I hate to harp on this, but I don’t expect the Republicans to allow for the expediting of the vote on final passage for health care reform so that members can get home for Christmas. But when you think about the people they are inconveniencing, from Capitol police officers to their own staffers to the people who work in the congressional gymnasium, you have to ask what they are accomplishing in comparison to what they are inflicting. But, isn’t that always the question with Republicans?
About The Author
BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
I think they will do it, probably tonight. Just a gut feeling from what Harry Reid said this morning.
Not only can we look at the human factor, and the family Xmas’ that GOP obstructionism are likley ruining…but what about financial. Think of the amount of overtime, double and triple time, that the federal government has paid out over the last month.
That’s our tax dollars, wasted for no reason other than the GOP hoping (and praying) that they can delay long enough for a sick 92 year old to pass away before a vote.
Inflicting — pretty much sums up the GOP mission for the past half century.
Right now, is there anyone in Washington, D.C., besides lobbyists and the TradMed, who don’t hate the Republicans? Are the staffers in those offices such true believers that they would rather be there then home for the holidays?
I know a lot of Republicans. Believe me, they are behind the obstruction effort. There are a lot of them. Do not underestimate them.
Another serious question. What is a quorum in the Senate? Are there enough Republicans to deny a quorum should they all decide to take Christmas break at once? Or if they can’t affect a quorum, are they going to cut out and avoid voting for the bill at all–to avoid being opposed if it turns out to be popular?
Now, why would I ask such cynical questions?
51 senators are required for a quorum. so, presumably, they could all go home if they want once the 60 vote issues are done away with.
l’m not sure what that accomplishes vis-a-vis their obstructionist strategy nor their pandering to the lunatic fringe.
l suspect they’ll stick around and inflict as much pain as possible, it’s what they do.
What it does is hedges their bets should the healthcare bill become popular before November.
They can say, “We went home for Christmas to be with our families; families are important. We didn’t vote against it.” Leaving the few ConservaDems holding the bag. Folks that they can run candidates against later criticizing their votes against a popular healthcare program. (See: Republican position on Social Security; Republican position on Medicare.)
The war on Christmas never ends. 🙂
lol!
go figure, republicans acting like assholes.
In other news, the sky is blue and water is wet.