Summary
Overview
Pod Save America discusses the recent government shutdown deal, where eight Democratic senators struck an agreement with Republicans to reopen the government. The hosts analyze the political fallout, Democratic infighting over the decision, and concerns about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's leadership. They also cover Trump's controversial pardons, his attendance at an NFL game where he was booed, and the recent successful CrookedCon event.
The Shutdown Deal and Democratic Capitulation
Eight Democratic senators, including retiring members and those not up for reelection until 2028 or 2030, cut a deal with Republicans to end the longest shutdown in history. The agreement funds the government through January 30th and reinstates federal workers with back pay, but only provides Democrats a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies rather than actually securing the extension. The reaction from other Democrats has been overwhelmingly negative, with senators like Bernie Sanders, Adam Schiff, and Chris Murphy criticizing the deal as a capitulation.
- Eight senators cut a deal to fund government through January 30th - includes Jeanne Shaheen, Dick Durbin, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jackie Rosen, Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman and Angus King
- Deal reinstates federal workers with back pay, prevents future firing during shutdowns, and fully funds SNAP through 2026
- On Obamacare subsidies for 20 million Americans, deal only gives Democrats a vote in December, not an actual extension
- Reaction from Democrats has been 'mixed' - essentially everyone hating it except the senators who cut the deal
" The shutdown actually gave him more power. Standing up to Donald Trump didn't work. It actually gave him more power. "
" We owe our constituents better than this. We owe a resolution that makes it possible for them to afford their health care. "
" After the elections on Tuesday, it just became absolutely clear that the American people do not want Democrats to be bullied into submission. They want Democrats to fight for their health care. "
Why Democrats Caved and Why Now
The hosts debate why the eight senators decided to end the shutdown at this particular moment. They identify the fundamental problem as the lack of a realistic endgame and acknowledge that government shutdowns historically haven't been effective for legislative victories. The timing is particularly puzzling because the real pain of the shutdown - missed paychecks, disrupted air travel, and SNAP benefit cuts - was just beginning to ratchet up, which should have theoretically increased pressure on Republicans.
- The fatal flaw was the lack of a realistic endgame - shutdowns have never been great ways to get legislative victories
- Hope was Trump might negotiate directly, but Speaker Johnson and Thune shut that down
- Federal employees had only missed one paycheck, SNAP cuts hadn't fully kicked in, and Thanksgiving travel chaos hadn't started yet
- Some Democrats genuinely concerned about constituents' pain, including federal workers struggling to make rent
" Better things are possible. That's really he's just doing the meme. "
" The goal of standing up to Donald Trump failed. That's why we're no longer standing up to Donald Trump. "
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