Bill Scher

Northampton

Politics Editor at Washington Monthly

Politics Editor for the Washington @Monthly. Also, contributor @politico @realclearnews, @DMZShow, When America Worked podcast. (Avi by @Jess_Sassenach.)

Featured in: Favicon

washingtonmonthly.com Favicon

msn.com

nytimes.com Favicon

huffpost.com Favicon

washingtonpost.com Favicon

yahoo.com (+1) Favicon

chicagotribune.com Favicon

politico.com Favicon

politico.eu Favicon

salon.com + 101 more

Articles

The GOP’s Medicaid “Waste, Fraud, and Abuse” Lie | Washington Monthly

1 month ago | washingtonmonthly.com | Bill Scher

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was asked on Sunday by CNN’s Jake Tapper about how the $625 billion of Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would, according to a Congressional Budget Office [CBO] estimate, take away health insurance from 7.7 million people. Johnson replied with bald-faced lies, beginning with, “We are not cutting Medicaid in this package.” How could Johnson possibly turn $625 billion into $0?
The Shadow Cabinet That Can Help Democrats Win Back Power

1 month ago | politico.com | Bill Scher

21 unexpected heavy hitters to take on Trump and refresh the Democratic brand. Illustration by Bill Kuchman/POLITICO (source images via Getty Images and AP) Bill Scher is a contributing writer to Politico Magazine, the politics editor for the Washington Monthly and co-host of “The DMZ,” an online show and podcast with conservative writer Matt Lewis.
Opinion | 21 Unexpected Heavy Hitters for a Democratic Shadow Cabinet

1 month ago | politico.com | Bill Scher

Here’s who the party should tap to take on Trump and refresh the Democratic brand. Illustration by Bill Kuchman/POLITICO (source images via Getty Images and AP) Bill Scher is a contributing writer to Politico Magazine, the politics editor for the Washington Monthly and co-host of “The DMZ,” an online show and podcast with conservative writer Matt Lewis.
The Shadow Cabinet That Can Help Democrats Win Back Power

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Bill Scher

As Democrats cast about for a strategy to thwart President Donald Trump’s agenda, rebrand their party and take back power, Sen. Elissa Slotkin recently offered one intriguing idea: Build a shadow Cabinet. The shadow Cabinet, as envisioned by the Michigan Democrat in aninterview with POLITICO, could be composed of the ranking members of congressional committees who could then take the lead in challenging the Trump administration.
The Freedom Caucus Are Cowards

1 month ago | washingtonmonthly.com | Bill Scher

“Don’t come back and send us a bill that’s going to ratchet up deficits. We can’t have that. And by the way, I think the overriding governing principle ought to be watch the bond markets.”That was Representative Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, speaking on CNBC shortly after voting for the One Big Beautiful Act bill, which will ratchet up deficits. As he spoke, producers juxtaposed a graphic showing bond rates going in the wrong direction.
Joe Biden Has Nothing To Do With the 2028 Election

1 month ago | businessandamerica.com | Bill Scher

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Joe Biden Has Nothing to Do With the 2028 Election | Washington Monthly

1 month ago | washingtonmonthly.com | Bill Scher

The what-did-they-know-and-when-did-they-know-it media frenzy was just getting started, with Democratic officeholders being pressed by last week’s Sunday morning talk show hosts whether they “got it wrong” on Joe Biden’s fitness, did they “see much” infirmity, and do they “bear some responsibility” for his initial decision to run for re-election. Then we learned later on Sunday that Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and a fresh wave of conspiracy theorizing has begun.
The Big Beautiful Bill Is Sinking Because Speaker Johnson Can’t Keep His Promise to Fiscal Hawks

1 month ago | washingtonmonthly.com | Bill Scher

“The objective and our commitment has always been deficit neutrality. That’s the goal here. If we can reduce the deficit, even better.” So pledged Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in February about the budget package now officially called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Two months later, Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to pass the budget resolution, which is nonbinding but a necessary precursor to passing a binding budget bill through the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process.
Is The Big Beautiful Bill Just One Big Mess? David Hogg's DNC Debacle (with Bill Scher)

1 month ago | politicspoliticspolitics.com | Justin Robert Young |Bill Scher

The Big Beautiful Bill is finally past the quiet phase. The behind-the-scenes negotiations have spilled into the open, and now we’re in the bloodletting. Speaker Mike Johnson wants this out of the House by Memorial Day, which means committee votes need to happen, and fast. But right now, the Budget Committee is a problem. Hardliners are balking — Ralph Norman, Josh Brecheen, and Chip Roy are all leaning no.
The Congressional Budget Office Still Works

1 month ago | washingtonmonthly.com | Bill Scher

On Sunday, House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee released the details of their contribution to the tax-and-spending package, which President Donald Trump calls the “Big Beautiful Bill.” That powerful committee has jurisdiction over health care, which Republicans have targeted for significant reductions to help offset the cost of their proposed tax cuts—not only keeping the 2017 tax rates, which will rise unless Congress acts, but also new provisions.