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ArcticStones's avatar

SENATE DEMOCRATS HANDED WEAPON TO STOP TRUMP’s BUDGET BILL

Good news: Yesterday, David Dayen at the American Prospect detailed how Senate Republicans have unwittingly handed our Senate Democrats a powerful weapon. Republicans did so when they ignored the Senate’s Parliamentarian in their eagerness to kill California’s ability to set stricter emission standards than the rest of the country, which California has had the authority to do for decades.

Essentially, Republicans sidestepped the Parliamentarian by abusing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) by greatly expanding what is eligible for review. With the changed Senate rules, any 30 senators can force *any* CRA resolution onto the floor.

Senate Democrats can use this to stop Trump’s insane budget bill – if Chuck Schumer & co are willing to play hardball. In fact, they can effectively bring the Senate to a screeching halt for as long as they wish.

"[A]ccording to Senate procedure, they have to be dealt with if enough senators force them onto the floor. They must be debated and voted upon ahead of other Senate business if brought up for consideration. This means that Democrats can tie up the Senate floor for upwards of ten hours with any single CRA resolution."

And it’s not difficult to bring up dozens or even hundreds of such resolutions.

Fascinating details and analysis in the article!

https://prospect.org/politics/2025-05-28-senate-democrats-stop-big-beautiful-bill/

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Catherine Giovannoni's avatar

Thanks, Simon! The news about the tariffs is such a boost!

I'm also pleasantly surprised at how TACO seems to first, really piss Trump off and, second, be sticking. I remember what the Rs did to John Kerry calling him a "flip flopper." Turn about is fair play. As Simon has noted, we never know exactly what's going to click with voters. If TACO does it, I'm fine with that. So happy TACO Thursday, everyone!

I called my Maryland Congressman and Senators about the budget bill and about the COVID vaccine being ripped away from Americans. The young woman in Congressman Raskin's office was surprised to learn this has happened. I'm writing postcards to register voters in North Carolina today.

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