Mona Burns
@monaburns.bsky.social
Political writer. Covering Congress. Vincit Omnia Veritas.
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
"Freedom is not just an absence of evil, but a presence of good."
-Timothy Snyder
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
"Freedom is not just an absence of evil, but a presence of good."
-Timothy Snyder
Reposted by Mona Burns
Mike Johnson says “every Republican” voted for the One Big Beautiful. This is objectively not true: Brian Fitzpatrick and Thomas Massie voted against it.
January 7, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Mike Johnson says “every Republican” voted for the One Big Beautiful. This is objectively not true: Brian Fitzpatrick and Thomas Massie voted against it.
Holy crap:
Last night Tony Dokoupil ended a CBS Evening News segment by saying, "Marco Rubio, We Salute You"
Seems like CBS is state run media now
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/ton...
Last night Tony Dokoupil ended a CBS Evening News segment by saying, "Marco Rubio, We Salute You"
Seems like CBS is state run media now
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/ton...
Tony Dokoupil Ends CBS Evening News Broadcast by Saying, ‘Marco Rubio, We Salute You’
Tony Dokoupil ended Tuesday's broadcast of the CBS Evening News with a light-hearted segment about Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which he concluded by saluting "the ultimate Florida man."
www.mediaite.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Holy crap:
Last night Tony Dokoupil ended a CBS Evening News segment by saying, "Marco Rubio, We Salute You"
Seems like CBS is state run media now
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/ton...
Last night Tony Dokoupil ended a CBS Evening News segment by saying, "Marco Rubio, We Salute You"
Seems like CBS is state run media now
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/ton...
"Today we’re in thrall to a con man who denigrates the very idea of truth and uses media only to distract and divide. And so the CPB board members broke their plowshares lest they be beaten into swords by a deranged demagogue. It was their last act of patriotism."
This is tragic:
This is tragic:
"Defunded by Congress and fearing the Trump administration might pervert the organization to further undermine free media, the board members agreed it was better to salt the earth than leave behind a place for Trump to plant his poisonous, choking weeds." — @lizdye.bsky.social
Corporation for Public Broadcasting's patriotic goodbye
Better nothing than a MAGA mouthpiece.
www.publicnotice.co
January 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM
"Today we’re in thrall to a con man who denigrates the very idea of truth and uses media only to distract and divide. And so the CPB board members broke their plowshares lest they be beaten into swords by a deranged demagogue. It was their last act of patriotism."
This is tragic:
This is tragic:
Oh man
Does he have any idea how dangerous this particular little NATO snit could end up being?
Does he have any idea how dangerous this particular little NATO snit could end up being?
Trump: "I single-handedly ENDED 8 WARS, and Norway, a NATO Member, foolishly chose not to give me the Noble Peace Prize. But that doesn’t matter! What does matter is that I saved Millions of Lives ... I DOUBT NATO WOULD BE THERE FOR US IF WE REALLY NEEDED THEM."
January 7, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Oh man
Does he have any idea how dangerous this particular little NATO snit could end up being?
Does he have any idea how dangerous this particular little NATO snit could end up being?
Because people have been asking me:
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
And it's part of the ACA fight
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
And it's part of the ACA fight
January 7, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Because people have been asking me:
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
And it's part of the ACA fight
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
And it's part of the ACA fight
Because people have been asking me:
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
For Dems, it's a non-starter
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
For Dems, it's a non-starter
Trump wants Rs to be "flexible" on Hyde. That's what the negotiations are trying to do
But...
“This is a matter of principle for many of us," Cornyn said.
Marshall: “I’m unapologetically for Hyde...We certainly want to do everything we can to satisfy the pro-life community"
But...
“This is a matter of principle for many of us," Cornyn said.
Marshall: “I’m unapologetically for Hyde...We certainly want to do everything we can to satisfy the pro-life community"
Senators closing in on deal on reviving ACA subsidies
- two year extension
- income caps
- no zero dollar plans
- extend open enrollment
- finessing they Hyde amendment
No guarantee it will pass but Shaheen says "we should have a draft ready soon"
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
- two year extension
- income caps
- no zero dollar plans
- extend open enrollment
- finessing they Hyde amendment
No guarantee it will pass but Shaheen says "we should have a draft ready soon"
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
January 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Because people have been asking me:
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
For Dems, it's a non-starter
The Hyde Amendment (1976) is a legislative provision that bans the use of federal funds for most abortions (exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a mother's life)
MAGA and most Congressional Republicans are all in on this rule
For Dems, it's a non-starter
Statement from Russian gov't on the US seizure of the Russia-flagged MARINERA / BELLA-1 tanker:
"..freedom of navigation applies in the waters of the high seas and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states."
Citing UN rules
Uh oh..
"..freedom of navigation applies in the waters of the high seas and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states."
Citing UN rules
Uh oh..
January 7, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Statement from Russian gov't on the US seizure of the Russia-flagged MARINERA / BELLA-1 tanker:
"..freedom of navigation applies in the waters of the high seas and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states."
Citing UN rules
Uh oh..
"..freedom of navigation applies in the waters of the high seas and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states."
Citing UN rules
Uh oh..
House ACA discharge petition procedural vote expected in the 1:30 vote series today
It is expected to pass and move to a full House vote tomorrow
It is expected to pass and move to a full House vote tomorrow
January 7, 2026 at 3:08 PM
House ACA discharge petition procedural vote expected in the 1:30 vote series today
It is expected to pass and move to a full House vote tomorrow
It is expected to pass and move to a full House vote tomorrow
If you have nothing better this morning:
House Oversight is about to convene a 'hearing' on the MAGA fraud conspiracy in Minnesota
Performative, dramatic, noisy and straight up nonsense
but .. here you go:
oversight.house.gov/hearing/over...
House Oversight is about to convene a 'hearing' on the MAGA fraud conspiracy in Minnesota
Performative, dramatic, noisy and straight up nonsense
but .. here you go:
oversight.house.gov/hearing/over...
Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part I - United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
oversight.house.gov
January 7, 2026 at 3:04 PM
If you have nothing better this morning:
House Oversight is about to convene a 'hearing' on the MAGA fraud conspiracy in Minnesota
Performative, dramatic, noisy and straight up nonsense
but .. here you go:
oversight.house.gov/hearing/over...
House Oversight is about to convene a 'hearing' on the MAGA fraud conspiracy in Minnesota
Performative, dramatic, noisy and straight up nonsense
but .. here you go:
oversight.house.gov/hearing/over...
Hakeem Jeffries on ACA credits dp:
“Our mission right now is to make sure that we pass the straightforward extension of the ACA tax credits this week, and then we’ll navigate the Senate dynamics thereafter,”
First vote today
Final House passage tomorrow
Pressure on Thune for a Senate vote is growing
“Our mission right now is to make sure that we pass the straightforward extension of the ACA tax credits this week, and then we’ll navigate the Senate dynamics thereafter,”
First vote today
Final House passage tomorrow
Pressure on Thune for a Senate vote is growing
January 7, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Hakeem Jeffries on ACA credits dp:
“Our mission right now is to make sure that we pass the straightforward extension of the ACA tax credits this week, and then we’ll navigate the Senate dynamics thereafter,”
First vote today
Final House passage tomorrow
Pressure on Thune for a Senate vote is growing
“Our mission right now is to make sure that we pass the straightforward extension of the ACA tax credits this week, and then we’ll navigate the Senate dynamics thereafter,”
First vote today
Final House passage tomorrow
Pressure on Thune for a Senate vote is growing
"Thune said Tuesday any [ACA] agreement that could get significant GOP backing would have to mandate minimum premium payments, expand health savings accounts and address [GOP] concerns about the Hyde Amendment [fed'l $ for abortion svcs].
Democrats aren’t supportive of any of those policies."
Democrats aren’t supportive of any of those policies."
First vote on Dems 3 yr ACA credits dp expected today
House Repubs looking for clarity during Trump's Kennedy Ctr rant yesterday and he told them to "be flexible" on fed'l funding for abortion
More fighting..
But:
Full dp vote should pass by tomorrow
On to the Senate..
punchbowl.news/article/heal...
House Repubs looking for clarity during Trump's Kennedy Ctr rant yesterday and he told them to "be flexible" on fed'l funding for abortion
More fighting..
But:
Full dp vote should pass by tomorrow
On to the Senate..
punchbowl.news/article/heal...
Congress heads toward another ACA showdown
Congress’ ACA battle continues on Wednesday when the House takes a procedural vote on the Democratic discharge petition to extend the ACA credits.
punchbowl.news
January 7, 2026 at 2:55 PM
"Thune said Tuesday any [ACA] agreement that could get significant GOP backing would have to mandate minimum premium payments, expand health savings accounts and address [GOP] concerns about the Hyde Amendment [fed'l $ for abortion svcs].
Democrats aren’t supportive of any of those policies."
Democrats aren’t supportive of any of those policies."
First vote on Dems 3 yr ACA credits dp expected today
House Repubs looking for clarity during Trump's Kennedy Ctr rant yesterday and he told them to "be flexible" on fed'l funding for abortion
More fighting..
But:
Full dp vote should pass by tomorrow
On to the Senate..
punchbowl.news/article/heal...
House Repubs looking for clarity during Trump's Kennedy Ctr rant yesterday and he told them to "be flexible" on fed'l funding for abortion
More fighting..
But:
Full dp vote should pass by tomorrow
On to the Senate..
punchbowl.news/article/heal...
Congress heads toward another ACA showdown
Congress’ ACA battle continues on Wednesday when the House takes a procedural vote on the Democratic discharge petition to extend the ACA credits.
punchbowl.news
January 7, 2026 at 2:51 PM
First vote on Dems 3 yr ACA credits dp expected today
House Repubs looking for clarity during Trump's Kennedy Ctr rant yesterday and he told them to "be flexible" on fed'l funding for abortion
More fighting..
But:
Full dp vote should pass by tomorrow
On to the Senate..
punchbowl.news/article/heal...
House Repubs looking for clarity during Trump's Kennedy Ctr rant yesterday and he told them to "be flexible" on fed'l funding for abortion
More fighting..
But:
Full dp vote should pass by tomorrow
On to the Senate..
punchbowl.news/article/heal...
If they can't pass the Rule
They can't pass the funding bill
Johnson is trying to put the funding bill to a full House vote by Thurs
And there's no clear solution to satisfy Roy & House MAGA on these earmarks without alienating Dems
And without some Dems
Johnson won't get anything through now
They can't pass the funding bill
Johnson is trying to put the funding bill to a full House vote by Thurs
And there's no clear solution to satisfy Roy & House MAGA on these earmarks without alienating Dems
And without some Dems
Johnson won't get anything through now
Bit of a revolt in last night's House Rules markup for the minibus funding bill Johnson's trying to put on the House floor today
Chip Roy and other hardliner MAGAs got upset about earmarks
And stopped the hearing
They reconvene today
Herding cats when you can only afford to lose ONE vote
Fun times
Chip Roy and other hardliner MAGAs got upset about earmarks
And stopped the hearing
They reconvene today
Herding cats when you can only afford to lose ONE vote
Fun times
January 7, 2026 at 2:43 PM
If they can't pass the Rule
They can't pass the funding bill
Johnson is trying to put the funding bill to a full House vote by Thurs
And there's no clear solution to satisfy Roy & House MAGA on these earmarks without alienating Dems
And without some Dems
Johnson won't get anything through now
They can't pass the funding bill
Johnson is trying to put the funding bill to a full House vote by Thurs
And there's no clear solution to satisfy Roy & House MAGA on these earmarks without alienating Dems
And without some Dems
Johnson won't get anything through now
Bit of a revolt in last night's House Rules markup for the minibus funding bill Johnson's trying to put on the House floor today
Chip Roy and other hardliner MAGAs got upset about earmarks
And stopped the hearing
They reconvene today
Herding cats when you can only afford to lose ONE vote
Fun times
Chip Roy and other hardliner MAGAs got upset about earmarks
And stopped the hearing
They reconvene today
Herding cats when you can only afford to lose ONE vote
Fun times
January 7, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Bit of a revolt in last night's House Rules markup for the minibus funding bill Johnson's trying to put on the House floor today
Chip Roy and other hardliner MAGAs got upset about earmarks
And stopped the hearing
They reconvene today
Herding cats when you can only afford to lose ONE vote
Fun times
Chip Roy and other hardliner MAGAs got upset about earmarks
And stopped the hearing
They reconvene today
Herding cats when you can only afford to lose ONE vote
Fun times
House Republican to Hill press after the death of House GOP Rep Doug LaMalfa and House GOP Rep Jim Baird's car accident hospitalization yesterday:
“We keep saying we are one breath away from the minority-that’s more true today than ever”
Indeed
Johnson can now only lose ONE vote on any given bill
“We keep saying we are one breath away from the minority-that’s more true today than ever”
Indeed
Johnson can now only lose ONE vote on any given bill
January 7, 2026 at 2:25 PM
House Republican to Hill press after the death of House GOP Rep Doug LaMalfa and House GOP Rep Jim Baird's car accident hospitalization yesterday:
“We keep saying we are one breath away from the minority-that’s more true today than ever”
Indeed
Johnson can now only lose ONE vote on any given bill
“We keep saying we are one breath away from the minority-that’s more true today than ever”
Indeed
Johnson can now only lose ONE vote on any given bill
Reposted by Mona Burns
Trump: US will "run" Venezuela
Rubio: “What we are ‘running’ is the direction”
"There’s no plan for the way Trump phrases things. It’s a pattern. He goes way out, and then has to rein it back into a more realistic view,” said one R senator. That pullback is “what Rubio is tasked with doing"
Rubio: “What we are ‘running’ is the direction”
"There’s no plan for the way Trump phrases things. It’s a pattern. He goes way out, and then has to rein it back into a more realistic view,” said one R senator. That pullback is “what Rubio is tasked with doing"
January 6, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Trump: US will "run" Venezuela
Rubio: “What we are ‘running’ is the direction”
"There’s no plan for the way Trump phrases things. It’s a pattern. He goes way out, and then has to rein it back into a more realistic view,” said one R senator. That pullback is “what Rubio is tasked with doing"
Rubio: “What we are ‘running’ is the direction”
"There’s no plan for the way Trump phrases things. It’s a pattern. He goes way out, and then has to rein it back into a more realistic view,” said one R senator. That pullback is “what Rubio is tasked with doing"
Reposted by Mona Burns
Security tapes released by House Republicans show a final scramble - five years ago this morning on Jan. 6 - to get slates of fake GOP electors to Sen. Ron Johnson R-WI. The effort included a document drop by staffers outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
jamiedupree.substack.com/p/tapes-show...
jamiedupree.substack.com/p/tapes-show...
Tapes show final GOP fake elector push on Jan. 6
Documents sent to Sen. Johnson as crowd massed at U.S. Capitol
jamiedupree.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Security tapes released by House Republicans show a final scramble - five years ago this morning on Jan. 6 - to get slates of fake GOP electors to Sen. Ron Johnson R-WI. The effort included a document drop by staffers outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
jamiedupree.substack.com/p/tapes-show...
jamiedupree.substack.com/p/tapes-show...
Reposted by Mona Burns
Security tapes released by House Republicans show the last ditch effort - on the morning of January 6 - to get fake GOP elector documents to the office of Sen. Ron Johnson R-WI. It involved a document drop outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
January 6, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Security tapes released by House Republicans show the last ditch effort - on the morning of January 6 - to get fake GOP elector documents to the office of Sen. Ron Johnson R-WI. It involved a document drop outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
Reposted by Mona Burns
Canceling the midterms is a rant now? My House Rep is sitting there & listening? Will find a way to spin Anti Democracy? Yet again?
Disgusting
Primary every Missouri Representative!
Call Lincoln Hough & ask him to primary Eric Burlison in 2026
Disgusting
Primary every Missouri Representative!
Call Lincoln Hough & ask him to primary Eric Burlison in 2026
January 6, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Canceling the midterms is a rant now? My House Rep is sitting there & listening? Will find a way to spin Anti Democracy? Yet again?
Disgusting
Primary every Missouri Representative!
Call Lincoln Hough & ask him to primary Eric Burlison in 2026
Disgusting
Primary every Missouri Representative!
Call Lincoln Hough & ask him to primary Eric Burlison in 2026
Semafor today:
"[A]s the Danish government delivers a warning that Trump would risk unraveling NATO if he acts against their territory, lawmakers in both parties are starting to view Trump’s interest in Greenland as more than idle tough talk."
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
"[A]s the Danish government delivers a warning that Trump would risk unraveling NATO if he acts against their territory, lawmakers in both parties are starting to view Trump’s interest in Greenland as more than idle tough talk."
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
Congress starts to take Trump’s interest in Greenland more seriously
Lawmakers may have dismissed the president’s talk of US control of the Danish territory before. After Venezuela, that’s changing.
www.semafor.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Semafor today:
"[A]s the Danish government delivers a warning that Trump would risk unraveling NATO if he acts against their territory, lawmakers in both parties are starting to view Trump’s interest in Greenland as more than idle tough talk."
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
"[A]s the Danish government delivers a warning that Trump would risk unraveling NATO if he acts against their territory, lawmakers in both parties are starting to view Trump’s interest in Greenland as more than idle tough talk."
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
Reposted by Mona Burns
Sen. Moreno spoke to Leader Thune about the possibility of a deal on reviving ACA subsidies today. Says Hyde is biggest challenge
Thune: "The meetings have been productive"
"There's potentially a path forward there" but says would need to be "a big vote on the Republican side”
Thune: "The meetings have been productive"
"There's potentially a path forward there" but says would need to be "a big vote on the Republican side”
January 6, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Sen. Moreno spoke to Leader Thune about the possibility of a deal on reviving ACA subsidies today. Says Hyde is biggest challenge
Thune: "The meetings have been productive"
"There's potentially a path forward there" but says would need to be "a big vote on the Republican side”
Thune: "The meetings have been productive"
"There's potentially a path forward there" but says would need to be "a big vote on the Republican side”
On yesterday's bipartisan Senate meeting to extend ACA credits:
They're "discussing" pushing open enrollment deadline from Jan 15 to March 1
House passage of the 3 yr ACA dp this wk "would be a boon for the Senate..[&] provide a legislative vehicle" for a Senate bill
www.politico.com/live-updates...
They're "discussing" pushing open enrollment deadline from Jan 15 to March 1
House passage of the 3 yr ACA dp this wk "would be a boon for the Senate..[&] provide a legislative vehicle" for a Senate bill
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Senators discuss open enrollment extension for compromise health plan
Republican and Democratic senators want to soften the blow of lapsed Obamacare tax credits.
www.politico.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:57 PM
On yesterday's bipartisan Senate meeting to extend ACA credits:
They're "discussing" pushing open enrollment deadline from Jan 15 to March 1
House passage of the 3 yr ACA dp this wk "would be a boon for the Senate..[&] provide a legislative vehicle" for a Senate bill
www.politico.com/live-updates...
They're "discussing" pushing open enrollment deadline from Jan 15 to March 1
House passage of the 3 yr ACA dp this wk "would be a boon for the Senate..[&] provide a legislative vehicle" for a Senate bill
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Dem TX State Rep and US Senate candidate James Talarico in his new campaign ad:
"Before I was a legislator, I was a middle school teacher. I don't scare easily."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di0A...
"Before I was a legislator, I was a middle school teacher. I don't scare easily."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di0A...
James Talarico launches his campaign for the U.S. Senate
YouTube video by James Talarico
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Dem TX State Rep and US Senate candidate James Talarico in his new campaign ad:
"Before I was a legislator, I was a middle school teacher. I don't scare easily."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di0A...
"Before I was a legislator, I was a middle school teacher. I don't scare easily."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di0A...
FDR used a wheelchair and leg braces
So ..
So ..
Trump on Melania: "She hates when I dance. She actually said, 'Can you imagine FDR dancing?'"
January 6, 2026 at 3:43 PM
FDR used a wheelchair and leg braces
So ..
So ..
Trump is obsessing about canceling the midterms
Here he is during this morning's rant to House GOP at the Kennedy Center:
Here he is during this morning's rant to House GOP at the Kennedy Center:
Trump: "They have the worst policy. How we have to even run against these people -- I won't say cancel the election, they should cancel the election, because the fake news with say, 'He wants the elections canceled. He's a dictator.' They always call me a dictator. Nobody is worse than Obama."
January 6, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Trump is obsessing about canceling the midterms
Here he is during this morning's rant to House GOP at the Kennedy Center:
Here he is during this morning's rant to House GOP at the Kennedy Center: