With the reasonable fear that Republicans may take back both chambers of Congress, and it only requires Republicans to regain one of them, I notice a lot of talk about what protective measures should be taken in the intervening “lame duck” Congress to protect us from the coming storm. The latest is the idea that we may need to approve a large Ukrainian military aid package (even prematurely) to avoid the perfidy of the dangerously pro-Putin Republican crowd.
There sure does seem like a long number of crucial things that this Congress is supposed to pass in the upcoming lame duck session to protect us from Republicans, including (i) passing a continuing resolution to fund the government and prevent a shut down, (ii) eliminating the debt ceiling threat to the US and world economy, (iii) reforming the Electoral Count Act to preserve democracy, (iv) protecting gay marriage from Supreme Court reversal, (v) funding the DOJ’s Jan 6 criminal investigation and, now, (vi) committing ourselves to adequately support Ukraine’s war efforts. There also is still the matter of (vi) actual disaster relief for Hurricane Ian. Oh!, and Democrats (vii) need to confirm as many remaining judges as possible.
Wow. That is quite a historic “lame duck” agenda. All of this feels like when people frantically secure their houses and nail plywood over their windows because they know a category 5 hurricane is coming. And, let’s remember that a lame duck session lasts about two months (wit major holidays).
How did we get here? Substantively, all of this is the Republicans’ fault and the result of the Republicans’ threatened actions. But, there is a countervailing Democratic strategy which thinks it is better politically to dare the Republicans to pursue their disastrous policies and not “bail them out.” For example, recent reporting states that the Biden administration does not believe that Republicans will risk abandoning Ukraine. A number of Democrats don’t want to take the feared political hit for raising the debt ceiling by a specific number (which could be named in attack ads). Other Democrats think the Republicans will be more amenable to protecting gay marriage rights once “the glare of the midterms are over.” Do I agree with this strategy? NO.
But I would be interesting to hear with anyone who disagrees. As to my disagreement — my belief that we need to do the most possible in the lame duck session to defang the Republicans — I will for now focus only on the debt ceiling. I think Matt Ford puts it best in his piece “The Next Debt Ceiling Crisis Will Be the Democrats’ Fault.” You should read the whole thing, but key point below:
What is deeply unfunny about the whole thing is that Democrats could end this farce at any time and have not yet done so. They have already raised the debt ceiling a number of times while controlling Congress and the White House, which in practical terms means that they kicked the can down the road, delaying the hostage taking for another few years. I don’t mean to deny culpability on the Republicans’ part in this state of affairs. It is absolutely the case that they can quite simply vote not to plunge the country into an economic depression when given the chance. But if January rolls around, a Republican-led Congress sweeps into power, and Democrats effectively hand over the hostage, the rope to tie them up with, and the gun to press to their left temple, they are the ones who will be truly responsible for what happens next.
Others may disagree? But the above is my take too, and as to all of this, not just the debt ceiling Taking action does not let the Republicans “off the hook,” does not provide any perceptible electoral advantage, and toying with the possibility of their success is reckless. A number of these items should have been addressed a while ago, All of it — as much of it — needs to be addressed now.