I see what they are doing?

[imanamerican63]

All along, McConnell has held the extension of UI benefits so Trump can can swoop in and save the day with an executive order! Then Trump can say “see the Democrats we’re the ones who held it up”! It was their plan all along?

[Laelth]

1. Yes. That appears to have been the plan all along.

But we must understand that rule by Executive Order, sidestepping Congress’ power over the national purse, is dictatorship—nothing more and nothing less.

-Laelth

[imanamerican63]

2. Yep!

[soothsayer]

3. They hate the Constitution

[Jersey Devil]

4. except that he does not have the power to do it

A President cannot appropriate money. That is the sole prerogative of Congress.

He can transfer funds already appropriated, as he did with the border wall by taking money from the military, but he cannot initiate an appropriation of funds. So if he does it, there will be a lawsuit in like 5 minutes to stop it.

[PatSeg]

5. Exactly

Trump really doesn't know how government works. He is still trying to run the country the way he ran his businesses.

[SWBTATTReg]

6. Yes! Didn't they just reaffirm that Congress has the sole right to appropriate funds? Based upon

funding for the wall along the mexico border being ruled illegal or something similar.

[uponit7771]

8. +1, ... and in this case he doesn't have a half trillion dollars to transfer from somewhere

[Orangepeel]

9. who is going to bring the lawsuit?

If the republican hold up is part of a plan to make him the hero (I'm skeptical, but that is the premise of the OP), then republicans won't. If Democrats initiate it, that would play into the plan.

[imanamerican63]

12. Maybe that is another plan?

“See, I tried to something good & they stopped me” from Trump?

[Sneederbunk]

7. What can an executive order do without money approved by Congress?

[BannonsLiver]

11. Not much

Which is why this OP is off the mark.

[imanamerican63]

13. If you read it carefully?

I was saying Trump will use this whole thing against the Democrats. He likes stirring the pot anyway he and McConnell can!

[BannonsLiver]

14. So what?

Everything he does at this stage will be to attack Dems. In other news, water is wet.

[highplainsdem]

10. I thought it seemed pretty obvious. Political theater, with zero concern for the people and the

city and state governments that need help.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Trump had demanded this, even told McConnrll he'd veto any relief bill since he wants to issue EOs instead.

This may very well hurt some Senate Republicans, but I don't think Trump is concerned about anything except his own re-election.

[Maeve]

15. It wasn't Mitch..it was the reason Meadows was sent to "negotiate"

" reject everything, bang on the table, let trump look like the great Solver"