424-8
In these days of hyper-obstruction by Republicans, it’s nearly impossible to imagine anything that could be brought before the House of Representatives could get 424 votes.
But the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act, allowing President Joe Biden to increase tariffs on products coming from the two countries and directing the U.S. trade representative to seek suspension of Russia’s participation in the World Trade Organization, got 424 votes.
That’s not really all that shocking given the world’s attitude toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Maybe the more interesting statistic is who the 8 were.
You can probably guess a few of them.
Yep, seeing the names Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert at the top of the list shouldn’t surprise anyone who has been paying attention. I feel bad that I haven’t been alert enough to recognize the other five, because anyone wanting their name on a short list with the first three has to be in the same league.
I absolutely cannot understand a valid reason for voting against this bill. Even Donald Trump, while hedging a bit, said Russia invading Ukraine was not a good thing.
The only possible reason that comes to mind is that these eight have decided they will vote no on anything Democrats propose, no matter how sensible it is. I can certainly figure the Terrible Trio — Greene, Gaetz and Boebert — doing something that goofy.
As for the others, these days I can’t imagine giving any Trumpanzees the benefit of the doubt. Especially since Roger Stone has come up with an idea to put Trump back in the White House in 2023. Of course, it involves them regaining control of the House, electing Donald Trump Speaker, getting Biden’s cabinet to remove him under the 25th Amendment and then Congress impeaching and convicting Kamala Harris.
This will happen right after E.T. comes back, Lawrence Welk returns from the dead and Donald Duck turns out to be a real, er, person.
If it did happen, it’s difficult to imagine it not being the end of American democracy.
Of course, the Terrible Trio and their five buddies might vote for that.