This phony budget crisis will end the same way it always does, with a Republican cave-in. But a House Speakership is on the line this time. That ups the popcorn rating index a bit more than normal. 
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s Proposal
- 8% spending cut for domestic agencies
- Resumption of border wall construction
- No funds for Ukraine
Although that plan would never make it out of the Senate alive, one might think it would at least appease the hardcore Right. However, one would be wrong.
Bloomberg reports McCarthy Demands 8% Spending Cut, Border Wall to Avert Shutdown
McCarthy immediately faced opposition from some GOP ultra-conservatives that could doom the plan. Six hard-right lawmakers quickly announced their opposition. McCarthy can only afford to lose four Republicans, without Democratic support.
McCarthy became so frustrated with hardliners’ opposition to any spending measures that he dared them at a meeting on Thursday to try to oust him from his leadership position.
There is no way McCarthy can get the above list but even that is not enough. As of Monday, there were 10 hard-liners calling for more budget cuts and other items.
Got Popcorn?
The new set of requirements includes defunding the investigation into Donald Trump and blocking the spending of previous Ukraine aid.
As terms to win speakership, McCarthy agreed to a rule change in which a single House member could bring a “motion to vacate,” which forces a vote on removing the speaker. With only four votes to spare, Democrats would sit back and laugh at the process that would ensue.
It took 15 rounds of votes to anoint McCarthy. It’s unclear how many votes it might take if Republicans forced another vote. As a negotiation tactic, this looks silly, two ways, first on the process, second because nothing will fly in the Senate anyway.
I am inclined to believe Republicans can’t possibly be so stupid, but who knows. Sillier things have happened.
Meanwhile, McCarthy might have to work a deal with House Democrats to get something passed. That would be more than a bit humiliating. “We’ve got a long ways to go. We’ve got a lot of different ideas,” McCarthy said of the intra-party talks.
Get the popcorn ready, just in case.
Whether or not we need popcorn for the clown show shenanigans, this will end with humiliation for the Republicans.
Meanwhile, enjoy the energy crunch and UAW hardball.
Demand for Diesel and Jet Fuel Soars But Refining Capacity Sinks
Please thank president Biden for an energy crunch: Demand for Diesel and Jet Fuel Soars But Refining Capacity Sinks
Also, the alleged surprise tactic by the UAW was no surprise at all. Nonetheless, this could be long and nasty.
For discussion, please see Was Anyone Surprised by the UAW’s Alleged Surprise Attack Strike?
I think it would be great if McCarthy comes up for a vote. Instead of dems voting no on any republican nomination. The all vote yes on the most center rt nomination and put the far right out of the game.
“no funds for Ukraine”
There’s now way this will ever happen with dems in charge of senate. Too much risk of Biden malfeasance evidence leaking out.
That they’ve masterfully concealed somehow…
I am on the road much of the day. Two posts scheduled but I will not be able to approve comments that get caught in any filters.
Someone please repeat that for me on the next two scheduled posts this morning and shortly after noon Mountain Time.
Will do since I’m always here looking for profits.
“Enjoy the energy crunch”
Yep. Worldwide demand for oil keeps hitting new highs. While supply remains constrained. And worldwide inventories continue to decline. Which should keep upward pressure on prices for the rest of this decade. Of course, in the short term, prices will fluctuate, sometimes wildly. But in the long run its all about supply and demand. And my expectations for the rest of the decade remain the same.
At $90 WTI, most oil companies will be returning their free cash flow to shareholders at rates of 15-20% per year in dividends and or buybacks. No need for higher oil prices, but returns will be even juicier if they do.
What I don’t want to see is large spikes up in prices. While good for oil companies in the short run, large spikes up to $120+ often cause demand destruction and a subsequent drop in prices, as witnessed in the last year.
I’m waiting on DVN to spike back up to sell more calls and profit, profit, profit!
WTI at $92.68 as I type this and Brent at whopping $95. Choo! Choo!
They can’t get along in the Pourhouse. The unfinished debt ceiling ==> gov shutdown, layoffs, paralysis. Chuck might stop them, before they cause real
harm. The more they fight, the longer they shut the gov down. The clock is running against Biden, The clowns know it.
uniparty will make sure israel and ukraine are taken care of via MIC, not matter what. doing the will of the idiots who vote D and R. long live pax dumbfuckistan.
A vote to remove could seriously delay any budget agreement. That would be a self inflicted political wound on the GOP. Demanding a large 8% cut and then agreeing to a 2% cut would be good kabuki since cuts are generally from PROPOSED budgets, not actual budgets.
I never liked McCarthy but I must admit, that when many in the Party started backing him, Trump included, I did too.
I admit at this point that I was wrong to follow that lead, which my instinct new better than to do, but my rush to judgment failed me as it should have, damn it!
Immediately force this Fraud to step down, with whatever dignity he may have left, and move on to a “Real Republican” Leader for the House. When that’s done over the next few days, start your plans on the Senate Side of things and Do Not Take NO! For an answer… JS
” defunding the investigation into Donald Trump ”
BWAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAA!
So many brown noses!
Toot, Toot!
Liberal, kook alert! Get out the straightjacket!
is donald Rump, a conservative or a libruuuuuuuul? nobody is dumb enough to think he is a conservative, are they?
I don’t give a Toot, Toot what you think, TT. Go away!
P.S. I don’t care what part Trump is. I want a f’ing wall built along the southern border. That’s my litmus test. Personally, I like DeSantis because he’s a doer. He runs over people to get things done. That’s what’s needed in this country now. Liberals have been running over conservatives for decades now. The time is for the tide to turn.
Im all for legal immigration. A wall is just a show.
That floating barrier was a 1000 feet long. I dont think if you walked from south america a 1000 ft is gonna stop you. There have been plenty of times when either dems or rep control congress where either could have done immigration reform.
To trumplings, he’s Fanta Jesus. Woop Woop!
saint ronnie raygun taught amerika there is a free lunch and debt does not matter. he tripled the debt and conned the rubes he was a conservative. boomer amerikans are eternally idiotic. thank heavens for gifts like that for our competition.
He may have, but what has followed has been exponentially worse every time. Reagan would look fiscally sane compare to what we’ve seen over the last 23 years.
When people bring that up about Reagan, they always forget to look at the total debt chart, especially recent years.
Shut it down. Most of the government is nonessential, so why spend money for it to not do the work that is not needed?
Congress is only doing what their public wants them to do … the American public wants a big welfare state and does NOT want to pay for it. Almost all Federal spending is wildly popular (SS, Medicare, Medicaid (Fed portion), Defense, Interest, Vet spending) is about 80% of it. Meanwhile, the rich say “You can tax us 95% and you wouldnt come close to closing the deficit!” Well, of course not. But if we increase taxes on the rich for 50 years, not just one year, we might just make a real dent.
yes congress is the people. true. your analysis on paying for it all is erroneous but no matter.
Tax is not the answer: cutting spending, even for mandatory items, is the only way. Good luck you clowns who got us here.
Its 4th and goal to go on the one yard line. What does congress do?
Punt
… and Margie’s gnawing on the football again…
and boebert in the stands pleasuring the fans……..while jeff toobin reports it from CNN
Elect clowns to office and you’ll get clown shows.
Cue the circus music! Places everyone!
Agreed 100%
The UniParty Clown show.
Bring on the motion to vacate. Bring on the impeachment of Brandon. Bring on the long overdue retirements of McConnell, Bernie & Schumer.
Hell, maybe we’ll even throw in a KJP & MTG ouster.
Clown Show Extraordinaires (aka WH & Congress).
Woohoo! Toot, Toot goes Zardoz!
correct. but to refine what is really happening. democracy. and it always works perfectly. clown citizens elect representatives that truly reflect themselves. clowns. most people cannot handle reality of situation is amerikans are imperialist idiots and elect imperialist idiots. we’re getting dumber and dumber too. almost organic. all empires fail. we’ll be no different. it’s funny anyway so there is that.
Not true. At one time we had an electorial college. We all met in town meetings and voted to send the smartest guy in town to the electorial voting meeting. They selected the best to go to Congress. You have not watched enough Jimmy Stewart movies.