Richardson compares the OBBB to the McKinley Tariff that largely fueled the growing agrarian populist movement of the late 19th century. The tariff - which grossly shifted wealth upwards during a time of already growing inequality - led to massive Republican losses in the subsequent election. It is worth noting that McKinley himself lost his seat in the 1890 midterms, but then won the presidency in 1896. The wild swings in control of the House during the period aren't likely to occur, though we are in a similar period where control of the House - if not the margins - is similar.
The Senate advanced the monstrosity with two Republicans - Thom Tillis and Rand Paul - siding with Democrats in opposing advancing it to the floor. Collins and Murkowski are not firm yesses on the final bill, which is interesting, but while they have done the occasional right thing in the past, I'm not sure this environment lends itself to principled stands against King Donald I.
This leads one to wonder what, exactly, the GOP thinks it's doing. As always, the question is now whether we have free and fair elections. States - not the Federal government - run elections, and there are hopefully enough Republicans like Brian Kemp who are not willing to end American democracy. The actions of many Republicans in Washington seems to be that they won't have to face electoral consequences for their actions. Perhaps gerrymandering has rendered them safe. Or maybe those in purple seats will follow Don Bacon's lead and retire.
As long as elections happen, the House seems sure to flip. Flipping the Senate could be tougher, but not impossible, if this grotesquerie becomes law.
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