20th September 2017, 7:44 PM
Graham-Cassidy... it really says something that two Republicans who like to (clearly falsely) claim that they actually care are behind this awful bill. Fortunately however, it's looking like its chances of passing are similar to that of the last one -- they're not quite there, and hopefully never will be. But this is a good reminder that for as long as the Republicans control both houses of Congress they will continue to try to do this, until either they succeed (and kill a lot of people as a result) or they lose. Right now though it's looking like they will fail this time too (if things continue as they are...), and for this year there is a Sept. 30 deadline for reconciliation bills so that should be it for the moment.
And of course, them losing is made much harder thanks to gerrymandering, which the Republican establishment are fiercely protecting, right up to the Supreme Court which continues to block any progress against gerrymandering, tragically enough for our democracy. They could change on this, but signs are not good -- recently the Court, by its 5-4 right-wing majority, blocked lower court decisions overturning some Texas districts on racial-gerrymandering grounds. They haven't issued a final decision yet but that stay is not good news.
And of course, them losing is made much harder thanks to gerrymandering, which the Republican establishment are fiercely protecting, right up to the Supreme Court which continues to block any progress against gerrymandering, tragically enough for our democracy. They could change on this, but signs are not good -- recently the Court, by its 5-4 right-wing majority, blocked lower court decisions overturning some Texas districts on racial-gerrymandering grounds. They haven't issued a final decision yet but that stay is not good news.