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49 votes
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US President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort found guilty on eight counts
49 votes -
Supreme Court, under pressure, issues non-binding ethics code for justices, without mechanisms for enforcement
48 votes -
In Georgia Runoff Elections, (D) Warnock wins vs (R) Loeffler, (D) Ossof very likely wins vs (R) Purdue
Text post because the big news companies are cowards playing it safe and not calling Ossof yet, though it's basically over Warnock makes history with Senate win as Dems near majority (AP News) My...
Text post because the big news companies are
cowardsplaying it safe and not calling Ossof yet, though it's basically overWarnock makes history with Senate win as Dems near majority (AP News)
My takes below:
What does this mean?
This gives Democrats a thin majority in the senate. Does it mean they have free reign? No, the party is not that unified. In particular, as you probably have heard his name many many times now, Manchin, the "conservative Democrat" from WV is likely to be the kingmaker in votes. So it's not like just anything can get passed, and Manchin will not eliminate the filibuster easily.
So is it pointless?
ABSOLUTELY NOT
It's a huge victory nonetheless for Democrats. Remember, with control of the Senate, Chuck Schumer will be Senate Majority Leader, who controls what legislation the senate votes on. Even bipartisan bills were consistently torpedoed by McConnell who would refuse to even have a vote on it. Now, there is politics that can be done - deals, compromise, whatever. If you can't vote on something, nothing can be done. Things that are overall popular like increased stimulus are also going to pass.
Additionally, perhaps an even bigger deal, Biden can get his nominations through for cabinet and judges. There's an insane amount of unfilled heads of state departments right now, and the rest are filled with people absolutely unfit for the job. Having a real human being be the head of the EPA, or Department of Education, or the Department of Energy, and so forth is a big deal.
It also means that Justice Breyer can safely retire and have another "liberal" Justice take his place.
It's not sweeping control over the government, but it's a immensely superior political situation to McConnell stone walling anything he doesn't want, and Biden having to haggle with McConnell over how incompetent his cabinet needs to be.
48 votes -
Billionaire industrialist David Koch has died
48 votes -
'A red line crossed': Nationwide protests declared for Thursday at 5PM after Jeff Sessions fired
48 votes -
Explosive devices found in mail sent to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
48 votes -
Joe Biden picks Kamala Harris as his Vice President
47 votes -
Elizabeth Warren is ending her US presidential campaign
47 votes -
I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration
47 votes -
Supreme Court rules Donald Trump can remain on Colorado ballot (gifted link)
46 votes -
FBI informant charged with lying about Joe and Hunter Biden's ties to Ukrainian energy company
46 votes -
Grand jury in the US state of Georgia charges Donald Trump, former advisers in 2020 election case
46 votes -
Alabama town gets first Black mayor, but the previous one won't leave
46 votes -
More than 2,000 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested across US campuses
45 votes -
Among US whistleblower claims: Nonhuman biologics have been recovered
45 votes -
Satirical news website ‘The Onion’ sold to Global Tetrahedron
44 votes -
US tycoon John McAfee found dead in Spanish prison
44 votes -
John McCain has died of brain cancer at 81
@nytimes: Breaking News: John McCain has died of brain cancer at 81. Once a prisoner of war, he made two bids for president and was a towering presence in the Senate. https://t.co/oWPRrWL6XX
44 votes -
US court tells cops that a driver not laughing at an officer’s terrible joke is not reasonable suspicion
43 votes -
Former US President Donald Trump allegedly discussed US nuclear subs with Australian billionaire businessman Anthony Pratt after leaving White House: Sources
43 votes -
Hunter Biden will plead guilty in a deal that likely avoids time behind bars in a tax and gun case
43 votes -
Joe Biden is certified as the 46th President of the United States
43 votes -
US President Donald Trump declares national emergency to help fund southern border wall
43 votes -
Rudy Giuliani says US President probably can pardon himself
43 votes -
Rosalynn Carter, former US first lady and tireless humanitarian who advocated for mental health issues, dies at 96
42 votes -
US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's response to colleague who called her a misogynistic slur
42 votes -
IRGC: Missile attack on US base in Iraq is revenge for Soleimani killing
42 votes -
US House approves $95 billion aid bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan (gifted link)
41 votes -
Man sets himself on fire near courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial (gifted link)
41 votes -
First defendant in Donald Trump Georgia case pleads guilty
41 votes -
Mitt Romney says he will not seek a second term in the US Senate
41 votes -
Three-year-old migrant dies during trip to Chicago on bus sponsored by Texas
41 votes -
I’ve reported on gun violence in the US for more than a year and I just can’t get used to it
41 votes -
Former US Secretary of Defence James Mattis denounces President Trump, describes him as a threat to the Constitution
41 votes -
US President Donald Trump steps up attacks on progressive congresswomen, says they 'hate our country' and Israel
41 votes -
NPR suspends veteran editor as it grapples with his public criticism
40 votes -
Michigan prosecutors charge Donald Trump allies with felonies involving voting machines and illegal 'testing'
40 votes -
Proud Boys fined over $1 Million for destroying property of a Black church
40 votes -
Taliban enter Afghan capital as US diplomats evacuate by chopper
40 votes -
Bill Gates and Melinda Gates are splitting up after twenty-seven years
40 votes -
Scientists identified a green, poisonous gas used by Federal agents on Portland protesters
40 votes -
American airstrikes hit eighty-five targets at seven facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia used to attack US forces
39 votes -
Ex-leader of Proud Boys sentenced to twenty-two years in Jan. 6 sedition case
39 votes -
Bernie Sanders endorses Joe Biden
39 votes -
Nine dead and twenty-six injured in mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio
39 votes -
FBI believed Trump was closely involved in hush-money scheme, unsealed documents show
39 votes -
Texas school shooting kills nineteen children, two adults
38 votes -
FBI busts militia 'plot' to abduct Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
38 votes -
Data leak reveals Trump campaign strategy to deter millions of Black Americans from voting in 2016
38 votes