water to fifty-thousand of her constituents. I know. Bobo actually trying to do her job and to benefit regular folks makes you think you’re reading The Onion but it’s true. However the bill benefits more than Bobo’s people and water projects are the kind of ‘bring home the bacon’ stuff that accounts for voters overwhelmingly disapproving of Congress but not THEIR Representative.
The other bill has strong support too, especially from Florida GOP Representatives as it benefits the Everglades. The linked article is a short read but it boils down to this:
The Miccosukee Tribe has been at odds with the White House over its plans to build its “Alligator Alcatraz” immigrant detention center.
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Florida lawmakers in both chambers backed the bill. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) said it was about “fairness and conservation.”
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In his veto notice, Trump accused the tribe of obstructing his immigration policies and said the bill benefitted “special interests.”
The water pipeline legislation, championed by Colorado lawmakers, would provide drinking water to communities in southeastern Colorado, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.
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But Trump said the bill would “continue the failed policies of the past by forcing Federal taxpayers to bear even more of the massive costs of a local water project.” He added, “Enough is enough.”
So where are we? Yes, the GOP is trying to grow some spine but it remains to be seen if it’s grown stiff enough to stand straight and tell Trump to go to hell. Mark your calendars for Thursday because IF the House overrides even one of the vetoes Trump will go insane. The last thing he can afford is defiance from Congress and enough Republican’s crossing over to say “Enough” to his bullying and trying to rule like a King is something Trump can’t afford. IF Congress defies him they just might grow bolder. Stay tuned folks.
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