Gabe, is there any reason that all Democratic members of the House cannot return to DC and stage a sit in to call attention to Republican's inaction and to pressure them to return?
Johnson is a very small minded shameful clown, who is obviously smitten with his temporary power. He actually scares me as he is so full of hypocrisy and seems to delight in the misfortune of others with answers riddled with sarcasm, when challenged. . When he said, “Well bless her heart” about Adelina Grijalva, the woman he refuses to swear in, I knew I was right about this sniveling imposter
What a great read. It's appalling how little pushback Johnson is having from his fellow Republican representatives. As you say, it's not only that they are not voting, they are not advancing any kind of legislation.
I would like to add that being incredibly unproductive and having been out of session way more than usual was one of the factors that contributed to the Republican Congress of 2005-2007 being so unpopular. Another factor was how they tried to cover up a case of pedophilia within the House. History certainly rhymes.
To ask a question that I can't seem to find reliable information on: If the resolution for the release of the Epstein files passes the House, it still has to go through the Senate, right? I don't understand why Johnson and Trump are burning so much credibility in this fight when it would be so much easier to stop in the Senate with a filibuster
What's stunning is that the Democrats wrote and passed the bill for the health and food add-ons during COVID and they even gave it an expiration date! - but now they want the Republicans - who hold the Senate, the House and the Presidency - to bend to their will and accept Joe Biden's budget. That's what ya call Chutzpah!
Well, it's no first that a time-limited program becomes so popular that many voters and legislators want to convert it into an open-ended one. I recall a certain temporary tax-cut that was so popular with billionaires that Republicans made it indefinite just this summer. And in the very bill that now is under discussion.
So why do you think one should end one and the other not?
Notes:
The US health system is the most expensive per head and very inefficient (many countries have higher life expectancies). So low to middle income families need help. Or are you proud for the US to be the world record holder for medical bankruptcies?
As for the House - don't you think that the Speaker also wants to push the vote on the Epstein files til after election day?
In what job, other then Member of Congress, could you just not show up but still get paid?
Article I, Section 6, clause 1 says "The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." One could argue that they are NOT providing said "services" and are therefore not entitled to compensation.
And the 27th Amendment says "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened." That means the current Congress can't pass a law affecting compensation (e.g. "No pay during shutdowns") but they CAN pass a law changing things for a future Congress. If the Democrats ever regain control, that should be a priority.
A very interesting article. I especially enjoyed the part that explained that the House of Representatives still has parts of the FY26 budget that need to be passed. (Of course I really laughed when I discovered that we, the taxpayers, are still paying them to do absolutely nothing!)
your commentary gives little diversity of opinion. Open the govt which has been handled in this way for years, and allow for active debate. Schumer simply wants to make a point that Trump cant tell him what to do.....suggestion for Trump: offer him a face-saving "I promise to address Health care for non-citizens first thing" for example.....
I just wanted to express my admiration and appreciation. Your articles are great: informative and well-written.
Thank you!
Same here 💯
Gabe, is there any reason that all Democratic members of the House cannot return to DC and stage a sit in to call attention to Republican's inaction and to pressure them to return?
Johnson is a very small minded shameful clown, who is obviously smitten with his temporary power. He actually scares me as he is so full of hypocrisy and seems to delight in the misfortune of others with answers riddled with sarcasm, when challenged. . When he said, “Well bless her heart” about Adelina Grijalva, the woman he refuses to swear in, I knew I was right about this sniveling imposter
What a great read. It's appalling how little pushback Johnson is having from his fellow Republican representatives. As you say, it's not only that they are not voting, they are not advancing any kind of legislation.
I would like to add that being incredibly unproductive and having been out of session way more than usual was one of the factors that contributed to the Republican Congress of 2005-2007 being so unpopular. Another factor was how they tried to cover up a case of pedophilia within the House. History certainly rhymes.
To ask a question that I can't seem to find reliable information on: If the resolution for the release of the Epstein files passes the House, it still has to go through the Senate, right? I don't understand why Johnson and Trump are burning so much credibility in this fight when it would be so much easier to stop in the Senate with a filibuster
What's stunning is that the Democrats wrote and passed the bill for the health and food add-ons during COVID and they even gave it an expiration date! - but now they want the Republicans - who hold the Senate, the House and the Presidency - to bend to their will and accept Joe Biden's budget. That's what ya call Chutzpah!
Thank you for this textbook example of framing.
Just in case you aren't aware - the pandemic is over....
Well, it's no first that a time-limited program becomes so popular that many voters and legislators want to convert it into an open-ended one. I recall a certain temporary tax-cut that was so popular with billionaires that Republicans made it indefinite just this summer. And in the very bill that now is under discussion.
So why do you think one should end one and the other not?
Notes:
The US health system is the most expensive per head and very inefficient (many countries have higher life expectancies). So low to middle income families need help. Or are you proud for the US to be the world record holder for medical bankruptcies?
As for the House - don't you think that the Speaker also wants to push the vote on the Epstein files til after election day?
https://x.com/i/grok/share/imdPdAw97JKsyM3gj3b0A2t0p
Release the Epstein files.
In what job, other then Member of Congress, could you just not show up but still get paid?
Article I, Section 6, clause 1 says "The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." One could argue that they are NOT providing said "services" and are therefore not entitled to compensation.
And the 27th Amendment says "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened." That means the current Congress can't pass a law affecting compensation (e.g. "No pay during shutdowns") but they CAN pass a law changing things for a future Congress. If the Democrats ever regain control, that should be a priority.
A very interesting article. I especially enjoyed the part that explained that the House of Representatives still has parts of the FY26 budget that need to be passed. (Of course I really laughed when I discovered that we, the taxpayers, are still paying them to do absolutely nothing!)
your commentary gives little diversity of opinion. Open the govt which has been handled in this way for years, and allow for active debate. Schumer simply wants to make a point that Trump cant tell him what to do.....suggestion for Trump: offer him a face-saving "I promise to address Health care for non-citizens first thing" for example.....
Isn't there any way that U.S. citizens can demand that our legislators convene and earn their pay, as outlined in the Constitution?
This is such a curtsy to the "small government" ideology: Don't like Congress? Put them on permanent recess.
I don't think anyone voted for that.
Project 2025 :
Abolish Congress
Right. That is, you're right about the aim of Project 2025. Not that the goal is "right," or good.