Conservatives thrust the House back into chaos on Wednesday, grinding business to a halt in protest of the spending deal Speaker Mike Johnson struck with Democrats to avert a government shutdown and leaving the funding package in limbo.
A dozen hard-line Republicans defected from the party line to tank a routine procedural measure, blocking consideration of a pair of G.O.P. bills in what amounted to a warning shot by members of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus that they would not stand for the agreement. As the measure failed, members of the group could be seen in animated discussion with Mr. Johnson and his deputies on the House floor.
The Republican revolt underscored Mr. Johnson’s predicament in trying to steer the spending deal through the closely divided House, where it has enraged a sizable bloc of Republicans, while keeping his grip on his job. The upheaval came as it was becoming clear that Congress would most likely have to resort to yet another short-term spending patch — something Mr. Johnson had previously ruled out — to buy time to push a bipartisan deal to fund the government.
Sounds like we have 3 parties under the guise of 2. The right can splinter, this is good.
Agreed. They helped make that bed, let them languish in it.
I’m waiting for all of the independent progressives to coalesce into their own party. When that happens things can get…. Interesting.
I gave you an upvote because I want to believe, but I have serious doubts. With the changing landscape of the demographics in this country we have been consistently racing the clock on whether a real progressive coalition can form before the psychopathic underbelly of crypto-fascist evangelicals can undermine the institutions of government enough to enforce a generation of minority rule through structural violence.
It is the perfect storm right now where we are ripe for massive progressive change, but I don’t see anything resembling an organized force to accomplish that. While we all quibble over policy and minor ethical differences, the modern right is a unified force marching towards authoritarianism. I want to believe, I really do, but I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t also terrified.
I’d love to see a party of real progressives, instead of constantly being let down by democrats.
You and me both.
actually. I wonder how this gets started…
Ever seen ‘The Life of Brian?’ Remember the scene where Brian decides to join the revolution? "Whatever happened to the United People’s Popular Front?’ "He’s sitting over there.’
It’s sad but true.
Maybe we’ll actually end up with rank-choice voting once conservatives realize they’re split down the middle and will never win another election again (we can hope).
As long as they can caucus together that won’t work.
Or leftists stay home in November to prove a point for the following elections that never occur. 🤷