@ginya1.bsky.social
*This* plus those on employer-provided group plans pay premiums pre-tax. So they also receive govt subsidies; it’s just not obvious b/c subsidy is thru tax code & not direct. & their companies pay their portion of employee premiums pre-tax: even bigger govt subsidy given low corporate tax rates are.
November 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
*This* plus those on employer-provided group plans pay premiums pre-tax. So they also receive govt subsidies; it’s just not obvious b/c subsidy is thru tax code & not direct. & their companies pay their portion of employee premiums pre-tax: even bigger govt subsidy given low corporate tax rates are.
He can only lose 2 Repubs or he has to turn to Dems & negotiate w/them or govt stays shut down on House Repub shoulders. Despite ACA subsidy extension not included, Senate bill actually has things that Dems like but House MAGAts don’t. None of this easy. His bravado today sounded more like BS.
Johnson faces multitude of challenges in House vote to reopen government
House Republican leaders will announce in the next day or two that they’re bringing the chamber back into session for the first time in more than 50 days.
punchbowl.news
November 11, 2025 at 12:18 AM
He can only lose 2 Repubs or he has to turn to Dems & negotiate w/them or govt stays shut down on House Repub shoulders. Despite ACA subsidy extension not included, Senate bill actually has things that Dems like but House MAGAts don’t. None of this easy. His bravado today sounded more like BS.
The House was always the better place to have this fight, given that House Repubs are ungovernable lunatics. Don’t listen to a word Mike J says today. Watch what he does as he now has to bring House back, swear in Dem Rep, risk Epstein file vote & pass exactly what Senate did w/only Repub votes. 1/
November 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The House was always the better place to have this fight, given that House Repubs are ungovernable lunatics. Don’t listen to a word Mike J says today. Watch what he does as he now has to bring House back, swear in Dem Rep, risk Epstein file vote & pass exactly what Senate did w/only Repub votes. 1/
And House must pass what Senate passes. Even w/o ACA subsidy extension, this bill has stuff that Dems like but House MAGAts don‘t. If Mike J can’t pass w/only Repubs (can only lose 2), govt stays shut down or he has to negotiate w/Jeffries & Dems who could ask for more. Tall order.
Johnson faces multitude of challenges in House vote to reopen government
House Republican leaders will announce in the next day or two that they’re bringing the chamber back into session for the first time in more than 50 days.
punchbowl.news
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
And House must pass what Senate passes. Even w/o ACA subsidy extension, this bill has stuff that Dems like but House MAGAts don‘t. If Mike J can’t pass w/only Repubs (can only lose 2), govt stays shut down or he has to negotiate w/Jeffries & Dems who could ask for more. Tall order.
Exactly. Govt only re-opens if Mike J calls back House, swears in Dem rep, risks Epstein vote & gets all Repubs to vote for *exactly* what Senate passes (which actually has stuff that Dems support but House MAGAts don’t). If he can’t do all the above, govt stays shut down & it’s all on him.
November 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Exactly. Govt only re-opens if Mike J calls back House, swears in Dem rep, risks Epstein vote & gets all Repubs to vote for *exactly* what Senate passes (which actually has stuff that Dems support but House MAGAts don’t). If he can’t do all the above, govt stays shut down & it’s all on him.
It’s about the catastrophes & emergencies you never see coming. Plus, is he equating “never filing a claim” to “not using healthcare“? B/c those are different things. 40% of people on ACA aren’t using free preventive services like vaccinations, mammograms, well-child & well-adult visits? Really? 2/
November 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
It’s about the catastrophes & emergencies you never see coming. Plus, is he equating “never filing a claim” to “not using healthcare“? B/c those are different things. 40% of people on ACA aren’t using free preventive services like vaccinations, mammograms, well-child & well-adult visits? Really? 2/
Worst than that - it’s “tell me you don’t understand insurance without telling me you don’t understand insurance.“ Ppl are required to purchase homeowners & auto insurance. Many of them won’t ever file a claim. Insurance is never about minor things you might be able to pay for out of pocket. 1/
November 10, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Worst than that - it’s “tell me you don’t understand insurance without telling me you don’t understand insurance.“ Ppl are required to purchase homeowners & auto insurance. Many of them won’t ever file a claim. Insurance is never about minor things you might be able to pay for out of pocket. 1/
Who knew 2025 was the new 2017? Next thing you’ll know they’ll be whipping out huge binders of empty pages claiming that‘s their healthcare plan, saying they’ll repeal ACA first & get around to replacing one day. How crazy would it be if MTG did the famed McCain thumbs down this time around?
November 9, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Who knew 2025 was the new 2017? Next thing you’ll know they’ll be whipping out huge binders of empty pages claiming that‘s their healthcare plan, saying they’ll repeal ACA first & get around to replacing one day. How crazy would it be if MTG did the famed McCain thumbs down this time around?
but if ppl aren’t buying what you’re selling, your deal sucks. Repubs are stomping around saying, “Our boss says we have to do this or else!“ But their boss isn't boss of American ppl. Dems should channel some good 90s lingo & tell them to show us the money or talk to the hand. 2/2
November 9, 2025 at 3:09 AM
but if ppl aren’t buying what you’re selling, your deal sucks. Repubs are stomping around saying, “Our boss says we have to do this or else!“ But their boss isn't boss of American ppl. Dems should channel some good 90s lingo & tell them to show us the money or talk to the hand. 2/2
So, the Repub position seems to be that they need Dems to be able to open govt but are offering no incentives for Dems to do this other than govt will be open (that closed in 1st place b/c Repubs can’t govern even though they completely control govt)? I’m no author of “Art of Deal“ or anything 1/
November 9, 2025 at 2:28 AM
So, the Repub position seems to be that they need Dems to be able to open govt but are offering no incentives for Dems to do this other than govt will be open (that closed in 1st place b/c Repubs can’t govern even though they completely control govt)? I’m no author of “Art of Deal“ or anything 1/
doesn’t pay the others who were supposed to get paid. Would be illegal & admin would be sued but money already gone. Dems have BTDT. They don’t trust admin. I think the bill just didn’t have the kind of guarantees Dems are going to need to see to know that money is being spent as they vote it to be.
November 8, 2025 at 1:01 AM
doesn’t pay the others who were supposed to get paid. Would be illegal & admin would be sued but money already gone. Dems have BTDT. They don’t trust admin. I think the bill just didn’t have the kind of guarantees Dems are going to need to see to know that money is being spent as they vote it to be.
Policy consideration is over my head a little but I think concern is, for example, they pass bill for funding for 30 days of back pay for all government employees who have been working but not getting paid & instead Trump decides to use the money for 60 days of back pay for just some employees & 1/
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Policy consideration is over my head a little but I think concern is, for example, they pass bill for funding for 30 days of back pay for all government employees who have been working but not getting paid & instead Trump decides to use the money for 60 days of back pay for just some employees & 1/
Dems were concerned that Repub bill gave Trump too much discretion as to which employees would be paid. Since he’s been trying to fire people during shutdown, I think it’s wise to be suspicious, esp given Trump track record of ignoring Congress on appropriations. Dems had own version of bill.
Ron Johnson bill to pay federal workers rejected twice in Senate
Democrats on Friday twice blocked a proposal from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to pay federal workers during the shutdown. A motion to advance a bill to pay excepted employees and members of the milit…
thehill.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Dems were concerned that Repub bill gave Trump too much discretion as to which employees would be paid. Since he’s been trying to fire people during shutdown, I think it’s wise to be suspicious, esp given Trump track record of ignoring Congress on appropriations. Dems had own version of bill.
Actually once I read more about strategy (not something Sen Murphy could really discuss openly) the Dem play here was smart. But you’re right: Repubs are dumb. I wrote a little more about it further up in the thread. bsky.app/profile/giny...
For those that don‘t know: Relax. Repubs already turned this down. Didn‘t consider it. Thune said was non-starter. Makes sense as strategy when you know you’re working w/unreasonable people: offer something reasonable that would be an easy yes. Repubs not reasonable. They own this completely now. 1/
November 7, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Actually once I read more about strategy (not something Sen Murphy could really discuss openly) the Dem play here was smart. But you’re right: Repubs are dumb. I wrote a little more about it further up in the thread. bsky.app/profile/giny...
Dems can say they tried but Repubs not interested in working together. Pressure on Repubs will get stronger as T’giving gets closer. Repubs between rock & hard place & Dems could end up with much better deal. 2/2
November 7, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Dems can say they tried but Repubs not interested in working together. Pressure on Repubs will get stronger as T’giving gets closer. Repubs between rock & hard place & Dems could end up with much better deal. 2/2
For those that don‘t know: Relax. Repubs already turned this down. Didn‘t consider it. Thune said was non-starter. Makes sense as strategy when you know you’re working w/unreasonable people: offer something reasonable that would be an easy yes. Repubs not reasonable. They own this completely now. 1/
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
For those that don‘t know: Relax. Repubs already turned this down. Didn‘t consider it. Thune said was non-starter. Makes sense as strategy when you know you’re working w/unreasonable people: offer something reasonable that would be an easy yes. Repubs not reasonable. They own this completely now. 1/
Repubs already turned it down. Didn‘t even consider it.
November 7, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Repubs already turned it down. Didn‘t even consider it.
Repubs already shot this down, which Schumer already knew would happen b/c Repubs won’t defy admin. This was equivalent of turning in busy work just to say you did it. Now Dems can say they tried to work w/Repubs & they refused to even consider. Repubs totally own it now.
November 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Repubs already shot this down, which Schumer already knew would happen b/c Repubs won’t defy admin. This was equivalent of turning in busy work just to say you did it. Now Dems can say they tried to work w/Repubs & they refused to even consider. Repubs totally own it now.
Power once given away is hard to re-claim. Perhaps women understand this better than men. At any rate, whatever MTG’s motivations are, whenever she speaks out, she is making life uncomfortable for Mike Johnson, Trump & other Repubs & that is all I need to know. Hope she keeps talking. 2/2
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Power once given away is hard to re-claim. Perhaps women understand this better than men. At any rate, whatever MTG’s motivations are, whenever she speaks out, she is making life uncomfortable for Mike Johnson, Trump & other Repubs & that is all I need to know. Hope she keeps talking. 2/2
Actually, GOP elected officials have given away their power as Article I Constitutional officers to Trump willingly & without a peep. It has been astonishing to me, given how power-hungry politicians are. SCOTUS has also ceded Article III power over Trump, making lower courts justifiably angry. 1/
November 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Actually, GOP elected officials have given away their power as Article I Constitutional officers to Trump willingly & without a peep. It has been astonishing to me, given how power-hungry politicians are. SCOTUS has also ceded Article III power over Trump, making lower courts justifiably angry. 1/
I’m in NC too. Gerrymandering & Repub control over state courts & legislature sucks but agree that saving grace has been having Dem gov & Dem AG & thus ability to be part of these suits. It does make a difference.
November 7, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I’m in NC too. Gerrymandering & Repub control over state courts & legislature sucks but agree that saving grace has been having Dem gov & Dem AG & thus ability to be part of these suits. It does make a difference.
Bad week for Virginia, the candidate. In other bad Virginia news, Trump, deciding to do a preemptive strike on inflationary Xmas toy pricing, announces, “I also want all the Virginias out there to know that there is no Santa Claus.”
November 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Bad week for Virginia, the candidate. In other bad Virginia news, Trump, deciding to do a preemptive strike on inflationary Xmas toy pricing, announces, “I also want all the Virginias out there to know that there is no Santa Claus.”
but I think it’s shameful that we’re in this position as a country. It’s scary to think of what things would be like if blue states didn’t have that ability, or if we didn’t have as many states as we do w/Dem govs and/or AGs. I‘m thankful when resistance somewhere can benefit people everywhere. 2/
November 7, 2025 at 6:55 PM
but I think it’s shameful that we’re in this position as a country. It’s scary to think of what things would be like if blue states didn’t have that ability, or if we didn’t have as many states as we do w/Dem govs and/or AGs. I‘m thankful when resistance somewhere can benefit people everywhere. 2/
Oh no, I’m so sorry - that‘s not how I meant it at all. I’m shaming red state governors & AGs who aren’t willing to fight for their people, not the people who live in those states. I’m just glad we have blue states that can do the fighting on behalf of everyone, 1/
November 7, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Oh no, I’m so sorry - that‘s not how I meant it at all. I’m shaming red state governors & AGs who aren’t willing to fight for their people, not the people who live in those states. I’m just glad we have blue states that can do the fighting on behalf of everyone, 1/
I wish that was true, but I‘m not sure it is. Even among a lot of Bluesky users. Would be interesting poll to find out.
November 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I wish that was true, but I‘m not sure it is. Even among a lot of Bluesky users. Would be interesting poll to find out.