Well, it was just a matter of time but Congress has now passed a bill that while unconstitutional puts US citizens in danger.
Congress has two parts. The House of Representatives passed it on Wednesday. It still has to go to Senate. If Senate makes any revisions, then back to the House, rinse and repeat.
Both Chuck and Mitch are being cagey about it:
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters on Thursday, “There are objections on both sides, so we’re going to look for the best way to move forward.” He was unable to offer a timeline on when he would announce next steps.
One senior GOP senator who serves on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) leadership team, speaking on condition of anonymity, told JI on Thursday afternoon that the AAA was “in a holding pattern” after it became clear midday that the bill would not pass by unanimous consent.
Note that all reps are up for election every two years, senators every six years, and only 1/3 of the latter are up in each round. (Supposedly this makes for a more impulsive House and a more staid Senate, or at least this is what we were taught in school civics class.)
Thus, pending Senate revisions are said to address the vagueness of definitions in the HR bill. Remember that Schumer's among the craftiest of the crafty. If they're serious about it, they'll draft up something the lawyers tell them is clearly enforceable. Or else they'll hobble it to be struck down in court, but not before the hype has had its effect on popular opinion.
The bill could turn out to be anything from election year pandering to purposeful precedent for bigger actions later.
It could also be news cycle controversy distraction while they pass sneakier and more significant unrelated stuff without notice. As always, they're gonna do what they're gonna do.