Ok, Gaetz's House seat. Things I am certain about: 1. Gaetz may not come back to the 118th Congress. He has resigned his seat, and there are no backsies for Members who resign their seat. (h/t ringwiss on precedent.) 1/

"Aw shucks -- we're in session too much to even consider the option of recess appointments! Sorry, Mr. President." -Thune, probably

Amazing. Might not warrant a permanent place in the Speaker’s Lobby, but I vote that the portrait has earned a place right outside the lobby, at the very least

Even for the biggest small-government proponents, there is a minimum of one bill that’s absolutely necessary in this lame-duck session. And this is just one of many reasons why

It seems that my definition of a "clean CR" and Trump's definition vary just slightly

happy Susan Cole Day to all those who celebrate

And the reading clerks breathe a sigh of relief

I will always remember this week for both presidents going absolutely and embarrassingly gonzo with what they think they can do simply by declaring it so in an executive order.

Rough couple days for the Constitution: Friday: Surprise—we have a new amendment! Saturday: We’re not enforcing the law. We’ll let the new guy do it. Sunday: I’m the new guy! And I’m not enforcing the law. Monday: Pardons for everyone! Monday: lol, birthright citizenship

Ok. Impoundment. Some links to relevant authorities and commentary, and then thoughts of my own. What Trump is proposing potentially amounts to an upending of the separation of powers, and while that's not *inherently* bad, in this case it's bad. Very bad. 1/ 🧵

If there's money at USAID that isn't worth spending---and I bet there is!---I'm very open to the admin doing a FY26 request with cuts and defending it on the Hill. But impounding money and shuttering an (arguably) statutory agency by fiat is pseudo-monarchy nonsense.

🚨 BREAKING: ANNA PAULINA LUNA BEATS MIKE JOHNSON -- Anna Paulina Luna and eight other House Republicans voted against a rule that sought to turn back efforts to allow proxy voting for new parents. 206-222. Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team took a hard line against proxy

Grassley on his bill w/ Cantwell allowing Hill approval/disapproval of tariffs “Trade wars can be as devastating, which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear Constitutional authority over war and trade. This bill reasserts Congress’s role over trade policy"

End of an era