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MaryHnautilus's avatar

I support all lawmakers who refuse to help the republican majority. Even if it means government shutdown.

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F.P. Dunneagin's avatar

I think Leader Jeffries has called the correct move, and here's why:

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has made it clear that they will not play along with Trump and the GOP’s budgetary games. For decades, Republicans have relied on Democratic votes to pass government funding bills, and now, progressives are drawing a firm line: no help while Trump and his billionaire allies, like Elon Musk, continue to enrich themselves at the expense of the American people.

This strategy is smart, necessary, and long overdue. As CPC Chair Greg Casar put it, Democrats are using “every legislative, judicial, and public pressure tool” to block Musk’s outsized influence and prevent Trump’s economic agenda from bulldozing through Congress. The GOP’s inability to govern without Democratic assistance gives progressives a crucial leverage point — one they should exploit to the fullest.

Moreover, tying Trump’s economic failures directly to the billionaire class, particularly Musk, is an effective narrative. The CPC’s argument that Musk spent $270 million to help elect Trump and has since grown his wealth by $160 billion highlights the deep corruption at play. By framing the battle as one against billionaire corruption rather than just Trumpism, progressives can rally broader public support.

The historical parallel to the fight over the Affordable Care Act is also apt. When Republicans controlled the government, grassroots resistance, led in part by Democrats, stopped their repeal efforts. Similarly, progressives can make this a defining moment, where Democrats stand firm, refuse to fund Trump’s corrupt policies and force the GOP to either compromise or fail.

Leader Jeffries understands that Democrats cannot afford to be passive participants in Trump’s second-term agenda. Holding the line on budget negotiations and publicly calling out Musk’s influence is the right play. The CPC has found its fight, and it’s one worth waging.

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