During their protest of Russell Vought’s confirmation, Senate Democrats sounded the alarm about Vought’s role in drafting Project 2025 and his support for vastly expanding the power of the president.
Vought, said Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin at 10:30 pm eastern time on Wednesday, “has openly called for the president to defy congress and take control of federal funding decisions that are constitutionally vested in the legislative branch.”
Schiff accused the Trump administration of unlawfully attempting to break down the separation of powers and said Vought would play a role in aiding that effort.
“This is an effort to try to consolidate power, all the power of this government, in the hands of Donald Trump and a few of his hand-picked very wealthy, billionaire friends,” said California Democrat Adam Schiff.
What should they do?
Use every procedural tool in the box to gum up the works. Demand full debate on every motion. Demand full roll call votes on every vote. Democrats respecting norms and Republicans exploiting them is what got us here, so it’s time to turn that around on them. There should be no weird, underhanded, but technically permitted delay tactic that Democrats aren’t using until they get enough popular support behind them to actually do something meaningful.
Challenge consolidation of power, write bills to block it from happening, start impeachment processes, organize protests, be active in community and media, coordinate with states, public service messages, etc.
Democrats were caught with pants down. Yeah, it sucks, but it’s time to put the hot dogs away and get back to work.