Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” of tax and spending cuts without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats — or around them — as a government shutdown looms.
The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber’s rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russia’s trading partners as the U.S. pressures Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.
In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
A look at what Congress will be doing as lawmakers return from the August break:
rhetorical question i know the answer i just want to point out how amusing and depressing it is that whenever republicans are in charge of statesia, they can’t keep the damn thing running
And where are the Epstein files GOP?!? Trump was business partners with Epstein and laundered millions of dollars for him.
What about all the suspicious bank transactions we have proof of? Release them all.
Pleaseeeee shut it down
This is your reminder that we are in a make a deal or shut down situation because of how the Constitution requires the Democrats to have a majority of votes to do anything. Which in theory is how things should work in a majority rule democracy. edit: typo
Without the shutdown Democrats wouldn’t have any leverage right now. Which isn’t great, but is better than nothing for fighting fascism. It would have been better if Democrats had been socialists from the get go and gotten rid of the debt ceiling when they had power but they weren’t and they didn’t.
If you have a third option please share it. And make sure you’re getting fresh air in your building.
Without the shutdown Democrats wouldn’t have any leverage right now. Which isn’t great, but is better than nothing for fighting fascism.
They’ll cave like they did 6 months ago.
No shit. Look at what is being argued in this comment section. We need the Democrats to shutdown the government. A user is determined to push a third option instead that the user cannot list. The last thing we need is for people to assume there is a third option when we don’t have one. edit: typos
They don’t though. They want it shut down, they just don’t want to be blamed for it.
This is your reminder that we in a make or deal or shut it down situation because of how Democratic politicians bring a paper napkin to a gunfight and don’t understand basic game theory. That, or they’re simply just captive opposition at this point.
I simply don’t trust them to do anything useful to stop the fascists. With a handful of exceptions, they’re all performative imbeciles with a dismaying lack of character, fortitude, creativity, and will.
I know that. Read the comment section. There is a user arguing against shutting down the government on the basis of a third option that the user cannot give in any detail. We need to be pushing the Democrats for a shutdown because they will not do it on their own. The last thing we need is to give Democrats an out when we do not have a third option.
A reminder of where we left of in the previous season of the POS Christofascist series.
Republicans Shut Down House Floor to Avoid Epstein Vote
Committee Democrats had planned to force a vote that night on a resolution calling for the public release of Epstein-related documents. The move came as the panel was preparing unrelated bills for House floor consideration.
But rather than work through the disruption, Republicans chose to shut things down entirely. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said it was “unlikely” the committee would reconvene this week at all. Lawmakers later confirmed there were no plans to return—meaning the House will likely head into August recess without voting on several bills that cannot pass under expedited rules, including a GOP-backed immigration measure and a water-permitting bill.
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-jeffrey-epstein-house-vote-2102137
Pleaseeeee shut it down
“Please kill people to make the fascists look bad!”
Don’t let the demagogues in charge of both parties and the complicit billionaire owned media fool you. A shutdown WILL lead to some of the people who depend on the government for survival dying. That’s inevitable.
Whether whatever the fascists propose will be worse and lead to even MORE death and misery is unknown (although infuriatingly likely) at this time, but there’s no doubt that a shutdown would be horrible, so maybe don’t wish that on your fellow humans either…
You know what? Fuck it. It’s not about making them look bad, it’s about fixing these goddamned problems and standing up for what’s right.
Stop giving in to these pieces of shit.
And if we have to burn it all down? Fucking GOOD. It NEEDS to be.
I’m so fed up with the state of things and all this cowardice. Some people are going to die no matter what. That’s terrible. But giving in to Nazi fucking terrorists every time we get threatened?
STOP IT.
it’s about fixing these goddamned problems and standing up for what’s right.
Which playing their game and shutting down the government doesn’t do. Never has, never will.
Stop giving in to these pieces of shit.
I didn’t suggest anything of the sort, nor would I ever.
And if we have to burn it all down? Fucking GOOD. It NEEDS to be.
Tell that to the families of all the people who would die so you can “send a message” that the fascists won’t listen to.
I’m so fed up with the state of things and all this cowardice
Same.
Some people are going to die no matter what
Big Joni Ernst energy 🙄
That’s terrible
Oh really? I had no idea!
But giving in to Nazi fucking terrorists every time we get threatened?
Again, I suggested no such thing, nor would I ever. The notion that you have to either reward the fascists by giving into their demands or give them q shutdown to use against you is a textbook false dichotomy and claiming that I’m advocating for either is a textbook strawman argument.
STOP IT.
Right back at you, chief.
Which playing their game and shutting down the government doesn’t do. Never has, never will.
So what’s all this stuff from you about not liking Schumer then? It boggles my mind that you can hold such opposing takes at the same time. Republicans do not want a shutdown. Otherwise they would have shutdown the government since they have the votes to do it. Therefore it is leverage.
Big Joni Ernst energy 🙄
Not standing up to the fascists with the government shutdown is going to get some people killed now and then all of us killed later.
Again, I suggested no such thing, nor would I ever.
You’re doing it right now. It’s not a strawman or a false dichotomy, Democrats have one lever to pull as the minority party and it’s the government shutdown.
Right back at you, chief.
STOP IT. What the actual fuck is going on? Stop kissing fascist ass. The opportunity to stop these deaths was in the 2024 election. Did you think there was a way to passively resist fascism meaningfully without people dying? We either stand up and fight or don’t. Either way the fascists try to kill us now or later. There isn’t a point later when suddenly the fascists are gone without any form of meaningful, impactful, useful resistance. edit: typos
So what’s all this stuff from you about not liking Schumer then? It boggles my mind that you can hold such opposing takes at the same time
Again with the false dichotomy. I can be against allowing a shutdown and against appeasing the fascists at the same time. Those two are NOT the only options are pretending otherwise is playing into the hands of fascists and other demagogues such as Schumer.
Republicans do not want a shutdown.
Some ABSOLUTELY do.
they have the votes to do it.
Again, they’re not unanimous. The Freedumb Caucus and other factions always defect at first.
Therefore it is leverage.
Again, tell that to the people who might survive if a third option is accomplished.
Not standing up to the fascists with the government shutdown is going to get some people killed now and then all of us killed later.
For fuck’s sake! Repeating your ridiculous false dichotomy a dozen times doesn’t make it any less false!
You’re doing it right now
Nope. You’re either arguing in bad faith or not comprehending what I’m saying due to your ingrained black and white thinking.
It’s not a strawman or a false dichotomy
That’s what they all say while building a strawman to fit their false dichotomy 🙄
Democrats have one lever to pull as the minority party and it’s the government shutdown
Nope. There’s other options, if only they care to find them.
STOP IT. What the actual fuck is going on?
Again, right back at you. You’re being aggressively obtuse and it’s not achieving anything.
Stop kissing fascist ass
Never have, never will. I’d tell you to stop with the absurd strawman, but it’s clear that you’re neither willing to nor capable of such clarity of thought.
The opportunity to stop these deaths was in the 2024 election
If they can’t do anything while in the minority, why show up to work at all? Why do we keep paying them if they’re literally powerless and thus useless?
The answer is that they’re NOT anywhere near as powerless as you and they pretend. They have ways of subverting or at least delaying the whole absurd procedure if they’re willing to.
Anyway, I’ve said what needs to be said and you’ve made it abundantly clear that you’re not going to understand it no matter how many times I repeat myself and/or rephrase things, so we’re done here. Have the day you deserve.
Again with the false dichotomy. I can be against allowing a shutdown and against appeasing the fascists at the same time.
No you cannot and still be providing a logically consistent argument. Those positions are mutually exclusive.
Those two are NOT the only options are pretending otherwise is playing into the hands of fascists and other demagogues such as Schumer.
There are no mechanisms in the Constitution for the minority party to enact meaningful change or to obstruct that do not involve shutting down the government.
What are the other options?
Some ABSOLUTELY do.
They are a tiny minority that does not include Trump.
Again, they’re not unanimous. The Freedumb Caucus and other factions always defect at first.
They defect in favor of a shutdown.
Again, tell that to the people who might survive if a third option is accomplished.
What third option?
If they can’t do anything while in the minority, why show up to work at all? Why do we keep paying them if they’re literally powerless and thus useless?
Exactly. Hence a government shutdown.
The answer is that they’re NOT anywhere near as powerless as you and they pretend. They have ways of subverting or at least delaying the whole absurd procedure if they’re willing to.
Yes. With a government shutdown.
Anyway, I’ve said what needs to be said and you’ve made it abundantly clear that you’re not going to understand it no matter how many times I repeat myself and/or rephrase things, so we’re done here. Have the day you deserve.
Open your windows. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.
You’re literally doing what you are accusing me of doing with all that nonsense I didn’t quote. Like a Republican. It’s a blatantly clear cut situation. If you have a third option to this situation speak up! Say what that third option is. That’s how it’s obvious you’re the one arguing in bad faith here or have carbon monoxide poisoning. edit: typo
If you knew a third option you could have listed it!
How is it even a question that fascists are going to be worse than a government shutdown? If they cut spending it’s going to mean some people permanently losing government assistant. Why is it acceptable to allow some people to die?
The government is the only tool Democrats have to prevent more spending cuts. If Republicans wanted to use a government shutdown to deny benefits to people, they would have done it, as they have the votes. Republicans do not want a shutdown because they know it will make them look bad. So that’s the leverage Democrats can use to prevent more death.
How is it even a question that fascists are going to be worse than a government shutdown
Because the parts of the government exempted just so happens to be the only parts that the fascists always want to fund.
I’m not saying that it’s impossible or even unlikely that their proposals are going to be even worse, I’m just saying that we know for a fact that a shutdown would kill people and we don’t yet know whether whatever awful proposal the fascists are going to spew is going to kill even MORE people.
Why is it acceptable to allow some people to die
That’s what I’M asking!
The government is the only tool Democrats have to prevent more spending cuts
Yes and no: massive fundamental reform of the government into something befitting today’s society is needed to achieve that goal.
None of the Dem leadership is advocating for anything of the sort. On the contrary, they’re trying their hardest to roll back everything to how it was in 1992.
If Republicans wanted to use a government shutdown to deny benefits to people, they would have done it
They HAVE done it. Several times. That’s why they came up with this whole farce to begin with.
as they have the votes
Not necessarily, no. The Freedumb Caucus usually holds the whole thing hostage to make whatever abomination the leadership suggests even WORSE.
Republicans do not want a shutdown
Some do, some don’t. Some consider it a win/win either way. Which it is if your goal is to score political points by hurting the most vulnerable people. Which is the majority of their raison d’être.
they know it will make them look bad
No they don’t. For all their awfulness, they’re MUCH better at political messaging/gaslighting than the Dems are, partly because of their shamelessness and enthusiastic embrace of tactical hypocrisy.
Whether the government shuts down or not, they can convince their base that they’re doing everything right and the Dems are doing everything wrong.
leverage Democrats can use to prevent more death.
…are you new? 99% of the times that the Dem leadership ever uses what leverage they have effectively, it’s to benefit their owner donors, not regular people who need it the most.
I found Chuck Schumer’s secret Lemmy account!
Because the parts of the government exempted just so happens to be the only parts that the fascists always want to fund.
So? The Democrats don’t have the power to do anything about that so it isn’t relevant.
kill even MORE people.
So you’re ok with some people dying.
That’s what I’M asking!
No you’re trying to justify killing a few of us now, so the rest of us can wait out fascism.
Yes and no: massive fundamental reform of the government into something befitting today’s society is needed to achieve that goal.
This is laughably unattainable with the current Congress. We’ll need to flip the Supreme Court with multiple consecutive presidential elections to even be able to start taking swings at that. We’re never getting there if Democrats vote for Republican spending cuts with each continuing resolution.
They HAVE done it. Several times. That’s why they came up with this whole farce to begin with.
Not in 2025 with this presidential administration and Congress. Which are the only ones that are relevant to this discussion.
Not necessarily, no. The Freedumb Caucus usually holds the whole thing hostage to make whatever abomination the leadership suggests even WORSE.
They definitely do. They could all not vote on a bill if their goal was a government shutdown. They have the majority in both houses. And Trump could veto any bill if he wanted. edit: typo
some don’t
Yeah, the majority that align with Trump on everything as often as humanly possible.
Whether the government shuts down or not
Then why not shut it down.
Because the parts of the government exempted just so happens to be the only parts that the fascists always want to fund.
Sounds like they’ve got everything they need either way. If they’re so good at spinning why not shut it down. Because people are turning against them in town halls all across the country. They know there are limits to what even they can get away with. That’s why they delayed portions of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ until after the midterms.
…are you new? 99% of the times that the Dem leadership ever uses what leverage they have effectively, it’s to benefit their owner donors, not regular people who need it the most.
What is going on here? I brought up that Schumer is never going to allow a government shutdown. You’re trying to argue that we’re risking lives by doing a shutdown when that’s what you’re arguing for by arguing against a shutdown. I’m surprised you don’t like Schumer since he’s doing exactly what you think is best. If I didn’t know better I would say you were trolling. But I’ve never seen a troll hold mutually exclusive positions in their heads let alone post them in the same comment before. If you know Schumer is bad for not doing a shutdown why do you also think shutdowns are bad? Surely either Schumer is correct and at least somewhat good for opposing a shutdown or bad for opposing it.
Is the ventilation in your building okay? Carbon monoxide poisoning is no joke.
Schumer is going to make sure whatever the Republicans decide to put in a bill gets passed to prevent a shutdown. He works for New York billionaires who would lose money over a shutdown.
You mean noted Donald Trump Ally Chuck schumer?
Yes, the very same.
I hate to be so flippantly cruel but I honestly hope Schumer will kick the bucket almost as much as I hope Trump does. All these fucking dinosaurs who represent people they made up in their mind need to fucking GO. (This isn’t a joke, Schumer has literally made up fake people he assumes represents his constituents because he doesn’t give one flying fuck about real people.)
That’s not even cruel in the grand scheme of things.
Schumer is simultaneously a lackey to robber barons and a petty tyrant so entrenched that he’s unlikely to be removed from power by any other means.
Given that, wishing for his death is wishing for the world to improve.
Schumer is going to make sure whatever the Republicans decide to put in a bill gets passed to
prevent a shutdownfacilitate owner donor profiteeringFixed it for you.
He works for New York billionaires who would lose money over a shutdown.
100%
In theory if the choice was between taxing the rich for all their money and and shutting down the government then sure. But this is a Republican controlled government with a Democrat compliance party. Preventing a shutdown and facilitating owner donor profiteering are overlapping circles in a Venn diagram for this Congress.
schumer is worth around 81million, he has a vested interest in staying rich, and also kow-toe-ing AIPAC/israeli sentiment.
Yes.
he may still allow a token 24-48hr shutdown for appearances. -Not enough to have any real effect.
Schumer didn’t the last time this happened this year, so it seems unlikely. Even that length could cost his donors money and they want all the money now. Long term calculations are a failure to maximize profits in the immediate now that billionaires currently exist in as opposed to later which they hope to exist in apocalypse bunkers. edit: typos
And never reopen
A socialist government would be cool.
Release the Epstein files unredacted.
This is your reminder that the whole “have to make a deal or the whole thing shuts down” is an unconstitutional rule introduced by Republican demagogues in an attempt to sabotage Obama.
They don’t have to keep doing this and it goes directly against both the spirit and text of the very document they pretend to revere with religious fervor.
That goes for BOTH of the major parties. Mostly the one who came up with it in the first place and is currently in the majority, of course, but the Dems are pretending that there’s nothing inherently wrong with it as well.
We need to meaningfully standing up to the fascists. The government shutdown is the only leverage Democrats have. The fascists are going to try to kill us all whether we stand up to them or not. There’s no world where we will wait this out until the fascists are gone.
We need to meaningfully standing up to the fascists
Couldn’t agree more.
The government shutdown is the only leverage Democrats have
Couldn’t disagree more.
The fascists are going to try to kill us all whether we stand up to them or not
Absolutely.
There’s no world where we will wait this out until the fascists are gone.
Correct. There’s also no world where a government shutdown is a good thing.
Democrats have tools at their disposal to gum up the machine and sway public opinion until they find a way to avert a shutdown without greenlighting something even worse. Using those tools is one of the most important parts of their job.
What are these “tools” you speak of? Be specific. Because public opinion doesn’t count for shit to the Republicans.
Couldn’t agree more.
Couldn’t disagree more.
You’re doing the Patrick Star and Man Ray meme to me right now.
Correct. There’s also no world where a government shutdown is a good thing.
There is in a world where a person says ‘Absolutely’ to:
The fascists are going to try to kill us all whether we stand up to them or not
Absolutely.
These are mutually exclusive positions given what we are discussing. Your argument at the same time acknowledging that the fascists present the same danger regardless of our level of resistance and yet arguing that there is some how more danger if we resist. You’re argument contains a glaring logical fallacy and thus is not compelling in any capacity. Your argument is a logically invalid position for this discussion.
Does your room contain any windows?
Democrats have tools at their disposal to gum up the machine and sway public opinion until they find a way to avert a shutdown without greenlighting something even worse. Using those tools is one of the most important parts of their job.
Incorrect. Passing legislation in the US requires control of both houses of Congress and the executive branch or two-thirds of both houses of Congress. There are no other meaningful tools besides a government shutdown to gum up the works. And people are sick of performative action from the Democrats.
Full stop. You aren’t making sense. So I’m left with either you’re trolling me and the rest of us for fun or you’re suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. For the sake of giving you the benefit of the doubt and your health I’m going to assume it’s the latter, so the carbon monoxide poisoning.
Anybody else remember when the likelihood of an imminent government shutdown wasn’t the standard operating procedure?
Honestly? No.
The US became a literal banana republic.
i thought that was back when dole took over our foreign policy, but yeah
Yeah I better contact my representative and let them know to shut it down or risk losing midterms.
Losing midterms? Who is that going to hurt more? People haven’t learned anything!
If life is too good to have a revolution when we vote blue into power then theres a good indication you’re being manipulated into accelerationist dogma.
If democrats just let republicans steamroll them all the time, there is no functional difference between the two parties.
Sure there is. There’s the party that dishes it out, and the party that grabs their ankles and takes it.
