Heres What McCarthys House Can Actually Get Done Before 2024

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2023

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Republican hopes for a red wave in the 2022 midterms that would sweep the party into power in both houses of Congress fell short on Election Day. The party lost a seat in the Senate, leaving the current divide at 51-49 in favor of the Democrats, and while the GOP was successful in retaking the House of Representatives, it currently only holds a slim 10-seat majority in the chamber.

With a Democrat-held Senate, Joe Biden in the White House, and divisions within his own party, it might seem like House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is extremely limited in what he can hope to achieve before the next election cycle, there are several things House Republicans can actually achieve before they get the chance to win the Senate and presidency in 2024.

Given the current state of partisanship and McCarthys reported dislike of the current president, bipartisan action that favors the GOP is unlikely, except with a few moderate Democrat lawmakers. Therefore, obstruction, investigations, and utilization of the Houses power of the purse will be the primary tools at McCarthys disposal.

Good old-fashioned obstruction is a simple but effective strategy for the House GOP until 2024. Even with a slim majority, Republicans can block any legislation that gets passed by the equally slim Democrat majority in the Senate. At the very least, the Republicans should be able to extract advantageous compromises from Senate Democrats on any legislation originating in the upper chamber.

Perhaps the most consequential power reserved for the House is the so-called power of the purse. The House initiates all revenue bills, giving Republicans the chance to establish the terms and have the upper hand for any spending bill until 2024. The House Appropriations Committee, which regulates the expenditure of federal money, will be especially important to GOP efforts to rein in spending.

The chambers Republicans used that power to rescind almost $70 billion in additional funding for the IRS in early January. It will most likely not pass in the Senate, but it nevertheless gives the party the chance to renegotiate the funding boost for an agency that has targeted Republicans in the past.

A rules package passed by the House in early January reinstated a rule that could give even more power to Republicans the Holman Rule. Under the rule, which was first introduced in 1876, but sparingly enforced, representatives can add amendments that can reduce the salaries of federal employees and cut funding for federal agency programs.

Bills with amendments that invoke the rule could still be blocked by the Senate, but with the cooperation of more moderate senators like Joe Manchin (D-WV) or Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), it could help keep some federal agencies in check.

The ongoing debt ceiling debate showcases how McCarthy could extract pro-GOP concessions from the Democrats.

The federal government has until June 5 to raise the debt ceiling, how much the government can borrow to pay for its expenses, or it will face a default, which could wreak havoc on the economy.

McCarthy met with President Joe Biden last week to discuss solutions to the debt ceiling, but reported that no agreement was reached. McCarthy promised to aim for an 8% overall reduction bringing it down to 2022 levels during his campaign for speaker, and he could manage to get some cuts in order to avoid the default.

Debt limit debates have been used for nearly every successful attempt to reform federal spending in living history. Why? Because the problem only gets solved when both parties come to the table, the House speaker said in a Monday address.

House Republicans refused to budge on spending cuts during the last debt ceiling crisis in 2011. Only a last-minute deal prevented a default, but this time they could get significant compromises from an administration that has dealt with a sluggish economy for the entirety of its tenure and does not want to risk an economic meltdown ahead of the 2024 presidential campaign season.

If Republicans can stand their ground without caving into pressure from the media and the public to pass the resolution, they can most likely get at least some spending concessions from Democrats who want to avoid a default.

House Republicans can launch investigations and create new subcommittees to deal with specific issues. In January, they created the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. The subcommittee is tasked with investigating alleged incidents of federal agencies, including the FBI and the military, colluding with private entities to suppress conservative viewpoints.

They also created the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, which will focus on economic competition as well as security concerns between the U.S. and China.

Just as the Russian collusion hoax and the January 6 riot became focal point issues in the House during Democrats time in power, Republicans have the opportunity to utilize these newly created committees to pivot toward issues critical to their voters and keep them in the media spotlight.

They can also remove certain Democrats from important committees. McCarthy denied California Democrats Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell seats on the House Intelligence Committee in late January, removing the two biggest proponents of the Russia collusion hoax from the pivotal committee. House Republicans also voted to remove Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over her numerous anti-Semitic remarks.

McCarthy also has a nuclear option under his sleeve. Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the sole right to introduce articles of impeachment against federal officials. That right was used twice by Democrats during the Trump administration to impeach the former president, and if McCarthy can rally his own party around the idea, then House Republicans could use articles of impeachment to target both Biden and key members of his administration.

The articles themselves only require a simple majority vote to proceed to the Senate. A two-thirds majority is then required in the Senate to actually convict, so it is highly unlikely any of the officials targeted would actually be removed unless there was unequivocal evidence of malfeasance. But McCarthy could still use the impeachment votes and subsequent trials in the Senate to hinder Bidens administration and provide a spotlight on the administrations policies.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said on February 1 that he would file articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and accused the Biden official of intentional negligence on the ongoing border crisis.

So, Republicans do have the ability to get things done for their constituents before the next election cycle, even though Democrats control the Executive Branch and the Senate. The real question is if McCarthy has the willpower to take the actions needed to achieve them and whether he can keep his party united.

World

Liverpool football star Diogo Jota killed in car crash

Published

1 hour ago

July 4, 2025

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Liverpool football star Diogo Jota killed in car crash

Liverpool star Diogo Jota has died in a car crash.

The 28-year-old Portuguese forward died in the accident in the early hours of Thursday morning near Zamora, in northwestern Spain.

His brother, Andre Silva, was also killed in the crash on the Rias Bajas Highway (A-52) near Palacios de Sanabria, heading towards Benavente.

Follow the latest updates following Diogo Jota’s death

Jota and Silva were driving to Santander to catch a ferry back to England ahead of the start of Liverpool’s pre-season training on Monday, CNN Portugal reports.

The news outlet reports that Jota was advised against flying back to England due to recent surgery.

Police said the accident happened at 12.30am when the Lamborghini the pair were travelling in veered off the road.

“A vehicle left the road and everything indicates a tyre burst while overtaking,” the Guardia Civil in Zamora told Sky Sports News in a statement.

“As a result of the accident, the car caught fire and both people were killed. Pending the completion of forensic tests, one of the deceased has been identified as Diogo Jota, a Liverpool FC player, and his brother, Andre Felipe.”

A Spanish government source told the PA news agency that police were investigating the crash as “a possible speeding incident”.

Police added that no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road, including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle.

It comes just 10 days after the player married his long-term girlfriend, Rute Cardoso.

He had three children.

The footballer, who played as a striker for Liverpool, began his career in his native Portugal and played at Atletico Madrid in Spain before moving to England.

He joined the Merseyside club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020.

Jota played an important role throughout his five years with the Reds, including scoring six times in Liverpool’s recent Premier League-winning season.

He scored a total of 47 times in 123 matches for the club. He also played 49 times for the Portugal national side, scoring 14 times.

Silva, 25, played for Penafiel, a Portuguese second division club.

Teammates and football legends pay tribute

A statement issued by Liverpool FC said the club was “devastated” by their player’s death.

“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre,” the club said in a statement.

“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.

“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”

The Portuguese football federation said it was “utterly devastated by the deaths”.

“Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.

“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”

The Portugal and Spain women’s teams held a minute’s silence for Jota and Silva before their match in the Women’s Euros in Switzerland on Thursday evening.

It came after Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot said in a statement: “What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.

“All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.

“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.”

Jota’s former manager at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, offered his thoughts in a post on Instagram.

“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it,” he said.

“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.

“We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk posted on Instagram: “What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.

“You mean so much to all of us and you always will!”

Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s captain in the national team, said: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married.

“To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.

“I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”

Jota’s Liverpool teammates Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai have also paid tribute.

Szoboszlai wrote: “Words cannot describe how heartbroken and devastated we are… Your smile, your love for the game will never be forgotten.

“We will miss you so much, but you will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch.”

Jota’s former teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Thiago Alcantara have also shared messages on social media.

Mane posted a picture of himself and Jota with heartbreak emojis.

It came as Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish wrote on X: “You feel helpless, knowing there’s so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children.”

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard shared an image of Jota on Instagram and wrote: “Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time.”

Liverpool owners Billy Hogan, John Henry and Tom Werner, who are part of the Fenway Sports Group, said: “This tragic situation and the reality of it is truly shocking, devastating and has left us numb with grief.”

Football icon Lionel Messi has also paid tribute, sharing an image of Jota on Instagram with the message “QEPD” – short for the Spanish phrase ‘que en paz descanse’, which translates to “may he rest in peace'”.

European football clubs such as Barcelona and AC Milan have also shared messages, along with basketball player LeBron James and tennis icon Rafael Nadal.

Meanwhile Liverpool FC have opened a physical and digital book of condolence for supporters and members of the public to sign.

The physical book is at the club’s stadium, in the Anfield Road Stand reception area until Sunday evening.

An avid video gamer, Jota also owned an eSports team and regularly streamed on Twitch.

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