It is excellent to read specific ideas instead of the never ending moaning about the occupier of the White House. I definitely want action on: [1] funding to be legislative not executive function; [2] DHS total do over; [3] Russia sanctions.
Articles like this are exactly why I followed you from the Washington Post here.
Schumer (and other centrist democrats) MUST not capitulate this time. If Americans cannot get relief from this authoritarian regime Democrats should not help keep the government operating.
I think we all should be emailing, calling or writing to Schumer regardless of where we live. Tell him he’s toast if he caves again. He is spineless and needs to get some huevos. If he caves again es New Yorkers need to get rid of him.
There is also less incentive to keep it operating since the current regime has already laid off so many workers and has been installing various toadies.
Does anyone know if a shutdown will affect ICE and its ability to fund its operations?
fully concur to your first sentence... and the rest. My subscription at the WaPo is expiring in two months and will not renew it after more than 10 years there...
The five demands are all well and good, but I have a question: Even if the Republicans accede to all of the demands, what reason do we have to believe they will actually abide by the agreements?
I mean, "no more illegal deportations," "no more masked ICE agents" -- why should anyone think the GOP won't agree to the concessions in order to avert a government shutdown, and then keep right on doing what they've been doing?
True enough, but we have to start somewhere. When Trump ignores his fellow Republicans in Congress, as well as the courts, it is one more thing to use in the midterm elections.
True, but it will give dems more specifics to run on in the midterms. If there are midterms. If they aren’t rigged. Or gerrymandered into meaninglessness. But still—make the Republicans publically vote against these proposals, preferably one by one.
True. And people have to get used to his "doing what he wants" which is his life long modus operandi and then putting his feet back on the fire to do what he said AND what's right. The more often it works as a tactic to get his way the more often he'll use it. Just stop treating him like anything but a cranky and vindictive 3 year old and 80+ year old life long bully and mobster.
A senior Israeli cybersecurity official working directly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arrested in Las Vegas for soliciting a child for sex. The Trump Administration is complicit in 1) whisking the official out of the country and 2) arranging for his state-based attorney. Netanyahu denied he was arrested, except the arrest warrant says otherwise. A Trump-picked advisor defends the Israeli official.
We can only hope, but will the MSM report it? They seem to be enamored with and engrossed in other shiny objects. Where is the free press (term used advisedly) in not demanding the release of the files that the public be kept informed? They are doing us a disservice.
I suggest that everyone in their press conference throw in a message about the Epstein Files no matter what else they are talking about, so that Trump starts getting crazed from the stress of trying to drown them all out.
Forces MSM otherwise known as Legacy because the mainstream does not follow it, to pay attention.
Personally I think every Democrat from my Blue State Governor and Mayor who Trump is threatening to send troops to everyone in Congress, should talk about the Epstein files in absolutely every speech they give, every time they are asked a question about anything. For example, if the Press were to interview me on the street and ask how I like Federal Troops or ICE being sent to my city, I could say, "They need to Release the Epstein Files and Free my City from ICE! Justice needs to be served."
It will make Trump less eager to send any troops to any city where it is going to get more play on Epstein.
The fundamental problem as Chris Murphy points out is that you can't negotiate a deal with a party you don't trust (for good reason). How on Earth could Democrats in Congress enforce any deal when Trump ignores Congress and Republicans in Congress refuse to uphold their own powers? I think Democrats in Congress need to have a unified message to the American public. Republicans are a lawless authoritarian political party. A government shutdown will be brutal, but the truth is that even if a deal is made the American people will continue to be subject to the lawless whims of a totalitarian adminstration/party.
I think it's time for Democrats to stop pretending there's something to negotiate here. It's time to follow the lead of Democratic governors like J.D. Pritzker and Gavin Newsom and all the citizen activists out there and speak plainly about what Republicans have become, - lawless authoritarians with contempt for democracy both here and abroad.
Okay, Republicans agree to a deal to get the resolution passed. Then they renege. All of America will see this. And that's the aim. (Well, the secondary aim; the first is to try to get a deal that will save Medicaid and achieve the other aims outlined.)
All of America will see this IF the dems can get their messsging across to the American peeps. They stink at messaging. I wish more would follow Newsom’s and Pritzker’s lead and shout rather than whisper.
As a Democrat, I see "getting the message out" as a part of what the DNC should be doing, and has not. I also agree that Democrats have been terrible at public relations as far as loudly stating what programs and benefits they present and provide to us. This is one of the things that we need. Get to it.
And find a different messenger on it all. Schumer can continue to be a leader of the political machinery, but good grief not the public messaging of it.
He can't continue to be "a leader of political machinery" because he has in effect abdicated that role! Let him follow up his de factp abdication by announcing his resignation. Let him show the good sense and concern for the common good that his colleague Jerry Nadler has shown.
If past performance is indicative of the coming budget negotiations, we can expect Speaker in name only Johnson to do not one helpful thing to return bi-partisanship to our national politics. Kristi Noem targeting Blue Cities in Blue states with lower crime rates than in so many deep red states tells you all you need to know about the performative cruelty of CBP and ICE. Both Johnson and Noem are following Stephen Miller down the rat hole into the sewers of deliberate divisiveness and erring on the side of authoritarian governance.
From your mouth to the legislators’ ears. Restoring Medicaid and SNAP is a good start to restore a healthy population. I do wish something could be done to restore evidential science to those who make national health recommendations and guidelines.
The GOP leadership would attempt to blame the Democrats for the shutdown, but let's see, which party has the majority in both houses, and they couldn't even get their own members to get a budget over the finish line before a shutdown? It's all on them. No excuses!
While I agree with the article and that the Democrats should stand strong, there does remain the problem that a Congressional government shutdown typically increases the power of the executive branch because they get to have more control the decisions about what the government can and can’t afford to pay for.
I do think the line in the sand should be making certain ACA provisions permanent and undoing the Medicaid cuts. While the other three items are important, they are more important in the sense of forcing Republicans in Congress to take a vote on those topics so Democrats can use those votes against them in 2026 (and also should they get through be able to point to how the feckless Republicans in Congress do nothing to assert their Constitutional power when Trump inevitably ignores them). Once Democrats force Republicans to take a stand on those issues, I won’t be mad if they concede them to avoid an endless shutdown (remember there are plenty of Republicans in Congress that don’t mind a government shutdown and actually relish them).
How about adding the removal of RFK from his position? And telling the EPA to stop its attack on climate science?
I fully support everything else mentioned here. The Democrats's unfavorable rating is directly related to its failure to have every Dem member of Congress fight for us. Do they not see the existential threat? We need more Chris Murphys and Jamie Raskins
Well, now that he’s been confirmed, the only way for Congress to remove RFK is through impeachment so that’s unlikely. I do agree that Democrats have to stand up and at the bare minimum, make the ACA provisions permanent and force the Republicans to vote up or down on undoing the Medicaid cuts. They got away with the Medicaid cuts when they passed the OBBB, but peeling out the issue on its own and forcing an up or down vote is crucial.
Remember at the end of the day, there are plenty of Republicans in Congress (and for many of them in our polarized times, their constituents largely agree) who relish the thought of the government being shutdown so Democrats are kind of in an asymmetrical fight here. Aside from the ACA and Medicaid, it will be all too easy to blame Democrats once people start to feel the pain of a longer government shutdown (and this Democratic leadership has proven they would not be up to the fight). Furthermore, when there is a Congressional shutdown, that typically only gives more power to the executive branch to mess around with stuff.
A great game plan, and requires that Democrats at in unison. No defections. Unfortunately, step 1 [As a preliminary matter, Democrats should insist on a floor vote in both houses with no Democratic assistance, on Republicans’ CR. When it fails, there will be no confusion as to who is to blame if the government shuts down] is unlikely. So can any of the subsequent steps happen?
Last night we read Norm Ornstein's rallying cry for a shadow (Democratic) government and impeachment hearings asap. Today we have Jen's plan for a strong response to the Republican's need for Democrats to give them a CR. After these months of demanding "But what can we do?" we now hear what we can do. We need to implore our members of Congress to heed our demands.
Another specific: ICE funding is outrageously high, permitting the construction of concentration camps across the country. Not only should ICE agents be unmasked and identifiable, ICE itself should not be allowed to have pockets this deep. I feel like the "tax cut for billionaires" is cover for "create a police state."
It is excellent to read specific ideas instead of the never ending moaning about the occupier of the White House. I definitely want action on: [1] funding to be legislative not executive function; [2] DHS total do over; [3] Russia sanctions.
Yes. Good specifics that makes sense. Not that I trust Chuck Schumer farther than I can throw the John Hancock Building.
Or the Statue of Liberty.
😂
We can always count on Chuck to write a “strongly worded letter”!🙄
I also am concerned about the people DHS is hiring.
Articles like this are exactly why I followed you from the Washington Post here.
Schumer (and other centrist democrats) MUST not capitulate this time. If Americans cannot get relief from this authoritarian regime Democrats should not help keep the government operating.
Agreed Rick! Articles like this one from Jen is exactly why I followed Jen here too and cancelled my subscription to the Washington Post immediately.
Rick, I fully agree with your two statements and believe me I'm not easy.
Thanks for your comment 👍
I think we all should be emailing, calling or writing to Schumer regardless of where we live. Tell him he’s toast if he caves again. He is spineless and needs to get some huevos. If he caves again es New Yorkers need to get rid of him.
There is also less incentive to keep it operating since the current regime has already laid off so many workers and has been installing various toadies.
Does anyone know if a shutdown will affect ICE and its ability to fund its operations?
Is ICE considered an essential service? Would they have to work without being paid? I don’t have those answers just now.
Great question. I would laugh my butt off if these masked hoodlums where forced to work without pay. LOL!
The Felon would claim ICE is essential to National Security.
fully concur to your first sentence... and the rest. My subscription at the WaPo is expiring in two months and will not renew it after more than 10 years there...
I hope every elected Democrat reads this.
Write to elected Democrats and tell them. Today. And tomorrow. And every day. No deals.
Let’s send it to them!
Me too!
The five demands are all well and good, but I have a question: Even if the Republicans accede to all of the demands, what reason do we have to believe they will actually abide by the agreements?
I mean, "no more illegal deportations," "no more masked ICE agents" -- why should anyone think the GOP won't agree to the concessions in order to avert a government shutdown, and then keep right on doing what they've been doing?
True enough, but we have to start somewhere. When Trump ignores his fellow Republicans in Congress, as well as the courts, it is one more thing to use in the midterm elections.
True, but it is a place to start. Might help Blue State Democrats in standing up to the administration like my governor is in Illinois.
So true. As I always say, if their lips are moving, they're lying.
You make an excellent point. Trump only follows his set of rules. We know that.
He will sign anything and then do what he wants.
True, but it will give dems more specifics to run on in the midterms. If there are midterms. If they aren’t rigged. Or gerrymandered into meaninglessness. But still—make the Republicans publically vote against these proposals, preferably one by one.
Yes. Kind of like when he took an oath to uphold the Constitution.
True. And people have to get used to his "doing what he wants" which is his life long modus operandi and then putting his feet back on the fire to do what he said AND what's right. The more often it works as a tactic to get his way the more often he'll use it. Just stop treating him like anything but a cranky and vindictive 3 year old and 80+ year old life long bully and mobster.
If the Trump Regime continues to ignore congressional laws these can be the basis of a third impeachment after the midterms.
Exactly! Bravo!
A senior Israeli cybersecurity official working directly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arrested in Las Vegas for soliciting a child for sex. The Trump Administration is complicit in 1) whisking the official out of the country and 2) arranging for his state-based attorney. Netanyahu denied he was arrested, except the arrest warrant says otherwise. A Trump-picked advisor defends the Israeli official.
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/trump-picked-advisor-defends-israeli
Tsk, tsk, tsk. What else would you expect out of this immoral administration?
Well, we didn't see this in the Washington Post. No surprise there, these days.
I searched the NYT and CNN. The name of the Israeli official was not there.
We apparently no longer have a responsive and free press, just another corporate business. Clicks, profits, and appeasement now rule.
Well this morning perhaps more will be revealed about the Epstein cases.
We can only hope, but will the MSM report it? They seem to be enamored with and engrossed in other shiny objects. Where is the free press (term used advisedly) in not demanding the release of the files that the public be kept informed? They are doing us a disservice.
I suggest that everyone in their press conference throw in a message about the Epstein Files no matter what else they are talking about, so that Trump starts getting crazed from the stress of trying to drown them all out.
Forces MSM otherwise known as Legacy because the mainstream does not follow it, to pay attention.
Or we can post about the press conference on social media.
Personally I think every Democrat from my Blue State Governor and Mayor who Trump is threatening to send troops to everyone in Congress, should talk about the Epstein files in absolutely every speech they give, every time they are asked a question about anything. For example, if the Press were to interview me on the street and ask how I like Federal Troops or ICE being sent to my city, I could say, "They need to Release the Epstein Files and Free my City from ICE! Justice needs to be served."
It will make Trump less eager to send any troops to any city where it is going to get more play on Epstein.
I hope the Democratic leadership reads this.
MAKE them read it. Copy and send it to them! Multiple times.
Great analysis
The fundamental problem as Chris Murphy points out is that you can't negotiate a deal with a party you don't trust (for good reason). How on Earth could Democrats in Congress enforce any deal when Trump ignores Congress and Republicans in Congress refuse to uphold their own powers? I think Democrats in Congress need to have a unified message to the American public. Republicans are a lawless authoritarian political party. A government shutdown will be brutal, but the truth is that even if a deal is made the American people will continue to be subject to the lawless whims of a totalitarian adminstration/party.
I think it's time for Democrats to stop pretending there's something to negotiate here. It's time to follow the lead of Democratic governors like J.D. Pritzker and Gavin Newsom and all the citizen activists out there and speak plainly about what Republicans have become, - lawless authoritarians with contempt for democracy both here and abroad.
Okay, Republicans agree to a deal to get the resolution passed. Then they renege. All of America will see this. And that's the aim. (Well, the secondary aim; the first is to try to get a deal that will save Medicaid and achieve the other aims outlined.)
All of America will see this IF the dems can get their messsging across to the American peeps. They stink at messaging. I wish more would follow Newsom’s and Pritzker’s lead and shout rather than whisper.
As a Democrat, I see "getting the message out" as a part of what the DNC should be doing, and has not. I also agree that Democrats have been terrible at public relations as far as loudly stating what programs and benefits they present and provide to us. This is one of the things that we need. Get to it.
And find a different messenger on it all. Schumer can continue to be a leader of the political machinery, but good grief not the public messaging of it.
He can't continue to be "a leader of political machinery" because he has in effect abdicated that role! Let him follow up his de factp abdication by announcing his resignation. Let him show the good sense and concern for the common good that his colleague Jerry Nadler has shown.
If past performance is indicative of the coming budget negotiations, we can expect Speaker in name only Johnson to do not one helpful thing to return bi-partisanship to our national politics. Kristi Noem targeting Blue Cities in Blue states with lower crime rates than in so many deep red states tells you all you need to know about the performative cruelty of CBP and ICE. Both Johnson and Noem are following Stephen Miller down the rat hole into the sewers of deliberate divisiveness and erring on the side of authoritarian governance.
Swivel, what do you expect 3 rats to do?
Anything else would be against their nature. Pls be respectful of them 😅
Fair point. But....fundamentally. it's un-American
From your mouth to the legislators’ ears. Restoring Medicaid and SNAP is a good start to restore a healthy population. I do wish something could be done to restore evidential science to those who make national health recommendations and guidelines.
Yes, that is precisely what the Dems need to do. Shutting down this "government" would hardly be a bad thing.
The GOP leadership would attempt to blame the Democrats for the shutdown, but let's see, which party has the majority in both houses, and they couldn't even get their own members to get a budget over the finish line before a shutdown? It's all on them. No excuses!
It’s happened before, and they get blamed. It’s a good thing.
While I agree with the article and that the Democrats should stand strong, there does remain the problem that a Congressional government shutdown typically increases the power of the executive branch because they get to have more control the decisions about what the government can and can’t afford to pay for.
I do think the line in the sand should be making certain ACA provisions permanent and undoing the Medicaid cuts. While the other three items are important, they are more important in the sense of forcing Republicans in Congress to take a vote on those topics so Democrats can use those votes against them in 2026 (and also should they get through be able to point to how the feckless Republicans in Congress do nothing to assert their Constitutional power when Trump inevitably ignores them). Once Democrats force Republicans to take a stand on those issues, I won’t be mad if they concede them to avoid an endless shutdown (remember there are plenty of Republicans in Congress that don’t mind a government shutdown and actually relish them).
How about adding the removal of RFK from his position? And telling the EPA to stop its attack on climate science?
I fully support everything else mentioned here. The Democrats's unfavorable rating is directly related to its failure to have every Dem member of Congress fight for us. Do they not see the existential threat? We need more Chris Murphys and Jamie Raskins
Well, now that he’s been confirmed, the only way for Congress to remove RFK is through impeachment so that’s unlikely. I do agree that Democrats have to stand up and at the bare minimum, make the ACA provisions permanent and force the Republicans to vote up or down on undoing the Medicaid cuts. They got away with the Medicaid cuts when they passed the OBBB, but peeling out the issue on its own and forcing an up or down vote is crucial.
Remember at the end of the day, there are plenty of Republicans in Congress (and for many of them in our polarized times, their constituents largely agree) who relish the thought of the government being shutdown so Democrats are kind of in an asymmetrical fight here. Aside from the ACA and Medicaid, it will be all too easy to blame Democrats once people start to feel the pain of a longer government shutdown (and this Democratic leadership has proven they would not be up to the fight). Furthermore, when there is a Congressional shutdown, that typically only gives more power to the executive branch to mess around with stuff.
A great game plan, and requires that Democrats at in unison. No defections. Unfortunately, step 1 [As a preliminary matter, Democrats should insist on a floor vote in both houses with no Democratic assistance, on Republicans’ CR. When it fails, there will be no confusion as to who is to blame if the government shuts down] is unlikely. So can any of the subsequent steps happen?
I’m curious about that too. Like how are they going to force Republicans to take an up or down vote on undoing the Medicaid cuts as a separate issue?
Last night we read Norm Ornstein's rallying cry for a shadow (Democratic) government and impeachment hearings asap. Today we have Jen's plan for a strong response to the Republican's need for Democrats to give them a CR. After these months of demanding "But what can we do?" we now hear what we can do. We need to implore our members of Congress to heed our demands.
Norm Ornstein actually proposed a shadow cabinet, not government, otherwise right with you.
You're right.
I read it in The Contrarian this morning.
Yes, I just called my representatives. I hope the message gets to them. At least they’ll know that we care.
Another specific: ICE funding is outrageously high, permitting the construction of concentration camps across the country. Not only should ICE agents be unmasked and identifiable, ICE itself should not be allowed to have pockets this deep. I feel like the "tax cut for billionaires" is cover for "create a police state."
https://open.substack.com/pub/lincolnsquare/p/jd-vances-chilling-promise-im-ready?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=epq7q
I wish you would talk about the tech fascists behind all this who own Vance! We have to stop them!!
👆👆👆👆👆