John Nichols at Progressive Democrats of America

He was the special guest Speaker Wed. evening. He emphasized (67:00) that we have the power to make the Senate rules on reconciliation to whatever we want. And we will have to override the Parliamentarian to do it but again we have the power and we have to use it. And yes, we'll have to heavily pressure some in the Democratic Party, including leaders, to get it done. But if we can't do this then "how are we different from having Mitch McConnell there?" (68:15). And we didn't do this in the Senate with the $15 minimum wage.

While he didn't say this, for me that sort of pressure would have included the House progressives standing firm on voting no on the Covid relief Bill until it contained the $15 minimum wage. Jayapal threatened to do it but it turned out to be empty. They had the power to hold it up and force that inclusion but they surrendered. The Repugnacons didn't budge, Manchin didn't budge and they let them win on the issue. Progressives need to learn to use the power they have right now to force issues or the result will be the same as "having Mitch McConnell there." Having moral victories is no longer good enough when we can have real ones.