Democrats should give Trump his due on the success of his Mideast gamble
Advertisement
As The Washington Post
All of this put Democrats in a serious political bind. So far, they are doing what Democrats often do, making process arguments, emphasizing that the president didn't consult with Congress or comply with the requirements of the War Powers Act.
At every turn, Democrats
After the weekend bombing, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Advertisement
Following Jeffries's lead, three House representatives
The War Powers Resolution, which became law in 1973,
In the absence of a declaration of war, the president must report to Congress within 48 hours the circumstances justifying the use of military force and cannot continue to use it for more than 60 days unless Congress permits otherwise.
Since it became law, the act
While the Democratic efforts to assert congressional prerogative and insist that Trump follow the law are right on the merits, they may further
But that is likely to change if there is no additional retaliation by Iran against the United States other than the
.
Instead of beating the drums about yet another procedural problem, Democrats should give the president his due and change the subject.
Advertisement
That is especially true when it comes to America's international role. While Americans seem wary of foreign entanglements, they
What writer Jesse Lee
The Democrats, Lee argued, 'never seem to
do
anything about the goals that they purportedly represent. … People tune into Trump because they believe he will actually
do something.'
It is against that desire for action that Trump's effort to end Iran's nuclear program and the Israel-Iran conflict will be judged.
There are signs that a few Democratic leaders are getting that message.
Writing about what Trump did over the weekend, former secretary of state Antony Blinken
Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, while expressing his concerns about the failure of the president to consult with Congress, struck the right note when he
Advertisement
Unless things take a sudden turn for the worse in the Middle East, Democrats need to realize that giving the other side credit, even grudgingly so, especially when there is so much work to do to preserve constitutional democracy in the United States.
This is one of those moments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
23 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Funding of Olympic sports a bargaining chip as NCAA seeks antitrust help, AP sources say
College sports leaders seeking antitrust and other protections from Congress have a potential bargaining chip: School assurances that they will provide funding for their increasingly imperiled Olympic programs, by far the biggest pipeline of talent for Team USA. Four people familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that lawmakers, mostly from the Democratic side that will need to provide votes to help any legislation pass the Senate, have been approached by college sports experts and policy shapers to explore options in exchange for support of a bill that some Democrats oppose . One of the clearest tradeoffs would be for an idea that enjoys bipartisan support: helping collegiate Olympic sports programs. Those programs produce around three-quarters of U.S. Olympians at a typical Summer Games, but some are on uncertain footing in the wake of the $2.8 billion House settlement that clears the way for schools to begin sharing revenue directly with their athletes as early as next week. Most of that money will go to football and basketball — the moneymakers — in this new era of name, image and likeness payments to players. The people who spoke to AP did so on condition of anonymity because of the still-evolving and uncertain nature of the talks. But it's no secret that the NCAA and its biggest conferences are not convinced that the House settlement will end all their problems. The NCAA is lobbying for a bill that would supersede state laws that set different rules for NIL; ensure athletes do not get employment status; and provide limited antitrust protection . One key issue is the handful of lawsuits challenging the NCAA's longstanding rule of giving athletes five years to complete four seasons of eligibility. 'I get why limited liability is a big ask,' NCAA President Charlie Baker said. 'But when it comes to limited liability around basic rulemaking, the consequences of this for the next generation of young people if you play this thing out are enormous.' In a sign of the difficulty the NCAA might have in getting legislation passed, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who has played a large role in shaping policy for college sports, told AP that athletes 'deserve real reform and independent oversight of college sports.' 'Congressional legislation must provide strong and enforceable protections for their health, safety, and economic rights and transparency to protect non-revenue-generating sports, rather than merely offering a blank check to the NCAA to return to the status quo,' Blumenthal said. While the U.S. government is forbidden by law from funding Olympic teams, there is no such prohibition on government funding for universities and their sports programs. One idea would be for the bill to include promises of certain levels of funding for college Olympic sports programs — some of which could be raised through federal grants to help the schools offset the cost. 'It would depend upon what they have in mind,' Baker said when asked about the idea. 'We'd be open to a conversation about that because those sports are important and they matter.' The issue is complicated and funding sources are going to be under pressure: Over the next year alone, each D-I school is allowed to share up to $20.5 million in revenue with its athletes and there are extra millions being committed to additional scholarships – for instance, in the case of Michigan, $6.2 million. All those figures are increasing under terms of the settlement and the money has to come from somewhere. As of late May, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee had tallied about 40 Olympic sports programs cut in Division I since the beginning of 2024 (but also 18 programs added) as schools prepare for the new financial realities. Only three – the Virginia men's and women's diving programs and the Utah beach volleyball program – came from schools among the Power Four conferences that were co-defendants in the House case. Still, countless other teams have been reconfiguring their lineups with roster caps in place alongside unlimited scholarships, a combination that is forcing hard decisions. Leaders inside the USOPC are optimistic that schools that generate the most talent – for instance, the 39 medals won by Stanford athletes at last year's Paris Games would have placed the school 11th on the overall medal table – will retain robust Olympic sports programs and that Congress is on board with helping. 'We have no reason to believe that there's not real alignment from all the parties, including members of Congress, who have indicated to us a very real concern for Olympic and Paralympic sport,' USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said. Though a strictly partisan bill could pass the narrowly divided House, for it to become law it would need at least seven Democratic votes in the Senate to break a filibuster. In 2023, Blumenthal and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., teamed with Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., to draft a bill that would have provided some antitrust protection in exchange for a number of guarantees, including the establishment of a health and safety trust fund for athletes who deal with long-term injuries from college sports. Among the NCAA's 'core guarantees' put in place last year, schools are now required to cover medical costs for athletic-related injuries for at least two years after players leave school. 'One of the messages was 'clean up your own house first, then come talk to us,'' Baker said of his conversations with lawmakers. 'So we did some of the things that were aligned with some of the previous legislation.' The big question is whether those moves, added to any guarantees for Olympic sports, would be enough to overcome Democratic reluctance to strip or limit legal rights of college athletes. ___ AP college sports:
Politico
23 minutes ago
- Politico
Senate Banking Republicans propose scaled-back CFPB cut in new megabill plan
Senate Republicans are facing major new issues with their domestic policy megabill after the chamber's parliamentarian advised senators that several provisions they are counting on to reap hundreds of billions of dollars in budget savings won't be able to pass along party lines. Those include major pieces of Medicaid policy, including a politically explosive plan to hold down Medicaid costs by cracking down on a state provider tax — a provision that is expected to have a nine-figure impact on the bill. Republicans now will have to try to rewrite major sections of their Finance bill or potentially leave out key policies. The decisions were detailed in a Thursday morning memo from Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee. Other provisions now at risk include several GOP proposals to exclude undocumented residents from Medicaid, including by withholding federal funds from states that make them eligible for benefits. The rulings come at a critical time for Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP leaders, who are already facing a revolt inside their conference from members wary of the practical and political impacts of the Medicaid changes. Some GOP members have proposed reverting to a less drastic House plan, which would merely freeze the existing provider taxes, though it's unclear if that provision could also pass muster under Senate rules. Even though the ruling is a setback for Republicans — and to their timeline for taking an initial vote on Friday — they were aware based on private conversations with parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough that parts of their initial plan were at risk of running aground of the chamber's rules. Republicans view the hurdle right now as 'technical' and are optimistic they will be able to get modified language into the bill. The revised language will still have to be blessed by the parliamentarian as complying with the chamber's rules. 'We knew that it was going to be an interesting conversation and we didn't know for sure how she was going to come down on it. But there are things that we can do, there are other ways of getting to that same outcome,' Thune said on Thursday morning, adding that Republicans might not ultimately get 'everything that we want' on the provider tax but will hopefully be able to salvage 'most of the reforms.' Some Republicans are calling for Senate leadership to overrule MacDonough: 'The Senate Parliamentarian is not elected. She is not accountable to the American people,' Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) posted on X. 'Yet she holds veto power over legislation supported by millions of voters.' Senate GOP leadership has repeatedly shot down that idea, and Thune reiterated Thursday morning that they wouldn't overrule the MacDonough. Democrats took a victory lap after the ruling, noting the rulings blew a $250 billion hole in the megabill's savings. 'Democrats fought and won, striking healthcare cuts from this bill that would hurt Americans walking on an economic tightrope,' said Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in a statement. The parliamentarian also ruled early Thursday against a Republican proposal to prohibit plans from getting certain Obamacare payments if they cover abortion. There are 12 states that currently require such coverage and insurers have worried they don't have enough time to implement the payment change before the start of open enrollment. There remain some outstanding policies, such as Republicans' effort to defund Planned Parenthood and removal of a nursing home staffing rule. Republicans still aren't closing the door to taking a first vote on Friday. One person granted anonymity to discuss the schedule insisted that the parliamentarian's decision is 'not as fatal as Dems are portraying it to be' and that 'Friday still not off the table.'
Politico
24 minutes ago
- Politico
Kelly dishes on Moran
Senate Republicans are facing major new issues with their domestic policy megabill after the chamber's parliamentarian advised senators that several provisions they are counting on to reap hundreds of billions of dollars in budget savings won't be able to pass along party lines. Those include major pieces of Medicaid policy, including a politically explosive plan to hold down Medicaid costs by cracking down on a state provider tax — a provision that is expected to have a nine-figure impact on the bill. Republicans now will have to try to rewrite major sections of their Finance bill or potentially leave out key policies. The decisions were detailed in a Thursday morning memo from Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee. Other provisions now at risk include several GOP proposals to exclude undocumented residents from Medicaid, including by withholding federal funds from states that make them eligible for benefits. The rulings come at a critical time for Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP leaders, who are already facing a revolt inside their conference from members wary of the practical and political impacts of the Medicaid changes. Some GOP members have proposed reverting to a less drastic House plan, which would merely freeze the existing provider taxes, though it's unclear if that provision could also pass muster under Senate rules. Even though the ruling is a setback for Republicans — and to their timeline for taking an initial vote on Friday — they were aware based on private conversations with parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough that parts of their initial plan were at risk of running aground of the chamber's rules. Republicans view the hurdle right now as 'technical' and are optimistic they will be able to get modified language into the bill. The revised language will still have to be blessed by the parliamentarian as complying with the chamber's rules. 'We knew that it was going to be an interesting conversation and we didn't know for sure how she was going to come down on it. But there are things that we can do, there are other ways of getting to that same outcome,' Thune said on Thursday morning, adding that Republicans might not ultimately get 'everything that we want' on the provider tax but will hopefully be able to salvage 'most of the reforms.' Some Republicans are calling for Senate leadership to overrule MacDonough: 'The Senate Parliamentarian is not elected. She is not accountable to the American people,' Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) posted on X. 'Yet she holds veto power over legislation supported by millions of voters.' Senate GOP leadership has repeatedly shot down that idea, and Thune reiterated Thursday morning that they wouldn't overrule the MacDonough. Democrats took a victory lap after the ruling, noting the rulings blew a $250 billion hole in the megabill's savings. 'Democrats fought and won, striking healthcare cuts from this bill that would hurt Americans walking on an economic tightrope,' said Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in a statement. The parliamentarian also ruled early Thursday against a Republican proposal to prohibit plans from getting certain Obamacare payments if they cover abortion. There are 12 states that currently require such coverage and insurers have worried they don't have enough time to implement the payment change before the start of open enrollment. There remain some outstanding policies, such as Republicans' effort to defund Planned Parenthood and removal of a nursing home staffing rule. Republicans still aren't closing the door to taking a first vote on Friday. One person granted anonymity to discuss the schedule insisted that the parliamentarian's decision is 'not as fatal as Dems are portraying it to be' and that 'Friday still not off the table.'
