Month: September 2025

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on September 19, 2025. September 19, 2025 By Marc Stier The federal government fiscal year ends on September 30th, and the government will shut down without congressional action to appropriate funds after that date.  The Republicans are planning to pass a continuing resolution (CR) by the end of this week, which would extend the current year budget through November 21st.  That bill must be approved by a majority of the House and, because of the filibuster, 60 votes in the Senate. To get to 60 votes, the Republicans need seven Democrats to vote for the CR. Because some Republicans in the House seek cuts to the budget, some Democratic votes may be necessary to pass the bill there as well.  The need for Democratic votes means that this is a unique moment at which Democrats—and perhaps even a few Republicans who have concerns about… Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on September 18, 2025. September 18, 2025 By Marc Stier The murder of Charlie Kirk was a terrible, appalling event. It was a blow not just to this young man and his family and young children, but to freedom of speech in the United States. Whatever one thinks of Kirk’s views—and I vehemently disagree with him—our country is diminished by his murder. People of all views will now think twice about entering the public space to express views that might be controversial. And we are all poorer for that. The worst possible response to this awful event, however, is being contemplated by President Trump and Vice President Vance. Their recent statements threatening to punish and defund “left-wing groups” that they wrongly hold responsible for the murder of Kirk would be an even greater threat to freedom of speech and assembly than the murder itself.… Continue reading