The impeachment plans receive an unexpected boost – from the Republicans – but, for now, Pence is with Trump. It’s Wednesday and this is your policy tip sheet. Sign here to get On Politics in your inbox every day of the week.
Trump visited areas where a border wall is being built near Alamo, Texas, yesterday.
Bernie Sanders will control the ‘reconciliation’ process in a divided Senate.
A story under the radar in Washington is that Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has just become the most powerful guy in town. With the Senate split by 50-50 and the Democrats in control, its most conservative member may find itself in a position to play against Solomon in the main legislative items.
But a divided Senate also increases the importance of another figure: Senator Bernie Sanders. That’s because, as chairman of the House budget committee, he controls the “reconciliation” process, whereby certain types of laws can be passed by a simple majority and cannot be obstructed.
As the next head of the budget committee, Sanders will be in a position to exert great influence over a range of domestic policy measures. At the top of that list will be the approval of another economic recovery package, and Sanders expressed his intention to seek an additional $ 1,400 in stimulus payments for Americans who recently received $ 600 in federal checks.
“I believe the crisis is extremely serious and we have to act as quickly as possible,” said Sanders Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley for a new article.
“Underline the word aggressive,” he said. “Start there.”
In a polarized political era, the reconciliation process has become increasingly popular when trying to pass important legislation. Congress used it to approve tax cuts under Trump and President George W. Bush, and to pass the final version of President Barack Obama’s health bill.
Joe Biden welcomed Sanders’ contribution as he worked out his platform before the general election, but ultimately he did not offer the senator a seat in his office, as many on the left urged him to do.
Biden said last week that he had considered Sanders to be Secretary of Labor, but decided to keep him in the Senate so Democrats could be sure they would retain the majority.
On Politics is also available as a newsletter. Sign here to have it delivered to your inbox.
Is there anything you think is missing? Would you like to see anything else? We would love to hear from you. Send us an email to [email protected].