It ain’t over.

January 13, 2022

[Audio version  here]

          I have been traveling most of the day on family business, so I will be brief. Efforts to modify the filibuster are ongoing, the relevant parties are still talking, and the parliamentary procedures defy description. But the fact that the parties are still talking is all that matters. Though I hesitate to describe the state of fluid negotiations, it appears that the parties are moving towards an agreement that would allow debate to begin on a bill with 51-vote majority, but ending debate would still require 60 votes. As I said yesterday, do not relent. Call your Senators.

          The potential progress on modifications to the filibuster have Mitch McConnell worried. There is no other explanation for his bizarre attack on President Biden’s speech in Atlanta. McConnell described Biden’s speech as “profoundly unpresidential”, “incoherent,” and “beneath his office.” Of course, when Trump made vulgar, racist, white supremacist comments, McConnell claimed that he “hadn’t seen them.” President Biden responded by stopping by McConnell’s office when Biden visited the Capitol on Wednesday. A reporter asked Biden what he thought of Mitch McConnell’s comments. Biden replied, “I like Mitch McConnell — he’s a friend.” And those opposing statements tell you all you need to know about the character of Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell.

          Senator Mitt Romney warned Democrats against modifying the filibuster “because Trump may win in 2024.” Romney implied that Democrats would want the protection of the filibuster under a future Trump administration. Of course, Romney ignores the fact that Mitch McConnell will end the filibuster the minute that McConnell believes he can gain an advantage over Democrats—as he did with Supreme Court nominations.

          In a great victory for Democrats, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected redistricting maps for state legislative districts created by the GOP-controlled Redistricting Commission. The Court said that the maps violated Ohio’s constitution because the maps “favor the majority party to [an] overwhelming extent.” The decision bodes well for a similar challenge in Ohio to congressional district maps drawn by the Redistricting Commission.

          On Wednesday, Kevin McCarthy immediately rejected an invitation by the House Select Committee to testify about his knowledge of efforts to subvert the 2020 election. McCarthy described the Committee as “illegitimate.” Recall that McCarthy deputized GOP Rep. John Katko to negotiate a deal with Democrats for a joint commission to investigate the events of January 6th. Katko was able to reach a comprehensive agreement with Democrats—an outcome that apparently surprised McCarthy, who then voted against the agreement that his delegate negotiated. House Democrats then created the Select Committee, which McCarthy claims is “illegitimate.” Kevin McCarthy is hiding something of significance. The Select Committee may not be able to force McCarthy to testify. But do you know who could? Merrick Garland—in Trump’s criminal trial for conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.

Concluding Thoughts.

          I spoke on a Zoom call today with the Indivisible chapter in New York’s 19th Congressional District. IndivisibleNY19 played a critical role in helping to elect Antonio Delgado to Congress in 2018—unseating GOP Rep. John Faso.  Delgado’s election helped flip the House, an accomplishment that looms large tonight as Democrats maintain thin margins in both the House and Senate that may be enough to advance voter protection legislation. Five years ago, IndivisibleNY19 did not exist. Today, they have two successful congressional elections under the belts—and they kicked off their efforts for a third successful campaign on Wednesday.

          Across America, grassroots organizations like IndivisibleNY19 are meeting to do the same. Their work takes place “under the radar” and is often overlooked by political experts who bemoan the absence of local organizing by Democrats. To those experts I say, “Have you met grassroots Democrats? Have you even bothered to look?” Grassroot Democrats may not attract the same attention as their bombastic, conspiracy-fueled, grievance driven counterparts in the GOP, but they are no less committed, effective, or numerous. In my remarks, I told the IndivisibleNY19 members that I was confident about the future of American democracy because of them—and because of the tens of millions of other citizens who have joined the struggle to preserve democracy in the last five years. You should be confident, too. Not complacent, but confident.

          Talk to you tomorrow!