Steven S Smith
@profstevensmith.bsky.social
Political scientist, ASU and Wash U. Congress, elections, public opinion, survey research. Husband, dad, granddad. RT ≠ endorsement. Personal views. https://stevesnotes.substack.com https://sites.wustl.edu/smith/
Reposted by Steven S Smith
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue Over Jack Smith Searches
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Can't be certain of the full story for each of the eight Dems. I'm more certain that Schumer prefers to let us believe that he orchestrated or at least allowed the outcome than that he failed to keep his party united.
November 10, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Can't be certain of the full story for each of the eight Dems. I'm more certain that Schumer prefers to let us believe that he orchestrated or at least allowed the outcome than that he failed to keep his party united.
So far, I have heard four distinct reasons for supporting the deal from the eight Democrats. Some rationalization, sure, but, as usual, real multidimensionality, too.
The certainty with which some of my favorite commentators have explained the Dem cave, Schumer's calculations, and the substitutability of Dem votes is uncanny.
November 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
So far, I have heard four distinct reasons for supporting the deal from the eight Democrats. Some rationalization, sure, but, as usual, real multidimensionality, too.
The certainty with which some of my favorite commentators have explained the Dem cave, Schumer's calculations, and the substitutability of Dem votes is uncanny.
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The certainty with which some of my favorite commentators have explained the Dem cave, Schumer's calculations, and the substitutability of Dem votes is uncanny.
So the Trump plan to end handing money to the insurance companies is to hand that money to the insurance companies.
Trump: "I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE."
November 8, 2025 at 4:59 PM
So the Trump plan to end handing money to the insurance companies is to hand that money to the insurance companies.
Far right taking up the nuclear option cause.
Trump on eliminating the filibuster:
“If we do it, we will never lose the midterms. And we will never lose the general election,”
And btw:
Russ Vought has now joined the 'nuke the filibuster'
chorus
Project 2025 is just humming along, kids
“If we do it, we will never lose the midterms. And we will never lose the general election,”
And btw:
Russ Vought has now joined the 'nuke the filibuster'
chorus
Project 2025 is just humming along, kids
November 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Far right taking up the nuclear option cause.
Any bets that the Antideficiency Act and Impoundment Control Act will double or triple in length four years from now (with a Dem in the White House)? Some tricky issues, but plenty of good ideas summarized in a few places...
November 8, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Any bets that the Antideficiency Act and Impoundment Control Act will double or triple in length four years from now (with a Dem in the White House)? Some tricky issues, but plenty of good ideas summarized in a few places...
Reposted by Steven S Smith
In the wake of Nancy Pelosi's retirement announcement, I reflected a bit on my two very different interviews of her and even more so, her relationship with Harry Reid, which is detailed in an upcoming book you may have heard about.
My latest:
jonralston.substack.com/p/the-reid-p...
My latest:
jonralston.substack.com/p/the-reid-p...
The Reid-Pelosi partnership
She was the "best speaker" in history; he was "Harryesque"
jonralston.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:27 AM
In the wake of Nancy Pelosi's retirement announcement, I reflected a bit on my two very different interviews of her and even more so, her relationship with Harry Reid, which is detailed in an upcoming book you may have heard about.
My latest:
jonralston.substack.com/p/the-reid-p...
My latest:
jonralston.substack.com/p/the-reid-p...
Not likely. 1980 OLC likely correct, particularly with 1981 OLC memo that filled in details. Likely would be upheld by this Supreme Court.
Did you know gov shutdowns aren’t in the Constitution, any law, or Court ruling?
They exist because of a 1980 OLC memo—a lawyer’s opinion that everyone just went along with. Before 1980, funding gaps didn’t cause shutdowns.
What one memo created, another can undo. How the next D admin can undo it:
They exist because of a 1980 OLC memo—a lawyer’s opinion that everyone just went along with. Before 1980, funding gaps didn’t cause shutdowns.
What one memo created, another can undo. How the next D admin can undo it:
Why America’s Government Shutdowns Exist and How to End Them
One Legal Memo Created The Shutdown Era. Another Can End It.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Not likely. 1980 OLC likely correct, particularly with 1981 OLC memo that filled in details. Likely would be upheld by this Supreme Court.
There's no important procedural principle in a clean CR. That's not the problem. The problem is the problem: Ds offer one-year extension of ACA tax credits; Rs want radically smaller subsidies or even killing ACA. Rs believe it is now or never. D's believe them.
November 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
There's no important procedural principle in a clean CR. That's not the problem. The problem is the problem: Ds offer one-year extension of ACA tax credits; Rs want radically smaller subsidies or even killing ACA. Rs believe it is now or never. D's believe them.
[If I can get everything I want, we will never lose.]
Trump on ending the filibuster: "If we do it, we will never lose the midterms and we will never lose a general election ... it would be impossible to lose an election."
November 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
[If I can get everything I want, we will never lose.]
Lindsay Graham asks Ds, do you want to continue to send public $s to the insurance companies? Then says the next elections will produce change. We have been waiting for an R plan since Dole's half-hearted effort in 1996. Most Ds are happy to support a universal plan that excludes private insurance.
November 7, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Lindsay Graham asks Ds, do you want to continue to send public $s to the insurance companies? Then says the next elections will produce change. We have been waiting for an R plan since Dole's half-hearted effort in 1996. Most Ds are happy to support a universal plan that excludes private insurance.
Oh, the softening opposition to the nuclear option. www.texastribune.org/2025/11/06/c...
Cornyn open to filibuster reform; Hunt, Paxton want it gone
The president has sharpened his calls for Senate Republicans to kill the longstanding legislative maneuver, saying the GOP’s electoral success could hinge on it.
www.texastribune.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Oh, the softening opposition to the nuclear option. www.texastribune.org/2025/11/06/c...
Sure glad no friend of mine is Solicitor General while arguing this case before the Court.
November 5, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Sure glad no friend of mine is Solicitor General while arguing this case before the Court.
More nuclear option pressure from DJT.
Trump blames shutdown for GOP election losses
Trump blames shutdown for GOP election losses
The president called for a quick end to the government funding lapse by eliminating the filibuster.
dlvr.it
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
More nuclear option pressure from DJT.
@politifact.bsky.social backgrounder on Trump and nuking the filibuster. www.politifact.com/article/2025...
The federal shutdown and the Senate filibuster: What to know
As the political parties battle for the upper hand in the federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump has a new target: the Senate filibuster. What would it take to get rid of it?
www.politifact.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:40 PM
@politifact.bsky.social backgrounder on Trump and nuking the filibuster. www.politifact.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Steven S Smith
This is a classic form of voter intimidation—making people feel like it’s not safe to go to the polls. It moments like this where we need to summon our courage & vote anyhow. Vote in the tradition of the people who marched in Selma to secure the right to vote.
Breaking from NJ AG Platkin:
"Early this morning, law enforcement responded to threats that were received by email involving certain polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic Counties. Law enforcement … have worked swiftly to secure these polling locations."
"Early this morning, law enforcement responded to threats that were received by email involving certain polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic Counties. Law enforcement … have worked swiftly to secure these polling locations."
November 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
This is a classic form of voter intimidation—making people feel like it’s not safe to go to the polls. It moments like this where we need to summon our courage & vote anyhow. Vote in the tradition of the people who marched in Selma to secure the right to vote.
Reposted by Steven S Smith
Running gag goes meta as Johnson says he knows nothing about Trump knowing nothing
RAJU: Last week you were very critical of Biden's use of the autopen. But Trump admitted on 60 Minutes to not knowing he pardoned a crypto billionaire who pleaded guilty to money laundering. Does that also concern you?
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't know anything about that. I didn't see it. I'm not sure.
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't know anything about that. I didn't see it. I'm not sure.
November 3, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Running gag goes meta as Johnson says he knows nothing about Trump knowing nothing
Reposted by Steven S Smith
Kristi Noem blasts “foreigners” for dangerous driving. According to the Rapid City Journal, that state’s court records show Noem had 20 speeding tickets dating back to 1989, alongside other violations, including failure to stop at an intersection and invalid license plates.
November 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Kristi Noem blasts “foreigners” for dangerous driving. According to the Rapid City Journal, that state’s court records show Noem had 20 speeding tickets dating back to 1989, alongside other violations, including failure to stop at an intersection and invalid license plates.
The Post needs an online subscription option that gives a discount for excluding the opinion pages.
November 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The Post needs an online subscription option that gives a discount for excluding the opinion pages.
Reposted by Steven S Smith
Trump Wants to Abolish the Filibuster? Please Proceed, Degenerate … talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump...
Trump Wants to Abolish the Filibuster? Please Proceed, Degenerate …
As you’ve probably already heard, Donald Trump went on Truth Social late...
talkingpointsmemo.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Trump Wants to Abolish the Filibuster? Please Proceed, Degenerate … talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump...
You can bet that some Repubs are asking Thune, "Can't we limit nuking the filibuster to the CR or all CRs?" (Of course they can.)
October 31, 2025 at 5:03 PM
You can bet that some Repubs are asking Thune, "Can't we limit nuking the filibuster to the CR or all CRs?" (Of course they can.)
Reposted by Steven S Smith
Again, here's the *entire* text for the SNAP contingency fund. It says it's for when you need it for carry out program operations. It doesn't say "it's for when there's some money but not enough." Give me a fucking break. It can obviously be used on benefits during a shutdown.
October 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Again, here's the *entire* text for the SNAP contingency fund. It says it's for when you need it for carry out program operations. It doesn't say "it's for when there's some money but not enough." Give me a fucking break. It can obviously be used on benefits during a shutdown.
With Trump exposing that there is a way out of the shutdown, Thune quietly takes the blame for the shutdown. By choice.
October 31, 2025 at 3:42 PM
With Trump exposing that there is a way out of the shutdown, Thune quietly takes the blame for the shutdown. By choice.
Reposted by Steven S Smith
Using his powers to extract tribute from foreign countries, "donors," etc. and then using those extraconstitutional slush funds to bypass the Constitution and the rule of law. Literally the opposite of originalism and a profound threat to the continuation of constitutional democracy in this country.
$550 billion in Japanese funding.
Directed by the President.
Outside Congress’s control.
My new @justsecurity.org piece explains how the agreement bypasses the Appropriations Clause and violates the laws that safeguard Congress’s power of the purse.
www.justsecurity.org/123478/trump...
Directed by the President.
Outside Congress’s control.
My new @justsecurity.org piece explains how the agreement bypasses the Appropriations Clause and violates the laws that safeguard Congress’s power of the purse.
www.justsecurity.org/123478/trump...
Trump’s Japan Deal and the Disappearing Appropriations Clause
The deal circumvents the Appropriations Clause and congressional safeguards, creating a system answerable only to the White House.
www.justsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Using his powers to extract tribute from foreign countries, "donors," etc. and then using those extraconstitutional slush funds to bypass the Constitution and the rule of law. Literally the opposite of originalism and a profound threat to the continuation of constitutional democracy in this country.