‘Foul,’ ‘Glum,’ ‘Like I’m Gonna Strangle You’: The Mood On Capitol Hill Is Grim

United States Senator Lisa Murkowski (Republican of Alaska) is surrounded by reporters as she arrives in the US Capitol by the Senate Subway prior to the vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known... United States Senator Lisa Murkowski (Republican of Alaska) is surrounded by reporters as she arrives in the US Capitol by the Senate Subway prior to the vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as "Obamacare" in Washington, DC on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. The Senate voted 55-45 to reject legislation undoing major portions of President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law without a plan to replace it. Credit: Ron Sachs / CNP - NO'WIRE'SERVICE - Photo by: Ron Sachs/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images MORE LESS
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Lawmakers are at the end of the their rope with the prolonged government shutdown, sinking into a miasma of despair as reopening the government seems like an increasingly remote possibility.

According to a Thursday Politico report, one senator took to gallows humor. When a reporter asked how he was feeling, he retorted: “I feel like I’m gonna strangle you.”

Democrats are at a loss: they won’t fold on the wall money, and President Donald Trump seems totally dismissive of any other potential face-saving off ramps they would offer, like money for general border security or punting the wall discussion down the field and reopening the government immediately.

Republicans don’t want to hash out a deal, since they might get burned again if Trump pulls the rug out from under them and decides he doesn’t want to compromise after all.

“Glum. Glum. I’m not a glum person. I’m not somebody who gets down. But I’ve been discouraged,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told Politico. “People I work for back home in Alaska are asking me to ‘fix it.’ And it’s hard for one person to fix anything around here. Unless you’re the president. Or the speaker. Or the majority leader.”

“We are in this horrible purgatory between heaven and hell,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) added. “That there is no way out unless either he or we relent entirely. Democrats are more than willing to try to give him a face-saving way to step down. He doesn’t seem to want to even consider it.”

“Pretty foul,” Sen. John Cornyn described his mood to Politico. “Too much childishness. Not enough seriousness.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Some advice for Murkowski that would cheer her and the nation up. Just switch sides. Declare yourself independent and caucus with the Democrats. That would go a long way to clean yourself of the stench of history that is descending on other members of the GOP, who refuse to admit that Trump is a clear and present danger to the nation, and clearly guilty of multiple crimes. some bordering if not clearly treason, which now appear to include suborning perjury. What’s her name from Maine might want to have similar thoughts.

  2. Enough with the mock anguish. We all know the only solution that will work at this point…

    The senate needs to stand up and exucute their constitutional DUTY and bring the bill they already passed 100-0 to a vote and pass it. If vetoed, override it.

    This is their job, this is their sworn duty.

    End of discussion.

  3. Avatar for noonm noonm says:

    Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
    Sen. John Cornyn

    Unlike the rest of us, GOP Senators are not bystanders in the shutdown. They could force McConnell to take up legislation today to reopen the government. All they literally have to do is pass the same bill that passed back on Dec 19th:

    Any interview of a GOP senator should include questioning them why they won’t support the same bill they passed a month ago to reopen the government.

  4. Lawmakers are at the end of the their rope with the prolonged government shutdown, sinking into a miasma of despair as reopening the government seems like an increasingly remote possibility.

    Yeah, I can appreciate their frustration. It's tough being confronted with a dilemma totally beyond your control or ability to affect. We should all pray Mitch McConnell's kidnappers release him soon so this can be brought to an end.
  5. ‘Foul,’ ‘Glum,’ ‘Like I’m Gonna Strangle You’
    Enough quotes from Lindsey Graham. What are the rest of the traitorous GOP saying?

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