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Weekly Update from Congressman Tim Moore

An It Doesn't Have To Be This Way special feature

Staff Writer, Mortellus, Editor in Chief, Patron Saint of Side-Eye and Civic Chaos


Frog Level, October 29—Ordinarily, I'd've turned this blog back over to the fine folks that run this website (who happen to also be me, but with a little more polish), but Congressman Tim Moore has once again loosed his weekly newsletter upon the public, and I—reluctant medium and unpaid editor of reality—have taken it upon myself to perform a ritual of clarification. Now, ordinarily I wouldn’t waste a single blessed candle’s worth of wax on a fella who probably thinks “bipartisan” is a kind of barbecue sauce, but seein' as how he represents these very same hollers, I figured we ought to know what flavor of truth we’re being served. So, here I am with a glass of iced tea going line by line blessing the facts, rebuking the fiction, and annotating the gospel according to Tim. Consider this a Frog Level Public Service, a little holy fact-checking in a world where everyone swears they’re right.

“This week, the Democrats’ federal government shutdown continued — and every day it drags on, families across America are paying the price.”

The government shutdown is the result of a budget impasse between House Republicans and Senate Democrats, not a one-sided affair. Both chambers must pass funding; blaming one party alone is like saying a casserole failed because the oven was liberal. So, this is awful misleading.

“Earlier this month, House Republicans did our job. We passed a clean CR... no policy changes or new cuts...”

The “clean” Continuing Resolution (CR) in question did include political riders and was rejected by the Senate because it failed to fund critical programs — especially disaster relief and healthcare provisions. So, it's partly false, because it was not a "clean" continuing resolution in the bipartisan, and we all know if you have to call it "clean," it isn't.

“Senate Democrats blocked it... holding out for leverage and political wins, not solutions.”

Senate Democrats and a handful of Republicans sought a version that included disaster aid, funding for the folks over in Ukraine, and insurance subsidies, not just a blank extension, so this is misleadin' y'all because both parties leveraged negotiations: that's literally what a budget fight is. In short? It's a whole bunch of 'pot, meet cauldron.'

“Katherine Clark admitted: ‘Of course there will be families that are going to suffer... but it is one of the few leverage times we have.’ That says it all.”

Bless. Now this is an accurate quote, but it's missin' a whole heap of context. See them three little dots? That's writer-speak for 'we left some stuff out of the middle,' and ya'll oughta be checkin to see what that is every time. Now I pulled up the whole quote for you, on Fox News no less (as well as a CSPAN transcript) and what Clark actually said was "I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have, it is an inflection point in this budget process where we have tried to get the Republicans to meet with us and prioritize the American people, and it's been an absolute refusal, and they were willing to let government shut down when they control the House, the Senate and the White House rather than come and talk about an issue as important to the American people is if they can afford healthcare." Tim seems to want us to think that Ms. Clark was being cold-hearted, but it sounds like she knows this is gonna be hard no matter what, is focused on doing the most good for the most folks, and can't get folks like Tim to participate in that.

“North Carolina’s economy will take a major hit... $442 million every single week... 1,400 could lose jobs...”

The Council of Economic Advisers estimate is broadly accurate—but they're talking about a prolonged total shutdown, and not this little baby-sized shutdown we're in now. In short, they're overcookin' the apocalypse a bit by makin' like these worst-case scenario numbers apply to today.

SNAP, better known as food stamp benefits, continue for about 30 days into a shutdown before they face serious disruption.

Now that is true—but we all know that in the past the federal government has covered this sort of thing by utilizing emergency funds, or reimbursing states who covered the costs during a shut down, and this time they've decided not to do either. This is on them.

“Even Social Security checks are affected... benefits sent by mail are likely to be delayed.”

Social Security is a mandatory program and continues even during shutdowns, and Tim is stretchin' the truth until it just about breaks. Sure, delays of printed checks could occur if local post offices close, but checks themselves are not halted.

“Small businesses are taking a hit... $91 million in capital access lost... $197 million cut in contracts...”

Now, here again Tim is citing real numbers but without explaining their conditions—like quoting the Devil without mentioning the deal. Just like that bit about the economy and loosing jobs, this is a worst case scenario that relies on a shutdown much longer than this one. Really, he's whinin' about capitalism takin a hit, because these ain't dollars that ever make it to your pocket.

“We need Senate Democrats to reopen the government and get back to doing the job taxpayers sent us here to do.”

You can’t un-shut the gates of Hell if you were the one who locked 'em, and I'm remindin' y'all again that reopening requires both chambers AND THE HOUSE SPEAKER'S COOPERATION.

“My Office Is Open”

Now, this one is true, and I want to explain why. It's because congressional offices remain open during shutdowns, and of course, Congress still gets paid during a shutdown, bless their little gilded wallets. Why? Because their salaries are protected by the Constitution itself—Article I, Section 6, right there between ‘shall receive compensation’ and ‘don’t forget to vote yourself a raise.’ It’s less a paycheck and more a necromantic pact with the Treasury: no matter how many mortals go hungry, the spell of direct deposit endures.


So, when you’re feeling hungry and the cupboard is bare this Thanksgiving, consider dropping by Tim Moore’s office in the Foundation Building at Isothermal Community College, and ask if he’ll be buying this week’s groceries. Because while you can’t get a couple hundred bucks to feed your kids, Mr. Moore’s $174,000 congressional salary is still rolling in like clockwork… and that’s before you count his stock trades of $90,000–$300,000 on American Airlines, $95,000–$250,000 on Ford, and another $15,000–$50,000 on UnitedHealth while you wait for SNAP.


That's the word from Frog Level.

Now, for those of y'all who want to see good ol' Tim's words just as he wrote 'em, here ya go.

Indivisible Rutherford NC would like you to know that while our resources are limited, we can and will help those who we can. If you know of someone struggling during this shut-down, send them our way (or reach out on their behalf) and we'll get some food to you, no questions asked. If you'd like to support mutual aid efforts in our community such as these, click here to donate via our sister organization and 501(c)3, The Coven of Leaves.


Please bear in mind that that's a different fund from our ActBlue, which we use for operational expenses, advocacy work, and community events.

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