McCarthy back to square one as Senate pushes ahead to avert federal shutdown

The adults in the room had to step up after the children couldn't stop arguing. I'm not a fan of McConnell, but he does know how important this is.

Square one would be an improvement.

Que the line from Kung-fu Panda: “Congratulations, there is now a level zero.”

Yes I am only a bill,being held hostage by crazy Republicans on capitol hill,hoping and praying will never make me law, instead I will always be a bill

But it's late in the process to be pushing the border security provisions now as McCarthy tries to shift blame to Biden and Democrats for not engaging in an immigration debate about the record flow of migrants at the Southern border with Mexico.

MAGA loves to point out Biden's gaffes and a supposed lack of agancy but the same is for McCarthy and Trump.

Trump appears to have agency because of his outisized persona but a lot of his positions are constructed by his well known handlers.

McCarthy is a corporate line regurgitating chat bot at this point.

As usual AOC and the squad have the best takes about this latest manufactured fiscal crisis.

The government will shut down, Republicans will take the blame for it, and they will get none of their policy proposals.

Count on it.

The government will shut down, Republicans will take the blame for it, and they will get none of their policy proposals.

Count on it.

And they’ll holler “But his laptop…!”

“You know, I agree with Mitch here. Why the House Republicans would want to defund Border Patrol is beyond me,” Biden wrote.

Because the reality is they don’t care. They’ll be fine whatever and will just later blame any problems on ‘the libs’ because their constituents are easily fooled.

The adults in the room had to step up after the children couldn't stop arguing. I'm not a fan of McConnell, but he does know how important this is

McConnell is all about McConnell, he could care less about his constituents or their concerns. Mitch is going to do what’s in the best interest for the swamp. This man is a Liberal Democrat, he’s not a Republican.

Because the reality is they don’t care.

Mitch absolutely doesn’t.

They’ll be fine whatever and will just later blame any problems on ‘the libs’ because their constituents are easily fooled.

No, they just know this spending is not sustainable.

McConnell is all about McConnell, he could care less about his constituents or their concerns.

I'd say he's more of a realist who realizes how absurd the far right's demands are, and caving to them would effectively insure Democrats take back the house and control both congress and the executive next year.

This man is a Liberal Democrat, he’s not a Republican

lol What are you talking about? There's nothing liberal about him.

he’s not a Republican

Then what is a Republican?

Bass: This man is a Liberal Democrat

I understand you're frustrated and lashing out, but McConnell would never be confused with a Liberal Democrat in any sane mind.

Calm down.

I'd say he's more of a realist who realizes how absurd the far right's demands are, and caving to them would effectively insure Democrats take back the house and control both congress and the executive next year.

Doubt it, they may not like the shutdown, but they like the spending even less.

https://www.businessinsider.com/voters-disapprove-of-joe-bidens-economic-policies-wsj-poll-shows-2023-9

lol What are you talking about? There's nothing liberal about him.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2023/08/08/everybody_hates_mitch_mcconnell_604864.html

You are right.

I understand you're frustrated and lashing out,

No, I’m fine, but I do dislike Mitch

but McConnell would never be confused with a Liberal Democrat in any sane mind.

I know, and I agree.

Calm down.

Always.

bass4funk

The adults in the room had to step up after the children couldn't stop arguing. I'm not a fan of McConnell, but he does know how important this is

McConnell is all about McConnell, he could care less about his constituents or their concerns. Mitch is going to do what’s in the best interest for the swamp. This man is a Liberal Democrat, he’s not a Republican.

He's more Republican than the RINOs like MTG and Matt Gaetz. All they want is social media clout. They couldn't care less about their constituents.

If there is a shutdown, everyone loses. So, in fact, McConnell is all about his constituents. There is no upside to a shutdown. With the house in disarray, there is no way that the RINOs get what they want. So admit to that fact and pass the sensible bipartisan Senate bill.

Chaotic government and its annual budget shutdown threat. You need a central committee of 7 and a strong chair with weight has the final say. Waste of time and money the American oligarchs fighting each other to take the people’s money through these paid puppet politicians.

This appears to be a problem entirely of a right-wing making. The Republican holds the votes to pass a budget proposal, and are not doing it. The Democrats don't have the votes. So this one seems to be entirely the fault of the Republicans.

If I were a citizen of America, that wouldn't sit well with me when the government shuts down next week.

No wonder Republicans love guns: they just have to keep shooting themselves in the foot. 2024 looks ever more like it will be their Armageddon with the implosion of the GOP as it rushes lemming-like over the political precipice.

I'd say he's more of a realist who realizes how absurd the far right's demands are, and caving to them would effectively insure Democrats take back the house and control both congress and the executive next year.

Doubt it, they may not like the shutdown, but they like the spending even less.

They sure didn't mind spending $7.8 TRILLION from 2016-20, adding it all to the national debt - one of the largest 4-year increases ever....

McConnell is all about McConnell, he could care less about his constituents or their concerns. Mitch is going to do what’s in the best interest for the swamp.

What's wrong with the swamp, yesterday you admitted Trump was filling the swamp instead of draining it when he hired Tillertson, Sessions, Zinke, Cohn, Coats, Pruitt, Mattis, Kelly, Barr, Milley, Esper, etc....

This man is a Liberal Democrat, he’s not a Republican.

Welcome to MAGA-world, where Mitch, Liz Cheney, John Bolton, and Bill Barr are all "Liberal Democrats" because they oppose the Ultra MAGA King...

Comedy Award of the Day...

McCarthy and the GOP and their band of lies creates a situation they have no true policy which leads to mass confusion within the party.

It’s the Republican way of non clarity and bs.

He's more Republican than the RINOs like MTG and Matt Gaetz.

Well, you can think that, nothing wrong with that.

All they want is social media clout. They couldn't care less about their constituents. 

If that were true, Republicans far and wide would love this guy and yet, they don’t.

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/04/why-republicans-hate-mitch-mcconnell/

If there is a shutdown, everyone loses.

Yes, the nation, the dollar….

So, in fact, McConnell is all about his constituents.

Absolutely not, because that’s not what his constituents want, they want him to curtail the spending

There is no upside to a shutdown.

I disagree

With the house in disarray, there is no way that the RINOs get what they want. So admit to that fact and pass the sensible bipartisan Senate bill.

This helps the Senate Republicans.

In 2024, 34 seats will be up for grabs, including 20 currently held by Democrats, 11 held by Republicans, and three currently held by Independents.

I feel like we have 4 parties in the US: far right, right, left and far left. If only the left and right moderates would cooperate the country would be far better off.

The end game for the lower house will in all likelihood require a type of Discharge Petition known as a Discharge a Special Rule from the Rules Committee. It has the shortest waiting time. o Discharge a Bill from a Standing Committee requires the bill be in committee for 30 days before a motion to discharge is permitted. The Democrats, if they voted as a block, would only need four Republican votes to succeed, allowing a floor vote on, oh let's say the Senate's CR without the approval of the Speaker. The rule in fact was designed specifically to limit the power of the Speaker.

A rule, including a “Special Rule,” is a resolution that governs how a bill is brought to the floor, the terms of debate, if amendments are allowed, and some other procedural guidelines. Basically, whenever the House is going to vote on a major bill, they first must pass a rule that says how they’re going to go about considering the major bill, and then they can vote on the underlying bill. So discharging a Special Rule is the first step, but the ultimate goal is to pass the major bill it is attached to. 

Once the special rule has been introduced, it has to sit in the Rules Committee for 7 legislative days. After that point, the discharge petition can be filed and Members of Congress can begin signing their names. Once the petition receives 218 signatures, which can take quite a while, or not happen at all, and passes a second 7 legislative days waiting period,  then any member who signed the petition can call the Special Rule to the floor for a vote. The Speaker then has 2 legislative days to schedule the vote. If the House passes the Special Rule, that then automatically brings the underlying bill to the floor for debate and then a vote. 

Both are lengthy and even if the motion is begun now would take close to a month to effect but might be the only way for the House to force a vote on the Senate's CR.

Comedy Award of the Day...

I was thinking more of the Darwin Awards, but, well ............

I feel like we have 4 parties in the US

I feel like we have one and several sideshows....bread and circuses.

The little people might go without paychecks during a shut down, but you can bet those in the oligarchy or doing their bidding will keep getting paid.

Both are lengthy and even if the motion is begun now would take close to a month to effect but might be the only way for the House to force a vote on the Senate's CR.

Seems to be the only way past this impasse. I don't think anyone other than McCarthy is of the opinion that this isn't about to become a shut-down that is about to go on for a long, long time.

Abortion, without all the other mess, is a winning issue for 2024. 

Crime even more so.

https://dallasexpress.com/national/crime-is-a-major-concern-for-americans-in-2023/

Abortion, without all the other mess, is a winning issue for 2024. 

Crime even more so.

No, it's not more of a winning issue that abortion.

bass4funk

So, in fact, McConnell is all about his constituents.

Absolutely not, because that’s not what his constituents want, they want him to curtail the spending

Considering that's not on the table, the best thing to do is to avoid a shutdown. McConnell the pragmatist.

Chaotic government and its annual budget shutdown threat. You need a central committee of 7 and a strong chair with weight has the final say. Waste of time and money the American oligarchs fighting each other to take the people’s money through these paid puppet politicians.

In decades long past that is how many bills were negotiated. The Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the House, Senate and House minority leaders and perhaps a couple of relevant committee chairs along with the President would sit in the Oval Office and work out the details of legislation, including appropriations bills. House and Senate majority and minority leaders had enough political muscle to enforce discipline within their respective caucuses by, oh lets say, excluding spending in districts of dissenters canceling their pet projects and the like, or bumping them off plumb committee assignments. In days of yore a Speaker of the House would take someone like Mate Gaetz, put him on the shittiest least prestigious committee in the House and strip any and all spending from his district.

No, they just know this spending is not sustainable.

Shutting down the government will waste a huge amount of money and is not sustainable. Nobody benefits from this.

But the beleaguered speaker has little leverage left with the White House without the power of his House majority behind him and after he walked away from the debt deal he and Biden reached earlier this year that is now law.

Is there anything that has less value than Kevin McCarthy's "word"?

The guy said he never was going to ask Trump to resign after Jan 6th, then was caught on tape the next day saying he was going to do exactly that....

The guy swore that the only way an impeachment inquiry of Biden would go forth was with a vote of the entire House, then flipped a week later and did it anyway...

He said no Ukraine aide in the defense bill then retreated and added in back in later...

And as this article states, he reached a debt deal with Biden earlier this year where he "gave his word", then backtracked, folded, and caved on his "word"...

Kevin is now getting his do and comeuppance for being such a brazen and untrustworthy liar...

And for shutting down the gov't needlessly, the Repubs will get their comeuppance in Nov 2024...

There is no upside to a shutdown.

I disagree

there have been 4 shutdowns in the last 20yrs the longest being under Trump.

the people that instigated the shut downs all folded in the end and didnt get what they demanded.

So history has shown 0 upsides from shutdowns

Make no mistake this coming shutdown is totally on the republicans, even Gaetz said that Biden and the democrats arent to blame, its totally on McCarthy.

The longer a shutdown goes on the worse off itll be for the GOP. Oh OK there is an upside after all

Crime even more so.

highest crime rates per capita are mostly under republican controlled states

The U.S. House of Irresponsibles, formerly known as The U.S. House of Representatives, is a disgrace.

The current Speaker of the House should have kept his day job of making sandwiches in California.

Has McCarthy tried to promote friendship and kindness? Perhaps that could get everyone to work together and figure this out amicably, at least that's how it usually goes in the cartoons I watch.

So, in fact, McConnell is all about his constituents.

If that were true, he would be a popular Senator and not one of the most hated ones.

Considering that's not on the table, the best thing to do is to avoid a shutdown. McConnell the pragmatist.

I disagree.

highest crime rates per capita are mostly under republican controlled states

And look who's doing the crime predominately in those states, NOT Republican voters overwhelmingly.

Shutting down the government will waste a huge amount of money and is not sustainable.

Ukraine?

Nobody benefits from this.

No one told the Dems to spend our money like drunken sailors.

bass4funk

So, in fact, McConnell is all about his constituents.

If that were true, he would be a popular Senator and not one of the most hated ones.

He's hated by MAGA RINOs because he is anti-Trump and pro-GOP.

He is hated by the Dems because he stole Obama's Supreme Court pick with a dubious political stunt.

So, in fact, McConnell is all about his constituents.

If that were true, he would be a popular Senator and not one of the most hated ones.

He's hated by MAGA RINOs because he is anti-Trump and pro-GOP.

No, Mitch's troubles started way before Trump came onto the scene, nice dig attempt though. 

He is hated by the Dems because he stole Obama's Supreme Court pick with a dubious political stunt.

True, and thank God for that.

Where is a political deal maker like Jesse Unruh or Willy Brown when we need them?

No one told the Dems to spend our money like drunken sailors.

Their constituents did. You know, you keep banging on about representing their constituents, hold the line etc. But only if it’s in your ‘team’.

As has been said to you multiple times, the last guy ran up record debt. Who were the drunken sailors then?

I await your usual ‘response’.

So, in fact, McConnell is all about his constituents.

If that were true, he would be a popular Senator and not one of the most hated ones.

He is popular enough with his constituents to be re-elected routinely. What anyone outside of his district thinks of him is not important.

Btw. Kevin McCarthy is equally safe in his district as long as he toes the Abernathy / Western Pacific Research party line.

bass4funk

He is hated by the Dems because he stole Obama's Supreme Court pick with a dubious political stunt.

True, and thank God for that.

Which led to the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, which will drive Dem turnout in 2024...

Their constituents did.

https://pro.morningconsult.com/analysis/voter-confidence-democratic-party-2024-election

Ahh, ok....

As has been said to you multiple times, the last guy ran up record debt.

As has been said to you multiple times, the current guy is surpassing and adding to that record debt

President Donald Trump certainly lived up to his self-proclaimed status as the King of Debt during his term in office. The national debtspiked by $7 trillion during Trump’s tenure – and it’s about to soar much higher under his successor.

Armed with a slim majority in the US Senate, President-elect Joe Biden is expected to make the case Thursday for a $2 trillion fiscal package to repair and rebuild the economy. That would be on top of the $900 billion relief package launched last month.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/14/business/biden-stimulus-debt-trump/index.html

America’s total national debt surpassed $31 trillion for the first time on Oct. 3, according to newly released Treasury Department data. President Joe Biden, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, has contributed significantly toward its increase. The national debt, which includes debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings, has been a feature on America’s ledger since the nation’s founding when it took out loans to support the American Revolution, according to the Treasury Department.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article266851596.html#storylink=cpy

Who were the drunken sailors then?

Who are the drunken sailors in the WH now?

Say what you will about Mitch (and I don’t have much nice to say about him), but the guy gets things done and keeps his conference on-side.

Nobody, not even the goober-cult can say anything like that about “My Kevin”, a “man” so craven even his hair looks like it would rather be elsewhere.

Which led to the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, which will drive Dem turnout in 2024...

For the GOP right-to-life movement as well.

“Incompetence is the true crisis.”

. . . Albert Einstein

bass4funk

Which led to the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, which will drive Dem turnout in 2024...

For the GOP right-to-life movement as well.

Not really. They were always energised by the prospect of getting Roe vs. Wade overturned. Now that it is, they will stay home.

Your inept ‘team’ are ensuring you’re going to have another 4 years of seething at your keyboard and shifting goalposts for some kind of win. Thank them for it.

Great seeing all these Republicans on stage tonight. Wonder which will be Trump's VP?

A shutdown would just shine more light on the failures of the Biden administration,

Not really.

Really, the country is pretty much split on the abortion issue.

They were always energised by the prospect of getting Roe vs. Wade overturned. Now that it is, they will stay home.

No, because they know the Pro-Choice crowd will not give up and neither will the Pro-lifers.

Your inept ‘team’ are ensuring you’re going to have another 4 years of seething at your keyboard and shifting goalposts for some kind of win. Thank them for it.

Your team is trying their hardest to stop that from happening by any means necessary.

A shutdown would just shine more light on the failures of the Biden administration,

The Republicans being unable to produce a bill, when they have the majority vote, is going to shine a lite on the Biden administration. Mmmmkay, got it....

Watching the debates now. Good questions but the candidates are avoiding them.

Q: Is Obamavare here to stay?

Pence: I'd like to address the previous question about gun violence.

Q: DeSantis, your state has 10% of the population without health insurance. Should we trust you on this issue?

DeSantis: Democrats spend too much.

A shutdown would just shine more light on the failures of the Biden administration,

Ah yes, the GOP shutting down the government would show how inept Biden, a Democrat is.

I think this pretty well shows how detached from reality the right is.

Really, the country is pretty much split on the abortion issue.

Who's gonna tell him that's like the literal one thing the majority of the country is on the same side about, and it's not on the anti-abortion side hahaha

Really, the country is pretty much split on the abortion issue.

No it isn't. Abortion bans etc. have been voted down in conservative places like Kansas and Ohio.

A shutdown would just shine more light on the failures of the Biden administration,

Because that worked out so well for Next, Cancun Cruz and “I’ll own it!” (He didn’t) Trump, right?

lol

Really, the country is pretty much split on the abortion issue.

It’s REALLY not. And that’s REALLY bad for Team Fascism.

At this rate the goober caucus would have to get better to get to square zero.

Watching the debates now. Good questions but the candidates are avoiding them.

Q: Is Obamavare here to stay?

It shouldn’t, but for the poor that don’t have or can’t afford healthcare, better than nothing

Q: DeSantis, your state has 10% of the population without health insurance. Should we trust you on this issue?

DeSantis: Democrats spend too much.

Yes and double yes.

It’s REALLY not.

It really is.

And that’s REALLY bad for Team Fascism.

Not good for the Dems either. I mean, look at the Supreme Court. But hey…

No it isn't. Abortion bans etc. have been voted down in conservative places like Kansas and Ohio.

The states can vote on the issue the way they want

Bass: It shouldn’t

After 15 years of no GOP alternatives, is it really even a debate anymore? I'm all ears for making anything better but Republicans haven't even stepped up to the plate.

Now accept my point by saying something irrelevant about Democrats and we'll consider the matter closed.

It really is.

Prove it.

Not good for the Dems either. 

Far, far worse for Republicans. They can't govern, because a small band of rightwing morons.

The states can vote on the issue the way they want

That wasn't my point. If the country is split on abortion like you say then conservative places like Ohio and Kansas wouldn't be voting down abortion bans.

The Republicans being unable to produce a bill, when they have the majority vote, is going to shine a lite on the Biden administration. Mmmmkay, got it....

Of course you don't get it. American voters do. And as you noted:

If I were a citizen of America, that wouldn't sit well with me when the government shuts down next week.

Of course you don't get it. American voters do. 

This American voter doesn't. This is a very stupid idea.

No it isn't. Abortion bans etc. have been voted down in conservative places like Kansas and Ohio.

The states can vote on the issue the way they want

And in state after state they’ve disagreed with the forced-birth loonies. And not just in Blue states, all states.

What a circus! Who are the people keep voting for these clowns?!

After 15 years of no GOP alternatives, is it really even a debate anymore?

I personally don’t think the Federal Government should be involved in distributing healthcare.

I'm all ears for making anything better but Republicans haven't even stepped up to the plate.

They haven’t and honestly, they shouldn’t.

Now accept my point by saying something irrelevant about Democrats and we'll consider the matter closed

How much time do you have?

This American voter doesn't. This is a very stupid idea.

You are just posting here without reading anything?

The fact you are commenting on this article means you understand how this issue is shining a light on the failures of the Biden administration,

That's what half the comments here are about.

And in state after state they’ve disagreed with the forced-birth loonies. And not just in Blue states, all states.

Not really…

Wisconsin, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, W. Virginia, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, Alabama

Banned some states with limited or few exceptions, but yeah, there are other states where you can go to kill babies

The fact you are commenting on this article means you understand how this issue is shining a light on the failures of the Biden administration,

LoL No it doesn't. What are you talking about? How does the Republican party shutting down the government show how "inept" Biden is?

It doesn't, because it's a stupid idea.

Prove it.

I just did.

Far, far worse for Republicans.

I disagree.

They can't govern,

Neither can the Dems, look at every single pill. Morons…lol

bass4funk

Banned some states with limited or few exceptions, but yeah, there are other states where you can go to kill babies

Medical science states a fetus only becomes a baby when it is born and survives by its own organs.

bass4funk

After 15 years of no GOP alternatives, is it really even a debate anymore?

> I personally don’t think the Federal Government should be involved in distributing healthcare.

So who will replace the money spent by the Federal government on health?

"The federal government spent nearly $1.2 trillion in fiscal year 2019. In addition, income tax expenditures for health care totaled $234 billion."

Medical science states a fetus only becomes a baby when it is born and survives by its own organs.

Medical science also said that the vaccines work and if you don’t get it you can die from the virus.

So who will replace the money spent by the Federal government on health?

If it is limited for a small group of people that can’t afford it, the Dems can deal with that and I think there might be some bipartisan support, but to overhaul the entire system, absolutely not. There is no reason to touch my private healthcare, none.