Dem
47
GOP
53
As mentioned above, Congress has simply given up operating as an independent branch of government and sees its job as doing whatever Donald Trump orders it to do. This also applies to individual members, even senators. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has worked tirelessly to support minority businesses. He helped expand and enhance the Minority Business Development Agency, which helps minority entrepreneurs grow their businesses, enter new markets, and access capital, while expanding government contracting opportunities. This is entirely consistent with the Republican way to help minorities: Don't give them free money; turn some of them into successful business owners who can create jobs for the others. He has put his heart and soul into this for years.
Now it is all gone. Trump decided this is waste and issued an XO that fired all but two of the MBDA employees (and the two survivors will be transferred elsewhere). All the grants to its 41 business centers will be immediately terminated. Nate Cavanaugh, a DOGEy, wrote: "Upon further review, MBDA has determined that your grant is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency's priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and MBDA program." Trump has long opposed the MBDA.
MBDA is in the Commerce Dept. An anonymous Commerce employee said: "A lawful federal agency is being functionally eliminated through verbal instruction, without public transparency, process or regard for its statutory basis."
So what has Scott said or done about this situation? Nothing. No statements to the media, no interviews, zip. A former employee said: "They [Scott and other Republicans] are watching this happen, and they are doing nothing. That's cowardice. And it cuts especially deep when the people you once believed were our champions turn their backs in silence." Is anyone defending MBDA? Yes. Democrats, especially the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). She said the dismantling "represents yet another unlawful and dangerous attempt to undermine a congressionally established institution vital to our nation's economy." But from Scott? Crickets. Your life's major achievement thrown out in a 1-page document signed by a petty tyrant and not a peep. (V)