On Dec 19, 2024:
It is also funny to see how much people forget or don't know how the budget process works.
It was 12 years ago when we had a similar breakdown between Obama and the tea party and Boehner.
It's like Republicans learned nothing from that.
On a larger point, some media outlet needs to really devote time and energy to really break down how each agency is funded and how it works with each Congressional committee, etc.
That would be wonderful as we head into next year and more budget fights.
posted by CenterBHSFanThose items you have listed all could have been a single item bill for each and had all year to do it.
Neither side gets a break over this. There shall be no sympathy or sorrow from me.
Besides that, the damn Republicans/Johnson had the time and opportunity to call in Congress for the hurricane victims funding, but they didn't. They have NO room to call foul on anything. And the same goes for Biden/Harris, since the president has the authority to call Congress for emergency funding also.
No sob stories allowed!
Sure, good point, but here we are the Republicans trying to change the process this late in the game. This is a continuing resolution....at the end of the year. It just continues programs already funded previously.
That discussion in new spending that you want can easily be had once the new President and Congress assumes office in a few weeks.
Trying to shoehorn all these changes now makes little sense and is dumb.
Again, Republicans only control the House lol. They act like they control it all.
Next year is going to be a shitshow.
posted by sportchamppsFunding for childhood cancer research has nothing to do with insurance.
But, it is healthcare related was cut out of the original CR because of Musk and Trump.
posted by CenterBHSFanYES!!!
I mean the CR bill did have reforms on pharmacy benefits managers and additional funding for childhood cancer research....but, Musk and Trump didn't like it, so that's out now.
Also, was not a 40% pay raise too, only $6k total, but that's out now too.
posted by CenterBHSFanThe reason I started this thread in the first place. The Republicans lick balls.
The Republicans and MAGA need to do the same things that the Dems need to do, which is to erase the chalkboard, get rid of their current framework of thinking and start get new glasses so they can see from a more simple perspective.
But that's definitely not going to happen with Johnson.
Do that when it is not the holidays and Republicans have Congress and the Presidency....
posted by sportchamppsYou don’t see anything different between farm aid, rebuilding a bridge, hurricane relief and giving your self a raise. Just because he opened it doesn’t mean everyone should rush to sneak in and include their own personal interests that’s what’s wrong with our government.
Oh, I agree with your sentiment...but tanking it now makes no sense.
The Republicans hold zero leverage.
If they would have punted this 3 months, they would be in a much better position to tackle these issues.
It's like the Republicans forget they only control the House right now...
posted by sportchamppsI’m tired of bills filled with junk. It may be the ways things get done but it needs to change. I don’t care a or a raise but 40% is stupid. They our voting to give themselves better healthcare until they fix regulars people’s healthcare they can live just like we do. I also don’t want to fund a stadium that 99.99% of people will get zero value from. The excuse that this is how things get done doesn’t make it right.
Johnson opened it up to give more farmers aid and to increase disaster funding. In order to pass the Democratic Senate and be signed by a Democratic President, the Ds attached their own bills.
The stadium portion isn't any funding, it is to allow the transfer of the land where RFK is to be redeveloped for the Commanders.
This whole thing is funny now. Trump has now said we should get rid of the debt ceiling..I'm sure the freedom caucus loves that.
This is giant self own by the Republicans....if they just would have passed this CR to March, they can then be in a much better position to get their policy and budget items than now, where the Democrats hold the Senate and Presidency, and they aren't moving in this mess. They are just fine with a government shutdown over the holidays and blaming the dumpster fire that is the Republican House.
On Dec 18, 2024:
posted by CenterBHSFanDems are also defending the pay raise. I should have mentioned that in my prior post, but I was walking into work and forgot. Was just in a rush.
The whole bill is goofy and people from both sides of the aisle are tired of it.
Massie predicted 3 months ago that this was going to happen. Almost line by line.
Well, the bill is on Johnson then as the speaker for opening up additional funding outside a clean CR.
But, to his credit, he did that for good reasons. Remember that natural disaster funding you were calling for? Well, that was part of it.
Same goes for funding for farmers in this drought of a season.
Once that is opened up, the Democrats, which still control a chamber of Congress, were wanting to also include items like the new Baltimore Bridge, allowing the DC stadium to move forward, and both sides on the pay raise.
It also had a really good thing on limiting pharmacy benefit managers.
You may not like, but this is how CRs work when you are off budget cycle. Johnson was trying to get this though so he can focus on the next budget with Trump and working on installing a new House, but now, nope, have to waste time and potentially shut down the government before the holidays.
You want a clean CR, fine, but people that need that natural disaster relief may not get it.
Next year is going to be such a mess as the Republicans try to govern with such a small majority and reacting to whatever Musk or Trump tweet or say.
posted by CenterBHSFanCongress, led by a Republican Speaker, wants to increase their pay in this 1500 page CR bill.
They need to go find themselves.
Well, Trump and Musk came out against it and now it is dead. Johnson had a deal to increase farm aid for R states as well as more natural disaster aid. Because of that, Democrats added items to help their folks and to help clear the D Senate.
That was too much for them apparently..so shutdown is possible in 2 days...
Trump also wants a debt ceiling increase now, instead of March when it is due, because he wants it under Biden not him.
It's funny, it's like they don't acknowledge for this they need Democrats from the Senate and the Democrats are not going to agree to just a straight Republican bill from the House.
Next year is going to be so much fun in Congress! What a shitshow
On Nov 21, 2024:
posted by CenterBHSFanAfter Tulsi challenged the corruption of the DNC and then later on quit her role as vice chair of the DNC to endorse Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton has hated her with a white hot burning fury. Calling her a Russian asset and anything else she could. If there was one single hint of suspicion or angle to be taken, Hillary would have been on the air pushing for court marshals and they would have happened under the Biden/Harris administration. And speaking of Harris, she would have been Hillary's cohort as if there is anybody who hates Tulsi more than Hillary, it is Kamala.
There is no suspicions that Tulsi might be a liability. At this point is will be nothing but political (mostly partisan) theater.
You very well may be right, but it is the duty of the Senate to vet and verify. They do it for every DNI since the position was created post 9/11.
posted by majorsparkptown is worried about the honey pot and boogie the money shot. Definetyely sticking with my instincts on Hegseth.
Well, I also really disagree with his stance on women in combat.
I have a family member that is over 23 years in the Army, deployed to numerous areas, been in a number of fire fights, and handled herself well. She is not alone either.
Women can handle themselves in combat.
His view is so out of date in that regard.
posted by Dr Winston O'BoogieAre you a CIA spy? Assuming so, we’re lucky to have you in our little corner of the web.
I can neither confirm nor deny.....
posted by CenterBHSFanI'm absolutely sure. Want to know how I'm sure? No court martials.
As for Hegseth, I don't care if he makes it or not.
No you are not. Unless you have been with her every day, you are not absolutely sure.
Again, I think she is fine, but the Senate does need to dig in her last few years to make sure.
posted by CenterBHSFanI get what you're saying and ultimately don't have a problem with it. I will say, though, that believing that diplomacy should be exhausted before anything else happens is more of a virtue than a concern.
Sure. But, this county has a history of double agents selling secrets to other countries. Need to be absolutely sure, especially given her role overseeing all of the intelligence agencies.
Same goes for DOD. Need to make sure Hegseth's affairs are not going to be an issue that could get him blackmailed by other countries. The honey pot is a real thing. China could easily exploit that for valuable information.
posted by CenterBHSFanAre you serious or... ?
She has met with Putin and Assad over the years. It is a serious question.
When you are involved in the intelligence community or defense industry, it is imperative that you do not have any compromised positions that any country can exploit or use.
I'm not saying she is compromised, just that the Senate needs to confirm she is clear and has nothing in her past that could be exploited.
She is probably fine, but need to make sure as she would head all of the intelligence agencies.
posted by iclfan2Yea, it’s just another trash option like threads. I assume Truth Social is just as bad. But I’ve never heard anyone who uses it. The queers on Twitter saying they’re moving to Bluesky is laughable. Also kind of an indication you hang out with a bunch of weak minded purple haired weirdos, no offense…
My Twitter is just college football and sports, so I am not seeing too much of the cesspool.
I did see a lot of sport writers moving over to Bluesky, so I joined. I have to say the layout and functionality is much cleaner than Twitter.
People not overly worried or concerned about Hegseth's history. I'll note, that is the only one we know about and a potential adversary, see China, could easily blackmail him with similar offers. It is a security risk, especially if he will lead the Department of Defense.
Same goes for Tulsi and her history, interactions with Russia and Syria. The Senate needs to fully make sure she is not compromised. She probably is fine, but they need to dig into it and she has to clarify it.
Love Gaetz dropped out. He was not remotely qualified for the role.
Funny self own now, as he resigned from Congress, so now his only option is to join a Trump White House. Plus, the House Republicans get his annoying ass out of Congress.
On Nov 14, 2024:
posted by Dr Winston O'BoogieThat’s the myth that keeps this insane military spending going.
There have not been any more Western European wars during that time, but there have been Eastern European wars (like the current one), multiple major Asian wars (one of which we were the primary cause of casualties and still lost), major civil wars in Africa, ongoing guerrila wars in South America, large wars in the Middle East where we were one of the biggest instigator of casualties…the list goes on. Many of those places we fought not because of some altruistic aim to defend democracy, but to defend our economic interests and our prestige.
Yes, but there have not world wars that cripple the world economy or severely limit freedom.
At least not yet..
posted by CenterBHSFanPreach!
Also
The idea of some sort of ephemeral prosperity is for who, Ptown?
With an ever-shrinking middle class and a continuously growing amount of working poor, I wonder who is obtaining this prosperity of which you speak.
The entire world economy and economic prosperity since 1945. The immense growth in living standards, technology, wealth, and freedom since 1945 is largely do to the US being willing to keep the world economy and democracies free and safe.
I love sounding like Ronald Reagan here lol.