The Federal government shutdown has been going on for more than a week with no end in sight.
Republicans say pass the "clean CR", period.
Democrats say "put back the $1.5T of spending that was cut by the BBB, including restoring the ACA subsidies", period.
The problem is that we have too many lawyers and not enough "genius" in congress, we need "Problem Solvers", not "ideologues".
If congress was working in private industry there would be no shutdown, that wastes money, a deal would have been cut already, "one way or another".
Republicans are the majority, they need to push for a solution to end the shutdown:
1. Go nuclear and say "CRs only need 51 votes". A very wimpy solution, it just guarantees more CRs
2. Go nuclear for CRs, Appropriations, and Rescission Bills. A less wimpy solution, but it may bite them in the ass in the future.
3. Publish a proposed deal, let the MSM grade it, and dare the democrats to walk away.
Go for a "WIN-WIN Grand Bargain" that solves several of the major problems, Republicans should put these on the table:
a) Fix Social Security by raising the cap and adding 2-years to the early & full retirement ages
b) Fix Medicare (going bankrupt)
c) Give the ACA subsidy at 50% of the current Covid subsidy (half a loaf)
d) Pay for the subsidy by raising the top tax rate to 40%, Trump agrees, it helps balance the budget.
e) Appropriations Bills and CRs only need 51 votes to pass. (solves future unnecessary shutdowns)
If the democrats don't put up a suitable counter offer, just go with option #2. End the shutdown now.
Stand-off continues more than a week into the government shutdown
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