Morning Cup: The Clock Is Running Out

Good morning friends,

We are officially at the point in this election cycle where “the midterms are coming” doesn’t really cut it anymore.

They’re here.

Early voting is beginning around the country. Campaigns are making their closing arguments. Control of Congress is on the line. And while everyone is understandably exhausted after another completely ridiculous week of American politics, this is exactly when paying attention matters most.

Because yesterday gave us a pretty good picture of what’s at stake.

Trump is trying to cancel money Congress already approved

The Trump administration announced it is canceling nearly $1 billion in spending previously approved by Congress, using a rarely invoked and legally disputed maneuver known as a “pocket rescission.”

The latest action targets $810 million across multiple federal programs, including hundreds of millions of dollars intended for refugee and displaced-person assistance. (PBS)

This isn’t just another argument about government spending.

The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. Congress passes spending legislation. The president executes it.

The administration argues that the Impoundment Control Act allows this maneuver. Critics and some lawmakers dispute that interpretation and argue that allowing presidents to effectively wait out Congress could dramatically expand executive control over federal spending. (PBS)

That fight is going to matter long after this particular $810 million is gone.

Meanwhile, ICE is becoming harder to watch

Another story deserves far more attention.

ICE recently stopped publicly displaying the locations of thousands of detained immigrants with final removal orders in its online detainee locator.

Immigration attorneys and advocates say that makes it significantly harder for families and lawyers to locate people in federal custody, including people who may still have legal options available to challenge their removal. (AP News)

Think about how fundamental that is.

If the government detains someone, their family and attorney should be able to figure out where the government took them.

Transparency isn’t some optional feature of government power.

It is one of the things that keeps government power accountable.

Seattle has its own horrifying story this morning

Here in Seattle, prosecutors are considering whether to add a hate-crime charge after an absolutely horrific attack downtown.

According to prosecutors and police accounts reported by the Guardian, Diana Gonzalez was allegedly subjected to racist and homophobic remarks before being dragged to the ground and bitten on the forehead. The attack left a wound that Gonzalez says will require surgery.

The suspect has been charged with second-degree assault and is being held on $150,000 bail. Prosecutors say a hate-crime charge could still be added if the evidence meets Washington state’s legal requirements. (The Guardian)

Gonzalez told reporters she expects to have a permanent scar.

This happened in broad daylight in our city.

Whatever additional charges prosecutors ultimately decide the evidence supports, nobody should have to experience something like this walking down a Seattle street.

And then there are the midterms

This is the part I keep coming back to.

Every single seat in the House is on the ballot November 3.

The current House margin is razor thin. Republicans hold 218 seats, Democrats 214, alongside two vacancies and one independent. Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a majority. The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that 37 districts are considered competitive, with 21 rated toss-ups by the Cook Political Report. (Los Angeles Times)

Those numbers explain why the next several weeks matter so much.

Congress isn’t an abstract institution.

Congress decides whether an administration faces aggressive oversight or friendly oversight. Congress writes laws. Congress controls federal spending. Congress holds hearings and subpoenas witnesses.

And the people deciding who controls it are us.

So? What’s next?

There is going to be an unbelievable amount of noise between now and November 3.

Polls.

Campaign ads.

Outrage clips.

Candidates saying increasingly bizarre things because somebody told them it would perform well online.

Ignore as much of the circus as you can.

Pay attention to what government is actually doing.

Pay attention to what candidates actually support.

Check your voter registration. Know when voting begins where you live. Make your own decision about the candidates and issues on your ballot, and then participate.

Because political power doesn’t disappear when people stop paying attention.

Someone else simply gets to decide what happens with it.

And we have a little more than five weeks until millions of Americans decide who gets that power next.

Time to get to work.

That’s your Morning Cup.

Sean