Members of Congress are heading dwelling for the ultimate reelection dash, and you may virtually hear the scurrying footsteps as Republican lawmakers flee from their duties. They’re vacating the Capitol sooner than typical, and that’s not a shock. As Day by day Kos reported, Home Republicans have hassle with precise governing—however in the case of vindictive “investigations,” their power is limitless
This exodus will happen after a Wednesday night time Home vote on a funding invoice that may hold the federal government open via Dec. 20. The persevering with decision is predicted to cross, however it’s price maintaining a tally of which Republicans vote in opposition to it—and why, aside from to throw spokes within the wheels of legislative effectivity.
Congress will return after the November election to an extended to-do checklist, together with annual protection authorization funding, a farm invoice that wants extending, and tax and well being care provisions that want finalizing. As Punchbowl Information writes, “all of this is being left undone as lawmakers head home to take care of their ultimate must-have—getting reelected.”
However as a substitute of specializing in, , retaining the federal government working, the Home GOP goes after President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and a Cupboard member.
On Wednesday, the Republican-led Home Oversight Committee introduced it’s investigating the Biden-Harris administration for flying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Pennsylvania forward of the 2024 presidential election, alleging that he was in impact campaigning for Harris.
“If the Biden-Harris Administration attempted to use a foreign leader to benefit the Vice President’s presidential campaign, this is an abuse of power and misuse of taxpayer dollars,” the committee wrote in a assertion on X.
One other misuse of taxpayer {dollars} could be to make use of them to fund futile investigations, hearings, and impeachment efforts.
The fractured and feckless Home GOP has extra lofty plans when Congress comes again in November: International Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul on Tuesday introduced a decision to carry Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress for not showing earlier than the committee on days when Blinken was in Egypt, France, and on the United Nations Normal Meeting doing his precise job. The committee demanded that Blinken present up to testify on the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The complete Home might vote to carry Blinken in contempt of Congress, and kick it as much as the Justice Division. That looks like an vital goal when their efforts to question Secretary of Homeland Safety Alejandro Mayorkas, Legal professional Normal Merrick Garland, and Biden all went nowhere.
Republicans’ deal with all of the improper points highlights their wrestle to point out People that they’re really working to enhance their lives. Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped them from resorting to acquainted obstructionist ways.
Whereas Wednesday’s stopgap authorities spending invoice could have the votes, the longer term stays unsure. Home Speaker Mike Johnson has promised to torpedo the so-called Christmas omnibus invoice, which has traditionally been used to fund the federal government in a single fell swoop. His obstinance means Congress members could not have the ability to return dwelling in time for the vacations. Bah humbug.
“There won’t be a Christmas omnibus,” Johnson vowed at a Tuesday press convention.
As People wrestle with a housing affordability disaster, slashed reproductive rights, and excessive meals prices, Republicans are working idiot’s errands as they hold focusing on Biden and administration officers who shall be out of workplace come January.
Who must fund the federal government anyway?
