The new Democratic majority in the Senate is a big deal. I unpack the consequences and implications. [If you don't feel like reading, you can listen to me read today's post.]
1) Love the audio; it's what pushed me over the edge and made me subscribe. Look forward to hearing your future articles.
2) Regarding budget reconciliation, as I understand it, there can usually only be one per year, but because no budget was passed in 2020, there can be two in 2021. (Similar to how Republicans passed 1 in 2017 trying to get rid of ACA and 1 cutting taxes). So Democrats could pass one early in the year to pass COVID relief and anything else ready to go, and then spend time drafting another one later in the year for policies that are less time sensitive or where more time is needed to forge a consensus among Democrats. Then they get one more in 2022 for whatever they do not get done in 2021.
Love the blitz. Love the "do it loudly and do it proudly." Love the clear focus on covid, climate, and healthcare. Yes yes yes.
And I so hope the Dems come in well organized and can move at a quick pace and keep it simple enough so they can do so confidently and cleanly.
I wonder if doing a bunch of smaller things in series works better than larger things in parallel (at least as what you shine a light on with the press, public, and votes). I loved how Bernie was asking for a clean vote on the $2k checks last week. Want to vote on Section 230? Bring a separate vote for that.
But maybe the reconciliation bill doesn't allow for something like that? Sounds like it will have to be a big lump thing? They could still talk about the pieces that make up the whole one week at a time... spoon feed it to the public. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The biggest target will be the reconciliation bill (or, hopefully, the first of the two Congress can pass). The question is whether this should be coming from the White House or the Congress. I argue for Congress. In 2009, ARRA was developed and moved in the House and Senate even before the inauguration (for the Senate), with the House taking action on Jan. 26. This is how you move quickly!
I would argue that the time it would take for the Biden administration to settle in -- e.g., getting critical nominees approved -- and have them weigh in on what should go in the bill is too long to develop the legislation. The House should be forming the legislation now, with the Senate following as soon as Schumer takes over.
As a bargaining chip, do you think our new overlord Joe Manchin, blessed be His beneficence, might support reforming the filibuster if Biden offers to make "Take me home, country roads" the national anthem?
Thanks, David. Enjoying the articles and learning a lot. The audio versions of these are great. I listen to podcasts while I work, so with audio your writing fits right into the flow.
So happy that AC/DC is caucusing with the Democrats!
Do you think our new overlord Joe Manchin, blessed be His beneficence, will vote for DC statehood?
Two unrelated things:
1) Love the audio; it's what pushed me over the edge and made me subscribe. Look forward to hearing your future articles.
2) Regarding budget reconciliation, as I understand it, there can usually only be one per year, but because no budget was passed in 2020, there can be two in 2021. (Similar to how Republicans passed 1 in 2017 trying to get rid of ACA and 1 cutting taxes). So Democrats could pass one early in the year to pass COVID relief and anything else ready to go, and then spend time drafting another one later in the year for policies that are less time sensitive or where more time is needed to forge a consensus among Democrats. Then they get one more in 2022 for whatever they do not get done in 2021.
Love the blitz. Love the "do it loudly and do it proudly." Love the clear focus on covid, climate, and healthcare. Yes yes yes.
And I so hope the Dems come in well organized and can move at a quick pace and keep it simple enough so they can do so confidently and cleanly.
I wonder if doing a bunch of smaller things in series works better than larger things in parallel (at least as what you shine a light on with the press, public, and votes). I loved how Bernie was asking for a clean vote on the $2k checks last week. Want to vote on Section 230? Bring a separate vote for that.
But maybe the reconciliation bill doesn't allow for something like that? Sounds like it will have to be a big lump thing? They could still talk about the pieces that make up the whole one week at a time... spoon feed it to the public. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The biggest target will be the reconciliation bill (or, hopefully, the first of the two Congress can pass). The question is whether this should be coming from the White House or the Congress. I argue for Congress. In 2009, ARRA was developed and moved in the House and Senate even before the inauguration (for the Senate), with the House taking action on Jan. 26. This is how you move quickly!
I would argue that the time it would take for the Biden administration to settle in -- e.g., getting critical nominees approved -- and have them weigh in on what should go in the bill is too long to develop the legislation. The House should be forming the legislation now, with the Senate following as soon as Schumer takes over.
As a bargaining chip, do you think our new overlord Joe Manchin, blessed be His beneficence, might support reforming the filibuster if Biden offers to make "Take me home, country roads" the national anthem?
Thanks, David. Enjoying the articles and learning a lot. The audio versions of these are great. I listen to podcasts while I work, so with audio your writing fits right into the flow.
With the new Senate majority, which climate related cabinet positions and announced nominations are you most hopeful for?
The readings are very helpful, thanks.