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Mona Burns

@monaburns.bsky.social
5.7K followers 1.9K following 12K posts

Political writer. Covering Congress. Vincit Omnia Veritas. Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵 "Freedom is not just an absence of evil, but a presence of good." -Timothy Snyder

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Reposted by Mona Burns
Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 18h
"The other piece that is still outstanding is returning to regular order for wind and solar projects under the Trump administration. And, um, that is unresolved..." - @whitehouse.senate.gov
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Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 18h
Absolutely wild how you can see it in their body language - Mike Lee's smug smirk, Capito's relaxed cheer, Heinrich's pursed lips, Whitehouse's slump, both Democrats looking down and away...
Mike Lee, Shelley Capito, Martin Heinrich, and Sheldon Whitehouse promote an environmentally catastrophic "permitting reform" deal
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
NEW: After a lot of delay, this morning the 11th Circuit has moved the arguments in the appeal aimed at releasing Vol 2 of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report From a "tentative calendar" to Nov. 2
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
Thune says another reconciliation bill is an "option" after the election But also "there are not 50 votes for any particular proposal .. it's always a function of if you have the votes to do something .. and that's not something I've seen yet" Highly unlikely during a lame-duck session
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Reposted by Mona Burns
Jeremy Duffy @thegeekprofessor.bsky.social · 22h
I trust trump being anywhere in the neighborhood of "moral" even less than I'd trust him in a neighborhood with small children.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
Top-line summary of the Permitting Reform text: "Prohibiting any admin delaying or blocking permitting of a class of energy projects-no admin can block all solar, wind, or other class of energy permits without facing legal action/fines." Full text later today static.politico.com/0e/98/b6c244...
static.politico.com
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
Heads up: This morning Thune fast-tracked leg to the Senate calendar for "future" floor debate & votes to prohibit the demolition of presidential memorials like the Kennedy Center and the use of any federal funds for the planning and construction of the Trump Arch Kicking the can as far as they can
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
Pete Hegseth, Trump's sad little Sec'ty of Defense, plans to "call for" a 20% cut in the number of generals and admirals across the military during his address to officers & enlisteds at the Marine Base in Quantico today www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth...
cbsnews.com
Hegseth to announce a 20% cut to generals and admirals
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to call for a 20% cut in the number of generals and admirals across the U.S. military on Wednesday, a Pentagon official told CBS News.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
Hey PA-01 Those ads your GOP House Rep Brian Fitzpatrick has put up attacking his Dem opponent Bob Harvie are not accurate The articles Fitzpatrick sites are self-published by a (highly questionable) Fitzpatrick aide paid by Fitzpatrick's campaign Details matter: www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
The source of Brian Fitzpatrick’s campaign ad attack fodder: A guest at his own wedding
Self-published articles from a longtime ally are showing up in the vulnerable Pennsylvania Republican’s attack ads.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
Correct (on the Ratepayer Protection Act currently before the Senate)
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
More utterly absurd prattling yesterday: Trump says AI execs signed a "morally binding" deal to help "police" AI Wants a 10-person cmte that he will "play a role in" to oversee the industry ..and assist him in his AI money grab?! What could possibly go wrong? www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Trump says tech execs signed ‘morally binding’ accord to help police AI
The president floated forming a 10-person committee that he said would play a role in overseeing the artificial intelligence industry.
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Reposted by Mona Burns
Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 22h
The markup of the Slaughter Our Sequoias Act (S. 4103/H.R. 2709, "Save Our Sequoias"), the Dim Bulbs Act (S. 1568, "Liberating Incandescent Technology"), and the Expedited Appeals Review Act (H.R. 677), among others, has begun
hillheat.com
Markup of the Slaughter Our Sequoias Act, Permit Reform Bills, Light Bulb Inefficiency, and Other Legislation
Full committee markup of the following 54 pieces of legislation. Many of the bills were previously scheduled to be considered at the July 29 markup. Controversi...
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
GOP were already missing 2 senators during last night’s vote -Dan Sullivan & Cassidy And they expect their attendance issues to grow Thune: “..it seems to be that everybody is heading [out the door]” Dems will block Husted's fraudulent Ratepayer Protection bill today www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Democrats gear up to tank data center legislation
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer repeatedly called the Ratepayer Protection Act a “fraud.”
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 22h
"The Treasury Department will begin automatically enrolling tens of millions of children in its Trump Account program as soon as this week, rapidly expanding access to a key piece of Republicans’ tax package." punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Trump Accounts go to auto-enroll before midterms
The Treasury Department will begin automatically enrolling tens of millions of children in its Trump Account program as soon as this week.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 23h
This sums up today on the Senate side of the Capitol exactly right:
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 23h
Make no mistake: On some twisted MAGA level Eric Schmitt is enjoying this mess He got a ton of national press from it -no matter how bad -despite whomever he has to privately fire for it He thinks he's going to be VP when the minion takes over This is now they roll
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 23h
NEW: NYT (gift link) Ken Paxton trashed Trump’s convention in leaked audio obtained by NYT: Mr. Paxton: “So to be honest with you..when we did that convention-it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.” This will not go well .. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/u...
nytimes.com
Ken Paxton, G.O.P. Nominee in Texas, Privately Said Trump’s Convention Hurt Him (Gift Article)
Ken Paxton, one of the party’s top Senate candidates and a Trump loyalist, said that “everybody’s numbers dropped” after the event, according to audio obtained by The Times.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 23h
"It was meant to be a dramatic confrontation, a public accusation of perjury against Jack Smith, the special counsel who investigated Donald J. Trump. Instead, Senator Eric Schmitt’s amateur sleuthing into basketball led him to the wrong game, league and state." Awesome bad press ..
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 23h
So .. Eric Schmitt's crazy epic self own during the GOP's MAGA 'gotcha' Jack Smith hearing yesterday made the NYT Some Schmitt staffers are getting fired Guaranteed Here's a gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/u...
nytimes.com
Jack Smith Defends Trump Charges as Senator’s Perjury Claim Falls Apart (Gift Article)
A Republican eager to prove the former special counsel was dishonest appeared to instead demonstrate his own confusion over basic facts.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 23h
Uh oh Epic temper tantrum incoming .. Just imagine how what's his name will react if Carney gets the Nobel Peace Prize for *standing up to* him AP: Mark Carney’s stand against Trump leads to Nobel Peace Prize and Time Person of the Year buzz apnews.com/article/carn...
apnews.com
Mark Carney's stand against Trump leads to Nobel Peace Prize and Time Person of the Year buzz
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has built a global profile by standing up to U.S. President Donald Trump.
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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Kennedy holding up the sign makes it for me. They thought this was their ace in the hole. They thought they had him dead to rights. Then… poof
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Reposted by Mona Burns
Jamie Dupree @jamiedupree.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
🚨NEWS: 2 new Senate bills of note got a first reading today: S. 5602 - blocks work on the Trump Arch S. 5603 - prohibits the demolition of presidential memorials (like the Kennedy Center) The bills will go on the calendar on Wednesday --> maybe action in the lame duck??
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Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 29/09/2026
Note that this is the truly generic ballot - many pollsters use the specific candidate names in their national ballot question. Specific Ds v Rs are mostly outpolling the "Democratic Party". So I expect this D+12 to be real
poll.qu.edu
Generic Ballot For Control Of U.S. House: Dems 51%, GOP 39%, Dem Party Ahead On Key Issues, Boosted By Independents, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 71% Prefer Candidates Who Support St...
"A warning light flashing red for the GOP scrambling to stay in power. From the economy to international conflicts to AI, independent voters are siding with Democrats, even though a vast majority of t...
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Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 29/09/2026
The National Guard is in DC neighborhoods now, gooning with other members of Trump's posse. Trinidad, Park View, Columbia Heights, and more
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This is so creepy
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a-lot-to-say.bsky.social @a-lot-to-say.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Senators are making fools of themselves- thank you Senator Grassley and John Kennedy for making the case for Congressional term limits. What Republicans are saying is that Congressmen and women are above the law and cannot be investigated for crimes, especially when they use their phones
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Kennedy concluded his time by telling Jack Smith, "you make me throw up in my mouth" Straight up unethical garbage
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Kennedy has nothing credible to ask Jack Smith about Asking Smith if he believes in the tooth fairy or the Easter Bunny? This hearing is legislative malpractice On the taxpayer dime
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Senator Kennedy is clearly struggling to come up with anything credible to ask Jack Smith about in re the MAGA talking points He's asking Smith if he was "bitterly disappointed" when Harris lost And if Smith knows the "meaning of self-righteous" -particularly rich coming from him They've got nothing
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Trolls and bots are out in full force hitting the Jack Smith hearing this morning Conspiracy theory confetti is everywhere The GOP are clearly getting extremely desperate
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Some very important words from Jack Smith this morning Grateful that he will not let this opportunity to elevate the truth slide
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Reposted by Mona Burns
Bespoke Federal Reserve Exception @moreyamsterdam.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Really want to thank Grassley for giving Jack Smith a platform to highlight Trump's crimes and SCOTUS corruption.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Last night Senate negotiators said they've reached a deal on permitting reform Dem negotiators Whitehouse & Heinrich say they're "withholding" their endorsements until they've "discussed the last five yards" of said deal Expect text later this week Likely no vote tho www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Senate negotiators reach deal on permitting text
Republicans and Democrats will soon release details of the deal, even as Democrats hold reservations over Trump’s commitment to allowing more renewable energy projects.
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Reposted by Mona Burns
Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 29/09/2026
Donald Trump Has A Posse
charlie45.substack.com
National Guard Deployment in DC and the Posse Comitatus Act
It’s not only illegal, it also conveys the wrong image of the capital of a democracy
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Thune on Trump's taxpayer funded political ad: “I like the message. But it shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars" GOP Sen John Curtis: “In Utah they’re worried about affordability, and don’t want to be worried about how their taxpayer dollars are being spent” www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Trump controversies pile on Senate Republicans as they seek midterm escape
Voters “don’t want to be worried about how their taxpayer dollars are being spent,” said Utah Sen. John Curtis.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Trump admin/GOP are now *so* desperate that they're QAnon baiting again: The Bulwark: Dep WH COS Dan Scavino's champagne spraying AI slop video "was a signal to Qanon about the veracity of the 'Papi Trumpo/Il Donald Trumpo' meme account" WTF .. really? www.thebulwark.com/p/dan-scavin...
thebulwark.com
Bizarro White House Vid Has QAnon Buzzing
While Republicans cringed at the champagne-soaked spectacle, conspiracy theorists scoured it for a message.
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ayg07.bsky.social @ayg07.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Trump DISTRACTION begins, Diesel, Gas, Food, Utilities prices through the roof!!
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Pay attention guys And spread the word ..
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Dimitri Drekonja, MD, MS @dimitridrekonja.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Quite a home stretch message 😳. If you think things are great, vote GOP😬😬😬
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David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Republicans bringing up January 6th again as people are voting in a midterm election in which the voters who vote disproportionately include precisely the voters who care about our democracy is definitely a stupid choice by Republicans.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Jack Smith's opening statement before SJC: “I stand by my decisions as Special Counsel, including my decision to bring charges against Trump. .. Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt .. I will not be silenced by the continued threats of prosecution" thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com
Jack Smith stresses strength of Trump cases, says he will not be ‘silenced’ by threats
Former special counsel Jack Smith stressed in prepared remarks that it was the evidence tied to President Trump’s own actions that prompted him to bring charges against Trump. The opening statement…
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
After the NIL bill passed the Senate last night House GOP leaders said "no chance" they'll return to pass it Said "it’s not a priority" 5 weeks before the election And they don’t think the bill can get through House Rules Also: If they return, they'll have to vote on the Hegseth impeachment So ..
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
On yesterday's resignation of co-deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey: "Patel consistently kept Bailey at arm's length and cut him out of meetings the deputy FBI director should attend because Bailey was constantly flagging things that were unconstitutional.” www.cbsnews.com/news/top-fbi...
cbsnews.com
Top FBI official Andrew Bailey, who was once widely seen as Patel successor, resigns
Bailey was originally brought in to help ease tensions between former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
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David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Darline Graham is on this committee. I'm sure that she will be upset about Jack Smith's very legitimate investigation into her brother Lindsey Graham's actions in Georgia during Trump's attempt to steal the 2020 election. Graham's actions today could help @drannieandrews.com.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Senate Republican leaders are launching a last-ditch effort this week to bail out their vulnerable in-cycle Senators Especially Husted's (fraudulent) Ratepayer Protection Act But Thune wants to send them home a day early Much more: punchbowl.news/article/sena...
punchbowl.news
Inside Senate Republicans' last-minute frenzy to boost vulnerables
Senate GOP leaders are launching a last-ditch effort this week to hold votes on some of the biggest issues dragging down their most vulnerable incumbents.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Jack Smith starts any minute Expect Smith to get hit hard by GOP for what they call "overreach" related to his (very legitimate) investigations Outrage distraction to "reorient" their voter base You can stream it here: www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-ac...
judiciary.senate.gov
Oversight of Jack Smith’s Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans and Related Matters | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Full Committee Hearing on September 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Courtesy of Nate Silver via Dave Weigel: Generic ballot since Trump's GOP midterm convention: 9/10: D+7.5 9/29: D+9.2 www.natesilver.net/p/nate-silve...
natesilver.net
FLIPR 2026 midterm election forecast
Silver Bulletin's prediction for every Senate, House, and gubernatorial election in 2026.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Atlantic (gift link) 'How Biden Averted a War With Iran' “The Situation Room connected the call. Biden jumped in. “Bibi, man, what the fuck are you doing?” He gripped the phone tight. “You think I’m Santa Claus? No Santa in Israel, pal.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
How Biden Averted a War With Iran
In April 2024, the U.S. military helped avoid a wider conflict in the Middle East by working with Israel to defeat an Iranian missile attack.
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Mona Burns @monaburns.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Interesting that Johnson is saying this just one day before he has a meeting with Trump and AI CEO's Dario Amodei (Anthropic), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Elon Musk (SpaceX/xAI), Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Sundar Pichai (Google), and Mark Zuckerberg (Meta) Very interesting ..
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Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 28/09/2026
Senate ENR is marking up a huge passel of bills tomorrow, including the Orwellian "Save Our Sequoias" [By Clear-Cutting Them] Act
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