It is hard to imagine what an enforcable "guardrail" would be. Assuming Republicans agree to the suggested guardrails how on earth would they be enforced. We are dealing with a political party that has contempt for the law and constitution backed by a SCOTUS that seems intent on allowing the Executive to act without checks. I think Democrats are going to have to come up with MUCH stronger tactics if there's any hope of rolling back the Republican assault on American democracy.
You raise a very legitimate question. But in my experience -- even in the current climate -- Senators tend to keep their commitments to each other, because their status and effectiveness in the body depends on it. This is why getting the commitment in the first place will be the biggest challenge.
Agree as to Senate customs, but the fact that they have the votes to pass a rescission is the critical point. The Senate GOP will not commit to any guardrails. The White House will keep applying the usual pressure getting the usual results, and there is no reason to believe that will change. Accordingly, because the recent rescission exposes the technique they will use to negotiate in bad faith, the Democrats should decline to negotiate at all unless the rescission rule is fixed to require 60 votes. Otherwise there is no point, and the only thing Democrats should agree to is a CR. To do anything else would be insufferably stupid.
There were several Republican Senators who vowed not to support the BBB if it cut Medicaid, until they did at the last minute, Holley and Murkowski come to mind. How are Democrats supposed to trust them?
I agree that the Democrats should refuse to approve any budget, without assurances from the Republican Party on what they are willing to defend to Trump. However, I don't see anyone in Congress on the Republican side who is going to take a stand against Trump on anything. They all fold each and every time there is something horrendously awful passed and signed by Trump. They are completely cowed at this time. I do see a budget shutdown coming and I hope that the Democrats follow through on this as it will be their only leverage in dealing with Trump. As awful as a shutdown is, it is still preferable to what will be signed into law if a budget is presented to Trump.
You write, “traditional Senate rules require 60 votes to pass an annual budget”. Not “by law,” not “according to the Constitution.” What’s to prevent the fascist Senate majority from changing “traditional Senate rules?”
"No budget guardrails, no budget deal."
It is hard to imagine what an enforcable "guardrail" would be. Assuming Republicans agree to the suggested guardrails how on earth would they be enforced. We are dealing with a political party that has contempt for the law and constitution backed by a SCOTUS that seems intent on allowing the Executive to act without checks. I think Democrats are going to have to come up with MUCH stronger tactics if there's any hope of rolling back the Republican assault on American democracy.
You raise a very legitimate question. But in my experience -- even in the current climate -- Senators tend to keep their commitments to each other, because their status and effectiveness in the body depends on it. This is why getting the commitment in the first place will be the biggest challenge.
Agree as to Senate customs, but the fact that they have the votes to pass a rescission is the critical point. The Senate GOP will not commit to any guardrails. The White House will keep applying the usual pressure getting the usual results, and there is no reason to believe that will change. Accordingly, because the recent rescission exposes the technique they will use to negotiate in bad faith, the Democrats should decline to negotiate at all unless the rescission rule is fixed to require 60 votes. Otherwise there is no point, and the only thing Democrats should agree to is a CR. To do anything else would be insufferably stupid.
Thank you for your reply. I respect your experience and sure hope you analysis is correct.
There were several Republican Senators who vowed not to support the BBB if it cut Medicaid, until they did at the last minute, Holley and Murkowski come to mind. How are Democrats supposed to trust them?
I agree that the Democrats should refuse to approve any budget, without assurances from the Republican Party on what they are willing to defend to Trump. However, I don't see anyone in Congress on the Republican side who is going to take a stand against Trump on anything. They all fold each and every time there is something horrendously awful passed and signed by Trump. They are completely cowed at this time. I do see a budget shutdown coming and I hope that the Democrats follow through on this as it will be their only leverage in dealing with Trump. As awful as a shutdown is, it is still preferable to what will be signed into law if a budget is presented to Trump.
You write, “traditional Senate rules require 60 votes to pass an annual budget”. Not “by law,” not “according to the Constitution.” What’s to prevent the fascist Senate majority from changing “traditional Senate rules?”
If it can't really be enforced it's pointless, the R's will stab the D's in the back.
Thank you, Tom! I agree. It's time to play hardball.
Great article again Jen. I hope the Dems stand together and dont crumble to get a deal. We need to see some action by the Dem leadership.
The work you do is amazing.
Thank you for helping us to understand this process and possibilities.