Senate Democrats Give Republicans an Easy Win

Summary

Bulwark Takes: Senate Democrats Give Republicans an Easy Win

Release Date: March 14, 2025
Host: Tim Miller, The Bulwark

Overview

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Tim Miller delves into the recent political maneuvering in the U.S. Senate, where Senate Democrats have seemingly ceded ground to Republicans by voting against a potential filibuster aimed at blocking the House Republican budget. Miller provides a critical analysis of the Democratic strategy, highlighting key senators' actions and expressing disappointment in their approach.

Key Topics Discussed

Breakdown of the Senate Vote

Miller begins by announcing the significant development: Ten Democratic senators, alongside all Republicans except Rand Paul, voted to advance the Republican budget in the Senate. He emphasizes the lack of impact these Democrats will have on the budget's passage, stating:

"Once it comes to the floor, they only need a bare majority of 50 senators plus JD Vance to get this through easily without the 10 Democrats."
[00:30]

Critique of Democratic Senators

Miller expresses strong dissatisfaction with the Democratic senators who voted in favor of the Republican budget. He questions their motives and effectiveness in representing their constituents, particularly in the face of actions by the current administration. He meticulously names each senator, questioning their decisions and urging them to reconsider their positions:

• Chuck Schumer: Miller revisits his earlier criticisms, indicating ongoing frustrations.

• Dick Durbin:

  "Why is Dick Durbin still in the Senate if you're in Illinois, Start thinking about a primary right now."
  [05:15]

• Cortez Masto:

  "She won an unbelievably close race in Nevada. Maybe let her off the hook."
  [06:00]

• Brian Schatz:

  "I had higher hopes for you... What is she doing in the Senate?"
  [08:45]

• Gary Peters & Kristen Gillibrand: Mentioned as senators either retiring or not actively fighting against the Republican budget.

Miller criticizes these senators for not actively opposing what he perceives as harmful administrative actions by figures like Musk and Trump, questioning their commitment to their constituents and the nation's well-being.

Implications of the Vote

Miller outlines the potential consequences of the Democrats' decision, suggesting that this move could pave the way for more aggressive Republican agendas, including significant tax cuts and debt ceiling adjustments. He points to future budget battles, especially the 2026 budget, as critical junctures where Democrats might have another chance to assert their stance.

"There'll be the big budget fight, the Next one, the 2026 budget which will include the Trump tax cuts."
[12:30]

Reaction to Chuck Schumer's Actions

Addressing Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Miller expresses disbelief and disappointment. He references a tweet from former President Donald Trump praising Schumer, using it to underscore his contention that Schumer's actions are counterproductive.

"If you've got DJT talking about how great you are, might be time to reflect on a few things."
[16:20]

Conclusion and Call to Action

Miller wraps up the episode by reiterating his disappointment in the Democratic senators' choices. He calls for alternative strategies to combat what he views as detrimental policies, urging senators to find different ways to resist and highlight the damage being done.

"It's just a deeply, deeply disappointing result from these Democrats."
[19:50]

He concludes by inviting dissenting senators to engage in dialogue, stating:

"If any of you want to come on this show and defend your position, I am happy to have you."
[21:10]

Finally, Miller encourages listeners to stay engaged with The Bulwark's content and expresses appreciation for their support.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Miller on Senate Democrats' Strategy:

  "I really just don't get it. I don't get it."
  [02:15]

• On Government Shutdowns:

  "You don't want a government shutdown, you don't want to cause pain in people's lives, and that eventually you had to have an exit strategy for that."
  [03:00]

• On Lawlessness of Administration:

  "Because it's a lawless administration that is going to not fund things that they think that are liberal priorities."
  [04:30]

• On Future Budget Battles:

  "We're not going to count our chickens on that. We will, we will avert any shutdown."
  [14:45]

Insights and Analysis

Tim Miller offers a critical perspective on the Democratic Party's recent actions in the Senate, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of effective opposition to Republican-led initiatives. He underscores the tension between avoiding immediate governmental paralysis and the long-term implications of capitulating to Republican demands.

Miller's analysis suggests that he views the Democratic senators' cooperation with Republicans as a strategic misstep that could have far-reaching consequences for policy-making and governance. His frustration is palpable as he navigates through the various senators' decisions, questioning their priorities and effectiveness.

Conclusion

In this episode, Tim Miller provides a fervent critique of Senate Democrats' recent decision to support the Republican budget, framing it as a significant concession that undermines Democratic values and legislative goals. Miller urges for greater resistance and strategic planning among Democrats to better counteract Republican initiatives in the future, reflecting a deep concern for the direction of U.S. governance.

Listeners who are interested in a critical analysis of current Senate dynamics and Democratic strategies will find this episode particularly insightful.

Transcript

[Tim Miller]

Hey, guys. Tim Miller from the Bulwark just popped off of MSNBC and wanted to give you the breaking news. The Democrats have officially folded in the Senate on their potential filibuster to block the House Republican budget. Ten Democrats voted with all of the Republicans except Rand Paul to allow the Republican budget to come forth for a vote in the Senate. I assume, God willing, that none of those Democrats will actually vote for the budget. Not that it matters at this point, because once it comes to the floor, they only need a bare majority of 50 senators plus JD Vance to get this through. So they will get that through easily without the 10 Democrats. Again, I gave you the rant about Chuck Schumer this morning. I'm just looking down the list of these senators and I really just don't get it. I don't get it. I understand the calculus that you don't want a government shutdown, you don't want to cause pain in people's lives, and that eventually you had to have an exit strategy for that. Okay, then come up with an exit strategy. But fight in the meantime. Fight in the meantime. What did you do? I'm going to give these names one at a time. What did any of these people do to draw attention to all of the pain that Musk and Trump are already causing through their illegal firings? How can you justify voting for cloture on a bill that you know that the administration is going to might not even follow it at their whim? Because it's a lawless administration that is going to not fund things that they think that are liberal priorities, not fund things that they think are blue state priorities. You know, even if it gets through, like, how can you be complicit in that? Here are the 10 centers. Chuck Schumer. We already did. Dick Durbin. Why is Dick Durbin still in the Senate if you're in Illinois, Start thinking about a primary right now. John Fetterman interviewed him earlier this week. I heard you all got to hear his rationale. I was not compelled by it, to say the least. Cortez Masto out of Nevada. You know, potentially some political calculus there. I mean, she won an unbelievably close race in Nevada. Maybe let her off the hook. Angus King in Maine. What are you doing, Brian? Shots. I usually like Brian Schatz. He's on my list of Democrats who have been fighting. So I'd like to hear from him to hear his rationale. I just went over to his X feed to see what he has said about this, if anything. I don't I don't and I haven't seen anything. He's talking about some other things. He's putting some hold, a hold on some of Trump's State Department nominees. But I don't, I don't know. Brian. Shots. I had higher hopes for you. Gary Peters is retiring already. Don't let the door hit you in the way out. Kristen Gillibrand, what is she doing in the Senate? So you almost forget she's in there. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Gene Shaheen of New Hampshire, who's also retiring. So that's the list. None of those people. I mean, do you guys notice any of those people besides Shots maybe fighting in other venues Again, if you think this is strategically the wrong thing to do to hurt people, then figure out other ways to combat this. Figure out other ways to push back on these guys. Figure out other ways to highlight the damage that they are doing to this country. You know, it's just, it's a, it's a deeply, deeply disappointing result from, from these Democrats. You know, there are only few options. Obviously there'll be the big budget fight, the Next one, the 2026 budget which will include the Trump tax cuts. So that, that'll be the next one. And you know, I guess Chuck Schumer says that he'll be fighting on that one, but it's, we're not going to count our chickens on that. We will, we will avert any shutdown. I guess if you want to have any doubt over whether this was the right thing to do, guess I'll close by reading you Donald Trump's tweet about Chuck Schumer. Bleat rather. Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing. Took guts and courage. The big tax cuts, Louisiana Firefix debt ceiling bill and so much more is coming. We should all work together. A non pass, I don't know what that is. Would be a country destroyer. Approval will lead us to new heights. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the usa. Djt. If you've got DJT talking about how great you are, might be time to reflect on a few things. So Senator Schumer and your nine cohorts will be eyeing you. If any of you want to come on this show and defend your position, I am happy to have you. We'll be keeping an eye on my email box on that, not counting my chickens. Everybody else, enjoy your weekend as much as possible. We'll be on here if stuff's happening this weekend. We'll be popping on as we do, and so subscribe to the feed, tell your friends and we appreciate your support, we appreciate your viewership. We'll be seeing you soon. Peace.