It was a simple request. Stand up if you agree. Was it so hard to do?
“The first duty of the American government is to protect its citizens, not illegal immigrants.” If you agree, stand up.
Some Democrats had stood, reluctantly, several times during the State of the Union speech. Some refused to stand for anything.
But it was this point in the speech. Every American in the House chambers should have been on their feet. He did not ask them to applaud. He did not ask them to cheer. He just asked them to stand.
There were many memorable moments in the two-hour State of the Union address. There were cheers and applause for the USA Hockey team.
Tears came to my eyes at the reunion of the Venezuelan political prisoner with his niece. They were clearly emotional as well. Trump then told the pair to go enjoy themselves.
One after another the President introduced military heroes and gave them awards. Two received the highest military honor possible, the Congressional Medal of Honor, right on the spot.
He recognized victims of crimes by illegal immigrants to emphasize why he slammed the border shut He explained that that is why he is now aggressively going after hardened criminals who entered our nation illegally.
It was during the speech that he made the simple request to stand. Democrats sat on their hands. It makes me wonder if the Democrats will stand for anything.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has an opportunity to pass a measure that 85% of Americans support, the SAVE America Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility). Democrats in the Senate have declared the bill dead on arrival as they know that Republicans cannot get 60 votes to stop a filibuster.
But we need understand the filibuster and the Senate rules. It is not as simple as Democrats want to make it out to be.
Over the years the filibuster has morphed into a matter as simple as handing a note to the clerk of the Senate stating that there is a filibuster on a particular vote. When that happens, all action on the vote comes to a halt and the Senate pivots over to work on other matters.
That was not the original meaning of filibuster. The original practice has been so watered down that today there are two names for the filibuster. The “silent” filibuster is what we are familiar with today. One side just “says filibuster” and that’s it.
The other name is the “standing” or “talking” filibuster. In short, the standing or talking filibuster requires one side to keep talking until one of three things happen: (1) 60 Senators vote to end debate; (2) one side gives up; or (3) the two-times rule is invoked, and the minority runs out of speakers.
Congressman Chip Roy sent a “dear colleague” letter to the Senators explaining how they could pass the SAVE act with a simple majority. (A copy of the letter is at the end of this article.) It will not be easy, but it is possible if our Republican senators will discipline themselves and, as Nike says, “just do it.”
In short, Republicans would have to vote with a simple majority to table any amendment that Democrats bring up and keep tabling amendments. Democrats, on the other hand, would have to keep someone talking the full time. The Senate rules only allow a person to speak twice on any one bill or amendment.
Even if the Democrats stayed fully in lockstep to filibuster, they would eventually come to a point of having no one left to debate and Republicans could end debate and vote on the bill. Sound complicated? It is, but it would be worth it.
Congressman Roy closed his letter with a worst-case scenario. “Democrats filibuster to death an 85% issue like Voter ID and citizen voting in front of the entire country.”
Best case, the bill passes and we have real voter ID for national elections. Senate Republicans, this is a no-brainer. All you need is the discipline to make them filibuster.
Chuck Schumer said, “We’ll set up an appointment with him, anytime, anyplace.” Take him up on that offer today and the issue will be settled.
Mr. President, schedule a meeting for 5:00 pm today, October 23, 2025. Include in that meeting Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Include one simple provision in the scheduled meeting. The government must be open for business.
At 3:00 pm today, Senate Majority Leader John Thune schedule a vote on the no-strings attached continuing resolution. A YES vote sends the bill for the President to sign and keeps the meeting on schedule. A NO vote cancels the meeting.
Schumer gets his meeting, and the American people get their government back. It is a win-win for everyone.
Yesterday, Chuck Schumer and the Democrats rejected two compromise proposals from Republicans to open the government.
One was to guarantee a vote by a set date on an extension of Obamacare credits. This is what Democrats have been railing for.
Here was a deal offered up on a silver platter. Republicans would debate it and bring it up for a vote. There is no guarantee that what the Democrats want will pass, but there was a guarantee that they would get a vote.
Some Republicans, including the Georgia firebrand, Marjorie Taylor Greene, have expressed concerns about the anticipated rate increases in Obamacare when the credits expire at the end of the year. They may have her on their side. By the way, the expiration date for the credits was set by the Democrats when they adopted the credits during the Covid crisis.
The point here is that Democrats might get something out of the deal. There is no way to know until they open it up and debate it. But Schumer rejected the proposal.
Majority leader, John Thune, had a pointed response published by MSNBC. He reportedly said, “At some point, Democrats have to take ‘yes’ for an answer.”
A second compromise was to peel off appropriations for the War Department and pass that spending bill. This would assure that military and War Department personnel would get paid. Schumer rejected that offer as well.
There are no strings attached to the Republican bill. It simply authorizes the continued operation of the government at the current level through November 21. During this time, the House and the Senate would act on appropriation bills to fully fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026.
Even though Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate, they need 60 votes to end debate and vote on the simple, no-strings, continuing resolution that the House has already passed. They only have 55 votes right now with three of those votes being Democrats. They need five more Democrats to side with them but that is not happening.
Democrats say that Republicans are unwilling to discuss the many issues involved with the budget. Republicans are more than happy to debate and do what the Democrats say they do not want to do.
What they will not do is to hold up government operations and services to Americans while they debate. Republicans have a simple clean, continuing resolution on the table.
Republicans have compromised with two offers. Republicans want to open the government, keep providing the services to Americans and debate the points of contention with the Democrats.
Democrats reject both compromise offers. As Majority Leader Thune says, “At some point, Democrats have to take ‘yes’ for an answer.”
We are now in day 3 of the Schumer Shutdown. The explanation is pretty simple.
The House passed a 24 page continuing resolution to keep things as they are and continue funding the government through November 21. The Senate received the resolution and put it on the floor for a vote.
Because of the filibuster rule in the Senate, there must be 60 votes to end debate. Democrat minority leader Schumer refused to call on Democrats to vote to keep the government open until November 21.
Instead, he introduced a bill that demanded:
Free health care for illegal aliens
$500 million in taxpayer funding to prop up liberal news outlets
A $50 billion cut in investments for improving rural health care
Billions in funding for DEI and climate projects in foreign countries
What a contrast between a simple 24-page resolution that kept the government open and the Democrat monstrosity. For years Democrats passed, with Republican support, continuing resolutions to give time to work out issues.
This time; however, Democrats demand that everyone rush to make radical changes. Republicans will not consider these changes.
For example, I looked at the Democrat bill. Page 57, Section 2141 is crystal clear – “Repeal of Health Subtitle Changes.” These were changes made in the Working Families Health Care Bill which, among others eliminated the Biden administration give-away of free health care for illegal aliens.
Democrats also wanted to do away with $50 billion investments made for rural health care. They wanted to add billions for DEI and projects related to climate.
Simply put, Republicans cut budget items that gave your tax dollars to illegal aliens and worthless projects in foreign countries. Democrats want to put those back.
So where does that leave us? Are we at an impasse where Republicans will have to fold in order to reopen the government?
It seems that was the way at always worked in the past. This time it is different.
Because there are no appropriations and the government is not funded, the President now has flexibility to make even more cuts without a congressional fight. I am amazed that Democrats are not willing to extend with a continuing resolution but are willing to hand the power to President Trump to cut programs.
President Trump has shown great patience as we enter into day three. He is meeting with Russ Vought of the Office of Management and Budget to look at programs that could be cut permanently or temporarily. Be assured. Cuts are coming.
In this case, Democrats think that they can win. They should realize that President Trump is not interested in cutting bait. He came to fish.
At one time many, many moons ago, 2nd District Congressman Sanford Bishop was considered a moderate Democrat. He has long since lost that label.
In the latest of his votes, in a resolution that passed on a bi-partisan basis by 310 Yeas to only 58 Nays, Sanford Bishop voted Nay. What was he against?
He voted Nay to condemn political violence.
He voted Nay to commend the law enforcement and emergency personnel who responded to the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
He voted Nay to extend his deepest condolences to Charlie Kirk’s young widow and two young children.
He voted Nay to call upon all Americans regardless of race, party, or creed to reject political violence.
He voted Nay to recommit to respectful debate and to respect one another as fellow Americans.
He voted Nay to honor the life, leadership and legacy of Charlie Kirk.
A young political leader was assassinated, cut down in the prime of his life, while peacefully engaging in open discourse. He did not just proclaim his position, he invited and listened to anyone, especially those who held diametrically opposing views. Charlie Kirk died doing what every politician says we ought to do – listen and peacefully debate.
Sanford Bishop, who at one time considered becoming a minister, could not find it within himself to express his sincere condolences to a grieving widow and two young children. He could not bring himself to condemn all forms of political violence.
Sanford Bishop, who says that there is too much partisan politics, could not bring himself to recommit to respectful debate and respect one another as fellow Americans.
Sanford Bishop does not represent the values of the vast majority of Southwest Georgians. It appears that he was more concerned about the opinions of the woke crowd in Washington than he was the people he supposedly represents.
Below is the exact text of what the House resolved in a resolution that passed in an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 310 Yeas and only 58 Nays. Sanford Bishop should be ashamed to admit that he was one of the Nays.
Resolved that the House of Representatives –
(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk, and all forms of political violence;
(2) commends and honors the dedicated law enforcement and emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in finding the suspect responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk and urges the administration of swift justice to the suspect;
(3) extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Charlie Kirk’s family, including his wife, Erika, and their two young children, and prays for comfort, peace, and healing in this time of unspeakable loss;
(4) honors the life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth inspired a generation to cherish and defend the blessings of liberty; and
(5) calls upon all Americans—regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed—to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.
A long season of primary campaigning ended Tuesday for most campaigns across the state. Congratulations to the winners of the Republican primaries. Now it is time to begin the process of putting aside the differences and unite as Republicans for the good of our state and nation.
Some primaries are still ongoing with runoff elections. The 2nd District is one with Chris West and Jeremy Hunt making another run for the majority vote.
I congratulate Chris and Jeremy for their strong campaigns. Both candidates worked hard and met the voters across the district. Both have passionate supporters.
Now those who supported one of the other four candidates in the race will get behind their second choice. My choice for the runoff is Chris West.
Both Chris and Jeremy have conservative messages that match up to the values of the 2nd District. There are differences which will make the decision for those like me who had another first choice in the primary.
Chris made a strong point in his campaign that he was born in Southwest Georgia, went to school here, was married here, and now works here. He has been involved in Republican politics here. He also emphasizes that he is going to stand up and represent the people of the 2nd District, not merely the Washington establishment.
Chris’s strong support financially and at the grassroots level comes from the people of the 2nd District. I watched Chris through the campaign and I am convinced that he will stand up for his district and be a voice for the people of Southwest and Middle Georgia. He represents the people of his district because he has lived, planted deeper roots, and invested his life in the 2nd district.
Jeremy ran a great campaign. He worked hard and went to every county in the 2nd District. He is friendly, outgoing, and connects well. He is a strong and positive communicator.
Jeremy promotes his candidacy as a pathway to win over those who have become disenchanted with the Democrat party. Chris West can do the same.
There are aspects of Jeremy’s campaign that are less than positive for me. The outside influence is primarily what raises the flag of concern.
Jeremy leveraged his relationships with Fox news to get multiple appearances of free air time to promote his campaign. It seemed that Jeremy was showing up every few days.
The Fox hosts fawned over Jeremy like he was a movie star. A slight edge in air time for someone with an existing relationship with Fox is understandable and even acceptable. This was not just a slight edge.
After the fourth or fifth appearance with no other candidate being given equal opportunity the stacked deck became so blatant that Wayne Johnson wrote a letter to Fox news demanding equal time. Fox never gave equal time but did invite other candidates on for one appearance. On election morning, Jeremy was back on Fox and Friends with another telethon to get out the vote for Jeremy Hunt.
Between Fox News and hundreds of thousands poured in from PACS that have no connection to the 2nd District, it raises serious questions about the tug of influence that Jeremy will face. The office sought is the US House of Representatives. It should seem to be reasonable to select someone who has some length of time living in the 2nd district.
Jeremy is new to the 2nd District. At a meeting in Crawford County, I asked him when he moved to Columbus and he said that he moved at the end of the year. He did not say that he moved from Connecticut.
I later learned that he did not register to vote in Columbus until February, which was several weeks after he announced his candidacy for congress. His voter registration was in his permanent residence in Metro Atlanta. That bit of information led me to ponder which was worse, being a Connecticut Yankee or being from Fulton County.
I also learned that he is still attending Yale Law School while trying to unseat a powerful incumbent. This undertaking is not a mission to be squeezed in between classes.
The Democrats will send an army to the 2nd District because Abrams and Warnock must have the 2nd to win. Be assured that Sanford Bishop will present himself as the candidate who really understands the needs of the people in the 2nd contrasted to someone who just showed up.
That brings me to an argument that I have heard privately, but no one seems to want to discuss it openly. There is a feeling by many that it will take a black Republican to beat a black Democrat in this district.
Republicans need to decisively crush and reject any notion of identity politics. First, it collides with the value of the individual based on the content of character, not the color of skin. Secondly, it simply does not work. I know that many want it to work, but it has not and there is no reason to believe that it will.
If a Democrat determines to cross over and vote for a Republican, it will not be merely because of the color of that Republican’s skin. It will be because that Democrat is sick of hearing the same story over and and over while paying $6.00 per gallon for gasoline. It will be because that individual sees the value of his or her paycheck dissolve with skyrocketing inflation. When we play identity politics, we are no different than the Democrats.
In short, I support and ask you to vote for Chris West because he will be your representative. I know his loyalty will be to the people right here where he lives and has invested his life.
Early voting starts today. If you are in the 2nd District, I support, and ask you to vote for Wayne Johnson for Congress in the Republican primary. Here is just one reason why.
Joe Biden came out last week with his plan to cancel student loans. Wayne Johnson fired back with a promise to do more than just talk about how bad the plan was.
“I will sue Joe Biden.” Five action packed words summed up Johnson’s practical problem solving approach.
Tucker Carlson said that Wayne Johnson is the most knowledgeable man in America on the issue of student loans. He served in the Trump administration running the student loan program and saw the multitude of problems with the student loan program and recommended that the entire program be killed.
I wrote about Wayne’s common sense approach to solve the problem in an article last January. (“When You’ve Dug a Hole, Stop Digging”) What Joe Biden is proposing is not a solution.
Read Wayne’s press release below and you will see why I support Wayne Johnson. He is willing to tackle serious issues for our nation and the 2nd District. Wayne does not just talk the talk. He walks the walk.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2022 CONTACT: Dan McLagan media@johnsoncongress.com
Trump Education Official Wayne Johnson Declares “I Will Sue Joe Biden” To Stop Student Loan Debt Cancellation
“Taxpayers should not be forced to make an in-kind contribution to the Joe Biden or Sanford Bishop re-election campaigns”
Columbus, GA. – Former senior Trump Administration DOE official, and Republican Congressional candidate, Dr. Wayne Johnson said he will file a lawsuit against the Biden Administration if it moves to unlawfully cancel student loan debt by way of executive action, as the administration signaled it is intending to do.
“The White House, the Department of Justice and the Department of Education all know that any unilateral or broad form of student loan debt cancellation requires full congressional approval,” stated Johnson.
Johnson said Biden and Secretary Cardona are bending to the wishes of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders with the belief that if they push the “idiotic” forward, no one will object in the courts.
“I will bring a Federal lawsuit if this is done,” said Johnson. “I will seek an immediate injunction and make a promise to the American taxpayers that I will do all I can to stop this overreach by Biden.”
Tucker Carlson interviewed Johnson in 2020 and said Johnson knows more about the federal student loan program than anyone in the country.
“Our nation’s student loan situation is a sad, sad mess,” said Johnson. “In fact, it’s a financial abomination affecting millions of families. To do something like what Biden and just about every Democrat is wanting to do — just giving away taxpayer money, without any plan to stop this problem going forward — is political pandering at its worst and a prime example of why we need to ‘Stop the Stupid’ in Washington.”
Johnson, who oversaw the $1.7 trillion student loan program during the Trump Administration as the Chief Operating Officer for the Office of Federal Student Aid, has previously called for eliminating the entire Federal Student Loan Program. His proposals have recommended “defined dollar limit” federal grants and having banks and other lenders, including schools themselves, offer student loans and otherwise provide for the financing of higher education for students.
“Canceling student loan debt while leaving the program itself unchanged is a recipe for continuously repeating this crisis,” Johnson explained. “That is the definition of insanity and will continue to send future generations into debt. It also creates the ongoing moral hazard of people expecting that if debt is cancelled once, it will be canceled again in the future; so why not borrow to the max, believing full well it will never have to be paid back.”
“Taxpayers who pay their debts, work hard and live within their means should not be handed a bill for a purely political act by a president who is floundering in the polls,” Johnson said. “Taxpayers should not be forced to make an in-kind financial contribution to Joe Biden’s re-election campaign or that of Sanford Bishop and other liberal members of Congress who are running scared from the debacle that is our current situation in Washington.”
“There is a way that we as a nation can solve this problem of runaway, out of control student loan debt and absurd college cost. However, it will require Republicans in Congress to take the “Bull by the horns” to change law and bring fiscal sanity into play. I am the Republican who has the knowledge and experience to lead this”, according to Dr. Johnson.
Johnson is a rock-solid conservative candidate in the Republican Primary in the 2nd Congressional District covering Middle and Southwest Georgia. Johnson served as a Senior Official within the Trump Administration, was an officer in the U.S. Army and is an Eagle Scout.
Johnson obtained his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Mercer University and his MBA from Emory University. He was born, raised and currently resides in Macon.
In my last post, I introduced you to Wayne Johnson, candidate for US Congress in the 2nd District. I had not planned to write regularly about Wayne on my site, but this commercial he is running was too good to let it slide by.
With the big National Championship game on Monday night, Wayne made another brilliant commercial. It will be running during The Five on Fox News between 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Here’s the 30 second commercial. Read the full press release below:
Wayne Johnson hits Sanford in ad on Fox News, “The Five” Monday between 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Go ‘Dawgs! Johnson Shoots Commercial with Famous Bulldogs in Leesburg
LEESBURG, Ga. – U.S. Second District congressional candidate Wayne Johnson produced a television commercial with Wills American Bulldogs in Leesburg on Thursday, wishing the Georgia Bulldogs good luck in their national championship game against Alabama. by
Watch my video commentary. Only 3 minutes and it adds so much more than reading the text.
If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it is a duck. 8th District Congressman Austin Scott dared to call out discrimination in the $1.9 trillion so-called Covid relief bill. He wrote an editorial entitled, “Woke Coke Wants Reparations, and Biden’s COVID Relief Bill Delivers Them.”
Bills in Congress usually have deceptive titles. “The American Rescue Act of 2021” is no exception. A more accurate name would be, by
by 
