Democrats Still Leading The Generic Congressional Poll

 

The charts above are from the Economist / YouGov Poll -- done between August 21st and 24th of a nationwide sample of 1,379 registered voters, with a 3.3 point margin of error.

Sen. Durbin Believes Congress Can Compromise On A Plan To Save Social Security

The following op-ed is by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois). He believes that though an open debate the current Congress can come together and find a workable plan to fund Social Security far into the future. I'm not sure that's true, but he deserves to have his say. Here is what he has written: 

Seventy million Americans count on Social Security to afford food, medication, housing and utilities. It’s a bedrock promise to Americans that, after a lifetime of hard work, they will have a secure retirement.

The program is there for the grandfather who worked his whole life trying to provide for his family but has seen his savings run out. Or the widowed mother who stayed home to raise four children and is counting on Social Security for retirement income.

But according to a report published last month by the Social Security Board of Trustees, the program will face a shortfall in just six years, when its trust fund runs out. In 2032, Social Security will only be able to pay 78% of benefits. That means seniors and other beneficiaries across the country would see an average cut of $450 per month. For many, losing $450 means rent or utility bills or a prescription is no longer affordable. And that cut would especially hurt the nearly one out of five Social Security beneficiaries with no other source of income.

Some critics believe the most prudent course of action is to delay the legislative process of extending solvency. They believe that a more favorable balance of power in Washington will yield their desired policy outcome. But if Democrats refuse to act until we control both chambers of Congress and the presidency — a feat that would take at least two election cycles — we run the risk of skating even closer to the insolvency cliff.

Meanwhile, delaying action makes the policy choices more drastic. Had Congress acted in 2009, a payroll tax increase of less than 2% would have kept Social Security solvent for 75 years. Today, payroll taxes would have to increase by nearly 4.5% to close that gap.

Republicans and Democrats alike were elected to make responsible decisions for Americans. If we want real solutions to rescue Social Security before it is too late, we need buy-in from both parties.

Sixteen years ago, Congress had an opportunity to preserve Social Security through the bipartisan group known as the Simpson-Bowles Commission. I served on that panel. The plan we came up with was far from perfect, but it would have secured the program an additional 75 years of solvency. Ultimately, it failed to garner enough support, and our inaction led to today’s challenge.

It’s easy to be cynical about the problem. That’s why one-third of young Americans think Social Security will not be around for them when they retire. Faced with the skyrocketing costs of attending college, buying a home and starting a family, they feel the deck is unfairly stacked against them.

But we do not need to resign ourselves to a doomsday scenario. Nor do we need to wait for the elusive “perfect political moment.” Many of my colleagues have worked for years on serious, meaningful proposals to address the looming insolvency cliff. Yet, they’ve never received votes on the Senate Floor. We do not have a shortage of ideas; we have a lack of will.

Recently, with the support of a bipartisan group of senators, I introduced legislation to ensure Congress finally takes up this challenge. The PROMISE Act would open the Senate and House to debate and vote on different proposals in a transparent and bipartisan way. Under my bill, the fixes proposed in recent years would get the chance for full debate and consideration.

Some of my closest allies may think this notion — restoring the Senate to its long-forgotten moniker of the most deliberative body on earth — is too radical. I respectfully disagree.

Under our bipartisan plan, we would gather public input and testimony, the Senate and House committees would hold hearings, mark-up and adopt amendments, debate and consider alternate proposals on the floor — for days and days if necessary. Any measure would still need a filibuster-proof 60 votes on the floor. Such extensive deliberation is almost unheard of in today’s Senate, but it is sorely needed.

And we would do it all in a transparent way. Amendments for consideration would be published in the Congressional Record — a far cry from the backroom, late-night, secret deals for which Capitol Hill is often critiqued.

While some may disagree with this approach, I trust we share the goal of protecting and preserving Social Security for all. Americans sent us to Congress not to observe problems, but to solve them, and there is no greater long-term challenge before Congress than saving this program. Let’s not run away from our responsibility.

The Reason Trump & Republicans Don't Want Congress To Vote On The War

From former Labor Secretary Robert Reich:

The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) gives Congress the power “To declare War,” and the War Powers Resolution of 1973 — enacted over Nixon’s veto — mandates that troops be withdrawn within 60 days unless Congress extends the deadline or declares war. 

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that Trump doesn’t need Congress’s approval to continue the war past the 60-day mark because the ceasefire agreement with Iran has effectively stopped the clock. (Trump echoed Hegseth’s claim today in a letter to Congress.)

That’s bullshit, of course. But the interesting question is why — when Republicans have majorities in both chambers of Congress — Trump doesn’t want such a vote. Why not just let Republicans vote in favor of continuing his war, and be done with it?

It’s possible, of course, that Trump is worried that some Republican members might vote against the war — joining with all or almost all Democrats in voting against its continuation. Even a close vote could force a debate and pressure Trump to set the conditions and timeline for a withdrawal.

But there’s an easier and more straightforward reason. 

Trump’s war is so unpopular that Republican members of Congress don’t want to have to go on record as voting in favor of it. With midterm elections in six months, they know their votes in favor of Trump’s war could be held over their heads — especially if the war drags on, or if gas prices continue to rise because Iran is blocking the Strait of Hormuz, or both. 

They’ve let the White House know that forcing them to vote on the war will hurt their chances of maintaining control of Congress. 

So congressional Republicans are choosing the coward’s way out: agree with Hegseth and Trump that there’s no need for such a vote because the ceasefire has tolled the clock. Or claim, even more absurdly (as has Speaker of the House Mike Johnson) that there’s no “war” to begin with, and hence no reason for such a vote. 

Republicans in Congress are not brave people. To the contrary, they may be the most cowardly group ever to claim to represent the American people. 

Voters Think There's A Lot Of Corruption In The U.S. Congress

The chart above reflects the results of the Economist / YouGov Poll -- done between April 24th and 27th of a nationwide sample of 1,647 registered voters, with a 3 point margin of error. 

U.S. Congress Grows In Racial/Ethnic Diversity

 

From the Pew Research Center.

Five Significant Bills Were Passed & Signed In 2022

In spite of continual GOP chicanery, President Biden and Democrats were able to get some good bills passed in 2022.

From MSNBC.com:

As two years of full Democratic control come to an end, here are five of the most significant bills passed in 2022.

A sweeping climate, health and tax bill

The Inflation Reduction Act represents the largest attempt in U.S. history to combat climate change with a $369 billion package of clean-energy funding covering cars and homes and businesses. It also aims to curb methane emissions and sets aside money for communities heavily affected by air pollution and other climate-related issues.

The legislation contains new measures to lower prescription drug costs, including a provision that empowers Medicare to negotiate prices with the pharmaceutical industry, a new $2,000 yearly cap on out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions through Medicare, and a $35 monthly insulin cap for Medicare beneficiaries. It’s funded by a potpourri of new taxes, including a 15% corporate minimum tax. 

There’s more funding for IRS tax collection included in the bill, too.

It passed with the slimmest of margins — a vote of 51-50 in the Senate, winning over every Democratic senator and requiring Vice President Kamala Harris to break the tie, and 220-207 in the House. Not a single Republican voted for it.

A new election law aimed at preventing another Jan. 6

The massive government funding bill that passed Friday included a major election reform package designed to prevent future presidential candidates from stealing elections.

The Electoral Count Reform Act will revise the 1887 Electoral Count Act to make clear the vice president cannot discount electoral votes. It’ll raise the threshold for objections from one member of each the House and Senate to one-fifth of both chambers. It’ll also prevent competing slates of electors and simplify state certification with mechanisms to assure the rightful winner is certified.

The bipartisan package, led by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is aimed at closing gaps in federal law that former President Donald Trump and his allies sought to exploit to stay in power after losing the 2020 election. It’s designed to protect U.S. elections going forward and prevent another Jan. 6.

The toughest new gun law in nearly 30 years

The Safer Communities Act — a bipartisan bill led by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and John Cornyn, R-Texas — include grants for states to pass “red flag” laws designed to block people who could pose a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or owning a firearm.

It beefs up background checks of 18- to 21-year-olds, opening the door to examining juvenile records. It attempts to close the “boyfriend loophole” by keeping firearms away from dating partners who are convicted of abuse. The law also clarifies which gun sellers are required to register as licensees and thus forced to conduct background checks on potential buyers.

The action in Washington came in response to mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, that occurred 10 days apart and killed a combined 31 people, including 19 schoolchildren.

A law to improve U.S. competition with China

The CHIPS and Science Act is both a major piece of legislation and a message that the U.S. doesn’t intend to fall behind China when it comes to global competitiveness. 

The law — which grew out of a bill first negotiated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind. — makes a whopping $280 billion investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and tax breaks for the production of chips.

The White House and congressional defenders have described it as an essential step to revitalizing the struggling U.S. manufacturing industry and making a downpayment in the American workforce. It’s another bipartisan success story for this Congress, representing a rare point of strong consensus between the two parties: that the U.S. must combat China’s rising influence on the world stage.

Enshrining same-sex marriage

One of the final acts of the Democratic-controlled Congress was to pass a law that codifies federal protections for marriages between same-sex and interracial couples.

The Respect for Marriage Act — led by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., the first openly gay American elected to the Senate — forces the federal government to recognize legally performed same-sex marriages and to ensure couples full benefits “regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” It will not require states to grant marriage licenses against state law, but same-sex couples will enjoy the benefits if they get married in a different state.

The legislation came about after the new 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court voted last summer to overturn Roe v. Wade, prompting critics to fear that it could do the same to same-sex marriage rights. The new law provides a backstop against that possibility. 

It reflects growing U.S. support for legal same-sex marriage and was a celebratory moment for Biden a decade after he upstaged his then-boss, President Barack Obama, by jumping out ahead of him to declare his support for same sex marriage as vice president.

Zelensky's Speech To The U.S. Congress

 

The following is the transcript of Zelensky's speech to the United States Congress:

Dear Americans, in all states, cities and communities, all those who value freedom and justice, who cherish it as strongly as we Ukrainians in our cities, in each and every family, I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart.

Madam Vice President, I thank you for your efforts in helping Ukraine. Madam Speaker, you bravely visited Ukraine during the full-fledged war. Thank you very much. Great honor. Thank you.

I am very privileged to be here. Dear members of the Congress, representatives of both parties who also visited Kyiv, esteemed congressmen and senators from both parties who will visit Ukraine, I am sure, in the future; dear representatives of diaspora, present in this chamber, and spread across the country; dear journalists, it’s a great honor for me to be at the U.S. Congress and speak to you and all Americans.

Against all odds and doom-and-gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. Thank you. And it gives me good reason to share with you our first, first joint victory: We defeated Russia in the battle for minds of the world. We have no fear, nor should anyone in the world have it. Ukrainians gained this victory, and it gives us courage which inspires the entire world.

Americans gained this victory, and that’s why you have succeeded in uniting the global community to protect freedom and international law. Europeans gained this victory, and that’s why Europe is now stronger and more independent than ever. The Russian tyranny has lost control over us. And it will never influence our minds again.

Yet, we have to do whatever it takes to ensure that countries of the Global South also gain such victory. I know one more, I think very important, thing: The Russians will stand a chance to be free only when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds. Yet, the battle continues, and we have to defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield, yes.

This battle is not only for the territory, for this or another part of Europe. The battle is not only for life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and then their children and grandchildren.

It will define whether it will be a democracy of Ukrainians and for Americans — for all. This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide a protection. From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, and from Africa to Australia, the world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and at the same time to feel safe when such a battle continues.

Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year will be a turning point, I know it, the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom, the freedom of people who stand for their values.

Ladies and gentlemen — ladies and gentlemen, Americans, yesterday before coming here to Washington, D.C., I was at the front line in our Bakhmut. In our stronghold in the east of Ukraine, in the Donbas. The Russian military and mercenaries have been taking Bakhmut nonstop since May. They have been taking it day and night, but Bakhmut stands.

Last year — last year, 70,000 people lived here in Bakhmut, in this city, and now only few civilians stay. Every inch of that land is soaked in blood; roaring guns sound every hour. Trenches in the Donbas change hands several times a day in fierce combat, and even hand fighting. But the Ukrainian Donbas stands.

Russians — Russians use everything, everything they have against Bakhmut and other our beautiful cities. The occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery. They have an advantage in ammunition. They have much more missiles and planes than we ever had. It’s true, but our defense forces stand. And — and we all are proud of them.

The Russians’ tactic is primitive. They burn down and destroy everything they see. They sent thugs to the front lines. They sent convicts to the war. They threw everything against us, similar to the other tyranny, which is in the Battle of the Bulge. Threw everything it had against the free world, just like the brave American soldiers which held their lines and fought back Hitler’s forces during the Christmas of 1944. Brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to Putin’s forces this Christmas.

Ukraine — Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender. So, so, here the front line, the tyranny which has no lack of cruelty against the lives of free people — and your support is crucial, not just to stand in such fight but to get to the turning point to win on the battlefield.

We have artillery, yes. Thank you. We have it. Is it enough? Honestly, not really. To ensure Bakhmut is not just a stronghold that holds back the Russian Army, but for the Russian Army to completely pull out, more cannons and shells are needed. If so, just like the Battle of Saratoga, the fight for Bakhmut will change the trajectory of our war for independence and for freedom.

If your Patriots stop the Russian terror against our cities, it will let Ukrainian patriots work to the full to defend our freedom. When Russia — when Russia cannot reach our cities by its artillery, it tries to destroy them with missile attacks. More than that, Russia found an ally in this — in this genocidal policy: Iran. Iranian deadly drones sent to Russia in hundreds — in hundreds became a threat to our critical infrastructure. That is how one terrorist has found the other.

It is just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies if we do not stop them now. We must do it. I believe there should be no taboos between us in our alliance. Ukraine never asked the American soldiers to fight on our land instead of us. I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can perfectly operate American tanks and planes themselves.

Financial assistance is also critically important, and I would like to thank you, thank you very much, thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and the ones you may be willing to decide on. Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.

Russia, Russia could stop its aggression, really, if it wanted to, but you can speed up our victory. I know it. And it, it will prove to any potential aggressor that no one can succeed in breaking national borders, no one committing atrocities and reigning over people against their will. It would be naïve to wait for steps towards peace from Russia, which enjoys being a terrorist state. Russians are still poisoned by the Kremlin.

The restoration of international legal order is our joint task. We need peace, yes. Ukraine has already offered proposals, which I just discussed with President Biden, our peace formula, 10 points which should and must be implemented for our joint security, guaranteed for decades ahead and the summit which can be held.

I’m glad to say that President Biden supported our peace initiative today. Each of you, ladies and gentlemen, can assist in the implementation to ensure that America’s leadership remains solid, bicameral and bipartisan. Thank you.

You can strengthen sanctions to make Russia feel how ruinous its aggression truly is. It is in your power, really, to help us bring to justice everyone who started this unprovoked and criminal war. Let’s do it. Let terrorist — let the terrorist state be held responsible for its terror and aggression and compensate all losses done by this war. Let the world see that the United States are here.

Ladies and gentlemen — ladies and gentlemen, Americans, in two days we will celebrate Christmas. Maybe candlelit. Not because it’s more romantic, no, but because there will not be, there will be no electricity. Millions won’t have neither heating nor running water. All of these will be the result of Russian missile and drone attacks on our energy infrastructure.

But we do not complain. We do not judge and compare whose life is easier. Your well-being is the product of your national security; the result of your struggle for independence and your many victories. We, Ukrainians, will also go through our war of independence and freedom with dignity and success.

We’ll celebrate Christmas. Celebrate Christmas and, even if there is no electricity, the light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out. If Russian — if Russian missiles attack us, we’ll do our best to protect ourselves. If they attack us with Iranian drones and our people will have to go to bomb shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down at the holiday table and cheer up each other. And we don’t, don’t have to know everyone’s wish, as we know that all of us, millions of Ukrainians, wish the same: Victory. Only victory.

We already built strong Ukraine, with strong people, strong army, strong institutions together with you. We developed strong security guarantees for our country and for entire Europe and the world, together with you. And also together with you, we’ll put in place everyone who will defy freedom. Put-in.

This will be the basis to protect democracy in Europe and the world over. Now, on this special Christmastime, I want to thank you, all of you. I thank every American family which cherishes the warmth of its home and wishes the same warmth to other people. I thank President Biden and both parties, at the Senate and the House, for your invaluable assistance. I thank your cities and your citizens who supported Ukraine this year, who hosted our Ukrainians, our people, who waved our national flags, who acted to help us. Thank you all, from everyone who is now at the front line, from everyone who is awaiting victory.

Standing here today, I recall the wars of the president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which are I think so good for this moment. The American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory. The Ukrainian people will win, too, absolutely.

I know that everything depends on us, on Ukrainian armed forces, yet so much depends on the world. So much in the world depends on you. When I was in Bakhmut yesterday, our heroes gave me the flag, the battle flag, the flag of those who defend Ukraine, Europe and the world at the cost of their lives. They asked me to bring this flag to you, to the U.S. Congress, to members of the House of Representatives and senators whose decisions can save millions of people.

So, let these decisions be taken. Let this flag stay with you, ladies and gentlemen. This flag is a symbol of our victory in this war. We stand, we fight and we will win because we are united — Ukraine, America and the entire free world.

Just one thing, if I can, the last thing — thank you so much, may God protect our brave troops and citizens, may God forever bless the United States of America. Merry Christmas and a happy, victorious New Year. Slava Ukraini. [Glory to Ukraine.]

Record Number Of Women Will Be In Congress In Next Term

 

Transcript Of President Zelensky's Speech To U.S. Congress

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke to the United States Congress, After finishing, he was given a standing ovation from members of both parties. Here (from QZ.com) is a transcript of his speech:

Americans, friends. I am proud to greet you from Ukraine, from our capital city of Kyiv, the city under missile and airstrikes from Russians every day.

It does not give up. We have not even thought about it for a second. Just like many other cities and communities in our beautiful country which found themselves in the worst war since World War II. I have been honored to greet you on behalf of the Ukrainian people and freedom-loving people who for years have been resisting Russian aggression. Those who give their best sons and daughters to stop this full-scale Russian invasion.

Right now, the destiny of our country is being decided. The destiny of our people, whether Ukrainians will be free, whether they will be able to preserve their democracy. Russia has attacked not just us, not just our land, our cities. It went on a brutal offensive against our values. Basic human values. Against our freedom, our right to live freely, choosing our own future. Against our desire for happiness, against our national dreams.

Just like the same things you have, you Americans. Just like anyone else in the United States. I remember the national memorial Mount Rushmore. the faces of your prominent presidents, those who laid the foundation of the United States of America. Democracy, independence, freedom.

For every person who works diligently, who lives honestly, who respects the law, we in Ukraine want the same for our people. All that is a normal part of your own life.

Ladies and gentlemen, Americans, in your great history you would understand Ukrainians. Understand us now. We need you right now.

Remember Pearl Harbor. The morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you. Remember. Remember September 11. A terrible day in 2001 when people tried to turn your cities into battlefields. When innocent people were attacked attacked from the air. No one expected it. You couldn’t stop it.

Our country experiences the same every day. Right now, this moment, every night for three weeks, in various Ukrainian cities, Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people. Russian troops have fired 1000 missiles at Ukraine. They use drones to kill us with precision.

This is a terror Europe has not seen for 80 years and we are asking for an answer to this terror from the world. Is that a lot to ask? To create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people. Is this too much to ask? A no-fly zone. Russia would not be able to terrorize our cities.

If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative. You know what kind of defense systems we need. You know how much depends on the ability to use aircraft to protect our people, our freedom. aircraft that can help Ukraine, help Europe. We know they exist and you have them. They are not in Ukrainian skies.

I have a dream. I have a need. I need to protect our skies. I need your help, which means the same you feel when you hear the words I have a dream. Ladies and gentlemen, friends. Ukraine is grateful to the United States for its overwhelming support. Everything your government and your people have done for us, for weapons and training, for leadership to pressure the aggressor economically.

I am grateful to president Biden for his sincere commitment to the defense of Ukraine and democracy all over the world. I am grateful to you for the resolution which recognizes all of those who commit crimes against Ukraine as war criminals. In the darkest times for our country I call on you to do more.

New sanctions are needed constantly every week until the Russian military machine stops. Restrictions are needed for everyone on whom this unjust regime is based: all politicians in the Russian Federation who remain in their offices and do not cut ties with those who are responsible for the aggression against Ukraine from the state duma members upwards.

All American companies must leave Russia from their market immediately because it is flooded with our blood. Ladies and gentlemen, members of Congress. If you have companies in your district who financed the Russian military machine, you should put pressure. I am asking to make sure the Russians do not receive a single penny they used to destroy people in Ukraine, the destruction of our country, the destruction of Europe. All American ports should be closed for Russian goods. Peace is more important than income, and we have to defend this principle in the whole world.

We have to defend the world. We already became part of the antiwar coalition, the big antiwar coalition that unites many countries, dozens of countries, those who reacted to president Putin’s decision to invade our country. We need to move on and do more. We need to create more tools to respond quickly and stop the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24. It would be fair if it ended in 24 hours, that people would be punished, that evil would be punished.

Today the people do not have such tools. Institutions should protect us from war but they unfortunately do not work. We need new alliances and we offer them. We propose to create an association, united for peace, a union of responsible countries to stop conflict immediately, provide all the necessary assistance in 24 hours, weapons if necessary, sanctions if necessary, humanitarian support, finances, everything you need to keep the peace and quickly to save the world, to save life.

Such associations would provide assistance to those who are experiencing natural disasters, who fell victim to humanitarian crisis or epidemics. Remember how difficult it was for the world to do the simplest things just to get a vaccine against covid to save lives, to prevent new strains. The world spent months, years doing things like that much faster to make sure there are no victims.

Ladies and gentlemen, if such an alliance would exist today we would be able to save thousands of lives in our country, in many countries around the world, those who need peace, those who suffer inhumane destruction. I ask you to watch one video. a video of what the Russian troops did in our country, in our land. We have to destroy every single aggressor who seeks to subjugate other nations. Please watch the video.

VIDEO PLAYS

In the end, to be the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace. Peace in your country does not depend only on you and your people. It depends on those next to you, on those who are strong. Strong does not mean weak. Strong is brave and ready to fight for his citizens as citizens of the world. For human rights. For freedom. The right to live decently and die when your time comes and not when decided by somebody else.

Today the Ukrainian people are defending not only Ukraine. We are fighting for Europe and the world and our lives in the name of the future. That is why today the American people are helping not just Ukraine, but Europe and the world to keep the planet alive. To keep justice in history.

I am almost 45 years old. Today my age stopped when the hearts of more than 100 children stopped beating. I see no sense in life if it cannot stop the deaths. This is my mission as a leader of my people. and as a leader of my nation.

I’m addressing president Biden. You are the leader of the nation, of your great nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace. Thank you. Glory to Ukraine.

Job Approval Is Higher For The President Than For Congress

 

The charts above reflect the results of the new Quinnipiac University Poll -- done between February 10th and 14th of a nationwide sample of 1,321 adults with a 2.7 point margin of error.

Much has been made in the press lately about the low job approval numbers of President Biden. This poll has his job approval at only 35%.

But that doesn't necessarily mean the voters want the Republican back in power. The job approval of congressional Republicans is eleven points lower (at 24%). And it's seven points lower than that of congressional Democrats (at 31%).

The truth is that the public is unhappy with everyone in government thanks to inflation, the pandemic, and other issues.

Warren's Statement On Congress Owning/Trading Stocks

There is a movement in Congress to ban the ownership or trading of stocks by members of Congress. One of the people pushing this is Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts). Here is what she had to say about it in an e-mail to her supporters:

I think this is pretty basic, but apparently it’s a newsflash to some people in Washington:

The American people deserve to have complete confidence that members of Congress are making decisions based on what’s best for the country — not what’s best for those lawmakers’ own personal finances.

So we need to ban members of Congress from owning and trading individual stocks. 

I’m coming out with a new bill to do exactly that — and it’s already got bipartisan support. Now, to get it over the finish line, we need to show that the American people are demanding action.

Remember: Not so long ago, Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue played down the danger of COVID-19 in public while privately trading stocks to profit from the pandemic. They both lost their re-election campaigns, but the potential for conflicts of interest still lurks around Capitol Hill — and we’ve got to clear it out.

Now, let’s be clear — I’m more than ready to go even further than this plan. My larger bill to root corruption out of Washington would ban Cabinet secretaries, federal judges (including Supreme Court justices), and other top officials from owning and trading individual stocks.

But this bipartisan plan, focused on Congress, is a straightforward first step. And there’s real momentum behind it right now.

Here’s how the ban would work:

• After a short transition period, members of Congress and their spouses won’t be allowed to own or trade individual stocks.
• Instead, they can put their money in conflict-free investments like diversified mutual funds.
• And if they break the rules, they’ll have to pay a $50,000 fine per violation.

It’s clear and sharp. It says that senators and representatives shouldn’t be able to write laws to enrich themselves. And anyone who isn’t ready to follow these basic rules can pick a new line of work.

I’ve been working on this issue for years, and I believe we’re closer than ever to making it happen. Republicans and Democrats are working together to say enough is enough. Now is the moment for everyone to raise their voices.

Thanks for being a part of this,

Elizabeth 

Bill More Popular Than Congress & His Bills Are Still Popular

 

The charts above are from the new Monmouth University Poll -- done between January 20th and 24th of a national sample of 794 adults, with a 3.5 point margin of error.

The poll shows that President Biden's job approval has gone down in the last year, but it is still about 20 points higher than that of Congress. And his programs are still very popular -- the Infrastructure Bill and the Build Back Better Bill.

Congress Dominated By Silent & Baby Boomer Generations

 

The chart above is from the Pew Research Center. It shows the generational divisions of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States.

Congress Is Still Very Unpopular With Most Americans

The charts above reflect the results of the latest Economist / YouGov Poll -- done between January 10th and 12th of a national sample of 1,500 adults, with a 3.6 point margin of error.

It shows that the U.S. Congress remains very unpopular with the American people. Only 13% approve of the job they're doing, while 59% disapprove -- a 46 point negative rating.

Once the Democrats assume control of the Senate, will the job approval rise? Only if Congress starts getting something done to solve the nation';s problems. If gridlock continues, the low approval rating will persist.

New Stimulus Bill Not Good Enough, But Better Than Nothing

 Millions of Americans are hurting in this pandemic recession, and their plight was about to get much worse as benefits and protections ran out.

Congress should have dealt with this months ago, but they delayed and delayed -- mostly because Republicans did not want a new deal (at least one that helped someone other than the rich).

Finally, under pressure, a bipartisan group came up with a compromise. It didn't do everything that needed to be done, and doesn't do more than offer a short reprieve.

But to a starving person, half a meal is better than nothing. And this stimulus bill, with all its shortcomings, is also better than nothing. Without solving all the problems, it does give at least some help.

But there were some in Congress that voted against the bill -- 50 Republicans, 1 Independent, and 2 Democrats in the House voted against the bill. Six Republicans in the Senate voted against the bill.

I understand why the Republicans voted against it. They didn't want to offer any help at all to hurting Americans. For them, the only Americans worthy of help are the rich.

But the 2 Democrats should be ashamed of themselves. They are Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii. I know the bill didn't do everything they wanted it to do. I was disappointed in it also. But isn't a little help better than no help at all? And in reality, their vote (symbolic though it may have been) was a vote to do nothing. And nothing is exactly what would be accomplished if this bill had failed.

They voted against the good, because they wanted an unreachable great. That's ridiculous, and it's not the way politics works in a representative democracy.

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UPDATE -- Now it looks like the passage of the bill will be for naught. Donald Trump is saying he might veto it. He wants $2000 payments instead of $600 payments, and asks that some other things be excluded from the bill (even though they are not in the stimulus bill, but in the budget bill). 

It's too late to amend the bill, since it has already been passed -- and I doubt the Republicans would start over with a higher payment at this point (since they originally didn't want any payments at all).

Trump is doing what I accused others of doing in my post above. He's risking NOTHING will get done, so he can try and make himself look generous (purely a political move). If he vetoes this bill, there will be no bill passed until next year (and probably not until after Biden in sworn in). And if the GOP retains control of the Senate, there might not be any bill at all.