Ask Chuck: Why Do Government Workers Get Back Pay?

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the absurdity of the U.S. government repeatedly grinding to a halt over government shutdowns. He explains why disruptions like TSA slowdowns and flight delays could force a faster resolution, why this standoff likely won’t last beyond a couple of weeks, and how Republicans may try to negotiate, only to walk back agreements through budget rescissions—or even consider ending the filibuster to reopen government. Chuck also examines the Democrats’ post-Obama resilience, built on being seen as the “grown ups,” while Trump continues to erode norms, politicize governance, and set the tone for a crasser American culture. From the decisive swing of a 3-5 point “adult constituency” to Trump’s retributive budget plans, fundraising battles in Maine and Michigan, and even Trump’s transactional dealings with Qatar and Pfizer, this episode explores the fragile state of U.S. politics in an era where outrage is constant and functional governance feels increasingly out of reach.

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Ridiculous for world’s superpower to have their government shut down

02:00 Flight delays, TSA issues could cause the fastest resolution

04:00 Would be surprising if shutdown lasts longer than a couple weeks

05:00 Vance signaled some willingness to negotiate

06:30 Republicans can agree to demands, then use recissions to renege

07:30 Republicans could end the filibuster and reopen the government

08:30 Nominations should require a 75 vote threshold build consensus

10:00 2013 shutdown got Terry McCauliffe elected as VA governor

11:15 Trump has politicized every aspect of governance

12:00 Russ Vought targeting cuts to only blue states in retribution

14:45 What has kept the Democrats competitive post-Obama?

15:30 Dems have benefitted from being considered the “grown ups”

16:00 Dem activists feel like playing by the rules hasn’t helped them

18:30 Six week clean CR proposal was reasonable

19:45 The “adult” constituency may be 3-5 points, and could be decisive

21:30 Trump’s behavior has been outrageous, but we’ve become numb to it

22:45 We’re in a “political depression”, have a barely functioning government

24:45 There’s no lines Trump won’t cross, there are lines the left won’t

26:15 American culture has become more crass under Trump

28:15 Our sense of decorum is being set by Trump and online MAGA

30:15 Graham Platner raised $3.2 million in Maine senate race

32:00 Is Janet Mills the strongest candidate to beat Susan Collins?

33:00 Being an “outsider” will likely outweigh ideology

35:00 Michigan democratic senate candidates all have strong fundraising

36:00 Trump offers NATO style security guarantees to Qatar

37:00 Airplane gift to Trump paying dividends for the Qataris 

38:00 Pfizer agrees to name website TrumpRX

40:30 Trump nominee pulled after opposition from crypto world

42:30 Ask Chuck 

42:45 Has anyone else ever started run for president as early as Trump? 50:15 Thoughts on use of centralized databases for voter rolls? 

55:00 Why do government workers get back pay after a shutdown? 

1:00:00 If Josh Shapiro dominates re-election could he leapfrog the Dem field? 

1:03:15 College football preview

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