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
No species better at accelerating entropy than us
Ocean Warming Breaks Record for Ninth Straight Year - Inside Climate News
Every second of last year, the Earth’s oceans absorbed the equivalent in energy to 12 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs. Global ocean heat content (OHC) increased for the ninth consecutive year in 2025, a...
insideclimatenews.org
January 9, 2026 at 7:29 PM
No species better at accelerating entropy than us
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey this morning:
“I think [JD Vance] also asserted that because you work at the federal government, that you somehow have absolute immunity from committing crimes. That’s not true in any law school in America, whether it’s Yale or Villanova or anywhere else.”
“I think [JD Vance] also asserted that because you work at the federal government, that you somehow have absolute immunity from committing crimes. That’s not true in any law school in America, whether it’s Yale or Villanova or anywhere else.”
January 9, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey this morning:
“I think [JD Vance] also asserted that because you work at the federal government, that you somehow have absolute immunity from committing crimes. That’s not true in any law school in America, whether it’s Yale or Villanova or anywhere else.”
“I think [JD Vance] also asserted that because you work at the federal government, that you somehow have absolute immunity from committing crimes. That’s not true in any law school in America, whether it’s Yale or Villanova or anywhere else.”
Steny Hoyer on the House floor yesterday:
"I am deeply concerned that this House is not living up to the founder's goals. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to examine their conscience, renew their courage and carry out the responsibilities that the Constitution demands."
"I am deeply concerned that this House is not living up to the founder's goals. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to examine their conscience, renew their courage and carry out the responsibilities that the Constitution demands."
January 9, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Steny Hoyer on the House floor yesterday:
"I am deeply concerned that this House is not living up to the founder's goals. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to examine their conscience, renew their courage and carry out the responsibilities that the Constitution demands."
"I am deeply concerned that this House is not living up to the founder's goals. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to examine their conscience, renew their courage and carry out the responsibilities that the Constitution demands."
House GOP Rep Mike Collins (GA-10) & his fmr COS Brandon Phillips are under investigation by House Ethics for allegedly putting Phillips' girlfriend on Collins' payroll
And the more than $178k in reimbursements Phillps got
Collins is now running for Ossoff's Senate seat
www.notus.org/congress/mik...
And the more than $178k in reimbursements Phillps got
Collins is now running for Ossoff's Senate seat
www.notus.org/congress/mik...
Top Aide to Rep. Mike Collins Was Reimbursed for More Than $170,000 in Office Expenses
Most of the money that was reimbursed went to franking — which is permissible under House rules. But Brandon Phillips’ travel reimbursements are already the subject of an Office of Congressional Condu...
www.notus.org
January 9, 2026 at 3:51 PM
House GOP Rep Mike Collins (GA-10) & his fmr COS Brandon Phillips are under investigation by House Ethics for allegedly putting Phillips' girlfriend on Collins' payroll
And the more than $178k in reimbursements Phillps got
Collins is now running for Ossoff's Senate seat
www.notus.org/congress/mik...
And the more than $178k in reimbursements Phillps got
Collins is now running for Ossoff's Senate seat
www.notus.org/congress/mik...
Note:
The Senate Res to install the Jan 6th plaque at the Capitol that passed unanimously yesterday does NOT need a House vote
It will stay in the Senate chamber until a permanent location is found on the west front of the Capitol
And it makes Mike Johnson look ridiculous
No respect from anyone
The Senate Res to install the Jan 6th plaque at the Capitol that passed unanimously yesterday does NOT need a House vote
It will stay in the Senate chamber until a permanent location is found on the west front of the Capitol
And it makes Mike Johnson look ridiculous
No respect from anyone
January 9, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Note:
The Senate Res to install the Jan 6th plaque at the Capitol that passed unanimously yesterday does NOT need a House vote
It will stay in the Senate chamber until a permanent location is found on the west front of the Capitol
And it makes Mike Johnson look ridiculous
No respect from anyone
The Senate Res to install the Jan 6th plaque at the Capitol that passed unanimously yesterday does NOT need a House vote
It will stay in the Senate chamber until a permanent location is found on the west front of the Capitol
And it makes Mike Johnson look ridiculous
No respect from anyone
House GOP Rep Don Bacon to Hill press last night:
After the Venezuela briefing he was "inclined" to support the war powers res
And Trump's post was "the tipping point"
“Reading the ugly response to those senators sort of convinced me to vote yes”
This stuff might not be working anymore ..
After the Venezuela briefing he was "inclined" to support the war powers res
And Trump's post was "the tipping point"
“Reading the ugly response to those senators sort of convinced me to vote yes”
This stuff might not be working anymore ..
January 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
House GOP Rep Don Bacon to Hill press last night:
After the Venezuela briefing he was "inclined" to support the war powers res
And Trump's post was "the tipping point"
“Reading the ugly response to those senators sort of convinced me to vote yes”
This stuff might not be working anymore ..
After the Venezuela briefing he was "inclined" to support the war powers res
And Trump's post was "the tipping point"
“Reading the ugly response to those senators sort of convinced me to vote yes”
This stuff might not be working anymore ..
Fair to note:
As the House was voting yesterday
-to override Trump's vetoes & on the ACA
WH aides were walking around the perimeter of the House floor
Taking note of GOP who were voting against their wishes
Highly unusual
And clearly designed to intimidate
GOP members voted against them anyway
As the House was voting yesterday
-to override Trump's vetoes & on the ACA
WH aides were walking around the perimeter of the House floor
Taking note of GOP who were voting against their wishes
Highly unusual
And clearly designed to intimidate
GOP members voted against them anyway
January 9, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Fair to note:
As the House was voting yesterday
-to override Trump's vetoes & on the ACA
WH aides were walking around the perimeter of the House floor
Taking note of GOP who were voting against their wishes
Highly unusual
And clearly designed to intimidate
GOP members voted against them anyway
As the House was voting yesterday
-to override Trump's vetoes & on the ACA
WH aides were walking around the perimeter of the House floor
Taking note of GOP who were voting against their wishes
Highly unusual
And clearly designed to intimidate
GOP members voted against them anyway
The War Powers Res procedural vote sets up final consideration of the bill in the Senate next week
House is on track to take up a similar vote later this month after Democrats introduced a companion measure yesterday
Expect GOP support
A serious rebuke for Trump:
www.politico.com/live-updates...
House is on track to take up a similar vote later this month after Democrats introduced a companion measure yesterday
Expect GOP support
A serious rebuke for Trump:
www.politico.com/live-updates...
The 5 Republicans who voted against Trump on Venezuela
Their backing of a war powers measure represented a rare GOP willingness to check presidential authority.
www.politico.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:12 PM
The War Powers Res procedural vote sets up final consideration of the bill in the Senate next week
House is on track to take up a similar vote later this month after Democrats introduced a companion measure yesterday
Expect GOP support
A serious rebuke for Trump:
www.politico.com/live-updates...
House is on track to take up a similar vote later this month after Democrats introduced a companion measure yesterday
Expect GOP support
A serious rebuke for Trump:
www.politico.com/live-updates...
House MAGA Rep Lauren Boebert:
“I am disappointed to see the lack of leadership, the amount of people that will fold, that will cave, that will not take a stand. This had nothing to do with policy. … Folks are afraid of getting a mean tweet or attacked.”
His grip is indeed slipping ..
“I am disappointed to see the lack of leadership, the amount of people that will fold, that will cave, that will not take a stand. This had nothing to do with policy. … Folks are afraid of getting a mean tweet or attacked.”
His grip is indeed slipping ..
Yesterday was NOT a good day for Trump in Congress:
1. 5 GOP Senators voted in favor of the War Powers Res
2. Senate unanimously voted to erect the J6 plaque
3. 20 House GOP voted to override vetoes
4. 17 House GOP voted to pass the ACA discharge petition
He's MAD:
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
1. 5 GOP Senators voted in favor of the War Powers Res
2. Senate unanimously voted to erect the J6 plaque
3. 20 House GOP voted to override vetoes
4. 17 House GOP voted to pass the ACA discharge petition
He's MAD:
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Donald Trump can’t count on Congress to have his back any more
Republicans dealt the president a series of rebukes Thursday that cast fresh doubt about his sway on Capitol Hill.
www.politico.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:07 PM
House MAGA Rep Lauren Boebert:
“I am disappointed to see the lack of leadership, the amount of people that will fold, that will cave, that will not take a stand. This had nothing to do with policy. … Folks are afraid of getting a mean tweet or attacked.”
His grip is indeed slipping ..
“I am disappointed to see the lack of leadership, the amount of people that will fold, that will cave, that will not take a stand. This had nothing to do with policy. … Folks are afraid of getting a mean tweet or attacked.”
His grip is indeed slipping ..
Yesterday was NOT a good day for Trump in Congress:
1. 5 GOP Senators voted in favor of the War Powers Res
2. Senate unanimously voted to erect the J6 plaque
3. 20 House GOP voted to override vetoes
4. 17 House GOP voted to pass the ACA discharge petition
He's MAD:
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
1. 5 GOP Senators voted in favor of the War Powers Res
2. Senate unanimously voted to erect the J6 plaque
3. 20 House GOP voted to override vetoes
4. 17 House GOP voted to pass the ACA discharge petition
He's MAD:
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Donald Trump can’t count on Congress to have his back any more
Republicans dealt the president a series of rebukes Thursday that cast fresh doubt about his sway on Capitol Hill.
www.politico.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Yesterday was NOT a good day for Trump in Congress:
1. 5 GOP Senators voted in favor of the War Powers Res
2. Senate unanimously voted to erect the J6 plaque
3. 20 House GOP voted to override vetoes
4. 17 House GOP voted to pass the ACA discharge petition
He's MAD:
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
1. 5 GOP Senators voted in favor of the War Powers Res
2. Senate unanimously voted to erect the J6 plaque
3. 20 House GOP voted to override vetoes
4. 17 House GOP voted to pass the ACA discharge petition
He's MAD:
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
After yesterday's mtg bet House & Senate on ACA:
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
17 Republicans vote to restore lapsed Obamacare subsidies
Democrats and moderate Republicans hope the bill's passage will put pressure on the Senate to come up a bipartisan compromise.
www.politico.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:50 PM
After yesterday's mtg bet House & Senate on ACA:
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
After yesterday's mtg bet House & Senate on ACA:
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
17 Republicans vote to restore lapsed Obamacare subsidies
Democrats and moderate Republicans hope the bill's passage will put pressure on the Senate to come up a bipartisan compromise.
www.politico.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:50 PM
After yesterday's mtg bet House & Senate on ACA:
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
“There was a sentiment conveyed that if we could get a bill out of the House [with] meaningful bipartisan support [it] would increase the likelihood Senate would pass a bill that has some reforms in it & send it back,”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
House GOP Rep (& ACA yes voter) Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) with House GOP Moderate hope for what's next:
“The Senate could put together a product that could ultimately get sent back over to the House that we can then conference on and hopefully move across the finish line,”
Pressure on Thune is growing
“The Senate could put together a product that could ultimately get sent back over to the House that we can then conference on and hopefully move across the finish line,”
Pressure on Thune is growing
Yesterday 17 House Republicans broke ranks with their leadership and Trump and voted YES on passage of House Dems' 3 yr ACA extension discharge petition
It passed 230-196
This exact bill will not pass the Senate
But they're working on a compromise
Roll call breakdown:
clerk.house.gov/Votes/202611
It passed 230-196
This exact bill will not pass the Senate
But they're working on a compromise
Roll call breakdown:
clerk.house.gov/Votes/202611
Roll Call 11 Roll Call 11, Bill Number: H. R. 1834, 119th Congress, 2nd Session
VOTE QUESTION: On Passage, DESCRIPTION: Breaking the Gridlock Act, VOTE TYPE: Yea-And-Nay, STATUS: Passed
clerk.house.gov
January 9, 2026 at 2:46 PM
House GOP Rep (& ACA yes voter) Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) with House GOP Moderate hope for what's next:
“The Senate could put together a product that could ultimately get sent back over to the House that we can then conference on and hopefully move across the finish line,”
Pressure on Thune is growing
“The Senate could put together a product that could ultimately get sent back over to the House that we can then conference on and hopefully move across the finish line,”
Pressure on Thune is growing
Yesterday 17 House Republicans broke ranks with their leadership and Trump and voted YES on passage of House Dems' 3 yr ACA extension discharge petition
It passed 230-196
This exact bill will not pass the Senate
But they're working on a compromise
Roll call breakdown:
clerk.house.gov/Votes/202611
It passed 230-196
This exact bill will not pass the Senate
But they're working on a compromise
Roll call breakdown:
clerk.house.gov/Votes/202611
Roll Call 11 Roll Call 11, Bill Number: H. R. 1834, 119th Congress, 2nd Session
VOTE QUESTION: On Passage, DESCRIPTION: Breaking the Gridlock Act, VOTE TYPE: Yea-And-Nay, STATUS: Passed
clerk.house.gov
January 9, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Yesterday 17 House Republicans broke ranks with their leadership and Trump and voted YES on passage of House Dems' 3 yr ACA extension discharge petition
It passed 230-196
This exact bill will not pass the Senate
But they're working on a compromise
Roll call breakdown:
clerk.house.gov/Votes/202611
It passed 230-196
This exact bill will not pass the Senate
But they're working on a compromise
Roll call breakdown:
clerk.house.gov/Votes/202611
From Mike Luckovich:
January 9, 2026 at 2:25 PM
From Mike Luckovich:
Reposted by Mona Burns
New: Democrats write committee leaders asking for public hearings on US action in Venezuela. Led by Sen. Bennet
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
Exclusive: Democrats request public hearings on US action in Venezuela
Congress was privately briefed this week, but the Democrats say that there’s more to do.
www.semafor.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:55 PM
New: Democrats write committee leaders asking for public hearings on US action in Venezuela. Led by Sen. Bennet
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
Reposted by Mona Burns
If you throw out the year of COVID, the average of 48,667 jobs added per month in 2025 is the lowest monthly job growth since 2010.
January 9, 2026 at 1:48 PM
If you throw out the year of COVID, the average of 48,667 jobs added per month in 2025 is the lowest monthly job growth since 2010.
Reposted by Mona Burns
20 House Republicans voted to override both Trump vetoes, including 2 full committee chairs (Cole - Appropriations and Thompson - Agriculture).
January 8, 2026 at 8:56 PM
20 House Republicans voted to override both Trump vetoes, including 2 full committee chairs (Cole - Appropriations and Thompson - Agriculture).
Reposted by Mona Burns
This is absolutely a major issue in many areas. Democrats need to provide their own security, as local law enforcement is often MAGA-allied.
NOTUS:
Dem House Rep Steven Horsford:
“They called the local sheriff; they showed up and were going to arrest me. These are the same people that I’m supposed to call to coordinate security or to do support when I have a town hall.”
www.notus.org/democrats/me...
Dem House Rep Steven Horsford:
“They called the local sheriff; they showed up and were going to arrest me. These are the same people that I’m supposed to call to coordinate security or to do support when I have a town hall.”
www.notus.org/democrats/me...
Democrats' New Fear: They Can’t Rely on Local Law Enforcement for Protection
“They called the local sheriff; they showed up and were going to arrest me,” said Rep. Steven Horsford.
www.notus.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:18 PM
This is absolutely a major issue in many areas. Democrats need to provide their own security, as local law enforcement is often MAGA-allied.
From House Homeland Security Committee Dems on Twitter:
"What American citizens should understand:
Kristi Noem’s secret police can kill you— then lie and call you a terrorist.
That’s what they're doing now."
"What American citizens should understand:
Kristi Noem’s secret police can kill you— then lie and call you a terrorist.
That’s what they're doing now."
January 8, 2026 at 4:21 PM
From House Homeland Security Committee Dems on Twitter:
"What American citizens should understand:
Kristi Noem’s secret police can kill you— then lie and call you a terrorist.
That’s what they're doing now."
"What American citizens should understand:
Kristi Noem’s secret police can kill you— then lie and call you a terrorist.
That’s what they're doing now."
Reposted by Mona Burns
Where are the people (on both sides!) who said Biden wasn't in charge and the country was being run by unelected advisors or whatever?
They're sure quiet now.
They're sure quiet now.
The Atlantic (gift link):
“[Stephen] Miller is acting as an accelerant for [Trump's] most incendiary impulses .. He has demonstrated neither the interest nor the ability to moderate his views-even for tactical purposes”
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
“[Stephen] Miller is acting as an accelerant for [Trump's] most incendiary impulses .. He has demonstrated neither the interest nor the ability to moderate his views-even for tactical purposes”
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
The Wrath of Stephen Miller
The man who turns President Trump’s most incendiary impulses into policy
www.theatlantic.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Where are the people (on both sides!) who said Biden wasn't in charge and the country was being run by unelected advisors or whatever?
They're sure quiet now.
They're sure quiet now.
ICYMI:
On Tuesday, DOJ sued Arizona and Connecticut for "failing to produce" unredacted voter lists
Note:
These lists contain personally identifying info like voters’ full birthdates, full or partial Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information
www.votebeat.org/arizona/2026...
On Tuesday, DOJ sued Arizona and Connecticut for "failing to produce" unredacted voter lists
Note:
These lists contain personally identifying info like voters’ full birthdates, full or partial Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information
www.votebeat.org/arizona/2026...
Trump administration sues Arizona, Connecticut for access to unredacted voter rolls
The federal government is demanding that states turn over sensitive data like birthdates and Social Security numbers. Many of them are refusing.
www.votebeat.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:15 PM
ICYMI:
On Tuesday, DOJ sued Arizona and Connecticut for "failing to produce" unredacted voter lists
Note:
These lists contain personally identifying info like voters’ full birthdates, full or partial Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information
www.votebeat.org/arizona/2026...
On Tuesday, DOJ sued Arizona and Connecticut for "failing to produce" unredacted voter lists
Note:
These lists contain personally identifying info like voters’ full birthdates, full or partial Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information
www.votebeat.org/arizona/2026...
Collins is a YES
Todd Young just voted YES
This only needs a simple majority to pass today
Todd Young just voted YES
This only needs a simple majority to pass today
The Senate is now voting on whether to start debate on a war powers resolution pushed by Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul R-KY to limit U.S. military action in Venezuela
January 8, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Collins is a YES
Todd Young just voted YES
This only needs a simple majority to pass today
Todd Young just voted YES
This only needs a simple majority to pass today
Reposted by Mona Burns
The Senate is now voting on whether to start debate on a war powers resolution pushed by Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul R-KY to limit U.S. military action in Venezuela
January 8, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The Senate is now voting on whether to start debate on a war powers resolution pushed by Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul R-KY to limit U.S. military action in Venezuela
The Senate is voting on this War Powers res right now:
From Semafor WH reporter Shelby Talcott:
"Trump admin is (unsurprisingly) opposing the Venezuela war powers resolution, arguing it “fails to recognize the ongoing national security threats posed by” drug cartels. Trump would veto if it came to his desk."
WH memo:
"Trump admin is (unsurprisingly) opposing the Venezuela war powers resolution, arguing it “fails to recognize the ongoing national security threats posed by” drug cartels. Trump would veto if it came to his desk."
WH memo:
January 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
The Senate is voting on this War Powers res right now: