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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Administration Live Updates: White House Changes Course and Will Demolish Entire East Wing
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:16 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
What’s that expression—

Liars of a certain feather flock together

…or something like that.

___

#USA #politics #MyThoughts
Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people - including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign. By The Associated Press • Published 20 mins ago • Updated 5 mins ago
October 18, 2025 at 5:57 AM
dalfen.bsky.social
Good thing the House is taking another paid staycation next week though lol…

It must be exhausting for them to get nothing done.

#USA #politics 🍟
—

Federal courts have run out of money; only limited operations until shutdown ends~

abcnews.go.com/Politics/liv...
Federal courts have run out of money; only limited operations until shutdown ends Starting Monday, all federal courts will no longer have funding to sustain full, paid operations. While judges will continue to serve with pay, members of the nation's 33,000-court staff will either perform limited tasks unpaid or be put on furlough. It will be up to each individual court to triage which cases and duties warrant unpaid work. There will likely be delays in cases up and down the judiciary. The Supreme Court remains unaffected as it is not subject to annual appropriations. -ABC News' Devin Dwyer https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/government-shutdown-live-updates Accessed: 18 October 2025 at 0031 CST
October 18, 2025 at 5:54 AM
dalfen.bsky.social
What other social media platforms are you all on?
October 16, 2025 at 6:57 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
‘You have one job’ (🙄) as the expression goes.

They would have all be fired weeks ago in the private sector. Not so in Congress. They don’t do their job AND continue to receive a hearty paycheck.

(Funded by taxpayers)

#USA #politics #MyThoughts
News Caption, 16 October 2025 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. The impossible politics that mean the shutdown is set to drag on Image: House Speaker Mike Johnson walking, others trail behind
October 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
I imagine farmers could use $20 billion.

#USA #politics #MyThoughts
—

money.usnews.com/investing/ne...
—

www.agrinews-pubs.com/business/202...
money.usnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:47 AM
dalfen.bsky.social
Tell me you threw $20 billion at a country to sway an election without telling me you threw $20 billion at a country to sway an election

#USA #politics #Argentina
Trump Says 'We're Gone' If Milei Loses Vote, Rattling Market Trump touted trade as a way to help bolster the Latin American economy. Bloomberg headline 14 October 2025
October 15, 2025 at 12:46 AM
dalfen.bsky.social
Ohhh… THAT explains it 🙄

abcnews.go.com/Politics/liv...
Government shutdown updates: Coding errors blamed for some CDC layoffs, official says
The Trump Administration's federal layoffs have affected at least nine crucial CDC departments, sources told ABC News.
abcnews.go.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
“Noticeably absent from the signing ceremony and talks in Egypt, though, were representatives for Hamas and Israel.”

#Gaza #Israel
—

abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Trump, world leaders gather in Egypt for ceasefire deal signing with Netanyahu absent
After speaking in Israel, Trump traveled to Egypt for an international "peace summit" with more than 20 world leaders on what's next for Gaza.
abcnews.go.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:08 PM
dalfen.bsky.social
‘America First’ apparently means exchanging stable US dollars for volatile Argentinian pesos to bail out a country that has historically defaulted on its debt.

But hey— saving a buddy scores Trump a political win.

#USA #Argentina #MyThoughts 🍟
—

www.cnbc.com/2025/10/13/t...
The U.S. has stepped in with an extraordinary bailout of Argentina. Here's what it means
The Treasury Department has extended a financial lifeline to Argentina in apparent hopes of heading off an emerging market financial crisis.
www.cnbc.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM