Does having a Republican Senate

[Trumpocalypse]

allow Biden to say no to some of the more radical progressive programs without taking any responsibility?

[FBaggins]

1. Sure (Ignoring the debate on what "progressive" ideas are "radical" )

Or he can let the Senate say "no" for him.

Assuming the House majority stays large enough to pass something

[Klaralven]

5. A 9 seat House majority isn't going to pass much that's radical

There are still members from purple districts in the new House.

[FBaggins]

9. I don't think that it will fall quite that far

But a 15-20 seat majority probably won't either.

[Klaralven]

11. AP has called 206 to 190. If the outstandings split evenly, that's an 9 seat majority

I saw an estimate on TV of 226 to 209.

With that number, 9 members voting nay instead of aye defeats the bill.

[Claustrum]

2. Of course. I have my doubts if there is any programs that will pass, even moderate ones.

Cue fiscal responsibility in 3... 2.... 1....

[PTWB]

3. We need radically progressive platforms to stop someone like Trump from taking power again.

But yes, there is no way we will see any progressive legislation for at least 2 years. Biden is unlikely to get anything through McConnell from Judges to cabinet appointees to moderate legislation.

But Trump is gone. That’s the most important thing right now.

[unblock]

4. there won't be major, controversial legislation in the next 2 years. but

what it does do is make it *harder* to pass on investigating the crap out of donnie and other republicans. if the house can't make meaningful legislative reforms become law, it means they have to focus on things they can do without the senate, and mostly, that's investigating things.

they also can set things up for the next congress, because we should be in good shape to capture the senate in another two years. so there may be hearings for things we can't pass until then, but i'd expect more of that in 2022 rather than in 2021.

[lapfog_1]

6. what "radical" programs you think we need to stop?

a public option for the ACA?

raising taxes on individuals that make $400,000/year?

Safeguarding Social Security?

Immigration reform?

Green Energy and reduced carbon footprint?

Pollution control / restoring the EPA?

Court reform?

Ending voter suppression?


I'm just curious which of these you want the Republicans to stop so Joe doesn't have to veto them.

[lagomorph777]

8. +1. WTF?

OP may be in the wrong forum.

[dchill]

10. +1,000,000!

[Trumpocalypse]

13. I never said that anything needs to be stopped

So please don't put words in my mouth.

[lapfog_1]

15. ok... I'll change my words to fit your words...

You wrote "Does having a Republican Senate allow Biden to say no to some of the more radical progressive programs without taking any responsibility?"

so now I will respond by using your exact phrase.

Which of the following agenda programs / legislation would you want Biden to say no to without taking any responsibility?

a public option for the ACA?

raising taxes on individuals that make $400,000/year?

Safeguarding Social Security?

Immigration reform?

Green Energy and reduced carbon footprint?

Pollution control / restoring the EPA?

Court reform?

Ending voter suppression?

See, I changed from "stop" to "say no to".

I listed these as they come from Biden's stated agenda (paraphrased). I don't think it really changes the semantics... but I could be wrong.

[Trumpocalypse]

16. Again, never said I want him to say no to anything

So stop putting words in my mouth. I asked a political question pure and simple.

[lapfog_1]

20. how exactly do you parse this?

"Does having a Republican Senate allow Biden to say no to some of the more radical progressive programs without taking any responsibility?"

What does "say no to" mean?

OR is it you think he WANTS to say no to something and you don't really want him to... but you think he will want to say no to his own agenda?

What is the radical agenda that he wants to say no to but will allow a Republican controlled Senate silently knife... and how does he get the programs he WANTS to say yes to with a Republican controlled Senate?

[Trumpocalypse]

21. I'll leave the parsing to you

I asked a general political question and referred to no specific issue or program.

[lagomorph777]

7. What's radical is all the right-wing garbage that's been thrown at us.

Progressive values are highly favored in polls. Biden barely squeaked in with a centrist campaign. If Dems want to stand out from the right-wing crowd, we need to push for real reforms to HELP people. i.e. "radical" progressivism. If Mitch is able to block helpful things for two years, and if we exploit his malfeasance to show people how much he's hurting them, Mitch will be gone or reduced to a minority.

[hedda_foil]

12. Time to review how the government works and what Mitch McConnell does.

[yardwork]

19. It is truly discouraging, the level of - I'll call it - ignorance.

I sound like a geezer, but don't high schools teach civics anymore?

[roamer65]

14. I just want a competent Democratic president for now.

On to 2022...

Time to blame everything on The Turtle. He will now be the lightning rod.

[gollygee]

17. I'm preparing to donate to some Georgia runoff campaigns. nt

[yardwork]

18. It's not up to Biden. Congress votes on legislation.

If we don't deliver strong House and Senate majorities, we don't have the votes to pass legislation.

And if the Republicans retain control of the Senate, they set the agenda, decide what comes up for a vote, chair all the committees and have majority votes in all the committees.

Remember Merrick Garland?