Mornin’ Politocadoes!
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) delivered an ultimatum to the Republican Caucus following the implosion of the bipartisan border deal, giving Republicans the night to figure themselves out. On Wednesday, the Republicans filibustered the $118 billion dollar foreign aid package with a bipartisan border deal attached. So, Schumer cut out the border stuff and forced Republicans into a procedural vote on foreign aid packages to Ukraine and Taiwan (also Israel). The vote was left open for hours while Republicans tried to get themselves together and nothing came out of it. This is not surprising given that the bill had been deemed Dead On Arrival last week but what’s spun out from its implosion has broader implications going forward.
Mitch McConnell has been supportive of Ukraine. No, really! He’s been a staunch supporter of Ukrainian defense against Russian aggression, even if you ignore all the sketchy financial dealings he’s had personally with Moscow. Is he shitty? Yes! Is he good on Ukraine? Also, yes. And that has separated him from a growing part of the Republican caucus both in the Senate and the House. He had pushed hard for Senate Republicans to support the deal in private talks, but Ukraine critics have remained vocal throughout the process.
Ultimately, McConnell walked away with nothing. A rare vulnerable moment for the long-term leader of the Senate Republicans. McConnell rarely loses these fights without his reputation in tact, but it seems to have taken a blow here. Sens. Mike Lee and Ted Cruz have both called for a change in leadership in the Senate. It would seem the chaos in the House has led them to believe there’s enough blood in the water to challenge him.
So the bipartisan package failed, individual aid packages failed, and now unctuous schmucks like Cruz are gunning for McConnell, a guy who delivers results (frustratingly) for his caucus 98% of the time. And, somehow, Republicans have gone right back around to demanding Biden do something about the border. All of which is underpinned by the very real possibility none of this is moving forward is entirely because it’s an election year and Trump Republicans would rather have something to complain about than actually address these issues. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) complained that there’s no real difference between House and Senate Republicans and no lie is being told there.
The real losers will be the forces of Ukraine if nothing gets done. Ammunition is running low as another brutal winter sets in, with commanders having to make tough decisions about expending munitions. There’s always been opposition to US support of the war, but the fading of urgency in the media has made it an afterthought. It gets buried a lot but the War in Ukraine remains incredibly important. It is vital that Ukraine is able to either win outright or Russia withdraw and US funding is key.
Welcome to Thursday! Please be excellent to each other in the comments. The Mayor McSquirrel Rule remains in effect. Something to keep in mind! Police are using digital data to prosecute abortion seekers, and Facebook and Google are helping them! Even if they are not legally required to do so, the tech giants will aid them in this since it’s technically *against the law*. Please be careful when looking for abortion providers or helping someone who is looking for that assistance.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues even if the emergencies end, continue to vaccinate using the latest version of the FDA approved vaccines by Phizer and Moderna. Even if you are vaccinated, please continue to maintain social distancing measures, wear masks in public areas in accordance with CDC guidelines in regard to your own vaccination status.
Also, according to recent polls approximately 50% of adults are not planning on getting their Covid-19 boosters. So please get them and older adults should also look to be vaccinated for RSV! It’s been difficult to get adults onboard with getting the RSV shots as it is. Remember that getting these shots could potentially keep thousands of Americans who do not have to be there out of the ICU this winter.