East Bound & Down. . .

(East Bound & Down. . ._

". . .East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'. We're gonna do what they say can't be done. We got a long way to go and a short time to get there. East bound, watch that bandit run !"

From Jerry Reed and the "Smoky and the Bandit" franchise. But the message is clear. The "long way to go and the short time to get there" is the limited window with Congress has to act. While there had been some drama, Mike Johnson was re-elected Speaker after President-Elect Trump intervened on Johnson's behalf and secured some remaining hold-outs for the Speaker's tenure.


The question as to what follows legislatively is being answered and matters of priority are being addressed. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg or what gets priority, the secure border or the Trump tax reform. Ideally, both could be incorporated in the same package along with defense and energy. As Trump himself puts it, a "One Big Beautiful Bill."


It will need to be Trump that guides the conversation. The President will provide the political cover, so his ideas get recognized. There needs to be an economy of effort with Hearings and efficient Floor votes. That means Rules to be developed and voted. It goes without saying that unity in the House Republican Conference is a prerequisite, The Speaker fights with the several GOP defections won't work anymore.


If there is to be an added element, if these Republicans are serious about spending reductions, then they could act on the recommendations of the DOGE. Political cover is a most valuable commodity one can trade in Washington. In the law firm of Trump, Musk, and (what's his name) to advocate all these Republican efforts, House and Senate, to pass Trump's agenda and install his nominees.


In the Brian Depalma The Untouchables, for which Sean Connery won a Best Supporting Actor, possibly for that scene in the Church where "He pulls a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital send one of his to the morgue. That is the Chicago way. And that is how you get Capone." Connery adds for Kevin Costner "Do you what a Blood Oath is, Mister Ness ?" Costner nodded. "Good." Connery replied. "Cause you just took one."


To those GOP Members of Congress, do you know what a blood oath is ?

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