The Senate disregarded its parliamentarian’s ruling to overturn EPA waivers allowing California to set stricter vehicle emission standards, using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). This action, passed by a 51-44 vote, effectively nullifies the waivers and sets a precedent expanding the CRA’s reach to virtually any executive branch action. Democrats could exploit this by introducing numerous CRA resolutions, forcing lengthy debates and potentially paralyzing the Senate to block legislation like the upcoming Trump tax bill. This strategy allows Democrats to leverage procedural maneuvering for political gain and potentially prevent harmful policy changes.
Read More
House GOP opposition torpedoed Trump’s ambitious “big, beautiful bill,” primarily due to a faction within the party demanding deeper and swifter cuts to Medicaid. This internal disagreement exposed a stark lack of unity within the Republican ranks, effectively derailing the legislation despite the former president’s fervent pleas for party cohesion.
The failure wasn’t merely a matter of differing opinions; it stemmed from a segment of Republicans, prominent figures like Chip Roy and Ralph Norman among them, who actively sought to inflict greater hardship on Medicaid recipients. Their desire for more extensive and immediate cuts signaled a disregard for the potential consequences for vulnerable populations, leading to a bitter clash within the party.… Continue reading
Representative Victoria Spartz’s refusal to participate in the Republican caucus, coupled with several other GOP representatives accepting positions in Donald Trump’s cabinet, threatens the party’s already tenuous House majority. This slim 220-seat advantage is jeopardized by potential absences during crucial votes, leaving the Republicans vulnerable to legislative gridlock. The situation is further complicated by disagreements within the GOP regarding the annual appropriations bills, with Senate Republicans urging swift action to avoid a government shutdown. Failure to pass legislation could severely hamper Trump’s agenda and potentially lead to a loss of control in the House.
Read More
President Trump’s appointments of three House Republicans to his administration threaten to leave the GOP with a razor-thin, one-seat House plurality until at least April 2025, jeopardizing his legislative agenda. This unprecedented situation arises from the current election results and pending special elections to fill the vacated seats. The resulting narrow majority significantly hinders the passage of key legislation, including the renewal of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which face opposition from a faction of New York Republicans. This precarious control also increases the vulnerability of Speaker Johnson’s leadership to further member resignations or deaths.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood