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The Shutdown Fight That Could Play Right Into Trump’s Hands
Politico ^ | February 10, 2025 | Rachel Bade

Posted on 03/12/2025 10:24:39 AM PDT by gwjack

With President Donald Trump and Elon Musk taking a sledgehammer to the federal bureaucracy with their “Department of Government Efficiency,” Democrats are desperate to push back — and some are eyeing what they see as an irresistible piece of leverage.

Asked on “Meet the Press” Sunday if he was “prepared to shut down the government” when funding expires on March 14, Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said he was: “They are simply trying to dismantle the government,” he said. “I cannot support efforts that will continue this lawlessness that we’re seeing.”

The logic is straightforward enough: Republicans, after all, will need Democratic votes to keep the government open, given the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and House conservatives’ aversion to supporting any funding bill. Why not play a little hardball, the thinking goes, and try to get Trump and Musk to back off?

But having covered more than a few of these shutdown fights, I can say confidently that this isn’t the leverage point Democrats and much of Washington seem to think it is. Not only is this a battle Democrats probably can’t win, it’s one that could play right into Trump and Musk’s hands.

To understand why, let’s unpack the practical and political ramifications of a DOGE-focused shutdown over Musk’s efforts.

* * *

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: budget; cr; maga
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Two of my Belgian Malinois are named Scylla and Charybdis (the next will be Cerberus) from Greek mythology and specifically the poem of Homer; Odysseus on the Odyessy. A movie is coming out in 2026. The dogs are named for the perilous choice of which sea monster Odysseus would have to choose on one of his voyages on a wooden ship, through an extremely narrow strait. If he got too close to one side, his ship could be shredded by undersea rocks not visible. If too close to the other his ship would be subjected to a huge whirlpool to suck it and all his men, down to the bottom. It is sometimes called like being between a rock and a hard place.

It seems that the democrats find them in such a predicament. If the Senate filibusters the CR, the government will be shut down BUT, the person in charge then is Russell Vought (a diabolical nemesis to democrats) who will have unfettered authority as Director of the Office of Management and Budget to make decisions what to shut down who to fire, and any other matter such as funding the border and deportations.

So, if democrats vote to accept the CR, the plans of DOGE and Elon Musk will be implemented with a rescission and new budget. If they choose to filibuster and shut down the government, the border will be funded, and employees and programs will be terminated. What is a democrat to do? Whatever they choose, it is wrong. I speculate that they will reluctantly pass the CR and try to fight another day.

Hat tip to Erick Erickson today for describing it.

Stay awake for the decisions of the individual Democrat senators before Friday. Many will encourage primary opponents, and many will set up a favorable election issue for Republican opponents.

My understanding from EE on the radio is that Angus King has blindly stumbled into his tough choice, and he doesn’t like it.

Gwjack

1 posted on 03/12/2025 10:24:39 AM PDT by gwjack
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To: gwjack

funny that Andy Kim should be one to talk of lawlessness.


2 posted on 03/12/2025 10:27:00 AM PDT by b4me (Pray, and let God change you. He knows better than you or anyone else, who He made you to be.)
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To: gwjack

“I speculate that they will reluctantly pass the CR and try to fight another day.”

I agree. But in the meantime, the slashing continues. The CR may provide funding but there will be fewer agencies so the money will not be spent.

And when Trump’s budget goes to the senate, only 50 votes are required.


3 posted on 03/12/2025 10:30:08 AM PDT by TexasGator (I11 .I1.11.'1I1.I'')
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To: gwjack
Only some firings thus far. DOGE is just getting started. They haven't seen anything yet.



4 posted on 03/12/2025 10:30:08 AM PDT by plain talk
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To: gwjack

Trump moves so fast, the left has no choice but to be on defense. In politics, defense is the losing game.


5 posted on 03/12/2025 10:36:16 AM PDT by dware (Americans prefer peaceful slavery over dangerous freedom)
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To: gwjack

Which laws have been broken?


6 posted on 03/12/2025 10:40:36 AM PDT by bigbob (Yes. We ARE going back!)
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To: gwjack

Those poor Democrats! What a conundrum!

If they block the CR Bill, the government shuts down except for really, really, really necessary components! That would show America that Trump’s paring down of the Government is a really, really, really good thing!

Also if the Government shuts down, then DOGE will have free reign into all departments without any interference from the staff!

If they PASS the CR Bill that means that they approve of all the stuff that’s in it and Trump gets his way and a huge political victory!

What to do?...What to do?...What to do?...What to do?...What to do?.........................


7 posted on 03/12/2025 10:43:33 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: gwjack

Per the article:

“No spending whatsoever “except as necessary to bring about the orderly termination of an agency’s functions.” He later amended that to exempt functions connected to “the safety of human life or the protection of property.”

No! Please don’t throw me in the briar patch...


8 posted on 03/12/2025 10:45:23 AM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: Red Badger

Trump wins either way.


9 posted on 03/12/2025 10:45:37 AM PDT by bray (It's not racist to be racist against races the DNC hates.)
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To: Red Badger

Someday we will know what GENIUS constructed the snare which is facing the Democrats. EE gave credit to “Magic Mike” Johnson, the SOTH.

but, as JFK said, “Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.”

I do think that the Senate Democrats will split their votes, depending on how safe their seat is. This show of party confusion will look bad upon them. Bigly!!! They won’t be a steamrolling team anymore.

Gwjack


10 posted on 03/12/2025 10:50:50 AM PDT by gwjack (May God give America His richest blessings.)
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To: Red Badger
What to do?

We must outlaw 4D chess!

11 posted on 03/12/2025 10:58:57 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats don't care how corrupt government is, as long as they get a cut of the loot.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

4D Chess on speed.

No one can keep up.

Trump is already passed Day 200 of accomplishes.

I saw O’Leary say they need to focus on tax cuts and stop the mixed messaging of tariffs because “investors” can’t follow.

Screw them. Trump doesn’t have the time to worry about focused messaging.


12 posted on 03/12/2025 11:12:50 AM PDT by Fledermaus ("It turns out all we really needed was a new President!")
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To: gwjack

From the article: “I cannot support efforts that will continue this lawlessness that we’re seeing.”

Where was the follow up question to this clown about which laws were being broken by DOGE? The “lawlessness” word is being bandied about just like “Rusian collusion”. Trump’s Press Secratary needs to nip this nonsense quickly before people think it is true.

There are no laws being broken by the Trump administration concerning DOGE. Musk and friends are just finding fraud and abuse. They do not have the authority to fire or close down departments, the Executive branch does. All DOGE is doing is “discovery” and reporting.


13 posted on 03/12/2025 11:27:58 AM PDT by CapnJack ( )
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To: gwjack

They can still pay in 2025 the bloated salaries paid in 2024.


14 posted on 03/12/2025 11:34:39 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: gwjack

Compare 2025 spending (and population) to say 1995, 1982, 1969 and 1954 spending adjusted for inflation (and population).

If the US government didn’t need an entity in 1982 it probably doesn’t need it now.

How many people did the CDC have in 1969?


15 posted on 03/12/2025 11:40:45 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: dware

“Trump moves so fast, the left has no choice but to be on defense. In politics, defense is the losing game.”

It takes days to type up a lawsuit, but the judges will undo Trump’s work.

Congress needs to change laws.


16 posted on 03/12/2025 11:42:31 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: TexasGator

“the slashing continues”

The only slashing I’ve read about is buyouts and probationary employees.

Essential people might take buyouts and then get rehired.


17 posted on 03/12/2025 11:45:09 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: gwjack

Does the EPA still have the power to regulate CO2 emissions?

Is the 57 miles per gallon rule still on the horizon?

There’s more than useless or malevolent employees that needs to get dealt with.


18 posted on 03/12/2025 11:48:44 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: Brian Griffin
Congress needs to change laws.

And they have the momentum and political capital to do so offensively. The question is, will they? Somehow I don't trust the GOP rank & file.

19 posted on 03/12/2025 11:49:04 AM PDT by dware (Americans prefer peaceful slavery over dangerous freedom)
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To: dware

ALL—

From the AP a few weeks ago about Russ Vought. I am liking what
I read about him. He is the recognized author of the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025.”

https://apnews.com/article/trump-russell-vought-confirmation-budget-project-2025-7d1c476694176876256e95cecbd49231

“Writing in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, Vought described the White House budget director’s job “as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind.”

“The OMB, he declared, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.”

Note that it says the OMB is “powerful enough to override implementing agencies bureaucracies.”

Gwjack


20 posted on 03/12/2025 12:02:26 PM PDT by gwjack (May God give America His richest blessings.)
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