10/02/23
Good morning! It’s Monday, October 2nd.
National Produce Misting Day!
Which is hilarious to me. Fun facts, those misters have been around since the late 70s.
They’re just babies! We’re both so young!
And now, the news.
Shutdown Averted (For Now)
With just hours to spare before a government shutdown, President Biden signed the stopgap spending bill that will keep the government open for another 45 days, where this fun bit of drama will inevitably repeat.
The bill includes federal disaster funding, but does not include funding for Ukraine or additional border security.
It was a hectic day which includes freshman House Rep Jamaal Bowman pulling a fire alarm in what he says was as attempt to open a door that’s marked as an emergency exit but is open during the week. He says it was a mistake. House Republicans say it was done to delay the vote (which doesn’t make a lot of sense since the vote took place in a different building) and he should be kicked out of Congress.
Feels like neither of those is the whole truth but who knows. If it was a mistake, it was an embarrassing one. It if was done for any other reason, there should be some consequences for actions but it’s pretty rich to hear Republicans who welcome January 6th insurrectionists with open arms say Bowman should be kicked out of the House.
The important thing here is that the government will remain open!
What’s in question now is, of course, Kevin McCarthy’s speakership.
On Sunday, noted gross Matt Gaetz promised to bring up a motion to vacate in the next few days. Some House Democrats are saying they would vote to vacate, and some are saying they will vote present, so who knows what that vote would look like.
While it would not be the first time a vote like this has taken place but he would be the first speaker to be dethroned before their term ended.
And thus the chaotic 117th Congress continues.
Newsom Vetoes UI Bill
-via The Hill
Fear not, California politics are also infuriating, as Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed striking workers to apply for unemployment benefits, stating the state has too much unemployment debt already.
Sounds like a personal problem, my guy. This bill does not help anyone except for corporations.
I will not be quoting this excuse, but let’s hear from a leader of California labor. Which one will I quote? (No no, I’m just kidding - the rule here is: quote Lorena whenever possible.) In an interview with AP, Lorena, who is, as a reminder, the executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation, said: “This veto tips the scales further in favor of corporations and CEOs and punishes workers who exercise their fundamental right to strike. At a time when public support of unions and strikes are at an all-time high, this veto is out-of-step with American values.”
No notes. As always.
Man Charged With Tupac’s Murder
-via CNN
Here’s something, 27 years after his murder, a man has been charged with Tupac’s murder. Duane Keith Davis, who has claimed since 1998 to have been a passenger in the car when another passenger shot and killed Tupac in Vegas.
While the indictment doesn’t name who pulled the trigger, the indictment names Davis the shot caller for the night. The one who devised the plan to obtain a gun, find Tupac, and shoot him.
Tupac was shot four times and died six days later.
Rep. Phillips Steps Down From Leadership
-via CNN
Democratic House Rep. Phillips is leaving his spot as co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee over the Democrat’s support of Biden’s reelection.
He’s been saying for months that Biden shouldn’t run again and there are rumors he’s preparing for his own bid.
If you’re asking yourself who Phillips is… uh… you’re not alone. Most people don’t know the Minnesota House Rep, which kind of tells you how great I think his chances would be of beating Biden in the primary.
So we’ll see, but to be clear, not announcement has been made yet.
Trump Expected in New York
-via CNN
I don’t want to over use the Trump Crime Update Time intro, so I’m not using it here because it’s not that exciting of news.
Just a cute little heads up for ya - Trump is expected in New York today for his civil money crimes case. No final decision has been made, as of this recording, but law enforcement and the court are making security preparations for him regardless.
It’s so wild to think about where we are in this moment. The first time he went to court, we were all worried about safety and it was huge headlines. Now, dude’s been indicted so many times that even though this would be his first court appearance since he was found liable last week in this case, everyone’s like - eh. He’ll be there or he won’t be there. Whatevs.
As a reminder, since a judge already found him liable in this case, the case will be over the punishment.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
The government lives to annoy another day.
I’m proud of striking workers and, of course, Lorena. We stay unproud of Newsom.
I’m proud of produces misters. Especially those cute little ones that do the thunder and lightening when the misters go off.
But more than that… because you’re as powerful as thunder and lightening… I’m proud of you.