The adage “something is better than nothing” definitely applies. do not have Apply for Speaker of the House along with incumbent Republicans. At this point, it would be better for Republicans to vacate the chair, even if the conference is deadlocked and the party cannot agree on a chair. Paralyzing the House of Representatives and preventing it from passing even more abhorrent legislation is probably the most auspicious outcome we can hope for right now.
When Republicans took control of the House in January 2023, they had one job: to block Joe Biden’s destructive policies. Even if they couldn’t pass good legislation, at least they had enough numbers to block “must-pass” legislation, especially budget and debt ceiling increases, unless certain conditions were met. Given inflation, invasion, and indoctrination, Republicans had a number of problems they could use to wage and win budget wars, especially against unpopular administrations.
When it comes to resisting one-party rule, nothing beats anything.
Oh, I can’t get anything good.
Republicans will give Biden a blank check on the debt ceiling for the rest of his term, pass a full spending bill that funds policies in return for no reforms, and the rest of the impact of must-pass reauthorization legislation, including the national defense authorization. gave up power. Activities.
The whole purpose of breaking the paralysis in October’s speaker race and agreeing to promote weak-kneed backbenchers like Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) was to at least keep fighting. one problem – Borders – is included in this year’s final budget bill. Now that Mr Johnson has sold out funding for Leviathan (the majority of his party is in opposition), there is no point in avoiding chaos in which the Speaker’s chair will remain vacant indefinitely.
In fact, it would be beneficial.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has begun planning to pass new legislation, relinquishing Republican influence over legislation that must be passed. bad invoice. It’s one thing that House Republicans don’t have enough votes to enact good policy changes, but even with a paper-thin majority, they can still use House rules to block bad policy changes. . Mr. Johnson seems to have other ideas.
Mr Johnson’s top priority is passing new funding for Ukraine. No one has yet explained how another $60 billion will help Ukraine win a war it has no chance of winning. For politicians in the swamp, funding Ukraine has now become an unconditional ritual, akin to the Biblical tithe. our money. Unfortunately, President Trump celebrated the idea of a “lend-lease program” for Ukraine rather than the lifeline direct aid that Prime Minister Johnson had been eagerly awaiting. however, Trump himself said this in February.“If they can’t make it, they don’t have to pay us back.”
The silence of right-wing influencers is both strange and shocking. Even if we support Ukraine’s defense against Russia in 2022, as Mr Johnson is proposing, by further provoking Russia by sending more arms to Ukraine or seizing Russian assets overseas. There’s nothing to be gained. Even if it doesn’t cost you a dime and you aren’t facing financial ruin, it’s a losing cause and makes no strategic sense.
Nevertheless, passing some form of aid to Ukraine remains the Speaker’s top priority. Prime Minister Johnson has indicated he intends to bypass the Rules Committee under the rules suspension and pass major legislation on the floor with Democratic support. Unless he is removed from office (or President Trump is pressured to change his mind), this relief package will pass in some form. In that sense, an empty chair with zero legislative activity on the House floor would be better than the current situation.
Then, of course, Reauthorization of FISA Section 702a surveillance law was enacted. opposed the Americans — until Donald Trump. Johnson could have used the year-end reauthorization vote to extract concessions from Biden and Democrats on Republican priorities.
Mr. Johnson in particular could have been supported. bipartisan reform bill The bill, which would require federal law enforcement to obtain a warrant to obtain information about Americans caught up in foreign surveillance, passed the House Judiciary Committee with support from leading Democrats. .
In fact, Prime Minister Johnson supported the provision.after that he changed course. He also spoke to Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) about an amendment that would prohibit federal agencies from circumventing the Fourth Amendment by purchasing information about Americans from private data companies. promised to vote. Johnson joined the FBI team after a conversation with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio), an avid supporter of surveillance programs.
The good news is that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s grip may be waning. On Wednesday, 19 Republican senators rebelled against the speaker and blocked reauthorization with a procedural vote.
Mr Johnson was reportedly furious. But the real anger should come from the right. Unless Trump can influence voters over Johnson, Republicans will have no choice but to vacate the chair. Deprived of all opportunity to attack, all we can do is defend against harmful laws. When it comes to resisting one-party rule, nothing beats anything.
