A very weird thing often happens as soon as negotiators finish striking a bitterly fought deal, as the White House and Republican House leadership did over the long weekend.
Nailed it. I'm to the left of Biden and of course want him to push more progressiveness, but I'm also a realist, and Biden gets shit done. I can appreciate that, and it's why I support him.
I'm also right in that age group where those SNAP conditions might affect me, but also should be out of it by the time my kid is an adult. I'm also working, so it'd be moot there too. I think one or the other is probably the case for most people that would be affected, so it sounds like a win for the people who want cuts and restrictions, but it's kind of a fake out - I don't think it will affect many people (and the amount of benefit they'd give a childless, unemployed adult is miniscule anyway - it's almost insulting).
The net number of folks eligible and receiving SNAP will remain the same, based on expansions for unhoused and veterans, even if some able-bodied, childless adults aged 50-54 fall off the program. I hate to see any reduction, but this was a net no-effect from a society-wide standpoint and a budgetary one.
Pamela Heard (Georgetown professor of public policy) who writes on Substack, wrote a detailed piece today pointing out the downside of these extended work requirements, discussing the overlap between disability benefits and the 49-54 age group. Worth a read!
This is exactly how I feel. I care less about hubris, and more about actual progress. You have to play with the cards you have, not the cards you want.
Really would’ve preferred the chaos of a default to clean out some of the gamblers performing ‘hedge-fund roulette’ with the economy. The poor would suffer but a declining Middle Class would revolt and the ‘Market tumble would seriously wound the conservative paranoids who BUY government thru corporations PAC money.
I was one of those wondering why Biden wasn’t on TV doing more to move the process forward. Then the light bulb went off that he was doing exactly what Jay has laid out. Once again, the Dems are the adults in the room.
And one thing I picked up in Jay’s summation was that Biden called it a “budget bill”, not a “debt ceiling” bill. I missed that when I first heard his announcement. Clever.
Biden may be “old” but he is a long way from feeble or frail. Go Dark Brandon!
McCarthy is a hack. And he knows it. Just sayin'. I have put my full faith and trust in the Democrats and our President. They're not defeated. They're simply being adults.
Well stated, and what I figured, based on what the deal is. Biden is sharp as a tack....he knows the game so much better than most! There will be time to brag later....after it's all finalized and passed.
I think there may be another hidden benefit here: if the right-wingers vote no, they are effectively killing the Hastert Rule. Finally! The Hastert Rule said, if I remember right, that Republican speakers will not advance bills unless they can pass with Republican votes alone.
This rule has been a major factor in promoting the partisanship during the last 40 years or so, because it prevented a lot of bipartisan bills from even coming up for a vote.
It’s an informal rule that has been broken, before. Hastert broke it himself; Boehner broke it; Pelosi has always maintained she did not abide by it or believe in it.
Because they want to keep their job? Hastert was Speaker, and had a lot of power over the reelection chances of other Congresspeople. Kind of like Trump does today.
Many people think that today's partisanship only goes back to the Tea Party takeover, or maybe to George Bush II. In reality, it goes back much further, at least to the Reagan era (the Hastert Rule, as well as Newt Gingrich's similarly evil Contract with America both go back to the 1990s). One could argue that it even goes back to the Nixon era.
This is one of the reasons I don't trust the Democrats to do the right thing; they haven't in the last many decades. They acquiesced, and sometimes even actively supported, a lot of the R shenanigans.
If Biden does crack the Hastert Rule, that would be a major win. Finally. Hopefully, there's a lot of other stuff that can get similarly cleaned out.
Great article, Jay. I understand the dems understatedness. Why would we call out the republicans when it would only inflame potential votes. Especially when the agreement will speak for itself. It’s just a sad state of affairs what’s going on with the Republicans.
This is a very well-written explanation. Thank you.
Do you happen to have a background in teaching? Because the way you explain things reminds me of a friend of mine who teaches various history and social studies topics to high schoolers.
Ahhhh... as always, excellent job of explaining why the Democrats really are the party of ALL the people. Mature, pragmatic, savvy. My blood pressure always drops a little after I read Jay’s explanations. 👍🏻👍🏻
Agreed about the drop in blood pressure! I live in a blue city in a blue state. We have a lot of very engaged > 60 y/o here. My GP reports many patients coming in since 2016 not sleeping, anxious, etc. He says it is an epidemic. I will suggest he point them to Jay’s column. And Robert Hubbell.
This was absolutely the perfect play for the Dems- a bit overwrought downtrodden-ness, or, at least flat affects and zero gloat, sell, sell, sell the notion that aw shucks, we got played, as they inwardly high five.
Because, the poor, reactionary GOP and their constituents love them some convincing sock puppetry that they can voraciously consume at face value before pausing to say.....wait a minute.....
So can those of us who are already paid annual subscribers get in on the Indictment mojo? I live in the desert southwest and am thus very familiar with dancing for rain. So now I have added dancing for Indictment.
I dunno how many times this same thing has to happen before people catch on. Especially for people inside the Beltway! They should know better. Of COURSE Republicans emptiest suits (thirsty McCarthy especially) are gonna outyell Dems and outright lie for their donors. It’s what they do! I saw a synopsis of the basics of the agreement, what’s in it and I’m just Average Citizen. Did no one else even look? If they had they’d have known the Cons are just conning again. This whole gestalt of reaction vs action is as nauseating as the stupid blame game that seems to have enveloped this country.
Nailed it. I'm to the left of Biden and of course want him to push more progressiveness, but I'm also a realist, and Biden gets shit done. I can appreciate that, and it's why I support him.
I'm also right in that age group where those SNAP conditions might affect me, but also should be out of it by the time my kid is an adult. I'm also working, so it'd be moot there too. I think one or the other is probably the case for most people that would be affected, so it sounds like a win for the people who want cuts and restrictions, but it's kind of a fake out - I don't think it will affect many people (and the amount of benefit they'd give a childless, unemployed adult is miniscule anyway - it's almost insulting).
The net number of folks eligible and receiving SNAP will remain the same, based on expansions for unhoused and veterans, even if some able-bodied, childless adults aged 50-54 fall off the program. I hate to see any reduction, but this was a net no-effect from a society-wide standpoint and a budgetary one.
Pamela Heard (Georgetown professor of public policy) who writes on Substack, wrote a detailed piece today pointing out the downside of these extended work requirements, discussing the overlap between disability benefits and the 49-54 age group. Worth a read!
This is exactly how I feel. I care less about hubris, and more about actual progress. You have to play with the cards you have, not the cards you want.
Totally agree. Hopefully the concerns voiced by Jaypal et al went away when they actually read the bill and understood that it is a win.
Your explanation makes me feel better...
Really would’ve preferred the chaos of a default to clean out some of the gamblers performing ‘hedge-fund roulette’ with the economy. The poor would suffer but a declining Middle Class would revolt and the ‘Market tumble would seriously wound the conservative paranoids who BUY government thru corporations PAC money.
You don't think the poor have had enough abuse? If we revolt, you middle class aren't safe either, so be careful what you wish for, lol.
I was one of those wondering why Biden wasn’t on TV doing more to move the process forward. Then the light bulb went off that he was doing exactly what Jay has laid out. Once again, the Dems are the adults in the room.
And one thing I picked up in Jay’s summation was that Biden called it a “budget bill”, not a “debt ceiling” bill. I missed that when I first heard his announcement. Clever.
Biden may be “old” but he is a long way from feeble or frail. Go Dark Brandon!
Yes! Old in years, but savvy in the ways of getting things done.
Stealth Dems, Dark Brandon - they rock!
McCarthy is a hack. And he knows it. Just sayin'. I have put my full faith and trust in the Democrats and our President. They're not defeated. They're simply being adults.
Well stated, and what I figured, based on what the deal is. Biden is sharp as a tack....he knows the game so much better than most! There will be time to brag later....after it's all finalized and passed.
Great writeup, thank you!
I think there may be another hidden benefit here: if the right-wingers vote no, they are effectively killing the Hastert Rule. Finally! The Hastert Rule said, if I remember right, that Republican speakers will not advance bills unless they can pass with Republican votes alone.
This rule has been a major factor in promoting the partisanship during the last 40 years or so, because it prevented a lot of bipartisan bills from even coming up for a vote.
I’ll need to take a look at that rule. I had not remembered that. Fascinating.
It’s an informal rule that has been broken, before. Hastert broke it himself; Boehner broke it; Pelosi has always maintained she did not abide by it or believe in it.
I had no idea about this rule. How stupid. And arrogant and partisan. I have never heard of it.
Then again I was MIA 40 years ago (Med school then residency).
This qualifies as something new learned for today! Thank you.
And why would anybody follow a "rule" imposed by that creep Hastert?
Because they want to keep their job? Hastert was Speaker, and had a lot of power over the reelection chances of other Congresspeople. Kind of like Trump does today.
Many people think that today's partisanship only goes back to the Tea Party takeover, or maybe to George Bush II. In reality, it goes back much further, at least to the Reagan era (the Hastert Rule, as well as Newt Gingrich's similarly evil Contract with America both go back to the 1990s). One could argue that it even goes back to the Nixon era.
This is one of the reasons I don't trust the Democrats to do the right thing; they haven't in the last many decades. They acquiesced, and sometimes even actively supported, a lot of the R shenanigans.
If Biden does crack the Hastert Rule, that would be a major win. Finally. Hopefully, there's a lot of other stuff that can get similarly cleaned out.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastert_Rule
This is basically an agreement that Repugs will never let a bill pass unless a majority of the Repugs are in favor of it.
The more I learn about how the Repugs “govern” the more disgusted I get.
Thank you Kevin for mentioning it. Now I get it.
Just OK Kevin may well have to go against the Hastert rule to get this bill passed.
Great article, Jay. I understand the dems understatedness. Why would we call out the republicans when it would only inflame potential votes. Especially when the agreement will speak for itself. It’s just a sad state of affairs what’s going on with the Republicans.
You’re so right. Sad state of Affairs for sure... it’s embarrassing what’s going on inside the @GOP. 🙄
Thank you for this clear description, Jay 👍🏻👍🏻 Staying hopeful 💗
This is a very well-written explanation. Thank you.
Do you happen to have a background in teaching? Because the way you explain things reminds me of a friend of mine who teaches various history and social studies topics to high schoolers.
I have taught before, but not formally.
Ahhhh... as always, excellent job of explaining why the Democrats really are the party of ALL the people. Mature, pragmatic, savvy. My blood pressure always drops a little after I read Jay’s explanations. 👍🏻👍🏻
Agreed about the drop in blood pressure! I live in a blue city in a blue state. We have a lot of very engaged > 60 y/o here. My GP reports many patients coming in since 2016 not sleeping, anxious, etc. He says it is an epidemic. I will suggest he point them to Jay’s column. And Robert Hubbell.
This was absolutely the perfect play for the Dems- a bit overwrought downtrodden-ness, or, at least flat affects and zero gloat, sell, sell, sell the notion that aw shucks, we got played, as they inwardly high five.
Because, the poor, reactionary GOP and their constituents love them some convincing sock puppetry that they can voraciously consume at face value before pausing to say.....wait a minute.....
Take us home, Biden....Jeffries...
Well played.
the proof will be in the votes. I’m watching the Rules Committee results closely today…
I can hear my Grandmother yell Victory! Way to go Biden! But... she would also offer caution . Many things can and do go wrong!
And what should not and can not go wrong is Dems whining, criticizing the president, and/or breaking ranks.
Dems excel at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Stay cool blues, we won this one. Take the win, keep focus on the 2024 election, and then take a victory lap. And live to fight another day.
Onward through the fog.
Indeed, we are not out of the woods at all yet.
So can those of us who are already paid annual subscribers get in on the Indictment mojo? I live in the desert southwest and am thus very familiar with dancing for rain. So now I have added dancing for Indictment.
Consider the mojo paid forward!
Love this Sky 777! I am "dancing for Indictment" with you.
Please to note, albeit it's sometimes difficult to discern, Representative Dusty Johnson represents the state of South Dakota, not South Carolina,
I will correct that! Thanks.
Good article! Makes sense!
I dunno how many times this same thing has to happen before people catch on. Especially for people inside the Beltway! They should know better. Of COURSE Republicans emptiest suits (thirsty McCarthy especially) are gonna outyell Dems and outright lie for their donors. It’s what they do! I saw a synopsis of the basics of the agreement, what’s in it and I’m just Average Citizen. Did no one else even look? If they had they’d have known the Cons are just conning again. This whole gestalt of reaction vs action is as nauseating as the stupid blame game that seems to have enveloped this country.