Michael Jaeger
@jaegerbru.bsky.social
Political junkie, ACFC, USWNT, brunch founder, proud dad of Kit and Sarah. East coast born and bred, LA since the turn of the century.
Really hope this lives in infamy. How pathetic.
US senate officially passes Cal. #168, H.R.5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, to fund the government through January 30 and end the govt shutdown, with all votes counted. Sends the resolution to the House. Yeas 60, nays 40
November 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Really hope this lives in infamy. How pathetic.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
With all due respect, you're not going to get past "internal recriminations" unless and until the current congressional leadership steps aside.
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 11, 2025 at 12:03 AM
With all due respect, you're not going to get past "internal recriminations" unless and until the current congressional leadership steps aside.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
This isn't "internal recriminations." It's voters expressing overwhelming opposition to what the people they elected to represent them are doing, and anyone--either in journalism or politics--who characterizes it as infighting is either not seeing and hearing what's right in front of them or lying.
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
This isn't "internal recriminations." It's voters expressing overwhelming opposition to what the people they elected to represent them are doing, and anyone--either in journalism or politics--who characterizes it as infighting is either not seeing and hearing what's right in front of them or lying.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
The thing about the "I voted against this" position Schumer is taking is that either he is trying to mislead Dem voters by implying he didn't support reopening right now, or he has no control over his caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The thing about the "I voted against this" position Schumer is taking is that either he is trying to mislead Dem voters by implying he didn't support reopening right now, or he has no control over his caucus.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Whenever some sanctimonious Dem announces that America needs a functioning Republican Party, I always think “I’d settle for a functioning Democratic Party.”
November 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Whenever some sanctimonious Dem announces that America needs a functioning Republican Party, I always think “I’d settle for a functioning Democratic Party.”
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Wish I could say something more weighty than "clown shit" but this is clown shit, not serious legislative maneuvers from the Democratic Senate Whip. Durbin's big ask is a pointless symbolic vote, even if it passes (it won't) Speaker Johnson said the House will never take it up.
Whoa -- Sen. Durbin went to up Leader Thune during the vote last night to tell him that on the shutdown vote and ACA promise that "8 of us are sticking our neck out that you're going to keep your word. I hope you will. He said 'I assure you I will,'" Durbin says just now
November 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Wish I could say something more weighty than "clown shit" but this is clown shit, not serious legislative maneuvers from the Democratic Senate Whip. Durbin's big ask is a pointless symbolic vote, even if it passes (it won't) Speaker Johnson said the House will never take it up.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
March 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Great job, @schumer.senate.gov. You've changed the story from "GOP hurting millions of Americans to please unpopular, failing, delusional despot who's destroying his party" to "Dems are too weak and divided in the face of Trump's strength to take a stand and protect Americans"
November 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Great job, @schumer.senate.gov. You've changed the story from "GOP hurting millions of Americans to please unpopular, failing, delusional despot who's destroying his party" to "Dems are too weak and divided in the face of Trump's strength to take a stand and protect Americans"
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
2/2
You think Dem voters would have turned out in the numbers, and with the enthusiasm, they did JUST FIVE DAYS AGO if they thought the party was going cave like this? Jesus
You think Dem voters would have turned out in the numbers, and with the enthusiasm, they did JUST FIVE DAYS AGO if they thought the party was going cave like this? Jesus
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
2/2
You think Dem voters would have turned out in the numbers, and with the enthusiasm, they did JUST FIVE DAYS AGO if they thought the party was going cave like this? Jesus
You think Dem voters would have turned out in the numbers, and with the enthusiasm, they did JUST FIVE DAYS AGO if they thought the party was going cave like this? Jesus
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Agree.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Agree.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
The pro-capitulate-to-Trump-though-we're-winning Senate Dems are correct that Republicans agreeing to extend ACA subsidies was not going to happen. Where they're wrong is not seeing that forcing Senate Republicans to nuke the filibuster is the best possible outcome on every time horizon
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 AM
The pro-capitulate-to-Trump-though-we're-winning Senate Dems are correct that Republicans agreeing to extend ACA subsidies was not going to happen. Where they're wrong is not seeing that forcing Senate Republicans to nuke the filibuster is the best possible outcome on every time horizon
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Thoughts on Dems throwing a game they were winning. www.offmessage.net/p/16-thought...
16 Thoughts On The Dem Shutdown Cave
Another disgrace, and a new path forward.
www.offmessage.net
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Thoughts on Dems throwing a game they were winning. www.offmessage.net/p/16-thought...
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Maybe Zohran Mamdani should have come out for ending the shutdown so Democratic Senators could have opposed it.
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Maybe Zohran Mamdani should have come out for ending the shutdown so Democratic Senators could have opposed it.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Republicans treat Democrats in D.C. like chumps even before the vote.
Q: Will you assure House Democrats they'll get a vote on ACA subsidies by a date certain?
MIKE JOHNSON: Ah -- no. I'm not promising anyone anything.
MIKE JOHNSON: Ah -- no. I'm not promising anyone anything.
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Republicans treat Democrats in D.C. like chumps even before the vote.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
It doesn't actually matter if Chuck Schumer votes for this or not.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
It doesn't actually matter if Chuck Schumer votes for this or not.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Bernie Sanders: "What this Senate is about to do is make a horrific situation even worse. So let's be clear what this vote is about. If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are gonna see at least a doubling in their premiums in the ACA."
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Bernie Sanders: "What this Senate is about to do is make a horrific situation even worse. So let's be clear what this vote is about. If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are gonna see at least a doubling in their premiums in the ACA."
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Yeah, I'm sorry, but you do not keep the government shut for more than a month and then NOT get a deal on the main item you have been messaging on without completely shifting the blame dynamic.
Major concession from Democrats here is enhanced ACA funds aren’t extended. Preserving them was Dems’ central demand in this fight. They secured a promise of a vote (which Thune has been offering for weeks), but that could still fail. Even if it passes, Johnson has made no promise of a House vote.
Tentative Senate deal to end shutdown, multiple sources tell me & @frankthorp.bsky.social:
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Yeah, I'm sorry, but you do not keep the government shut for more than a month and then NOT get a deal on the main item you have been messaging on without completely shifting the blame dynamic.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Democrats have to stop bailing out Republicans from facing the consequences of their own policies. And yeah, that means they have to stop sparing voters from experiencing what GOP government truly means.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
So Democrats get:
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
November 10, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Democrats have to stop bailing out Republicans from facing the consequences of their own policies. And yeah, that means they have to stop sparing voters from experiencing what GOP government truly means.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
I think Senate folders are significantly underestimating how fucking angry Democratic voters are at them
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 AM
I think Senate folders are significantly underestimating how fucking angry Democratic voters are at them
Reposted by Michael Jaeger
Yes. How do Dem electeds not understand this dynamic? After all these years?
At some point we have to let pain hurt Trump instead of helping him. Every time we let pain help him, he’ll do more and bigger next time.
Each acquiescence means the next one will be *more* painful.
Each acquiescence means the next one will be *more* painful.
November 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Yes. How do Dem electeds not understand this dynamic? After all these years?