Congress Catch-All

[Healing]

Jeffries should offer to help Johnson avoid a shutdown, but only if Johnson instructs the chair of the oversight committee to agree to subpoena Musk and force him to testify before passing a continuing resolution.

Nah, that doesn't matter because Musk will just lie with impunity, and mock the entire process, if he even shows.

The republicans are actively destroying constitutional order and social safety nets, all at the behest of billionaire overlords. This is Mellon as Treasury Secretary, but arguably worse because the economy and democracy are on the line. I don't think democrats should save them from self-immolation. I recognize the brutal cynicism involved, with one result the need for a commitment to local mutual aid, but you can't negotiate with bad-faith administrative terrorists, and that's who the republicans are.

If you're going to allow Dems to vote for a CR, the signed and sealed commitments from Johnson must come first, or exist, without equivocation, in the bill. Otherwise, you're relying on the word of Johnson, which is equivalent to relying on the word of don and elon.

 

[farce©]

Jeffries should offer to help Johnson avoid a shutdown, but only if Johnson instructs the chair of the oversight committee to agree to subpoena Musk and force him to testify before passing a continuing resolution.

Musk would ignore the subpoena so you gain nothing.

 

[nycfan]

Republicans fret over giving Cruz broad subpoena power of key committee​

Even Republicans might have concerns about giving Sen. Ted Cruz too much power in his new role as Commerce Committee chair.

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/02/19/congress/cruzs-senate-commerce-committee-still-weighing-subpoena-authority-ahead-of-deadline-00204946

“… It puts the Texas Republican in an awkward position as he seeks to find his footing as the leader of a powerful committee with jurisdiction over some of the major issues facing Congress under a new Republican governing trifecta.

…
After nearly a month of uncertainty, GOP members of the Senate Commerce Committee met last week to discuss whether to give their chair unilateral authority to haul Big Tech CEOs before the panel, according to two people familiar with the private meeting.

Sen. Ted Cruz’s quest for such authorities has predictably frustrated Democrats, who fear it could undermine the committee’s tradition of bipartisanship. The Trump administration also made a surprise play to stop the Texas lawmaker from moving forward with his plans, anxious about his plans to go after industry with which many top government officials are quite cozy.

But one person, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the situation, indicated there is concern even among some Republicans.

“There were a variety of opinions,” the person said. “It was to take input.”

Historically, the Commerce Committee chair’s ability to issue subpoenas to compel outside witness testimony has required sign-off from the ranking member or a vote by the full committee. Cruz, who took control of the gavel in January, has been seeking a change to the committee rules to allow the chair free rein to subpoena witnesses without buy-in from committee members. …”

 

[altmin]

Florida congressman investigated for alleged DC assault as police probe their own handling

D.C. police confirm they are investigating an alleged assault by Florida Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican representing a district northeast of Orlando, calling it an active criminal investigation.

www.nbcwashington.com

Florida congressman investigated for alleged DC assault as police probe their own handling​

Rep. Cory Mills, of Florida, is being investigated after an alleged assault of a woman in The Wharf area. The Metropolitan Police Department confirms internal affairs also is investigating how the department handled the case, which did not end in an arrest​

 

[nycfan]