It's all about the cruelty.   The Democrats are trying to inflict pain on the military and the people who are required to work during the shutdown. 

 

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5569779-bill-pay-military-essential-workers-shutdown/

 

Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-sponsored bill Thursday to pay active-duty members of the military and other essential federal employees who have been required to work during the government shutdown.

Democrats blocked the Shutdown Fairness Act of 2025, sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), in a mostly party-line 54-45 vote. It needed 60 votes to advance.

29 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

It's all about the cruelty.   The Democrats are trying to inflict pain on the military and the people who are required to work during the shutdown. 

 

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5569779-bill-pay-military-essential-workers-shutdown/

 

Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-sponsored bill Thursday to pay active-duty members of the military and other essential federal employees who have been required to work during the government shutdown.

Democrats blocked the Shutdown Fairness Act of 2025, sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), in a mostly party-line 54-45 vote. It needed 60 votes to advance.

This whole government shutdown is because nothing else worked to get the people against Trump. This is their last resort. I do hope it does not succeed. The Dems have lost sight of working in government for the people and instead only work for themselves and their party. 

The actual details of the MULTIPLE bills that were voted down by the different parties and the reasons for that.

This topic is a disgusting one side distortion of reality. Par for the course for maga.

Senate blocks bills to pay federal workers during shutdown - The Washington Post

 

www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/23/senate-blocks-bills-pay-federal-workers-during-shutdown/

31 minutes ago, thesetat said:

This whole government shutdown is because nothing else worked to get the people against Trump. This is their last resort. I do hope it does not succeed. The Dems have lost sight of working in government for the people and instead only work for themselves and their party. 

What are you talking about?

Trump's approval ratings are very low.

Even for his usual highlights, economy and immigration.

Recently the US had the largest attended national protest (NO KINGS) in American history.

The majority of Americans correctly blame the republicans for the shutdown.

Weirdly the democrats are doing the republicans a bit of a favor. If it was business as usual millions of Americans (probably mostly Trump voters) would have their ACA health insurance premiums DOUBLE and TRIPLE.  Of course most couldn't afford that and would lose coverage. That would be a political disaster for the republicans if that was allowed to happen.

31 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What are you talking about?

Trump's approval ratings are very low.

Even for his usual highlights, economy and immigration.

Recently the US had the largest attended national protest (NO KINGS) in American history.

The majority of Americans correctly blame the republicans for the shutdown.

Weirdly the democrats are doing the republicans a bit of a favor. If it was business as usual millions of Americans (probably mostly Trump voters) would have their ACA health insurance premiums DOUBLE and TRIPLE.  Of course most couldn't afford that and would lose coverage. That would be a political disaster for the republicans if that was allowed to happen.

What are you talking about. Almost every state has given him an approval rating of more than 45%. I admit it is not great. But low, i do not think so. If he was able to run for another election he would win with 45% approval..

I remember when the Democrats used to call shutdowns terrorism or holding the country hostage.   What changed? 

57 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The majority of Americans correctly blame the republicans for the shutdown.

The majority of Americans are wrong.  The Democrats voted against the CR.  

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

The actual details of the MULTIPLE bills that were voted down by the different parties and the reasons for that.

This topic is a disgusting one side distortion of reality. Par for the course for maga.

Senate blocks bills to pay federal workers during shutdown - The Washington Post

 

www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/23/senate-blocks-bills-pay-federal-workers-during-shutdown/

I see you are against paying the people who are showing up to work. 

You maga voted for this, now suck it up and stop with the whining.

Why cant Trump use the trillions of dollars, he says he has collected in tariffs, to open and fund the Govt.

You know, those tariffs that China, not the American importer, paid.

2 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Why cant Trump use the trillions of dollars, he says he has collected in tariffs, to open and fund the Govt.

You know, those tariffs that China, not the American importer, paid.

Only congess can spend money. 

 

The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, states, "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law". The Founders included this provision to ensure that the executive branch could not spend taxpayer money without authorization from the people's representatives in Congress.

9 minutes ago, TedG said:

Only congess can spend money. 

 

The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, states, "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law". The Founders included this provision to ensure that the executive branch could not spend taxpayer money without authorization from the people's representatives in Congress.

Only Congress can impose tariffs as well, but that doesn't appear to worry trump.

Top Republican slams Katherine Clark for admitting suffering families are 'leverage' in shutdown battle

"I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have," Clark responded.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-republican-slams-katherine-clark-saying-dems-have-leverage-shutdown

 

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

This whole government shutdown is because nothing else worked to get the people against Trump. This is their last resort. I do hope it does not succeed. The Dems have lost sight of working in government for the people and instead only work for themselves and their party. 

Why do you hate the military?  

8 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Top Republican slams Katherine Clark for admitting suffering families are 'leverage' in shutdown battle

"I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have," Clark responded.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-republican-slams-katherine-clark-saying-dems-have-leverage-shutdown

 

Katherine Clark is worth 14 million.   I'm sure she feels the pain of missing a paycheck.   It's all about the cruelty. 

 

https://www.quiverquant.com/congresstrading/politician/Katherine M. Clark-C001101/net-worth

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Senate blocks bills to pay federal workers during shutdown - The Washington Post

 

That's a fact.   The dems blocked the bill.  It's all about the cruelty. 

13 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Only Congress can impose tariffs as well, but that doesn't appear to worry trump.

Excellent question — the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power “to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises” (Article I, Section 8).

However, over the past century, Congress has delegated much of its tariff authority to the executive branch through several key laws.

 

Here’s a breakdown of the major statutes that gave presidents power over tariffs:

 

 

 

 

🏛️

1. Tariff Act of 1930 (Smoot–Hawley Act)

 

 

• Originally set tariffs rather than delegated authority.
• But it also contained the “flexible tariff provision” (Section 336) allowing the President to adjust tariffs up or down 50% if the U.S. Tariff Commission found a difference in production costs between the U.S. and foreign producers.
• This was an early example of conditional delegation.

 

 

 

 

 

⚙️

2. Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act (RTAA) of 1934

 

 

• A major turning point.
• Gave the President authority to negotiate bilateral trade agreements that could reduce tariffs by up to 50% without further congressional approval.
• This shifted much of tariff policymaking to the executive branch, allowing quick negotiation with foreign governments.
• Renewed and expanded multiple times (1937, 1940, 1945, 1948, etc.).

 

 

 

 

 

🌐

3. Trade Expansion Act of 1962

 

 

• Section 232 of this act gives the President authority to impose tariffs or quotas if imports are deemed to threaten national security.
• This is the law President Trump used in 2018 to impose steel and aluminum tariffs.
• Still active today.

 

 

 

 

 

📉

4. Trade Act of 1974

 

 

• Section 301 allows the President (through the U.S. Trade Representative) to impose tariffs or sanctions against countries that engage in unfair trade practices or violate trade agreements.
• Also created “fast-track” (Trade Promotion Authority) procedures for negotiating trade agreements with limited congressional amendment rights.

 

 

 

 

 

🔁

5. Trade Agreements Act of 1979

and later

Trade and Tariff Acts (1984, 1988, 2002, 2015)

 

 

• These renewed or refined earlier authorities.
• Continued the pattern of delegating flexibility to the President in implementing tariff schedules agreed upon through international trade rounds (like the GATT and WTO).

 

 

 

 

 

🧾

Summary Table

 

Law	Year	Key Power Delegated
Tariff Act	1930	Adjust tariffs for cost differences
RTAA	1934	Negotiate reciprocal tariff reductions
Trade Expansion Act	1962	Impose tariffs for national security (Sec. 232)
Trade Act	1974	Impose tariffs for unfair trade (Sec. 301)
Trade Agreements & Tariff Acts	1979–2015	Implement international trade agreements; maintain “fast-track” authority

 

 

21 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Top Republican slams Katherine Clark for admitting suffering families are 'leverage' in shutdown battle

"I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have," Clark responded.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-republican-slams-katherine-clark-saying-dems-have-leverage-shutdown

 

Who was the guy who would rather burn food for starving kids than give it to them?that’s just scratching the surface of the mylignantcy that is trump and his administration…stop lying for this man,the dems are trying to get this monster to negotiate on some nessary socal issues…no more no less.

Just now, Tug said:

Who was the guy who would rather burn food for starving kids than give it to them?that’s just scratching the surface of the mylignantcy that is trump and his administration…stop lying for this man,the dems are trying to get this monster to negotiate on some nessary socal issues…no more no less.

Why do the dems hate the military? 

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

The Dems have lost sight of working in government for the people and instead only work for themselves and their party. 

The political left has lost sight of reality and are insulated in a delusional bubble. Though there may be a more sinister end game the left is playing, remember, history has shown that inherently the left don’t care about the people, they only care about retaining power at any cost even if it means disabling national security and lost of life. Look at the notjob they’re supporting in the NYC mayoral race, the closest thing to having an elected Al-Qaeda member in the United States. Let’s not forget about the millions of unaccounted for unknown illegals that the Biden administration and all the political left welcomed in many of which are no doubt organized terrorist possibly planning the next big one.  

16 minutes ago, Tug said:

Who was the guy who would rather burn food for starving kids than give it to them?that’s just scratching the surface of the mylignantcy that is trump and his administration…stop lying for this man,the dems are trying to get this monster to negotiate on some nessary socal issues…no more no less.

What are you going on about. I think your middle name is deflection. If it isn't it should be. I have linked what the no. 2 Democrat in the House said and she said families suffering is being used as leverage. As for the 1.5 trillion extra this is what it looks like:

• Restores taxpayer-funded free healthcare for illegal aliens.
• Props up liberal news programs.
• Prioritizes electric vehicle access to HOV lanes, regardless of vehicle occupancy.
• Removes work requirements for able-bodied, non-working adults on taxpayer-funded health programs.
• Resumes DEI projects in foreign countries.
• Hands criminals over $1 billion more for taxpayer-funded defense.
• Repeals $50 billion in rural health care funding, hurting hospitals and clinics in vulnerable communities.
• Reverses lawful executive actions made by the President.
• Rescinds border security measures passed through the Working Families Tax Cuts.
• Usurps the President’s authority over emergency funds.
• Locks in Biden Administration grant policies in direct contrast to President Trump’s executive orders.
• Handcuffs the Trump Administration’s ability to make agile decisions.
• Burdens Trump Administration officials with added bureaucracy meant to slow down progress.
• Includes $1.5 trillion in new spending for just a month of keeping government funding extended.

https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/democrat-counterfeit-resolution-15-trillion-ransom-note-taxpayers

The previous five Presidents had, in their combined years in office, had

ONE government shutdown.

 

This is trump's 4th.

He uses them as a political hammer against his opponents.

Good

1 hour ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Why do you hate the military?  

What makes you think i said or even insinuated this? 

1 hour ago, TedG said:

I see you are against paying the people who are showing up to work. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/us/politics/democrats-shutdown-federal-employee-pay.html

Blame the Dems... They are the ones stopping them from getting paid. 

29 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

The previous five Presidents had, in their combined years in office, had

ONE government shutdown.

 

This is trump's 4th.

He uses them as a political hammer against his opponents.

So it's Trump. Of course it is. Nothing to do with the Democtrats refusing to pass a clean CR the same one they have previously voted for.

30 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

The previous five Presidents had, in their combined years in office, had

ONE government shutdown.

 

This is trump's 4th.

He uses them as a political hammer against his opponents.

The previous 5 presidents were all Democrats... Now they are not in the WH they are doing everything they can to gain power again. Including shutting down the government. They do not care how many millions suffer from loss during this battle. As long as they get what they want. 

4 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

So it's Trump. Of course it is. Nothing to do with the Democtrats refusing to pass a clean CR the same one they have previously voted for.

trump's 4th shutdown. In less than 5 years in office. 

1 shutdown for the previous 5 Presidents, totalling over 40 years in office.

Nothing more needs to be said.

6 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

trump's 4th shutdown. In less than 5 years in office. 

1 shutdown for the previous 5 Presidents, totalling over 40 years in office.

Nothing more needs to be said.

Your right. Nothing more needs to be said. The "new" Democrats like shutting Trump's govenment down.

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

What are you talking about. Almost every state has given him an approval rating of more than 45%. I admit it is not great. But low, i do not think so. If he was able to run for another election he would win with 45% approval..

Some people seem to be very misinformed or have difficulty interpreting numbers.