"A Moratorium on Mischief"

Many Democrats are predictably furious about what they see a “cave” by eight Democratic Senators that led to progress on the budget impasse that the country has been dealing with for almost two months. Outrage permeates social media.

But it’s not that simple. It’s never been that simple. Nothing is ever as simple as a headline or a bumper sticker. As more information has emerged about both the process and the product of the negotiations that led to our current situation, people who understand Congress and the legislative process are attempting to explain how we got here and where things are likely to go next.

However, my social media feeds are still full of rallying cries to Primary Tim Kaine for his purported treachery and betrayal. People are forming caravans to Kaine’s office to let him know what they think. Leaving aside the reality that we should always be ready to hold our elected officials accountable, let’s pretend for a minute that Senator Kaine may actually know more about being a Senator (because he’s been one since 2013) than ALL of his constituents (with the exception of Senator Mark Warner, former Senator Chuck Robb, and former Senator George Allen) and give him the benefit of the doubt.

Lawrence O’Donnell was in high dudgeon last night (is there any dudgeon other than “high?”) over the simplistic knee-jerk responses from pundits and other observers when the details of this compromise came to light throughout the day on Sunday. Lawrence in high dudgeon is not exactly rare these days. He is officially Over It. If he doesn’t have this sign up in his office, he should.

• To be clear: Lawrence has an abundance of fucks to give over the future of the country. He has zero fucks to give for people whose knee-jerk reactions lead others to non-productive (or even counter-productive) directions.

I came across an article from Politico this morning that gave me more information about the negotiations (and Kaine’s role in this process).

I recommend it to you. But if you don’t have time, here’s a summary:

• Senator Tim Kaine’s Demand: Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) was a critical vote to end the government shutdown and demanded a “moratorium on mischief,” which included reversing firings by the Trump administration and protecting federal workers against future reductions in force (RIFs).

• The RIF Language as the Final Piece: While much attention was on healthcare demands, the RIF language protecting federal workers was the final piece of the bipartisan deal that clinched the Senate vote to move forward with the legislation.

• Negotiators and Timing: Kaine was a latecomer to the talks, but his Friday proposal sparked around-the-clock negotiations over the weekend, with direct talks between Kaine and Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), who served as a key emissary to the White House.

• The Broader Framework: Other pieces of the deal included a three-bill funding package (minibus) and a promise from Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to hold a vote on extending the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

• Democratic Division: Most of the Senate Democratic caucus, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, opposed the deal, but the group of senators involved in the talks, including Kaine, Shaheen, King, Hassan, and Durbin, ultimately moved forward, concluding it was the best offer they would get.

You’re free to continue to be pissed at Kaine and the other Senators. You may have questions about the promised vote on ACA subsidies. So do I. But while you’re living in your abstract pissed-off state, in real life the ball is now in the court of House Republicans under the leadership of Speaker Trump Johnson. They will undoubtedly beclown themselves before the sun sets today (and because we’re back on Standard Time, that’s 5:00:55 pm at my house).