Thom. The senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, could rule that Section 70302 does not qualify as a budgetary provision and is therefore not permitted in the bill. Thgat decision is pending as of today, and the senate is not in session. The Byrd Rule restricts the inclusion of extraneous matter in reconciliation bills.
The presiding officer or the full senate may overrule the advice of the Parliamentarian. In practice, this is rare; the most recent example of a Vice President (as President of the Senate) overruling the parliamentarian was Nelson Rockefeller in 1975.
In addition, Mac Donough could decide that a $116 billion provision raising taxes on foreign companies violates the chamber’s internal rules about what may go into a reconciliation measure, which would be immune to Democratic filibusters.
Republicans are concerned that she will see the provision as tantamount to overriding tax treaties the U.S. has with other countries. If that’s the case, she could decide the matter belongs under the jurisdiction of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — which would be a problem for Republicans because their reconciliation plans never mentioned that panel.
That would force lawmakers to redraft their plans or drop the provision altogether, leaving them scrambling to cover the resulting budget hole.
“We’ll see what she does,” said Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I don’t want to speculate about anything.”
It wasn't bad enough that TRump co-opted all that legal work that should have gone to pro bono cases, he and his Nazis had to make sure no one will have the opportunity to fight them to begin with. There will be no "Equal Justice Under The Law" for We The People, even though it's etched onto the facade of the Supreme Court Building.
Senator Merkley brought up pages of the bill that also in essence sell-off public lands (see his Facebook post). Drill baby, drill. Mine, baby, mine. Wonder how many kick-backs will go into right-wing bank accounts and war chests for that.
It's moving the money to the top and rigging the courts so it stays there. It is about stealing our future.
Thanks Thom and Company, for your bravery. See you in the streets.
Heather Cox Richardson and Ex Sen John Tester are all over the sell off of national parks and other federal real estate. The proposal was introduced by Utah Republican Mike Lee,, embedded in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
According to the Wilderness Society, data reveals that more than 250 million acres — roughly equivalent to the land mass of Texas, California and New York combined — could technically qualify for sale, despite Lee's claim that only "underused" parcels would be considered.
The Russian equivalent of our congress is the Duma. Elections in Russia are perfunctory, with no real opposition, same in Turkey and Hungary, so a seat in the Duma is basically a lifetime seat,so long as you don't piss off Putin, one sits back enjoys the perks of patronage and accepting favors and bribes without doing any real work except voting Da for Putin's legislation.
Think that his is the model that, the Republican party (and some Democrats) are opting for, just think rather than having to worry about listening to the people you represent, not having to worry about campaigning, town halls, recruiting staff and donors every 2 to 6 years, they have a lifetime job., where they do nothing just as they are doing now.
Correct, but Democrats are in the minority, so it made no difference, the problem with Schumer is that he voted for cloture that enabled the bill to go forward and be passed. When he signaled he would vote for cloture that signaled the Demopubs in the Senate to go ahead and follow his lead, then they pull that PR stunt of voting against the bill. Transparent maneuver for those who pay attention.
I thought you were talking about the past budget extension when you said no Democrats.
However with only 47 Democratic seats, the fact that there are no Democrats voting for it is irrelevant.And the whole bill is not reconciliation, the discussion is will the Senate Parliamentarian strike the parts that aren't and will the Republicans invoke a procedure that nullifies her decision.
So true! Please explain to me how can Musk and self-righteous members of the GOP wail about the deficit and push for tax cuts for the wealthy...with a STRAIGHT FACE?? Not a care about the suffering that cuts to essential programs will bring about to low-income people....
This proposal is an assault on citizenship itself, and should not pass constitutional muster. But would it be then too costly to appeal the law itself?
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Many of the Supreme Court’s cases on due process and the right of access to courts have arisen under the Fourteenth Amendment.
The Court has held that, in limited circumstances, litigants have a substantive due process right of access to state courts under the Fourteenth Amendment. For example, due process guarantees prohibit a state from denying welfare assistance recipients access to state courts to dissolve their marriage solely because they cannot afford to pay court fees and costs.
As a result, if a complainant can't afford to proceed, can file an in forma pauperis petition. "In forma pauperis" (IFP) is a Latin term meaning "in the form of a pauper." It refers to a legal process where a person who cannot afford to pay court fees is allowed to proceed with a lawsuit or appeal without those costs. This privilege is granted at the court's discretion and is intended to ensure access to justice for those who are financially disadvantaged.
28 USC §1915. Proceedings in forma pauperis
(a)(1) Subject to subsection (b), any court of the United States may authorize the commencement, prosecution or defense of any suit, action or proceeding, civil or criminal, or appeal therein, without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses that the person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor. Such affidavit shall state the nature of the action, defense or appeal and affiant's belief that the person is entitled to redress.
(2) A prisoner seeking to bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding without prepayment of fees or security therefor, in addition to filing the affidavit filed under paragraph (1), shall submit a certified copy of the trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the prisoner for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint or notice of appeal, obtained from the appropriate official of each prison at which the prisoner is or was confined.
(3) An appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith.
(b)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), if a prisoner brings a civil action or files an appeal in forma pauperis, the prisoner shall be required to pay the full amount of a filing fee. The court shall assess and, when funds exist, collect, as a partial payment of any court fees required by law, an initial partial filing fee of 20 percent of the greater of-
(A) the average monthly deposits to the prisoner's account; or
(B) the average monthly balance in the prisoner's account for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint or notice of appeal.
(2) After payment of the initial partial filing fee, the prisoner shall be required to make monthly payments of 20 percent of the preceding month's income credited to the prisoner's account. The agency having custody of the prisoner shall forward payments from the prisoner's account to the clerk of the court each time the amount in the account exceeds $10 until the filing fees are paid.
(3) In no event shall the filing fee collected exceed the amount of fees permitted by statute for the commencement of a civil action or an appeal of a civil action or criminal judgment.
(4) In no event shall a prisoner be prohibited from bringing a civil action or appealing a civil or criminal judgment for the reason that the prisoner has no assets and no means by which to pay the initial partial filing fee.
(c) Upon the filing of an affidavit in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) and the prepayment of any partial filing fee as may be required under subsection (b), the court may direct payment by the United States of the expenses of (1) printing the record on appeal in any civil or criminal case, if such printing is required by the appellate court; (2) preparing a transcript of proceedings before a United States magistrate judge in any civil or criminal case, if such transcript is required by the district court, in the case of proceedings conducted under section 636(b) of this title or under section 3401(b) of title 18, United States Code; and (3) printing the record on appeal if such printing is required by the appellate court, in the case of proceedings conducted pursuant to section 636(c) of this title. Such expenses shall be paid when authorized by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
(d) The officers of the court shall issue and serve all process, and perform all duties in such cases. Witnesses shall attend as in other cases, and the same remedies shall be available as are provided for by law in other cases.
(e)(1) The court may request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel.
(2) Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may have been paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that-
(A) the allegation of poverty is untrue; or
(B) the action or appeal-
(i) is frivolous or malicious;
(ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or
(iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.
(f)(1) Judgment may be rendered for costs at the conclusion of the suit or action as in other proceedings, but the United States shall not be liable for any of the costs thus incurred. If the United States has paid the cost of a stenographic transcript or printed record for the prevailing party, the same shall be taxed in favor of the United States.
(2)(A) If the judgment against a prisoner includes the payment of costs under this subsection, the prisoner shall be required to pay the full amount of the costs ordered.
(B) The prisoner shall be required to make payments for costs under this subsection in the same manner as is provided for filing fees under subsection (a)(2).
(C) In no event shall the costs collected exceed the amount of the costs ordered by the court.
(g) In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.
(h) As used in this section, the term "prisoner" means any person incarcerated or detained in any facility who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for, violations of criminal law or the terms and conditions of parole, probation, pretrial release, or diversionary program.
Key aspects of In Forma Pauperis:
Waiver of Fees:
IFP status allows individuals to proceed with legal actions without paying filing fees, service of process fees, and potentially other associated costs.
Affidavit of Indigency:
To obtain IFP status, a person typically needs to file an affidavit or declaration stating that they cannot afford to pay the required fees and detailing their financial situation.
Discretion of the Court:
The court has the discretion to grant or deny IFP status based on the individual's financial circumstances and the nature of the case.
Not a Right:
IFP is not a guaranteed right, and courts may deny it if they find the individual is not genuinely indigent or if the case is deemed frivolous.
Federal and State Laws:
IFP proceedings are authorized in federal courts by 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and also exist in many state court systems.
Potential Limitations:
While IFP status waives certain fees, it may not cover all costs associated with a lawsuit, such as the cost of transcripts or discovery.
Example:
In a federal court, if a person wants to sue someone but cannot afford the $400+ filing fee, they can file a motion for IFP status along with an affidavit detailing their income and assets. If the court approves the motion, the person can proceed with their lawsuit without paying the filing fee.
In essence, in forma pauperis is a mechanism to level the playing field in the legal system, ensuring that poverty does not prevent someone from seeking justice or defending themselves in court.
Hmmm! Sounds like a backdoor "Enabling Act" to me! And Republicans are just giddy about getting it done! Wonder what they'll say when trump or one of his goons picks up one of them or someone in their family or friend group. Whaddya think? My guess is those fees would be waived, right?
We have to consider the long term effects of this amendment. The Magats will enact more & more limiting & severe "laws" consider them "Jim Crow for Libs"! And a few months or years they'll enact their own version of the Nuremberg Race Laws & we will be truly fucked! Like a sign at the No Kings protest I attended said:
Neo feudalism, we are serfs, but instead of being bound to the land of the lord of the manor, we are bound to the government, which has the final l say over whether we live or starve.
BTW I can't vote with my feet. I would like to. I am 86 with health problems, wife is 72 with her problems and we have four dependents (kitties) which are our responsibility.
But according to an ex pat I saw on TV Belize, although it's medical care is not top notch, has adequate medical treatment. He had a problem, saw a doctor,had an MRI, received prescriptions and all he paid was $300. That's less than my wife and I pay monthly for Medicare, and we would still have to pay 20% were it not for a secondary.
If Trump is imploding, who is deposing him? Regardless of the internal conflicts he is having with the likes of Bannon and Carlson, there he sits on his throne and his position is unassailable.. Have you forgotten he has a heavily armed army of volunteers standing by and I don't mean just the Proud Boys and Bugaloo Boyz, or militias. I mean diaper wearing MAGAts who above all, have a viral hate for liberals, queers, atheists and feminists, not tomention black and brown people.
Once again, stride unbroken, the coup managers through their pawns in government have erected a new wall for the citizens to be stood up against. Will the citizens rebel? Since the Democratic Party is perfunctorily aping the channel vehicle of rebel manifestation, the lights just keep getting dimmer.
Make no mistake as the millions invested to keep regulations low, taxes low, etc., would force their hand or pay the regime.
The budget isn’t a policy or law legislation. This is a political ploy I’ve been screaming about to no avail.
The Byrd Rule should exempt it but Grassely is as old as dirt and if barring legal action means constitutionality let him go on another county town hall and actually speak of the policy they’re ramming through without disclosing it to constituents.
This OBBB will make the entire 2nd and 3rd branches irrelevant.
It is amazing how the powerful have ceded all their power, especially the Robert’s Court, to the powerful.
When Trump tells Congress they’re working for free or fires the judiciary he can go sit in one of those old tanks we saw Saturday and keep playing CCR and drift off to oblivion.
I can’t repeat this 70302 issue any longer while Medicaid is all that is talked about.
By now, people should understand without the rule of law, there is nothing else.
I hope someone does more videos, podcasts and AOC takes to TikTok because this, over everything is more important than anything in the bill!!!
You end your piece with the admonition to make sure everyone knows about this before the next election in 2026. My only concern, and you may think I am being overly negative, is that there will be no election in 2026, or any other year. I tried to warn people about what was coming if tRump won in November and I was met with all manner of versions of "you're just being negative, it isn't going to be that bad". Well guess what, it is worse than even I thought I it would be. I was right there and I just hope to God I am wrong about this.
It hurts so much to say this, but I am right there with you. I am so overwhelmed of how easy our constitution is being swept aside and we struggle for a solution. It seems a failure to fight lawlessness with being lawful. What are We The People to do?
where oh where are the fucking Democrats in the House and Senate? Fascist cat got your tongues? Or are they waiting to choose "a time or place that is appropriate for them?" Or never as it's often called. They ought to be loudly speaking out against this particular item in this particular bill.
JP,no guts from most,except Raskin,Bernie,ACO,Murphy,Van Hollen.Read David French-NYTimes 6/19-" The Problem of the Christian Assasin" The Christian Right is a major suppoter of Trump,they are aggressive and want to take over the Gov't with Trump as their God.
We are not in an election. The media is not on top of what is actually happening -- the fight today is in the senate. It's all about the Republicans imploding.
If AOC were EFFECTIVE, instead of giving speeches in Nevada, Montanta, she'd concentrate on the 7 Republican House districts in NY. Only need a few....
I am an ecologist, and for better or worse, an empath. I live with two cats. One is always on alert, sensing, watching, listening, but never goes outside. He sits in my lap or next to me a majority of the time I am inside the home. He is extremely sensitive and tactile. The other cat is a nearly wild outside cat, in a fenced yard, and is hardly ever tactile with me, and then only for a few minutes. I have lived with these beings for 5 years. As I read this blog, with Hartmann's nearly six million followers, only 32 have commented, mostly the same loyal observants. This cat, for the past 15 minutes, has come to me, jumped into my lap and cradled herself in my hands. This NEVER happens. She is avidly seeking my solace and affection. Enough said. What few natural beings we have not murdered are desperately trying to tell us something very important. Ten minutes later, she is still here, staring into my eyes. I am sadly reassured by her energies. Time to reckon the future in vicious terms, and desperate actions.
Anything not to do with the budget should be excluded. But so much of this Bullshit Bill is about robbing Americans blind. The sale of public lands for mineral and oil extraction is bad enough but you can be sure some parcels will be slated for purchase by the Yarvinite Billionaires looking to establish their Sovereign States. This is happening in the UK as well. They want to return to an era of fiefdoms and render the majority of the population as serfs. It's time to get unions behind the people and STRIKE.
Thom. The senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, could rule that Section 70302 does not qualify as a budgetary provision and is therefore not permitted in the bill. Thgat decision is pending as of today, and the senate is not in session. The Byrd Rule restricts the inclusion of extraneous matter in reconciliation bills.
The presiding officer or the full senate may overrule the advice of the Parliamentarian. In practice, this is rare; the most recent example of a Vice President (as President of the Senate) overruling the parliamentarian was Nelson Rockefeller in 1975.
In addition, Mac Donough could decide that a $116 billion provision raising taxes on foreign companies violates the chamber’s internal rules about what may go into a reconciliation measure, which would be immune to Democratic filibusters.
Republicans are concerned that she will see the provision as tantamount to overriding tax treaties the U.S. has with other countries. If that’s the case, she could decide the matter belongs under the jurisdiction of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — which would be a problem for Republicans because their reconciliation plans never mentioned that panel.
That would force lawmakers to redraft their plans or drop the provision altogether, leaving them scrambling to cover the resulting budget hole.
“We’ll see what she does,” said Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I don’t want to speculate about anything.”
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/06/04/congress/parliamentarian-could-nix-the-revenge-tax-increase-in-gop-megabill-00386463
It wasn't bad enough that TRump co-opted all that legal work that should have gone to pro bono cases, he and his Nazis had to make sure no one will have the opportunity to fight them to begin with. There will be no "Equal Justice Under The Law" for We The People, even though it's etched onto the facade of the Supreme Court Building.
Senator Merkley brought up pages of the bill that also in essence sell-off public lands (see his Facebook post). Drill baby, drill. Mine, baby, mine. Wonder how many kick-backs will go into right-wing bank accounts and war chests for that.
It's moving the money to the top and rigging the courts so it stays there. It is about stealing our future.
Thanks Thom and Company, for your bravery. See you in the streets.
Heather Cox Richardson and Ex Sen John Tester are all over the sell off of national parks and other federal real estate. The proposal was introduced by Utah Republican Mike Lee,, embedded in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
Therefore, the senate parimentarian could cut it.
https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/DF7B7FBE-9866-4B69-8ACA-C661A4F18096
According to the Wilderness Society, data reveals that more than 250 million acres — roughly equivalent to the land mass of Texas, California and New York combined — could technically qualify for sale, despite Lee's claim that only "underused" parcels would be considered.
The Russian equivalent of our congress is the Duma. Elections in Russia are perfunctory, with no real opposition, same in Turkey and Hungary, so a seat in the Duma is basically a lifetime seat,so long as you don't piss off Putin, one sits back enjoys the perks of patronage and accepting favors and bribes without doing any real work except voting Da for Putin's legislation.
Think that his is the model that, the Republican party (and some Democrats) are opting for, just think rather than having to worry about listening to the people you represent, not having to worry about campaigning, town halls, recruiting staff and donors every 2 to 6 years, they have a lifetime job., where they do nothing just as they are doing now.
NO DEMOCRATS re budget.
Correct, but Democrats are in the minority, so it made no difference, the problem with Schumer is that he voted for cloture that enabled the bill to go forward and be passed. When he signaled he would vote for cloture that signaled the Demopubs in the Senate to go ahead and follow his lead, then they pull that PR stunt of voting against the bill. Transparent maneuver for those who pay attention.
Check again. This is reconciliation and none of those rules apply.
I thought you were talking about the past budget extension when you said no Democrats.
However with only 47 Democratic seats, the fact that there are no Democrats voting for it is irrelevant.And the whole bill is not reconciliation, the discussion is will the Senate Parliamentarian strike the parts that aren't and will the Republicans invoke a procedure that nullifies her decision.
So true! Please explain to me how can Musk and self-righteous members of the GOP wail about the deficit and push for tax cuts for the wealthy...with a STRAIGHT FACE?? Not a care about the suffering that cuts to essential programs will bring about to low-income people....
This proposal is an assault on citizenship itself, and should not pass constitutional muster. But would it be then too costly to appeal the law itself?
Fifth Amendment:
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Many of the Supreme Court’s cases on due process and the right of access to courts have arisen under the Fourteenth Amendment.
The Court has held that, in limited circumstances, litigants have a substantive due process right of access to state courts under the Fourteenth Amendment. For example, due process guarantees prohibit a state from denying welfare assistance recipients access to state courts to dissolve their marriage solely because they cannot afford to pay court fees and costs.
As a result, if a complainant can't afford to proceed, can file an in forma pauperis petition. "In forma pauperis" (IFP) is a Latin term meaning "in the form of a pauper." It refers to a legal process where a person who cannot afford to pay court fees is allowed to proceed with a lawsuit or appeal without those costs. This privilege is granted at the court's discretion and is intended to ensure access to justice for those who are financially disadvantaged.
28 USC §1915. Proceedings in forma pauperis
(a)(1) Subject to subsection (b), any court of the United States may authorize the commencement, prosecution or defense of any suit, action or proceeding, civil or criminal, or appeal therein, without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses that the person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor. Such affidavit shall state the nature of the action, defense or appeal and affiant's belief that the person is entitled to redress.
(2) A prisoner seeking to bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding without prepayment of fees or security therefor, in addition to filing the affidavit filed under paragraph (1), shall submit a certified copy of the trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the prisoner for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint or notice of appeal, obtained from the appropriate official of each prison at which the prisoner is or was confined.
(3) An appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith.
(b)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), if a prisoner brings a civil action or files an appeal in forma pauperis, the prisoner shall be required to pay the full amount of a filing fee. The court shall assess and, when funds exist, collect, as a partial payment of any court fees required by law, an initial partial filing fee of 20 percent of the greater of-
(A) the average monthly deposits to the prisoner's account; or
(B) the average monthly balance in the prisoner's account for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint or notice of appeal.
(2) After payment of the initial partial filing fee, the prisoner shall be required to make monthly payments of 20 percent of the preceding month's income credited to the prisoner's account. The agency having custody of the prisoner shall forward payments from the prisoner's account to the clerk of the court each time the amount in the account exceeds $10 until the filing fees are paid.
(3) In no event shall the filing fee collected exceed the amount of fees permitted by statute for the commencement of a civil action or an appeal of a civil action or criminal judgment.
(4) In no event shall a prisoner be prohibited from bringing a civil action or appealing a civil or criminal judgment for the reason that the prisoner has no assets and no means by which to pay the initial partial filing fee.
(c) Upon the filing of an affidavit in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) and the prepayment of any partial filing fee as may be required under subsection (b), the court may direct payment by the United States of the expenses of (1) printing the record on appeal in any civil or criminal case, if such printing is required by the appellate court; (2) preparing a transcript of proceedings before a United States magistrate judge in any civil or criminal case, if such transcript is required by the district court, in the case of proceedings conducted under section 636(b) of this title or under section 3401(b) of title 18, United States Code; and (3) printing the record on appeal if such printing is required by the appellate court, in the case of proceedings conducted pursuant to section 636(c) of this title. Such expenses shall be paid when authorized by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
(d) The officers of the court shall issue and serve all process, and perform all duties in such cases. Witnesses shall attend as in other cases, and the same remedies shall be available as are provided for by law in other cases.
(e)(1) The court may request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel.
(2) Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may have been paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that-
(A) the allegation of poverty is untrue; or
(B) the action or appeal-
(i) is frivolous or malicious;
(ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or
(iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.
(f)(1) Judgment may be rendered for costs at the conclusion of the suit or action as in other proceedings, but the United States shall not be liable for any of the costs thus incurred. If the United States has paid the cost of a stenographic transcript or printed record for the prevailing party, the same shall be taxed in favor of the United States.
(2)(A) If the judgment against a prisoner includes the payment of costs under this subsection, the prisoner shall be required to pay the full amount of the costs ordered.
(B) The prisoner shall be required to make payments for costs under this subsection in the same manner as is provided for filing fees under subsection (a)(2).
(C) In no event shall the costs collected exceed the amount of the costs ordered by the court.
(g) In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.
(h) As used in this section, the term "prisoner" means any person incarcerated or detained in any facility who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for, violations of criminal law or the terms and conditions of parole, probation, pretrial release, or diversionary program.
Key aspects of In Forma Pauperis:
Waiver of Fees:
IFP status allows individuals to proceed with legal actions without paying filing fees, service of process fees, and potentially other associated costs.
Affidavit of Indigency:
To obtain IFP status, a person typically needs to file an affidavit or declaration stating that they cannot afford to pay the required fees and detailing their financial situation.
Discretion of the Court:
The court has the discretion to grant or deny IFP status based on the individual's financial circumstances and the nature of the case.
Not a Right:
IFP is not a guaranteed right, and courts may deny it if they find the individual is not genuinely indigent or if the case is deemed frivolous.
Federal and State Laws:
IFP proceedings are authorized in federal courts by 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and also exist in many state court systems.
Potential Limitations:
While IFP status waives certain fees, it may not cover all costs associated with a lawsuit, such as the cost of transcripts or discovery.
Example:
In a federal court, if a person wants to sue someone but cannot afford the $400+ filing fee, they can file a motion for IFP status along with an affidavit detailing their income and assets. If the court approves the motion, the person can proceed with their lawsuit without paying the filing fee.
In essence, in forma pauperis is a mechanism to level the playing field in the legal system, ensuring that poverty does not prevent someone from seeking justice or defending themselves in court.
Hmmm! Sounds like a backdoor "Enabling Act" to me! And Republicans are just giddy about getting it done! Wonder what they'll say when trump or one of his goons picks up one of them or someone in their family or friend group. Whaddya think? My guess is those fees would be waived, right?
We have to consider the long term effects of this amendment. The Magats will enact more & more limiting & severe "laws" consider them "Jim Crow for Libs"! And a few months or years they'll enact their own version of the Nuremberg Race Laws & we will be truly fucked! Like a sign at the No Kings protest I attended said:
"When you elect a rapist, expect to get fucked!"
Kabooooom!!!!!!
Neo feudalism, we are serfs, but instead of being bound to the land of the lord of the manor, we are bound to the government, which has the final l say over whether we live or starve.
If you feel that way, vote with your feet.
We still can turn the Trump agenda. IMHO he is imploding.
BTW I can't vote with my feet. I would like to. I am 86 with health problems, wife is 72 with her problems and we have four dependents (kitties) which are our responsibility.
But according to an ex pat I saw on TV Belize, although it's medical care is not top notch, has adequate medical treatment. He had a problem, saw a doctor,had an MRI, received prescriptions and all he paid was $300. That's less than my wife and I pay monthly for Medicare, and we would still have to pay 20% were it not for a secondary.
If Trump is imploding, who is deposing him? Regardless of the internal conflicts he is having with the likes of Bannon and Carlson, there he sits on his throne and his position is unassailable.. Have you forgotten he has a heavily armed army of volunteers standing by and I don't mean just the Proud Boys and Bugaloo Boyz, or militias. I mean diaper wearing MAGAts who above all, have a viral hate for liberals, queers, atheists and feminists, not tomention black and brown people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71DCWtdgiOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk1dkwUbFxc
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-faces-uproar-maga-base-over-possible-iran-strike-2025-06-18/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/politics/breaking-with-trump-bacon-says-he-wont-follow-his-party-off-the-cliff.html
Plus...https://news.yahoo.com/news/senate-gop-leader-faces-pushback-100000271.html
Once again, stride unbroken, the coup managers through their pawns in government have erected a new wall for the citizens to be stood up against. Will the citizens rebel? Since the Democratic Party is perfunctorily aping the channel vehicle of rebel manifestation, the lights just keep getting dimmer.
Thom,
This is an assault on the Constitution, citizenship, and Western legal traditions dating back to the Magna Carta. It must be stopped.
Thank you as always and watch your six.
Steve Dundas
Thank you for this information!
If Wall Street knows Trump this would kill them.
Make no mistake as the millions invested to keep regulations low, taxes low, etc., would force their hand or pay the regime.
The budget isn’t a policy or law legislation. This is a political ploy I’ve been screaming about to no avail.
The Byrd Rule should exempt it but Grassely is as old as dirt and if barring legal action means constitutionality let him go on another county town hall and actually speak of the policy they’re ramming through without disclosing it to constituents.
This OBBB will make the entire 2nd and 3rd branches irrelevant.
It is amazing how the powerful have ceded all their power, especially the Robert’s Court, to the powerful.
When Trump tells Congress they’re working for free or fires the judiciary he can go sit in one of those old tanks we saw Saturday and keep playing CCR and drift off to oblivion.
I can’t repeat this 70302 issue any longer while Medicaid is all that is talked about.
By now, people should understand without the rule of law, there is nothing else.
I hope someone does more videos, podcasts and AOC takes to TikTok because this, over everything is more important than anything in the bill!!!
If I had a platform I’d use it but I don’t.
A Machievvlian means to an end.
The end for serfs, like myself, but this would costs WS billions.
The end must save enough to pay the CEOs!!!
You wanna vote? How many jelly beans in the jar?
You end your piece with the admonition to make sure everyone knows about this before the next election in 2026. My only concern, and you may think I am being overly negative, is that there will be no election in 2026, or any other year. I tried to warn people about what was coming if tRump won in November and I was met with all manner of versions of "you're just being negative, it isn't going to be that bad". Well guess what, it is worse than even I thought I it would be. I was right there and I just hope to God I am wrong about this.
It hurts so much to say this, but I am right there with you. I am so overwhelmed of how easy our constitution is being swept aside and we struggle for a solution. It seems a failure to fight lawlessness with being lawful. What are We The People to do?
where oh where are the fucking Democrats in the House and Senate? Fascist cat got your tongues? Or are they waiting to choose "a time or place that is appropriate for them?" Or never as it's often called. They ought to be loudly speaking out against this particular item in this particular bill.
Psy ops got your brain. We are a minority. Working on jujitsu.
The budget passed the House by 1 friggin' vote. All Dems agin'. We need Congressional Republicans to step up.
JP,no guts from most,except Raskin,Bernie,ACO,Murphy,Van Hollen.Read David French-NYTimes 6/19-" The Problem of the Christian Assasin" The Christian Right is a major suppoter of Trump,they are aggressive and want to take over the Gov't with Trump as their God.
We are not in an election. The media is not on top of what is actually happening -- the fight today is in the senate. It's all about the Republicans imploding.
https://news.yahoo.com/news/senate-gop-leader-faces-pushback-100000271.html
If AOC were EFFECTIVE, instead of giving speeches in Nevada, Montanta, she'd concentrate on the 7 Republican House districts in NY. Only need a few....
I am an ecologist, and for better or worse, an empath. I live with two cats. One is always on alert, sensing, watching, listening, but never goes outside. He sits in my lap or next to me a majority of the time I am inside the home. He is extremely sensitive and tactile. The other cat is a nearly wild outside cat, in a fenced yard, and is hardly ever tactile with me, and then only for a few minutes. I have lived with these beings for 5 years. As I read this blog, with Hartmann's nearly six million followers, only 32 have commented, mostly the same loyal observants. This cat, for the past 15 minutes, has come to me, jumped into my lap and cradled herself in my hands. This NEVER happens. She is avidly seeking my solace and affection. Enough said. What few natural beings we have not murdered are desperately trying to tell us something very important. Ten minutes later, she is still here, staring into my eyes. I am sadly reassured by her energies. Time to reckon the future in vicious terms, and desperate actions.
I thought that bond-posting section was in the original House bill already.
Anything not to do with the budget should be excluded. But so much of this Bullshit Bill is about robbing Americans blind. The sale of public lands for mineral and oil extraction is bad enough but you can be sure some parcels will be slated for purchase by the Yarvinite Billionaires looking to establish their Sovereign States. This is happening in the UK as well. They want to return to an era of fiefdoms and render the majority of the population as serfs. It's time to get unions behind the people and STRIKE.