Slate Daily Feed What Next | The Democrats Have Leverage. Will They Use It?
Sep 9, 2025
Jamie Raskin, U.S. Representative for Maryland's 8th District and a former constitutional law professor, dives into the urgent challenges facing the Democratic Party amid a Republican-controlled Congress. He discusses the potential impacts of a government shutdown and the moral dilemmas in negotiating budget compromises. Raskin highlights the risks of supporting authoritarianism through funding decisions and emphasizes the crucial need for collective action to protect democracy in these politically charged times.
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Constituents Facing Immediate Harms
- Raskin represents many federal workers who lost jobs and have been dismissed without due process.
- He describes immigrant and LGBTQ communities, plus public health institutions, as under attack.
Power Lies With Republicans
- Republicans control the House, Senate, White House, and thus bear primary responsibility for keeping the government open.
- Democrats can negotiate but place the burden on Republicans to stop using government as an instrument of authoritarianism.
Condition Funding On Safeguards
- Do not fund policies that enable authoritarian actions without conditions.
- Demand specific protections and legal restraints before agreeing to budgetary support.
