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dalfen.bsky.social
Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻
@dalfen.bsky.social
5.8K followers 4.6K following 3.1K posts
A center-blue dot. FBR 💙
🇺🇦 in solidarity.

Vive la résistance.

MBA. 🩺. In quasi Gilead (SOS)
Writer of words 🐰🐍
A roll of the dice. A juxtaposition.

🌿 🦋 ⚾️
🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ally & non-childless cat lady

🍟- snark
🧐- analysis
🤿- deep dive

https://mstdn.social/@dalfen
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dalfen.bsky.social
Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻 @dalfen.bsky.social · Sep 17
Republicans in the US Congress are STRIPPING THEIR OWN POWER AWAY in acquiescence to the US president.

#USA #tariffs
—

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...
G.O.P. Again Cedes Power on Tariffs to Avoid Crossing Trump House Republicans extended a maneuver they engineered earlier in the year that effectively strips Congress of the power to disapprove of President Trump's tariffs. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/us/politics/republicans-house-tariffs-emergency-trump.html Accessed: 17 September 2025 at 0107 MST Image: Tuesday's maneuver was the latest instance in which House Republicans, many of whom have spent much of their career opposing tariffs as a matter of principle, have given up their power over trade. Scott McIntyre for The New York Times By Robert Jimison Reporting from the Capitol Sept. 16, 2025 The Republican-led House moved anew on Tuesday to relinquish Congress's power to weigh in on President Trump's tariffs, even as Democrats in the Senate prepared to force votes challenging his trade war. The maneuver by House Republicans effectively stripped lawmakers of the ability to force action on lifting the tariffs until March 31, 2026, extending a prohibition they initially imposed in the spring to spare their members a politically tough vote. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/us/politics/republicans-house-tariffs-emergency-trump.html Accessed: 17 September 2025 at 0107 MST It came after Representative Gregory W. Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, tried to surprise Republicans with a bid to block the president's tariffs on Brazil. His measure was swiftly defeated, and within hours, G.O.P. leaders moved to head off a similar vote. That effort, tucked into a routine procedural measure, passed on Tuesday afternoon almost entirely along party lines. It was the latest instance in which House Republicans, many of whom have spent much of their career opposing tariffs as a matter of principle, have given up their power over trade. In March, Republicans pushed through a similar procedural measure that made it impossible for lawmakers to use a law governing presidential emergencies to challenge Mr. Trump's tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. The next month, they did so again. On Tuesday, they attached one to a measure needed to debate a series of bills to impose stricter criminal penalties in the District of Columbia. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/us/politics/republicans-house-tariffs-emergency-trump.html Accessed: 17 September 2025 at 0107 MST In all three cases, Republicans have used an arcane legislative maneuver to avoid tariff votes. It involves declaring the calendar frozen until a given date, which effectively renders useless a law that allows any lawmaker to insist on a quick floor vote on a proposal to end an emergency declared by the president. Republicans defended their strategy to short-circuit any such vote, making the case that Mr. Trump's trade policies were working. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/us/politics/republicans-house-tariffs-emergency-trump.html Accessed: 17 September 2025 at 0107 MST
dalfen.bsky.social
Sad that federal judges had to block Trump from letting Americans go hungry, but good that they did.

I wonder if the Trump admin will appeal as it usually does 🤔

#USA #politics #SNAP #FoodInsecurity
—

www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:04 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
The premium subsidies were set to expire at the end of this year THREE YEARS AGO.

Now people are about to lose SNAP benefits, TSA workers are calling out, and upwards of 1,000,000+ federal workers are going without paychecks.
October 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Since 2022, #ACA subsidies were set to expire at 2025’s end.

But only “enhanced premium credits” for income up to 400% of poverty (less than ~$62,600/yr—individual). Subsidies for those making less than $15,660 would remain.

#USA
—
www.hca.nm.gov/wp-content/u...
—
www.congress.gov/crs-product/...
As part of relief legislation enacted in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic and related economic disruption, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2). Among the act's provisions was one that expanded eligibility for the PTC and enhanced credit amounts. For tax years 2021 and 2022, ARPA temporarily • eliminated the maximum income limit (400% of FPL) for PTC eligibility purposes, leaving only the minimum income threshold (100% of FPL), and • reduced applicable percentages and eliminated indexing, which resulted in larger subsidy amounts (compared with ACA-only rules). These changes were extended for three additional tax years, 2023 through 2025, under the FY2022 Budget Reconciliation Law (FY2022 Reconciliation; P.L. 117- 169).® The sunset date established under the FY2022 Reconciliation for the enhanced PTC provision is January 1, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48290 Accessed: 26 October 2025 at 1612 CST
October 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Me to my oldest kid after I heard the news: “Omg, Mike Johnson cancelled the (House) vote ALL NEXT WEEK again!”

Kid: “You’re saying (Republican) Mike Johnson cancelled the vote (again) against a (supposedly) Democrat-led shutdown?”

Me: “Oh that’s a good point right there.”

#USA #politics
October 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
True; or anyone else who bankrolls the military… whatever the anonymous funding source.
October 25, 2025 at 12:07 AM
dalfen.bsky.social
Congress had better get back into session & take action before Trump accepts more anonymous money. He’s turning the #US military into paid mercenaries & putting the country in danger as it gets beholden to whatever private, anonymous source(s) he accepts donations from.

#MyThoughts #USA #politics
dalfen.bsky.social Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻 @dalfen.bsky.social · Oct 24
Pentagon (via Trump) Accepts $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops During Shutdown 👀🚨 —

👉 Trump calls the anonymous donor a “patriot” and a “friend.” 🚨

I mean, who needs Congress when Trump & his wealthy buddies can fund the military 😳

#USA #GovernmentShutdown
—
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Trump to Use $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
No one should hold leverage over the US government or military!
October 24, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻
hammie777.bsky.social
They are going to demand favors and they'll get them.
October 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Exactly.
October 24, 2025 at 10:31 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Congress better get back into session quickly, seriously—

He’s turning the US military into paid mercenaries (you *know* that anonymous wealthy donor is going to want something in return… and Trump could accept more donations to fund the military as the government is shut down). 🚨

#USA
dalfen.bsky.social Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻 @dalfen.bsky.social · Oct 24
Pentagon (via Trump) Accepts $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops During Shutdown 👀🚨 —

👉 Trump calls the anonymous donor a “patriot” and a “friend.” 🚨

I mean, who needs Congress when Trump & his wealthy buddies can fund the military 😳

#USA #GovernmentShutdown
—
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Trump to Use $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:31 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Both the fat cats and the corporations that funded Trump’s ballroom WH rebuild are going to want favors in return.
October 24, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻
hammie777.bsky.social
What kind of third rate country has to have its fat cats fund its military? How embarrassing for us. What's next corporate sponsorships building the white house?

Oh wait.

Nevermind. Nothing to see here. Nope nope nope.
dalfen.bsky.social Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻 @dalfen.bsky.social · Oct 24
This is very alarming.

An anonymous private donor is funding the US military.

Trump accepted the donation 🚨
dalfen.bsky.social Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻 @dalfen.bsky.social · Oct 24
Pentagon (via Trump) Accepts $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops During Shutdown 👀🚨 —

👉 Trump calls the anonymous donor a “patriot” and a “friend.” 🚨

I mean, who needs Congress when Trump & his wealthy buddies can fund the military 😳

#USA #GovernmentShutdown
—
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
October 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
This is very alarming.

An anonymous private donor is funding the US military.

Trump accepted the donation 🚨
dalfen.bsky.social Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻 @dalfen.bsky.social · Oct 24
Pentagon (via Trump) Accepts $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops During Shutdown 👀🚨 —

👉 Trump calls the anonymous donor a “patriot” and a “friend.” 🚨

I mean, who needs Congress when Trump & his wealthy buddies can fund the military 😳

#USA #GovernmentShutdown
—
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Trump to Use $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Pentagon (via Trump) Accepts $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops During Shutdown 👀🚨 —

👉 Trump calls the anonymous donor a “patriot” and a “friend.” 🚨

I mean, who needs Congress when Trump & his wealthy buddies can fund the military 😳

#USA #GovernmentShutdown
—
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Trump to Use $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:11 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
2🧵 (related)

“If the #SNAP program shuts down, we will have the most mass hunger suffering we've had in America since the Great Depression,” said the CEO of Hunger Free America. 👀🚨

#USA
—
www.npr.org/2025/10/24/n...
'Uncharted territory': Ongoing shutdown threatens food aid for 42 million people
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.
www.npr.org
October 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Curious what’s up w/ ’America First’—

As Trump goes to Asia to work on… something,

The gov’t is STILL shut down (where’s the great negotiator?). 42+ million people might go hungry. And nearly a million federal workers have no pay (affecting those around them).

#USA
—
www.pbs.org/newshour/wor...
What we know so far about Trump's trip to Asia
At stake is nothing less than the future of the global economy, which could hinge on whether he’s able to calm trade tensions during an expected meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
www.pbs.org
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
“If the #SNAP program shuts down, we will have the most mass hunger suffering we've had in America since the Great Depression,” said the CEO of Hunger Free America. 👀🚨

#USA #FoodInsecurity #hunger #politics #GovernmentShutdown
—
www.npr.org/2025/10/24/n...
'Uncharted territory': Ongoing shutdown threatens food aid for 42 million people
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.
www.npr.org
October 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
So it seems they are killing people in small boats in international waters almost daily now…

Posting about it online like they’re proud of their score in a video game or something.

apnews.com/article/trum...
US strikes two more alleged drug-carrying boats, this time in the Pacific Ocean
The U.S. military has launched its ninth strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing three people in the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
apnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:16 AM
dalfen.bsky.social
I feel your frustration!

The companies are donating to Trump’s cause(s) in exchange for him favoring their business operations. Now when they want (for ex) a merger approved or tariff rate on their imported goods lowered, they may get it. It’s crony capitalism at its finest.
October 23, 2025 at 2:00 AM
dalfen.bsky.social
During a dinner w/ tech, finance & defense industry execs, Trump said he was told there were “zero zoning conditions” for the project.

”…this is the White House, you’re the president of the United States, you can do anything you want.” 😐

#USA #politics
~~~

www.militarytimes.com/veterans/mil...
The WWII origins of the (now demolished) East Wing of the White House
The White House’s many reconstruction and remodeling efforts since 1792 have drawn media, congressional and public ire. This one has been no different.
www.militarytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:58 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
crony capitalism fits right in with the current situation
October 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
All sorts of big companies have supposedly give millions and millions of $ upon Trump’s prompting for the construction of a White House ballroom.

I wonder what they want or expect in return 🤔

#USA #politics
~~
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-w...
Trump unveils model of triumphal arch to business titans at White House ballroom fundraiser
President Trump has sought to raise $200 million for a new White House ballroom — and has tapped these megacompanies and wealthy individuals for donations.
www.cbsnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:42 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
Omg right?!?

I just posted article screenshots too, in case the link doesn’t work.

bsky.app/profile/dalf...
dalfen.bsky.social Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻 @dalfen.bsky.social · Oct 22
2🧵

Article screenshots:

Trump is demolishing the entire East Wing to make way for his White House ballroom. 👀🚨

“When Mr. Trump first announced his plans for the ballroom, he pledged that the East Wing wouldn't be touched by the construction.”
~~~

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
Trump is demolishing the entire East Wing to make way for his White House ballroom. Image caption: Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continued on Wednesday. Alex Kent for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST Image caption: Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continued on Wednesday. Alex Kent for The New York Times The White House is demolishing the entirety of the East Wing to make way for President Trump's $200 million ballroom, a construction project that is far more extensive than he initially let on, a senior administration official said on Wednesday. The tear-down should be finished by this weekend, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST The White House is demolishing the entirety of the East Wing to make way for President Trump's $200 million ballroom, a construction project that is far more extensive than he initially let on, a senior administration official said on Wednesday. The tear-down should be finished by this weekend, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans. When Mr. Trump first announced his plans for the ballroom, he pledged that the East Wing wouldn't be touched by the construction. "It'll be views of the Washington Monument. It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it," the president said. "And pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of." https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST "It'll be views of the Washington Monument. It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it,' the president said. "And pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of." But, upon further evaluation, the White House determined it was cheaper and more structurally sound to demolish the East Wing to construct the ballroom, rather than build an addition, the official said. The new structure will also have enhanced security features, the official said. Mr. Trump is raising tens of millions in private donations to fund the project, the official said. The president plans to contribute some of his own money as well, though the amount has not been determined, the official added. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST
October 22, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Dolphin 🐬💥🌊🌻
crewmansix.bsky.social
The entire East Wing?

That no good, underhanded, sleezy, gorramn ARSEBISCUIT! 🤬
October 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
2🧵

Article screenshots:

Trump is demolishing the entire East Wing to make way for his White House ballroom. 👀🚨

“When Mr. Trump first announced his plans for the ballroom, he pledged that the East Wing wouldn't be touched by the construction.”
~~~

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
Trump is demolishing the entire East Wing to make way for his White House ballroom. Image caption: Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continued on Wednesday. Alex Kent for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST Image caption: Demolition of the East Wing of the White House continued on Wednesday. Alex Kent for The New York Times The White House is demolishing the entirety of the East Wing to make way for President Trump's $200 million ballroom, a construction project that is far more extensive than he initially let on, a senior administration official said on Wednesday. The tear-down should be finished by this weekend, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST The White House is demolishing the entirety of the East Wing to make way for President Trump's $200 million ballroom, a construction project that is far more extensive than he initially let on, a senior administration official said on Wednesday. The tear-down should be finished by this weekend, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans. When Mr. Trump first announced his plans for the ballroom, he pledged that the East Wing wouldn't be touched by the construction. "It'll be views of the Washington Monument. It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it," the president said. "And pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of." https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST "It'll be views of the Washington Monument. It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it,' the president said. "And pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of." But, upon further evaluation, the White House determined it was cheaper and more structurally sound to demolish the East Wing to construct the ballroom, rather than build an addition, the official said. The new structure will also have enhanced security features, the official said. Mr. Trump is raising tens of millions in private donations to fund the project, the official said. The president plans to contribute some of his own money as well, though the amount has not been determined, the official added. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/22/us/trump-news Accessed: 22 October 2025 at 1504 CST
October 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM