Sean CastenI don’t know whether the GOP will get the votes on their don’t-call-it-a-CR disaster of a bill this week. But I do know that majorities of Republicans voted against similar bills for all of the last 2 years. So what is making them strap on the ball gag and climb into Trump’s dungeon this week?
1. As usual, don’t speculate on motive until you understand what they’re doing. Because this bill is really, really bad. A small selection of what they’re doing…
2. First, Congress has the Constitutional power of the purse and has reaffirmed it through multiple laws (Impoundment Control Act, Anti-Rescission Act) that are being used by multiple courts to block the WH’s current over-reach. This bill has language that would weaken those cases.
3. This is what you do to cower before a mad king. It is not what you do if you are defending a constitutional democracy.
4. It would cut ~$28 billion in funding we passed under the PACT Act to make sure veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and toxic burn pits get healthcare coverage. Pissing on US veterans is a choice.
5. It would slash funding for USDA food inspectors. You know, the people who go into monitor the spread of avian flu, or to make sure you don’t have E. Coli in your lettuce.
6. It gives the White House much more discretion over public-private partnerships, essentially allowing them to prioritize infrastructure projects (highways, rail, etc.) only in their political supporters communities. That is anti-American, in the purest sense.
7. It cuts rent subsidies for low-income folks. Which means a whole lot of landlords are going to find themselves forced to evict some ~32,000 families. If you think your community needs more homelessness, that’s a good idea. Otherwise… really f’ing dumb.
8. It cuts $185 million from nuclear non-proliferation programs. You know, the thing that keeps our enemies from acquiring nuclear weapons technology and radioactive material.
9. It does nothing to restore the current shortfall in disaster relief funds - the shortfall caused by wildfires in CA (and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Long Island), hurricanes in the SE, etc. So when Acts of God come your way, the US government won’t be there to help.
10. It cuts $30 million from the rural broadband community connect program. So if you live in rural America and want to have more connection to jobs, employers and opportunity… too bad for you.
11. It cuts $40 million from election security grant funding. Because the LAST thing the GOP wants as they piss off the entire American electorate is a free and fair election.
12. It cuts $280 million from the National Institute of Health, shutting down research in things like cancer, Alzheimer’s, ALS, heart disease. Do you want to be healthy? Do you want to develop cures? Do you have a loved one waiting for a cure? Too bad.
13. This is far from complete. But make no mistake: it is decidedly NOT a “clean CR”.
14. Here’s the bottom line. When faced with a constitutional crisis, some members of Congress are fighting back. Others are strapping on the ball gag, climbing into Trump’s dungeon and assuming the American people share their masochistic fetish.
15. If your member of Congress has any confusion as to which of those paths is preferred in this moment, go make some loud, noisy, and righteous good trouble. We deserve so much better than them. /fin
Postscript and a good catch from Aaron Fritschner. This is how you legislatively mandate the ball gag.
I AM BANKSY ☕ / 🗑🔥@SeanCasten They're legislating away the meaning of a DAY?
Is this going to form the basis for getting rid of term limits.
"No, the President is still limited to two four year terms. However, a year isn't a year anymore."
Steve Loughran@SeanCasten "The 2025 enabling act" to give it the historical context it needs
CassandraVert@rigg.lgbt When you look at this thread by one of our legislators and then consider that tech bros want to start their own nation-states, it looks like the plan is to lure people to the new nation-state by making the current nation overtly dysfunctional.
NerbWe have had 3 Hurricanes hit here in the last 3 years, Ian, Helene and Milton.
Those that voted for removing the resources that helped them recover should be ecstatic if the hurricane trend continues. I know the lady to the side of me doe snto have flood or home insurance as she cannot afford it. And is a rabid trumper. The house on the corner also does not carry any protection and they both had lots of trump signs in their yard.
My Kamala signs vanished within days of being put up twice so I gave up.
Looking forwards to asking this summer if we get hit who ya gonna call. Sure aint gonna be FEMA.