The Political Revolution

[President Biden Democrat]

11/9/16: President-Elect Bernie Sanders



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"Thank you America! Our great nation wants change, needs change. This campaign was revolutionary and united people from all around the United States of America. All of our volunteers worked so hard to make our victory possible. I am so proud of this campaign and what we have done. First my wife, Jane who will be our next first lady. Senator and now Vice President-Elect Amy Klobuchar has done a fantastic job in this campaign. As President, I will fight tooth and nail for you, the American people. Now, we will unite our country. Republicans, Democrats, Independents. We are all Americans! On January 20th, 2017, I will become President of the United States. Immediately, I will get to work to fix our broken government and make our democracy work for everyone, not just the top .01%.

We will enact a progressive agenda. We will enact a minimum wage of $15 an hour. We will enact progressive legislation to stop Climate Change. We will pass Medicare for All, in the new Democratic controlled Senate. We will fix our broken Criminal Justice System and make it fair for all Americans. We will take on Wall Street. To recap, we will build off of Obama's success and will make our country a better place! Thank you all! Goodnight!"

[President Biden Democrat]

2016 Election Results
 
President

Bernard Sanders/Amy J. Klobuchar: 286 (49.5%) √
Donald J. Trump/Michael R. Pence: 252 (45.3%)
Senate

Democrats: 51* (+5) √
Republicans: 49 (-5)

*King (I-ME) caucuses with Democrats
House of Representatives



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Republicans: 227 (-18) √
Democrats: 208 (+18)

Governor

Republicans: 30 (-1) √
Democrats: 19 (+1)
Independent: 1

[President Biden Democrat]

Good start! What was the margin on the IN and NC senate races?

IN-SEN: 4.2% (Young-Bayh)
NC-SEN: 2.1% (Burr-Ross)

[President Biden Democrat]

Surprised Sanders didn't win NC, especially given how well Dems did downballot. It implies a sizable NPV win for Sanders.

Sanders just barely lost it. He did worse in the black vote compared to Clinton there, and didn't do well among moderates, many of whom voted third party.

[President Biden Democrat]

What's Cooper's margin?

Cooper won by 2.2%.

[President Biden Democrat]

12/12/16: Bernie Finalizes His Cabinet

Vice President:
Amy Klobuchar (U.S. Senator from Minnesota)



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Secretary of State:
Jeff Merkley (U.S. Senator from Oregon)



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Secretary of the Treasury:
Robert Reich (Former Secretary of Labor)



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Secretary of Defense:
Andrew Bacevich (Former Colonel of U.S. Army)



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Attorney General:
Keith Ellison (U.S. Representative from Minnesota)



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Secretary of Agriculture:
Peter Welch (U.S. Representative from Vermont)



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Secretary of the Interior:
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (Former U.S. Representative from South Dakota



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Secretary of Health and Human Services:
Donald Berwick (Former CMS Administrator)



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Secretary of Education:
Randi Weingarten (President of the AFT)



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Secretary of Labor:
Richard Trumka (President of the AFL-CIO)



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Solicitor General:
Zephyr Teachout (Progressive Lawyer from New York)



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Secretary of Housing and Urban Development:
Ben Jealous (Former President and CEO of the NAACP)



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[President Biden Democrat]

1/20/17: Inauguration of President Bernie Sanders



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"It is my honor to stand here today as your 45th President. As President, I will work for you, the American people and will work hard to make America, a better placer for all Americans. I am so humbled about this opportunity that has been placed before me. I want to thank everyone who made this possible from President Obama, who has been so gracious and my supporters, thank you. President Obama and the first Lady have been courteous to myself and Jane, who will be a fabulous First Lady. As President, I will get to work immediately from this point forward. My administration led by Amy and me, will work tirelessly for you, the hard working people of our great nation.

We will enact a progressive agenda and will work hard to make America fair and equal. We have so many problems to tackle folks and we will work to fix as many as possible, over the next four years. Americans throughout our nation are struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their children. Others, do not have health care and are struggling from disease. My administration, with help from Democrats in the House and Democratic-controlled Senate, will work to enact progressive legislation to once and for all, fix those problems that everyday Americans face. Thank you everyone for this opportunity, and god bless you!"

[President Biden Democrat]

115th Congress

Senate

Democrats: 51* √
Republicans: 49

*King (I-ME) caucuses with Democrats

President:
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Majority Leader:
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

Majority Whip:
Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Minority Leader:
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Minority Whip:
John Cornyn (R-TX)
House of Representatives



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Republicans: 227 √
Democrats: 208

Speaker:
Paul Ryan (R-WI)

Majority Leader:
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Majority Whip:
Steve Scalise (R-LA)

Minority Leader:
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

Minority Whip:
Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Governors

Republicans: 30 √
Democrats: 19
Independent: 1

[President Biden Democrat]

1/20/17 - 4/29/17: Bernie's First 100 Days



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President Bernie Sanders' first 100 days in Congress were very eventful and considered successful by most. Bernie signed a plethora of Executive Orders on many key issues. Bernie signed executive orders to ban offshore drilling, ban drilling on public lands, block the Keystone pipeline and the Dakota access pipeline. Sanders also signed an executive order to launch a federal investigation into offshore tax havens and to suspend federal enforcement of student debt laws. President Sanders in all signed a total of 30 executive orders in his first 100 days in office, more then any President proceeding him. Sanders renominated and confirmed Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Sanders nominated Garland, in fear that a more progressive pick would not get approved by the narrow Democratic-controlled Senate with 51 seats.

All of Bernie's progressive picks except one, his pick for Solicitor General, Zephyr Teachout were approved. Teachout was denied by the Senate in a 55-45 vote. All of the 49 Republican Senators voted against Teachout, and were joined by 6 Democrats. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). After, the Senate's vote, President Senators picked Sally Yates, the current deputy Attorney General under President Obama. Yates was confirmed in vote of 53-47. Every Democratic voted for her nomination and were joined by 2 Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Jeff Merkley (State), Andrew Bacevich (Defense), Peter Welch (Agriculture), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (Interior), Berwich (HHS), and Weingarten (AFT), were all approved in bi-partisan votes, with a range of Republicans voting in favor of their nominations. Robert Reich and Keith Ellison, Bernie's picks for Treasury and Attorney General were nearly approved by a vote of 50-50, with Sen. Manchin (D-WV) voting against his nomination. Richard Trumka and Ben Jealous, Bernie's picks for Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development were narrowly approved by a vote strictly on party lines.

To fill open seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives, some state governors appointed interim senators, when allowed. In Vermont, Lame Duck Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin, appointed Jane Kitchel (D-VT) to replace President Sanders in the Senate. Kitchel announced that she would only serve until the Special Election, and would not run in the Special Election on April 18th, 2017. In the Special Election, Shap Smith (D-VT), Vermont's Former Speaker of the House ran and won. In Minnesota, Democratic Governor Mark Dayton appointed Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith (D-MN) to replace Vice President Amy Klobuchar in the Senate. There will be no Special Election in this race, as the regularly scheduled election is scheduled to take place on November 6th, 2018, during the 2018 Midterm Elections. In Oregon, Kate Brown was not permitted by state law to appoint an interim Senator, which left the seat vacant until the special election took place on March 28th, 2017, where Land Commissioner Brad Avakian (D-OR) won and became the Senator's Junior Senator. In Vermont At Large's District, Peter Welch became the Secretary of Agriculture, which left the seat vacant. The Special Election here took place at the same time as the Senate Special Election on April 18th, 2017. Philip Baruth (D-VT) won the Special Election and became Vermont's at large Representative. In Minnesota's 5th District, there was a Special Election to replace Attorney General Keith Ellison. The Election took place on April 25th, 2017, where the Former Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (D-MN)beat progressive Ilhan Omar in the primary, and ran in a landslide against her Republican challenger.

President Sanders also travelled the country in his first 100 days as President. He went all over from Michigan to visit Flint to the Southern border in Arizona. Sanders went to Flint to start an action plan for nationwide clean water, to ensure that every American has access to safe clean drinking water. Sanders did not go on a tour thanking his supporters. The President also met with leaders in states all around the nation to discuss the local issues that they are facing.

President Sanders also pulled the United States out of the Trans Pacific Partnership. 

Bernie's favorability rating at the end of his first 100 days in office stands at 56%, which 42% disapproving of his performance of President.

Oregon Special Senate Race:
Brad Avakian: 53.1% √
Kim Wallan: 46.4%

Vermont Special Senate Race:
Shap Smith: 61.3% √
Richard Westman: 39.2%

Minnesota Special House Race:
Margaret Anderson Kelliher: 71.1% √
Jennifer Zielinski: 28.0%

Vermont Special House Race:
Philip Baruth: 58.3% √
Patricia McCoy: 42.0%

[President Biden Democrat]

Why does Sanders win IA and lose OH simultaneously?

Sanders could win both states, but I am assuming that he spends more attention on Iowa, considering it is a smaller state and it gets a lot of attention in the primaries. Bernie would win Iowa very narrowly, and lose Ohio also by a narrow margin.

[President Biden Democrat]

I would've figured Klob's seat would be up in November 2017. Wouldn't do to have a one-year term, but I digress.

This is the same as the Minnesota Special Senate Race in our real TL. Rules in Minnesota do not call for a Special Election under the next Statewide General Election which is in November 2018.

[President Biden Democrat]

4/12/17: Merrick Garland Confirmed 63-37, Gives Liberals Rough Majority



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Centrist Judge Merrick Garland was Confirmed by the Democratic-controlled Senate in a 63-37 vote. Every Democrat voted for Garland, and were joined by 12 Republicans. These Republicans included Sen. Collins (R-ME), Sen. Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Flake (R-AZ), Sen. McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Graham (R-SC), Sen. Heller (R-NV), Sen. Sasse (R-NE), Sen. Corker (R-TN), Sen. Gardner (R-CO), Sen. Tillis (R-NC), Sen. Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Portman (R-OH). A recent poll conducted by Gallup showed that 68% of Americans wanted Garland confirmed. This number was 53% last March, when then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to give Garland a hearing.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke - VOTED YAE:
"This is a great victory for America! Judge Garland will be a fantastic Justice on the court and will be fair, independent, and just. I am so proud of this day and want to thank President Sanders, Vice President Klobuchar, and Judge Garland for their efforts."

Moderate Senator John Tester (D-MT) spoke - VOTED YAE:
"My fellow senators and I are very proud of this day. Merrick will be an independent justice and will serve the interests of all Americans. This was a show of bipartisanship as 12 Republican senators joined us Democrats, and voted to confirm Judge Garland."

Conservative Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) spoke - VOTED NAY:
"This is an absolute disagree. We do not need another liberal Justice on the court, taking away our American values. Garland is the wrong choice and the new liberal court will work to destroy America!"

[President Biden Democrat]

Mid 2017: Bernie's Policy Agenda



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Bernie Sanders' first few months in office as President were very eventful. He enacted a progressive policy agenda and partnered closely with progressives in Congress.  One of Bernie's first moves was to withdraw about 80% of American troops in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq, by January 2019. This move has been scrutinized by Republicans in Congress.

Progressive President Bernie Sanders (I-VT) spoke - IN SUPPORT:
"These wars were and have been failures and we should not be involved there anymore. It's time for change and we need to remove most of our troops from the Middle East. I, after discussion with my advisors including Secretary of State Merkley and Defense Secretary Bacevich have decided that it is in our best interest."

Conservative Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) spoke - AGAINST:
"This is a big mistake. President Sanders and the liberals are out of touch. This will cause a rise of terrorism in the Middle East, and is the wrong move. In reality, we should be going in the other direction."
Next, Progressives in Congress began to draft a Medicare for All bill in the Senate, where Democrats have a very slight majority. The bill would put every American on a medicare system, from children to the elderly. Health Care would have been free for every American and would eliminate all provide insurance, which itself is very controversial throughout the Democratic party itself. Medicare For All would cost the United States trillions of dollars. The rough estimate ranges from 20 to 50 trillion dollars. The bill is being sponsored by four Democratic Senators: Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Sen. Feingold (D-WI), and Sen. Warren (D-MA).  The expectation is that the bill will not pass once the details are finalized over the next few months.

Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spoke - FOR BILL:
"Medicare For All would ensure Health Care for everyone. We need to work hard with President Sanders to give better and affordable Health Care to both the millions of Americans who do not have insurance and those who pay ridiculous sums of money for insurance. We will draft this bill and it will pass."

Moderate Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) spoke - LEANING AGAINST:
"Medicare For All is a nice idea that does not work in reality. It would cost out country trillions of dollars and we can not afford it. It also does not make sense to kick Americans off their private health insurance plan that would only cost more. We need to work with the President and both Republicans and Democrats, to make health care more affordable to those Americans who are struggling. We need to build off of Obamacare instead. I will work with my colleagues closely to make this or any future bill better."
President Bernie Sanders also has appointed near 75 judges to the courts. The Courts have moved in a more Progressive and liberal direction, and this has already been showed in recent decisions by both the Supreme Court and lower courts as well. Rumors about Liberal Icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg. and another battle with cancer have swirled on the internet. Nothing has been confirmed but most believe that she is preparing to retire and which would allow President Bernie Sanders to nominate a new young Supreme Court Justice. In May of 2017, Ginsburg announced that she will retire from the court. President Sanders has nominated United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Patricia Ann Millett to the Supreme Court. A vote will take place in the next few months.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke - IN SUPPORT:
"Judge Millett is a progressive voice that would be a great fit on the Supreme Court. My colleagues and I are looking forward to the hearings and we will now move to approve her in record time."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke - AGAINST:
"This is an absolute disgrace and is disgusting. My liberal colleagues are trying to push through a nominee that would overturn the ideals of our great country. They are trying to push this nominee through, which is something that conservatives and Republicans are against and would never ever do. We will block this nomination."

[President Biden Democrat]

7/1/17: Justice Ginsburg Retires, Patricia Ann Millett Confirmed 53-47



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Liberal Icon Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the notorious RBG announced that she would retire in late May of 2017, giving President Bernie Sanders, his second Judicial appointment to the Supreme Court. Progressive Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit  Patricia Ann Millett was Confirmed by the Democratic-controlled Senate in a 53-47 vote. Every Democrat voted for Garland, and were joined by 2 Republicans, Sen. Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Murkowski (R-AK). Other Republicans including Sen. Flake (R-AZ), Sen. Corker (R-TN) and Sen. Capito (R-WV) praised Millett and "flirted" with voting in favor of her nomination, but in the end decided not to.

Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spoke - VOTED YAE:
"This is a great victory for our nation! Judge Millett, now Justice Millett will do a great job on the Supreme Court. She will protect our rights and will push the court in a progressive direction. I am proud and want to thank President Sanders!"

Conservative Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) spoke - VOTED NAY:
"This is an absolute disgrace. Judge Millett is a progressive and liberal Democrat. She will push a liberal agenda and will do a terrible job on the nation's highest court. This is another power grab by the Democrats and socialist President Sanders. They are trying to take our great country away from us, which will not be tolerated!"

[President Biden Democrat]

Did Sanders resign before or after Phil Scott taking office?

Sorry, for the late response! Sanders resigns before Phil Scott takes office in late December, and Vermont Lame Duck Governor Shumlin appoints Jane Kitchel, as a placeholder pick. This move is very unpopular among Vermonters.

[President Biden Democrat]

8/11/17 - 8/12/17: Charlottesville Protests



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Neo-Nazis and far right activists in Charlottesville, Virginia marched on August 11th and August 12th, 2017. "Jews will not replace us," was chanted by those Neo-Nazis. Protests broke out against them, who were against the rally and were against them. 7 people died, all protesters against the Neo-Nazis. Members of the KKK and other far right groups were at the rallies and chanted other remarks, that are incendiary and cruel. 2016 Republican Presidential Nominee, Businessman Donald Trump tweeted remarks questioning the protesters, who were there in response to the Neo-Nazis. Trump caused a lot of controversy and many of his tweets were flagged on twitter.

President Bernie Sanders (I-VT) scheduled an emergency press conference about this. President Sanders spoke: "this today was disgusting. Those Neo-Nazis are evil and my administration will condemn this act of evil violence by those people. 7 innocent patriotic Americans were murdered. As a nation, we need to unite and stand together against violence, Anti-Semitism, White Supremacy, and all acts of hatred. Social Media and twitter has exploded with anger. We need to calm down as a country and not allow ourselves to get like this. This is not alright, and will not be tolerated."

[President Biden Democrat]

2017 Election Results
 
Governor

Republicans: 29 (-1) √
Democrats: 20 (+1)
Independent: 1

New Jersey:
Murphy: 53.0%
Guadagno: 45.0%

Virginia:
Northam: 49.8%
Gillespie: 47.0%

[President Biden Democrat]

1/1/18: President Sanders Approval Rating



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Approve: 47%
Disapprove: 46%

[President Biden Democrat]

2/1/18: President Sanders announces renegotiation of NAFTA



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President Bernard Sanders announced that the United States will be renegotiating NAFTA with Mexico and Canada. The President cited the following as issues with the current agreement, "outsourcing of American jobs, depressing American wages, and poor labor conditions in Mexico." This will likely take a few years to negotiate. Nevertheless, this is popular among the vast majority of Americans and Congress, both Democrats and Republican alike. Despite, apocalyptic warnings from Conservatives in the fall of 2016 during the 2016 General Election, the economy is booming and doing better then ever. In addition, under the advice of Senator Democrats like Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have slapped a small, but not a significant tariff of Chinese steel.

Progressive Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) spoke - IN SUPPORT
"I wholeheartedly support this move by President Sanders. NAFTA was bad for our nation and caused the loss of millions of American jobs. We need to bring jobs back to our nation in areas around the nation, especially in my home state of Ohio."

Free Trade Conservative Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) spoke - AGAINST
"This is disastrous and reckless. President Sanders is trying to push a socialist agenda that will ruin our economy and change our nation forever. We will fight against this and our nation will not stand for this power grab by our socialist President."

[President Biden Democrat]

2/14/18: High School Shooting Devastates Nation, Pres. Sanders pushes for Gun Control



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On February 14th, 2018, a deranged gunman attacked school and killed 17 students and faculty. This shocked the nation and instigated a national debate over guns and new possible restrictions on the ownership of firearms, especially automatic weapons. The Parkland Students, as they are now known became leaders in the movement for gun control and stricter background checks. Days after the shooting, President Bernie Sanders and First Lady Jane Sanders traveled to Parkland, Florida to visit the school and meet the students and faculty involved. President Sanders had discussions with many students over background checks and what the Sanders Administration should do going forward. The Students involved at the Stoneman Douglas High School, where the shooting took place have already planned marshes and large rallies in response to gun violence and school shooting. A national town hall hosted by CNN took place exactly one week after the shooting. President Sanders, Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, and NRA Spokeswomen Dana Loesch were in attendance and spoke with the students, faculty, parents, and the community as a whole. Support has been shared from around the nation, from theater, to politics, to sports. One notable athlete that visited the school was Cubs first basemen Anthony Rizzo, who went to Stoneman Douglas himself in High School.

[President Biden Democrat]

3/29/18: Gun Control Bill fails to advance pass filibuster



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The 2nd Manchin-Toomey bill, which would expand background checks on guns has failed to advance pass the filibuster. Every Democrat including conservative Democrat in gun country, Sen. Heitkamp (D-ND) voted to advance the bill to a vote. However, both were likely to vote against the bill in the floor vote. Every Republican except for four senators voted to stop the bill from advantage. Sen. McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Collins (R-ME), and Sen. Graham (R-SC) broke with their party and voted to advance the bill. This is very similar to what happened in 2014 with the same bill, where it failed due to the filibuster requirement of 60 votes. This is considered a big failure and a huge disappointment for gun control activists and liberals in America. President Sanders has reportedly discussed with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) of eliminating the filibuster in the Senate. President Sanders has also hinted of the possibility of signing an executive order on unspecified gun reform.

Liberal Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) spoke - IN FAVOR
"This is an absolute disgrace. Gun violence and school shootings are a huge issue in America that is specific to our nation. Our nation needs new gun control laws and we need change. This problem will not go away until we do something about it."

Conservative Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) spoke - IN FAVOR
"I was torn on this bill. I voted to advance it because I have come to the conclusion that Gun Violence is a real issue in America that we need to fix. I met with the survivors of the Parkland shooting, including many high school students. They have inspired me and their enthusiasm is special."

Conservative Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) spoke - AGAINST
"This bill was terrible. What they call, gun violence is not even an issue in America. Guns are not the problem, crazed people and their issues are the problem. It is a great think that this bill failed, as this bill would have been an absolute disaster by our socialist President and the socialist Democratic Party."

[President Biden Democrat]

Midterms are going to be really rough with president Bernie. I could see the Rs getting a 60 seat majority. If I was Bernie, I’d get RBG to retire NOW.

Ginsburg already retired and was replaced by Millett. Breyer for now is still on the Supreme Court. The liberals hold a rough 5-4 majority.

[President Biden Democrat]

4/10/18: Pres. Sanders signs Climate Change Executive Order to Help Minority Communities



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President Bernie Sanders has signed an executive order to regulate and handle climate change. This would prepare the nation for the effects of Climate Change and try to stop it in its tracks. The Executive Order will provide addition resources to help minority communities and to prepare for the effects of Climate Change. President Sanders cited the extreme danger of Climate Change and the effects that it has on lower income and minority communities in the United States. The Executive Order would restrict Hydrofluorocarbon and the chemical composition of certain pollutants. The EO would also restrict and regulate new pipelines that go through native lands. Republicans and Conservatives have pushed against the President's Executive Order and have called it a "power grab." Many speculate that Progressive Democrats in the Senate, might draft a Climate Change bill and try to get it through Congress, which is possible depending on the bill itself and how "extreme" it is.

President Sanders (I-VT) - IN FAVOR:
"Climate Change is a danger to our nation which we need to tackle. We need to stop Climate Change and the effects it has. This Executive Order is a step in the right direction and as a nation we need to come together to stop it."

Conservative Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) - AGAINST:
"The talk about Climate Change is ridiculous and a liberal fantasy. What are they talking about? President Sanders and the liberal Democrats are making up this narrative that Climate Change exists to help them politically. This is a power grab by the President and we will not stand for it!"

[President Biden Democrat]

5/1/18: Senate Democrats propose, pass Paid Family Leave



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Senate Democrats have drafted a bill that would guarantee 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave for are variety of reasons including maternity leave, paternity leave, and leave to care for a sick family member. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The bill passed in the senate by a 51-49 vote, on party lines. Every Democrat voted for the bill, while every Republican including moderate Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who signaled that she was considering voting for the bill, but in the end decided to vote against it. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives, where the result is uncertain. The House bill is sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Moderate Republican Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). However, it seems more likely that it will fail in the chamber, unless Democrats can sway 10 Republicans to vote for the bill and keep every Democrat in line. Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) have already spoken out against the bill and have said that they will do anything to stop it.

Liberal Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) spoke - IN FAVOR
"This bill would be great for America. This bill needs to pass the House and would help millions of working class Americans. I urge both Democrats and Republicans to support this bill."

Conservative Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) spoke - AGAINST
"This bill is terrible. It is socialist and would destroy the American family. I urge my colleagues in the House to oppose this power grab by President Sanders and the radical corrupt Democratic elite."

[President Biden Democrat]

5/15/18: Paid Family Leave narrowly fails in the House



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In the House, Paid Family Leave has narrowly failed. The bill was narrowly passed in the Democratic-controlled Senate by a vote strictly on party lines. The bill was debated in the House of Representative for about a week and was modified in the House. In the House, the bill narrowly failed by a vote of 212 in favor of the bill, with 218 against the bill. 2 members were not present for the vote, and 3 seats are currently vacant. All of the 208 House Democrats voted in favor of the bill and were joined by 7 moderate Republicans. Those Republicans included Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).

Liberal Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) spoke - IN FAVOR
"This is a huge mistake. We need to guarantee at least 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave to every American. I am disappointed about the result and will continue to push to improve the lives of my constituents."

Moderate Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) spoke - IN FAVOR
"Similar to some of my Democratic colleagues, I am disappointed. Our country needs to help everyone and guarantee at least 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave, which is not much at all. We need to work together going forward and compromise on key issues."

Conservative Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) spoke - AGAINST
"This bill would have been awful and I am glad that the House rejected it. We do not need Paid Family Leave and this would have been ridiculous. As Republicans we should push a conservative agenda and push back against the Liberal Democrats and the Sanders Administration."