{"id":42368,"date":"2020-12-31T11:19:09","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T19:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=42368"},"modified":"2020-12-31T11:19:09","modified_gmt":"2020-12-31T19:19:09","slug":"open-thread-12-31-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2020\/12\/31\/open-thread-12-31-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread – 12\/31\/2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s another tired day here in the CatBox, but I managed another post today.  Tomorrow is a WWWendy Day.  After the destinking the TomCat, we plan to have a special dinner.  I will still be in the saddle tomorrow, as she’s coming in mid-afternoon.  But I’m not big on year in review articles, so I don’t know what I’ll have to work with.  Tonight we can celebrate New Years Eve together: ZZZZZZ with me!<\/font><\/p>\n

Jig Zone Puzzle<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Today’s took me 3:13 (average 5:38).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Cartoon<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

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Short Takes<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

From Daily Kos<\/a>: <\/font>The House of Representatives had a busy Monday<\/a>, returning early from the Christmas break to easily override a Trump veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and pass a boost to the stimulus bill survival checks from $600 to $2,000. So Trump got a rebuke and a gift at the same time. Trump was walloped on the NDAA<\/a>, with 322 voting to override to 87 sticking with him.<\/p>\n

The Senate will convene at noon on Tuesday, when Sen. Mitch McConnell will indicate how the Senate is going to proceed with what the House is presenting to him this morning. The veto override won’t be an issue, even though it requires the same two-thirds majority as in the House. The Senate passed the NDAA<\/a> with a 84-13 margin under Trump’s veto threat. The override vote could happen as soon as Wednesday, or Democrats could force a delay as they demand a vote on the $2,000 survival checks. <\/p>\n

Loeffler and Perdue are now on board,<\/a> saying \u201cyes\u201d to the checks. After saying \u201cno,\u201d<\/a> of course. <\/p>\n

Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey have vowed to block<\/a> the defense bill until they get a vote on the $2,000 survival checks. “That relief passed in the House today with 44 Republicans voting for it,” Markey tweeted Monday. “Senate Republicans must do the same and get the American people the help they need.” Sanders said in a statement<\/a> Monday, “Let me be clear: If Sen. McConnell doesn\u2019t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year’s Eve.” <\/p>\n

Major Kudos to Bernie. A New Years Eve filibuster has the added benefit of slowing the spread of Trump* virus by keeping GOP Senators from sponsoring super-spreader events at home. Nevertheless, it won’t work, because Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch will not give-in.  RESIST<\/strong>!!<\/font> <\/p>\n

From Crooks and Liars<\/a>: <\/font>You would think being “anti-wife beating” would be a bipartisan thing. <\/p>\n

But what about “that guy I went out with once is stalking me and he has a gun”? <\/p>\n

This week Senate Republicans again showed us who they are. <\/p>\n

Senate Republicans are blocking re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) over the so-called “Boyfriend Loophole.” USA Today:<\/a> <\/p>\n

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…the most recent version of the bill passed by the House last year intended to close the \u201cboyfriend loophole,\u201d which proved to be a large point of contention for many Republicans. <\/p>\n

Previous versions of the act barred those convicted of domestic violence or abuse from purchasing and owning a gun if they were married to, lived with or had a child with the victim. But the 2019 amendment hoped to extend that provision to include dating partners and stalkers. <\/p>\n

Though it had support from all Democrats who voted but one, only 33 Republicans voted to move the legislation forward, and the GOP has been accused of giving into the National Rifle Association, which has opposed the change.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n