The year kicked off with all the drama, scandal, and excitement we’ve come to expect from reality show politics. Luckily, 2019 has already offered some silver linings and prospects for change, making the news cycle a little more bearable. In that spirit, this months playlist has songs for your happy dance as well as ones to rage to:
Government Shutdown: After weeks of negotiations and the longest government shutdown in history, the “author” of the Art of the Deal found himself backed against a proverbial wall, but failing to get approval for the concrete and steel one promised on his campaign. The 35-day standoff ended with Trump signing a bill to reopen the government despite it not having the requested $5+ billion for a border wall, restoring Nancy Pelosi’s street cred among skeptical Democrats as well as paychecks for 800,000+ federal workers who could not work or worked without pay. The reopening is important, but not exactly a win; Trump promised to continue his fight for wall funding, and the economic impacts of the shutdown remain a concern for contract workers who won’t recover wages, communities dependent on social programs, and government employees’ confidence in job security.
The New Congress: While it may feel like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is a staple of US politics, her formal term as a congresswoman started just a few weeks ago, when on January 3rd she was sworn in alongside members of the 116th Congress, the most diverse legislative body in U.S. history. The new Congress is not only more racially and ethnically diverse, but also includes better representation of women, the LGBTQ community, and younger generations, as well as a number of historic firsts. The event was a milestone for Democrats, who took back the house majority and reelected Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the house, the only woman to ever hold the role. To regain the seat Pelosi had to overcome opposition from within her party, including calls for new leadership from younger generations. Ever the negotiator, Pelosi agreed to only stay for four years, but the challenges she faced preview expected debates among Democrats for the 2020 presidential election.
Presidential Announcements: The time has come for the opportunity for some to do what many have dreamed about; challenge Donald Trump on the national stage, call out his nonsense and offer America and the world an alternative to the policies and behaviors of the current White House. The early announcements of Presidential campaigns promise a crowded and diverse field of nominees for the 2020 election. So far the candidates include well known Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Kristin Gillibrand (D-NY), as well as representatives still establishing themselves on the national stage; Mayor Pete
Roger Stone: Another chapter in the Russia investigation saga, Trump’s longtime adviser Roger Stone was arrested after being indicted on seven counts including witness tampering, obstruction, and lying to Congress. Stone plead not guilty but remains open to a deal cooperating with Mueller, which suggests that his affinity for Trump is not quite as strong as his commitment to Nixon.
Venezuela: Two men are claiming the presidency in Venezuela, pushing the country into a full-blown political crisis after years of controversy, corruption, and economic turmoil. Incumbent President Maduro has faced opposition since his election in 2013, which he won by a narrow margin following the death of Hugo Chavez, who is credited with transforming the oil-rich country through authoritarian socialism. Formerly Chavez’s VP, Maduro followed in style, further consolidating power but struggling to respond to a global drop in oil prices, leading to hyperinflation, massive debt, shortages of food and medicine, and an extreme devaluation of their currency. Maduro was inaugurated for a second term despite protests and global skepticism about the integrity of the 2018 election, which came to a head when VP Mike Pence was like “break up with your president, I’m bored”. Bolstered by US support, protests grew across the country and opposition leader Juan Guaido invoked the constitution to act as interim president. Maduro isn’t going to give up easily, so the country lingers in a global power struggle.