Republicans QUICKLY FOLD on Bill…Dems FIGHT BACK

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary
Episode: Republicans QUICKLY FOLD on Bill…Dems FIGHT BACK
Release Date: December 21, 2024

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Introduction

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into the recent political maneuverings surrounding the passage of a critical continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown. The discussion highlights the interplay between Republican strategies, Democratic resilience, and the influence of prominent figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Throughout the episode, the brothers blend sharp political analysis with their trademark humor and brotherly banter, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the latest developments in American politics.

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Passing the Continuing Resolution (CR)

James McComb kicks off the episode by reporting from home, setting an informal and relatable tone:

[01:56] "I'm James McComb reporting live from home in my bathrobe and slippers."

He swiftly transitions to the heart of the matter—the successful passage of the CR in the House of Representatives. The bill, designed to fund the government and avert a shutdown, saw overwhelming support from Democrats and a significant number of Republicans, despite notable opposition.

Key Details:

• Vote Summary:
  • Total Votes: 366 in favor, 34 against, with one member voting present.
  • Republican Votes: 170 in favor, 34 against.
  • Democratic Votes: 196 in favor, 0 against.
• The CR ensures continued government operations without addressing the contentious issue of the debt ceiling.

James McComb emphasizes the Democrats' pivotal role:

[02:30] "The bill passed 366 to 30. 34. One person voted present... Democrats saved Republicans."

He further explains that the CR does not include any changes to the debt ceiling, directly opposing the demands made by Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

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Trump's and Musk's Demands and Response

The episode scrutinizes the pressure exerted by former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk on the Republican caucus to link the CR with debt ceiling adjustments. Their insistence was aimed at increasing the borrowing cap to mitigate the national deficit.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Ultimatum: Support the CR only if the debt ceiling is either abolished, increased, or extended for several years.
• Outcome: These demands were not met, leading to what James McComb describes as Trump and Musk "folding like a cheap napkin."

[05:34] MAGA Mike Johnson reflects on the negotiations: "I was in constant contact with President Trump throughout this process... This is a good outcome for the country. I think he certainly is happy about this outcome as well."

[05:57] MAGA Mike Johnson adds: "Elon Musk and I talked within about an hour ago... We are going to unify this country and we are going to bring the America first agenda to the people beginning in January."

Despite Trump's warnings of a government shutdown and threats to primary any Republican supporting a clean CR, the majority of his party remained steadfast, ultimately voting in favor of the resolution without the debt ceiling provisions he sought.

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Democrats' Strategic Gains

The episode highlights the strategic victories achieved by Democrats through the CR, despite Republican efforts to extract concessions.

Democratic Achievements:

• Disaster Relief: Funding for communities recovering from recent storms.
• Elimination of Accelerated Tax Cuts for Billionaires: Preventing expedited tax reductions that would have benefited the wealthy.
• Sustained Government Operations: Ensuring the government remains functional without interruption.

Republican Concessions: While Republicans did not secure their primary demand regarding the debt ceiling, they did manage to remove several bipartisan measures from the original bill to align it more closely with conservative priorities.

Removed Provisions:

• Food Stamp Replenishment: Provisions to ensure food stamp benefits are maintained.
• Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reforms: Efforts to end spread pricing and other practices.
• Congressional Pay Raises: Hikes in salaries for members of Congress.
• Land Control in Washington, D.C.: Transfers related to RFK Stadium.
• Criminal Justice Reforms: Bills aimed at addressing revenge porn and deep fakes.
• US Investments in China: New and expanded restrictions.

James McComb sarcastically remarks on these removals:

[06:25] "Great work Republicans for getting rid of that. I'm being sarcastic."

Despite these cuts, Democrats succeeded in embedding key provisions that align with their policy goals, reinforcing their commitment to supporting the nation's infrastructure and social safety nets.

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Media Reactions and Public Perception

The episode touches upon the differing narratives presented by various media outlets regarding the CR's passage.

Fox News Commentary: A guest on Fox News downplays the significance of Trump's and Musk's roles, suggesting that the Democrats largely achieved their objectives:

[09:54] Fox News Guest: "To quote Scooby, what we didn't hear from the President."

[09:57] "Democrats fell in line. They kept the debt ceiling out..."

James McComb critiques this portrayal, arguing that despite media spin, the reality is that Democrats secured substantial policy wins without yielding to Trump's primary demand.

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Host Commentary on Trump's Tactics

Throughout the discussion, James McComb offers a critical perspective on former President Trump's negotiation tactics, labeling his approach as ineffective and inconsistent.

[13:17] "Let me just. I don't know what the heck that was. Just let me say this, though. This is one of the things I point out about Donald Trump... he always folds like a cheap paper napkin from a fast food restaurant with filthy grease on it."

He underscores the pattern of Trump making high-stakes demands only to backtrack when they are not immediately met, suggesting a lack of genuine strategic planning.

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Conclusion

In this episode, The MeidasTouch Podcast provides a thorough analysis of the recent political developments surrounding the government's funding through a continuing resolution. The Meiselas brothers articulate the complexities of bipartisan negotiations, the maneuvering of influential figures like Trump and Musk, and the ultimate resilience demonstrated by Democrats in securing key policy initiatives. Through incisive commentary and the inclusion of noteworthy quotes, the podcast offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the current political landscape, emphasizing the importance of steadfast leadership and strategic policymaking in preserving democratic processes.

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Notable Quotes:

• James McComb at [02:30]:

  "Once again, as Jake Sherman reports, Democrats saved Republicans."

• MAGA Mike Johnson at [05:34]:

  "I was in constant contact with President Trump throughout this process... This is a good outcome for the country."

• MAGA Mike Johnson at [05:57]:

  "We are going to unify this country and we are going to bring the America first agenda to the people beginning in January."

• Fox News Guest at [09:54]:

  "To quote Scooby, what we didn't hear from the President."

• James McComb at [13:17]:

  "He always folds like a cheap paper napkin from a fast food restaurant with filthy grease on it."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from The MeidasTouch Podcast episode, offering both a factual recounting of events and critical analysis of the political strategies at play.

Transcript

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[James McComb]

I'm James McComb reporting live from home in my bathrobe and slippers. Tonight we're talking Dunkin Polar peppermint coffee. Gene's here with the latest. Gene, do you copy? The home with Duncan is where you want to be. On the other side and I negotiate in the appropriations area is actually in this bill.

[House Speaker]

The A's are 366, the nays 34, one member voting present, 2/3 being in the affirmative. The rules are suspended. The bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

[James McComb]

So the government's going to be funded. Elon Musk and Donald Trump folded like a cheap napkin and Democrats held their ground. You heard it there. What ended up happening on this continuing resolution to stop a government shutdown? The House passed a bill to avert the midnight shutdown. The bill passed 366 to 30. 34. One person voted present. 170 Republicans voted yes. 196 Democrats voted yes. 34 Republicans voted no. 0 Democrats voted no. Once again, as Jake Sherman reports, Democrats saved Republicans. Another big point after Donald Trump has been saying that he would not support a continuing resolution to stop a government shutdown unless the debt ceiling was abolished or unless the debt ceiling was increased or unless an extension on the debt ceiling for several years was done. That did not happen in this continuing resolution. In other words, what Donald Trump and Elon Musk were asking for, all of the theatrics, all of the drama, all of the, you know, wild behavior ended up being for not. None of that happened. No debt ceiling was even addressed on this continuing resolution. After all of that, House Republicans weren't at all moved by Trump's demands to lift the borrowing cap to add more debt, which increased the deficit. Trump effectively asked for one thing. He didn't get it. Now onto the Senate, which is expected to pass this continuing resolution. Um, as Mr. Capper puts it on Wednesday. Here's the post Trump threatens. I'm going to primary any Republican who votes for a clean continuing resolution without a debt limit extension to keep the government funded. Let's get ready for a shutdown, Trump said. But then on Friday, moments ago, 170 Republicans voted for a clean continuing resolution without a debt limit extension. The bill passed overwhelmingly, defying Donald Trump. But in Donald Trump world, you gotta take credit for things. You gotta act like, oh, this was all part of the plan, exactly what I wanted. This is why Donald Trump is the biggest pushover ever. When it all comes down to it, he always folds like a cheap paper napkin from a fast food restaurant with filthy grease on it. Sorry, I extended that one a little bit longer. MAGA Mike Johnson. Here's what he goes. He goes, I was in contact with Trump through all of this. This is what we wanted. Y'all got bailed out by the Democrats because Democrats essentially got everything that they wanted. Here, play this clip.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

So, so we, we. I was in constant contact with, with President Trump throughout this process. Spoke with him most recently about 45 minutes ago. He knew exactly what we were doing and why. And this is a good outcome for the country. I think he certainly is happy about this outcome as well.

[James McComb]

And here's MAGA Mike Johnson saying, I was also in touch with Elon Musk here, watch this right here.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

Come as well. Elon Musk and I talked within about an hour ago and we talked about the extraordinary challenges of this job. And I said, hey, you want to be speaker of the House? I don't know. He said, this may be the hardest job in the world. I think it is. But we're going to get through this. We are going to unify this country and we are going to bring the America first agenda to the people beginning in January. We cannot wait to get started. I hope you all have a great holiday.

[James McComb]

All right. By the way, the Democrats posted this AI image right here. This isn't real, in case you were wondering. This is an AI image. Just want to be very clear. This is what the Democrats, the official account posted. They're enjoying trolling Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The White House says that President Biden supported this because Democrats got mostly what they wanted. The Republicans removed a few things from it. And I'll tell you what the Republicans removed from this continuing resolution to make themselves feel good about it. But Biden got what he wanted because Biden's actually playing chess while Trump is playing, I don't know, checkers with M and Ms. Or something. I don't know. This is what the White House says. While it does not include everything we sought, it includes disaster relief the president requested for the communities recovering from the storm, eliminates the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires and would ensure that the government can continue to operate at full capacity. In other words, Democrats held their ground. As Jeff Stein from the Washington Post reports, six bipartisan policies taken out of the spending bill bill after Musk torched it. So this is what Trump and Elon Musk removed from the original bill. Otherwise, it's virtually identical. Um, let's take a look. Provision aimed at ensuring food stamps are replenished for Americans whose benefits are stolen, possibly as many as 300,000 affected per the CBPP. A series of changes to the operations of pharmacy benefit managers. Middlemen in the medicine business that negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, for example, attempt to end spread pricing where PBMs charge a health plan more for a drug than what they pay for the pharmacies that dispense at.3 pay hikes for members of Congress.4% or so increases for transferring control of the land in Washington, D.C. where RFK Stadium sits to the District. No new funds here. The Ted Cruz Klobuchar bill aimed at cracking down on revenge porn and deep fakes. Republicans took that out of this. A bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on revenge porn and deep fakes. That's no longer in this. Great work Republicans for getting rid of that. I'm being sarcastic. Six New and expanded restrictions on US Investments in China. Yes, the bill is much shorter, about 900 pages or or so shorter. It funds the government and provides aid to farmers and natural disaster victims. It does not include the debt ceiling lift that Donald Trump said had to take place. Also, the pediatric cancer funding did not make it in this bill as well, they removed pediatric cancer funding. Ted Cruz using this as an opportunity to plug his podcast on my podcast verdict, I answer for you the questions and explain what the heck is going on. As our Editor in Chief Ron Philip writes, naturally, Ted Cruz views this whole shit show as an opportunity to promote his podcast. And then on Fox they are trying to spin this like Trump got what he wanted when quite literally the opposite took place. Watch this guest on Fox go. Yeah, this is what we want to do the whole time. Here, play this clip.

[Fox News Guest]

To quote Scooby, what we didn't hear from the President.

[James McComb]

I know you're surprised.

[Fox News Guest]

No, not surprised at all. Listen, this is showing how effective DOGE is going to be. Because even just them tweeting about overspending and stuff called everybody in a panic. Nobody wants to be on the wrong side of this. So yeah, the Democrats fell in line. They kept the debt ceiling out. And I understand the whole purpose of the debt ceiling was not spend, spend, spend is like you're gonna have to spend money to make all the corrections from the overspending. That part the American people get.

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[James McComb]

And finally, you had this MAGA Republican Mark Alford give this Night Before Christmas rhyme here. Play this clip.

[House Speaker]

Mr. Speaker, twas five days before Christmas and all through this house, not a lawmaker was resting, not even their spouse. The CR was stalled, the debates full of heat, while a shutdown shadow loomed over our streets. My friends, it's time to fund our defense and aid for our farms and disaster relief to protect our very own citizens from harm. Our farmers work hard. They deserve every chance to grow and to prosper, advance and enhance. Mr. Speaker, this Christmas. This Christmas, let's give we the people their due. A funded government from leaders who are true. So as we vote on this cr, let's keep this in sight. America first. And to all, a good night. And I yield back.

[James McComb]

Let me just. I don't know what the heck that was. Just let me say this, though. This is one of the things I point out about Donald Trump. Over and over again, he goes and he makes these demands, I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that.

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[James McComb]

And then he folds. It's a constant behavior in his pathology. It's all bluster, it's all bravado. He's not a competent operator. He was just exposed again right here as all bluster, all bravado. I'll do a whole other hot take on that. But he said, I'm not going to support this unless you extend the debt ceiling limit. Expand it. That didn't happen. And he still. And he supports it. What does that tell you about. He got nothing that he wanted in this way. Hit subscribe let's get to 4 million. Thank you for watching. Love this video. Make sure you stay up to date on the latest breaking news and all things Midas by signing up to the Midas touch [e-mail] Newsletter.

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