Zach Moller
@econwonk.bsky.social
Senior Director of the Economic Program at Third Way. Former Senate Budget Committee Staffer. Budget process nerd. How can I help?
Pinned
Zach Moller
@econwonk.bsky.social
· Jun 20
sen. robert byrd is giving a speech in front of a live audience
ALT: sen. robert byrd is giving a speech in front of a live audience
media.tenor.com
The Senate Byrd Rule explained (in gifs) a thread 🧵…
doing it on bsky!
doing it on bsky!
The proposed rule is one of the clearest articulations to date of the Trump Administration’s assertion that the U.S. government is meant to serve the President and his interests, rather than the public good. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
The Trump Administration Seeks to End Nonpartisan Grantmaking
A proposed rule would radically transform how grant award decisions are made, allowing them to be based on purely political calculations — including who receives funds, what is required of grantees, a...
www.cbpp.org
June 18, 2026 at 4:51 PM
The proposed rule is one of the clearest articulations to date of the Trump Administration’s assertion that the U.S. government is meant to serve the President and his interests, rather than the public good. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Reposted by Zach Moller
contrary to what Sec. Bessent just said, no, the GAO did not report there was $500 billion per year of fraud.
it computed improper payments, which includes mistaken/overpayments, as well as fraud. in April, it pegged that amount at an estimate $186 billion in FY25
www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
it computed improper payments, which includes mistaken/overpayments, as well as fraud. in April, it pegged that amount at an estimate $186 billion in FY25
www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
www.gao.gov
May 28, 2026 at 6:31 PM
contrary to what Sec. Bessent just said, no, the GAO did not report there was $500 billion per year of fraud.
it computed improper payments, which includes mistaken/overpayments, as well as fraud. in April, it pegged that amount at an estimate $186 billion in FY25
www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
it computed improper payments, which includes mistaken/overpayments, as well as fraud. in April, it pegged that amount at an estimate $186 billion in FY25
www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
How are we ever going to get CJS approps ever again....
Breaking: An unusual $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” has been created by the Trump administration for people who claim they were victimized by the government on.wsj.com/4drJVxL
Justice Department Creates Unusual $1.8 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’
The program aims to compensate people who claim they were harmed by the department, and the move comes as Trump drops his lawsuit against the IRS.
on.wsj.com
May 18, 2026 at 5:02 PM
How are we ever going to get CJS approps ever again....
Reposted by Zach Moller
Our first episode is out!
I asked New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill:
-how she won over voters in Trump counties
-about being the only woman on an aircraft carrier (and what her mom said!)
-how being a mom shapes her politics
| What It Takes youtu.be/tp4W6KeV7bk?... via @YouTube
I asked New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill:
-how she won over voters in Trump counties
-about being the only woman on an aircraft carrier (and what her mom said!)
-how being a mom shapes her politics
| What It Takes youtu.be/tp4W6KeV7bk?... via @YouTube
Gov. Mikie Sherrill is Taking on the Culture of “No” | What It Takes
YouTube video by Unmoderated News
youtu.be
May 15, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Our first episode is out!
I asked New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill:
-how she won over voters in Trump counties
-about being the only woman on an aircraft carrier (and what her mom said!)
-how being a mom shapes her politics
| What It Takes youtu.be/tp4W6KeV7bk?... via @YouTube
I asked New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill:
-how she won over voters in Trump counties
-about being the only woman on an aircraft carrier (and what her mom said!)
-how being a mom shapes her politics
| What It Takes youtu.be/tp4W6KeV7bk?... via @YouTube
To use the boxing metaphor. Dems landed a few body blows. But it’s the first round.
First Byrd bath rulings are out! HSGAC text. Huge congrats to HSGAC & Budget Ds.
There was very little where we’d be able to win here, but Ds did about as well as possible.
Remember: I said Rs had very little oversight of accountability.
D victories are all making it marginally less slushy.
There was very little where we’d be able to win here, but Ds did about as well as possible.
Remember: I said Rs had very little oversight of accountability.
D victories are all making it marginally less slushy.
May 15, 2026 at 12:51 AM
To use the boxing metaphor. Dems landed a few body blows. But it’s the first round.
Reposted by Zach Moller
Great new stat from @senatebudget.bsky.social: of the $140 billion that Trump & Republicans gave ICE & CBP in the Big Beautiful Bill, $103 billion is still unobligated as of the end of March.
Now they’re asking for another $70 billion even though about 75% of the OBBBA money still remains unused.
Now they’re asking for another $70 billion even though about 75% of the OBBBA money still remains unused.
April 22, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Great new stat from @senatebudget.bsky.social: of the $140 billion that Trump & Republicans gave ICE & CBP in the Big Beautiful Bill, $103 billion is still unobligated as of the end of March.
Now they’re asking for another $70 billion even though about 75% of the OBBBA money still remains unused.
Now they’re asking for another $70 billion even though about 75% of the OBBBA money still remains unused.
Reposted by Zach Moller
For @slate.com & @economichardship.bsky.social, I reported on how chaos and changes surrounding SNAP benefits are taking a toll.
People described endless fear and worry over feeding their kids, where their next meal will come from, and whether SNAP could become even more difficult to access.
People described endless fear and worry over feeding their kids, where their next meal will come from, and whether SNAP could become even more difficult to access.
It Could Lead to Tens of Thousands of Deaths. In the Meantime, It’s Wreaking Havoc on Americans’ Sanity.
Imagine not being able to feed your kid because of a mistake on a piece of paperwork.
slate.com
April 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM
For @slate.com & @economichardship.bsky.social, I reported on how chaos and changes surrounding SNAP benefits are taking a toll.
People described endless fear and worry over feeding their kids, where their next meal will come from, and whether SNAP could become even more difficult to access.
People described endless fear and worry over feeding their kids, where their next meal will come from, and whether SNAP could become even more difficult to access.
Because of recon 2.0 talk
The Senate Byrd Rule explained (in gifs) a thread 🧵…
doing it on bsky!
doing it on bsky!
sen. robert byrd is giving a speech in front of a live audience
ALT: sen. robert byrd is giving a speech in front of a live audience
media.tenor.com
April 14, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Because of recon 2.0 talk
Reposted by Zach Moller
Here is my thread on Trump's budget request, which I'll update throughout the day.
He calls to cut domestic discretionary funding to the lowest level in the modern era.
Trump's budget reimagines Americans' relationship with our govt, and proposes a country that does less to help people get by.
He calls to cut domestic discretionary funding to the lowest level in the modern era.
Trump's budget reimagines Americans' relationship with our govt, and proposes a country that does less to help people get by.
April 3, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Here is my thread on Trump's budget request, which I'll update throughout the day.
He calls to cut domestic discretionary funding to the lowest level in the modern era.
Trump's budget reimagines Americans' relationship with our govt, and proposes a country that does less to help people get by.
He calls to cut domestic discretionary funding to the lowest level in the modern era.
Trump's budget reimagines Americans' relationship with our govt, and proposes a country that does less to help people get by.
Reposted by Zach Moller
Bad policies and bad debt.
According to the CBO’s recent analysis, Trump and Republicans' economic agenda is adding $4.7 trillion to the debt.
All while workers and families get: expensive groceries, higher bills, and no health care.
All while workers and families get: expensive groceries, higher bills, and no health care.
February 17, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Bad policies and bad debt.
Reposted by Zach Moller
Fun discovery: on an apples-to-apples basis, Trump's tariff taxes are larger than the tax increases in the House-passed version of Build Back Better in 2021.
Of course, the distribution of Biden's tax hikes on corporations and millionaires are different from Trump's tariffs.
Of course, the distribution of Biden's tax hikes on corporations and millionaires are different from Trump's tariffs.
February 13, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Fun discovery: on an apples-to-apples basis, Trump's tariff taxes are larger than the tax increases in the House-passed version of Build Back Better in 2021.
Of course, the distribution of Biden's tax hikes on corporations and millionaires are different from Trump's tariffs.
Of course, the distribution of Biden's tax hikes on corporations and millionaires are different from Trump's tariffs.
Reposted by Zach Moller
House now taking the first of two procedural votes which include language embedded by Republican leadership that would surrender congressional powers to block Trump’s tariffs until August. They’ve passed these measures several times over the past year; this extension expected to be a close vote
February 11, 2026 at 1:40 AM
House now taking the first of two procedural votes which include language embedded by Republican leadership that would surrender congressional powers to block Trump’s tariffs until August. They’ve passed these measures several times over the past year; this extension expected to be a close vote
Reposted by Zach Moller
NEW: In January, the White House promised to crack down on fraud. Weeks later, it has become weaponized, as President Trump uses claims of taxpayer theft to penalize Democrats, all the while he pardons his allies connected to the loss of millions in federal benefits
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
In Trump’s Fraud Crackdown, Political Foes Face Harshest Scrutiny
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:55 PM
NEW: In January, the White House promised to crack down on fraud. Weeks later, it has become weaponized, as President Trump uses claims of taxpayer theft to penalize Democrats, all the while he pardons his allies connected to the loss of millions in federal benefits
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
Reposted by Zach Moller
Amidst Trump's tariffs, goods inflation reached the highest levels since 2023 in data released today
While price increases are much lower than during the worst of the early pandemic, inflation for goods excluding food & energy is still higher than at any point during the 2010s
While price increases are much lower than during the worst of the early pandemic, inflation for goods excluding food & energy is still higher than at any point during the 2010s
January 22, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Amidst Trump's tariffs, goods inflation reached the highest levels since 2023 in data released today
While price increases are much lower than during the worst of the early pandemic, inflation for goods excluding food & energy is still higher than at any point during the 2010s
While price increases are much lower than during the worst of the early pandemic, inflation for goods excluding food & energy is still higher than at any point during the 2010s
probably no relation
President Trump has said that there are no written documents to prove Denmark owns Greenland, an assertion which former Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller described as “an outright lie.”
Trump Accused of Deliberately Misunderstanding Pact on Greenland
COPENHAGEN—The man who represented Denmark in negotiations to amend a 1951 treaty between Washington and Copenhagen has accused the Trump administration of deliberately misunderstanding the defense pact between the two nations.
President Trump has said that there are no written documents to prove D
on.wsj.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:53 PM
probably no relation
Reposted by Zach Moller
Like what can we even say? The president is threatening to harm our allies unless they agree to sell their land to us.
January 17, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Like what can we even say? The president is threatening to harm our allies unless they agree to sell their land to us.
We're hiring at Third Way! Are you a health care wonk? Come be out newest Deputy Director for Health Care www.thirdway.org/careers#depu...
Careers
Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.
www.thirdway.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:01 PM
We're hiring at Third Way! Are you a health care wonk? Come be out newest Deputy Director for Health Care www.thirdway.org/careers#depu...
Reposted by Zach Moller
CBPP’s @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social breaks down the latest economic data from the December #JobsReport, zooming in on how tariffs have impacted jobs in the manufacturing sector.
January 9, 2026 at 5:41 PM
CBPP’s @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social breaks down the latest economic data from the December #JobsReport, zooming in on how tariffs have impacted jobs in the manufacturing sector.
Reposted by Zach Moller
Great piece by @josephpolitano.bsky.social on job loss in manufacturing, construction, & utilities. A lot of drivers but current policy is playing a major role.
America is Losing Blue Collar Jobs, by @JosephPolitano open.substack.com/pub/apricita...
America is Losing Blue Collar Jobs, by @JosephPolitano open.substack.com/pub/apricita...
January 6, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Great piece by @josephpolitano.bsky.social on job loss in manufacturing, construction, & utilities. A lot of drivers but current policy is playing a major role.
America is Losing Blue Collar Jobs, by @JosephPolitano open.substack.com/pub/apricita...
America is Losing Blue Collar Jobs, by @JosephPolitano open.substack.com/pub/apricita...
Reposted by Zach Moller
Exercise is a good thing, and I'm gonna be hooting and hollering like a dang fool if I see you out there getting after it in whatever capacity, but if you use your physique or fitness to demean others, get fucked, truly
December 8, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Exercise is a good thing, and I'm gonna be hooting and hollering like a dang fool if I see you out there getting after it in whatever capacity, but if you use your physique or fitness to demean others, get fucked, truly
Reposted by Zach Moller
There are no trade deals anymore. Any “deal” made by Trump can and will be arbitrarily broken at any moment. No country or corporation can know what happens tomorrow.
TRUMP: I HAVE AUTHORIZED DOCUMENTATION TO IMPOSE A 5% TARIFF ON MEXICO IF THIS WATER ISN’T RELEASED.
December 8, 2025 at 11:44 PM
There are no trade deals anymore. Any “deal” made by Trump can and will be arbitrarily broken at any moment. No country or corporation can know what happens tomorrow.
Reposted by Zach Moller
THEY KNOW THAT TARIFFS RAISE COSTS ON CONSUMERS www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Set to Cut Tariffs on Beef, Tomatoes as Prices Vex Voters
President Donald Trump is slated to sign an order on Friday reducing tariffs on beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas, according to a White House official, a move aimed at lowering costs on groceries as ...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
THEY KNOW THAT TARIFFS RAISE COSTS ON CONSUMERS www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Zach Moller
Mary Sheffield will become the first woman elected mayor of Detroit, CNN projects. Follow live updates. https://cnn.it/4oRiL7z
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Mary Sheffield will become the first woman elected mayor of Detroit, CNN projects. Follow live updates. https://cnn.it/4oRiL7z
Reposted by Zach Moller
Jay Jones (D) wins the race for Virginia attorney general, NBC News projects.
November 5, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Jay Jones (D) wins the race for Virginia attorney general, NBC News projects.