The Republicans in the House and in the Senate tried to bring America to its knees, but succeeded only in damaging their own brand, and the reputation of the country around the world. They also succeeded in harming the herts, minds, and finances of millions of Americans, taking food out of children’s and families’ mouths.
The House and the Senate have just gaveled into session, after prayers from their respective chaplains (image, above). They are reportedly going to vote to end the GOP-led shutdown. President Obama will still have to sign the legislation.
So, thanks to Think Progress, here’s the list of what the House and Senate will be voting on — effectively, the terms of the GOP’s surrender:
- Government funded through January 15 at sequestration levels
- Debt limit extended until February 7
- A budget conference established to come up with long-term spending plans by December 13
- Income verification for recipients of subsidies under Obamacare’s newly-established exchanges
- Backpay for furloughed workers
- A provision that requires a proactive vote to disapprove extending the debt limit, as opposed to having votes to raise it
Here’s what they won’t be voting on, better known as what the GOP lost:
- No repeal of the “extraordinary measures†provision that allows the Treasury to do accounting tricks to avoid default
- No ‘Vitter Amendment‘ that would have taken away employer contributions from the health plans of Congressional staff
- No provisions related to birth control access
- No flexibility in how government agencies make budget cuts to their programs, as they are required to under sequestration
- No repeal or delay of the medical device tax
- No repeal or delay of the reinsurance tax
- No repeal, replacement, or delay of any aspects of Obamacare’s exchanges or individual mandate
So, to sum up: No repeal, defunding, or delaying of Obamacare, no denial of women’s reproductive health services, and the debt ceiling becomes less of a bargaining chip.
And Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and their radical compatriots have been wildly disgraced. John Boehner’s reputation is shattered — what little there was to begin with.
Will Nancy Pelosi be the Speaker of the House after the 2014 elections?
I’d bet on it — if everyone remembers these past two weeks.
Image: Screenshot via CNN
Thanks to Annie-Rose Strasser at Think Progress for the above lists.