Bernie Sander's appointment to the the Senate Budget Committee Chariman

[DocWatts]

For those not aware of how big of a deal this actually is, it will essentially give Bernie Sanders enormous leverage to push for progressive economic policies using the process of budget reconciliation to override Republican obstructionism through the use of the filibuster. Why this is important is because, unlike traditional Legislation which requires a two thirds majority in the Senate to pass, budget reconciliation requires only a simple majority. 

In the past, Republicans in the Senate have used the process of budget reconciliation to push through unpopular policies such as tax cuts for corporations, the flip side of that is that the same process can also be used to pass policies that aim to help ordinary people.

Of course it's important to manage expectations, as there are limits on what can be achieved using this method, but it does at least give the incoming Biden administration an avenue to pursue policies like Covid relief, investments in Green energy and in Infrastructure, and support for families and small businesses. And for the record Joe Biden is far from a Social Democrat like Bernie, but from what we've seen so far he does seem amenable to popular pressure for needed reforms, and has been willing to work with more progressive Democrats in several areas.

**I'm aware that using budget reconciliation to pass policy is far from ideal, but until the Senate filibuster is either reformed or removed, this is one of the few methods available to prevent public policy being held hostage to the obstructionism of a minority political party.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/us/politics/bernie-sanders-budget-committee.html

Explanation of the Senate Budget Committee
https://www.budget.senate.gov/about/committee-history

 

Edited January 17, 2021 by DocWatts

[Sempiternity]

Great news! Thanks for sharing. I hadn't heard this. Last I heard, Biden seemed to be freezing out progressives like Bernie. Hopefully he lives long and is able to do much good for people in this position. 

[Lyubov]

Great news!

[DocWatts]

While Bernie Sander lost the opportunity to become president, the position he's in now is arguably one of the most advantageous he could be in under present circumstances, short of becoming Senate majority leader.

Edited January 17, 2021 by DocWatts

[Willie]

I’m glad he finally has some capacity to affect change rather than just being ‘that guy’ in the Senate who’s a contrarian to his colleagues.

[Hardkill]

yeah, I am actually happy for Bernie. I am curious to see what he can and will do now.