Behold, Donald is making an effort to *lead.* Could that be because he was mocked when he was overseas the past few days and Asian leaders asked him how the government could be shut down “with the powerful Republicans in power?” That is the key question, no doubt about that. This went up on Truth Social a little while ago. “Well, now WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, Country destroying ‘SHUT DOWN,’” Trump posted. “If the Democrats ever came back into power, which would be made easier for them if the Republicans are not using the Great Strength and Policies made available to us by ending the Filibuster, the Democrats will exercise their rights, and it will be done in the first day they take office, regardless of whether or not we do it.”
The Senate filibuster rule requires most legislation to receive 60 votes to make it through the chamber, giving more power to the minority party and essentially preventing the majority party from passing whatever legislation it wants. Rule changes over the years have meant that judges and other nominees only require a simple majority.
Senate Republicans have in recent days increasingly discussed changing the filibuster’s rules if Democrats do not end the shutdown, which has dragged on for more than 30 days. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has said he opposes weakening the filibuster.
Even Republicans who have in the past have voiced support for preserving the filibuster have suggested creating a carve-out to the 60-vote threshold to reopen the government could gain traction.
Senate Democrats have been united in opposing passage of a continuing resolution that would fund the government at current levels, saying they would only support the measure alongside an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Lawmakers in both parties have warned that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will begin to expire Nov. 1, and there is growing concern about increased flight delays at major airports because of the shutdown’s strain on air traffic controllers.
One thing is absolute and that is that it’s time to get the ball rolling. This is replaying itself like 2018, where the government was shut down for 34 days and then Trump realized he was not going to get his stupid wall and to stop bluffing, open the parks, pay the TSA, pay the military, get Congress back into session.
The main difference, however, is that while it’s a good idea to get the government rolling and in particular to protect the ACA subsidies, there is the stickey wicket of the Epstein files. That’s not getting any less sticky. Just today, across the pond, Prince Andrew got his eviction papers. He’s not only not the Duke of York anymore, he’s now going to live in a country residence owned by the Royal Family and will exist on the charity of his brother. And that’s until his brother, the King, dies and then he’ll live on the charity of his nephew, Prince William, who despises him.
Point being: the Epstein jig is up for a lot of people. And soon the bell will toll for Donald. And don’t think he doesn’t know. He’s huffing and puffing right now but he’s terrified that it’s his own house that is going to come down around him.
I love the Japanese phrased the question! It was respectful and to the point. I have been remembering this point all along and wondered why the press hasn’t mentioned it. I know, they feel having access is the priority and they don’t want to lose access. Whatever.
As I’ve mentioned, Thune will NOT end the filibuster, not even to please Donald. The man wants–no, NEEDS–Democratic votes to cover his ass when folks see their healthcare skyrocket thanks to Drumpf’s permanent tax cuts for billionaires.
Thune could easily change the rules (he did it to get Drumpf’s nominees confirmed en masse not even two months ago) but, as I noted, going nuclear on this budget matter means the GOP *owns* any and all economic hardships and ills that befall the voters. Democratic ads will not hesitate to remind voters that Democrats tried to block the cuts to healthcare and all the social programs but the GOP demanded that billionaires keep their tax cuts because that was far more important to them and Drumpf than anything that might help farmers and kids and mothers (who are now being forced–thanks to Drumpf’s Supreme Court justices–to carry out a pregnancy but without any kind of safety net).
my inclination is to agree with you because thune isn’t insane but… he is a cult member so it probably physically hurts to disobey dear leader. same with mikey. they will have to convinxe trump, without suggesting that he is mistaken, that the downside is very, very bad. the trouble is, trump has ordered this in response to other world leaders questioning, basically, his manhood. puts all three of them in a very bad position. “will be wild.”