Molly Ball

The principal thing that the Democrats demanded was some kind of structural check on Elon Musk and Doge, some kind of language that would say that, Basically, the executive branch has to do what Congress tells them to do, that if they're going to pass this funding, you know, the president has to abide by that. And the Republicans didn't agree to that.

So Democrats have had a series of anguished closed-door meetings. We reported on Wednesday that you could hear yelling coming out of the Senate Democratic lunch. On the one hand— The Democratic base is absolutely on fire with anger. They are outraged. They want to see their leaders fighting back against what they see the Trump administration doing.

So Democrats have had a series of anguished closed-door meetings. We reported on Wednesday that you could hear yelling coming out of the Senate Democratic lunch. On the one hand— The Democratic base is absolutely on fire with anger. They are outraged. They want to see their leaders fighting back against what they see the Trump administration doing.

So Democrats have had a series of anguished closed-door meetings. We reported on Wednesday that you could hear yelling coming out of the Senate Democratic lunch. On the one hand— The Democratic base is absolutely on fire with anger. They are outraged. They want to see their leaders fighting back against what they see the Trump administration doing.

On the other hand, Senate Democrats don't want to be blamed for shutting down the government. They don't want to be blamed for federal workers being furloughed and services being cut off. They see that as, you know, politically unfair. dicey for them, and many of them believe that they have a responsibility to keep the government open.

On the other hand, Senate Democrats don't want to be blamed for shutting down the government. They don't want to be blamed for federal workers being furloughed and services being cut off. They see that as, you know, politically unfair. dicey for them, and many of them believe that they have a responsibility to keep the government open.

On the other hand, Senate Democrats don't want to be blamed for shutting down the government. They don't want to be blamed for federal workers being furloughed and services being cut off. They see that as, you know, politically unfair. dicey for them, and many of them believe that they have a responsibility to keep the government open.

So at the last minute, the Democrats found a way to get themselves to a point where they would agree to this deal to keep the government open. I think it raises a lot of questions going forward about what, if any, leverage they may have in the future, given that this was the main thing where Republicans needed their votes.

So at the last minute, the Democrats found a way to get themselves to a point where they would agree to this deal to keep the government open. I think it raises a lot of questions going forward about what, if any, leverage they may have in the future, given that this was the main thing where Republicans needed their votes.

So at the last minute, the Democrats found a way to get themselves to a point where they would agree to this deal to keep the government open. I think it raises a lot of questions going forward about what, if any, leverage they may have in the future, given that this was the main thing where Republicans needed their votes.

Look, Democrats were in a difficult, if not impossible, spot politically, and they made the best of what they saw as two bad choices.

Look, Democrats were in a difficult, if not impossible, spot politically, and they made the best of what they saw as two bad choices.

Look, Democrats were in a difficult, if not impossible, spot politically, and they made the best of what they saw as two bad choices.

Thanks, Ryan. Always fun to be with you.

Thanks, Ryan. Always fun to be with you.

Thanks, Ryan. Always fun to be with you.

See you then.

See you then.

See you then.

Wait, so who are you?