Republicans win Wisconsin standoff: What happens now?
Gov. Scott Walker's anti-union bill finally passed Wednesday, after almost a month of protests, thanks to some tricky procedural maneuvering. But the battle may not be over yet
The bitter standoff between union protesters and Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin has finally come to an end... for now. Wednesday night, the state Senate passed Gov. Scott Walker's bill stripping public employee unions of collective bargaining rights. The Republican majority used a procedural maneuver to pass the bill without the presence of Democrats, who fled the state weeks ago to deny Republicans the quorum they needed. But because a quorum is only needed if a bill involves spending money, Republicans simply rewrote the bill, excising sections that dealt with spending, and passed it without the Democrats. What happens now? (See protesters react to the news)
More protests in Madison: If you thought things might go back to normal in Madison, you're mistaken, says Julie Gerstein at New York. The Republican victory will only "escalate the battle in an already tense fight." The protests that have stymied the state capitol for the past month will now "grow in strength and ferocity."
"Wisconsin Republicans pull a sneaky move"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Strike! Strike! Strike! Rumor has it that Wisconsin unions will be calling Friday for a general strike, says Allahpundit at Hot Air. That's not just the government employee unions affected by the bill, but "all unions statewide, to show solidarity." Such a move would, of course, be illegal. "It'll be a test of Walker's nerve to see if he's willing to fire people over it."
"Senate passes collective bargaining bill"
Legal challenges from the Democrats: Bring on the lawyers, says David Dayen at FireDogLake. The way the Republicans passed the bill may violate Wisconsin state law, which requires 24 hours notice for such maneuvering to take place. And then there's the question of whether the final bill actually involves spending money. Hasn't Walker been claiming for weeks "that collective bargaining was a fiscal issue"?
"Anti-public employee bill passes senate in Wisconsin; only the beginning of the fight"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Recalls for Republicans: The protests turned public opinion against Gov. Walker and the state Republicans who had his back, says Ezra Klein at The Washington Post. Democrats and unions are "suddenly flush with volunteers, money, and favorable media coverage." My hunch is they'll take advantage of that to try and recall several Wisconsin Republicans... and maybe Walker himself.
"What happened in Wisconsin tonight"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published