Republicans in the Senate Block 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

[Smash255]

In a straight party line vote of 57-42 (Reid voted no for Procedural reasons) the Republicans in the Senate Blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  Truly just beyond sickening

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00269

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

In a straight party line vote of 57-42 (Reid voted no for Procedural reasons) the Republicans in the Senate Blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  Truly just beyond sickening

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00269

Why couldn't the Maine twins be persuaded?  Serious question?

[cinyc]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  The only bill the Senate acted upon in the lame duck session is the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - and that's probably because cloture was brought before the Republicans made their priorities known.  Those should be the priorities of the American people, too - not, like many of the other bills Democrats want to raise in the lame duck session, goodies for the Democratic base like the DREAM Act.

The only other thing the full Senate has done since coming back is hold a judicial impeachment trial.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

A total party line vote. I bet a mere $500 billion of tax cuts for the rich could have gotten it to pass.

[Landslide Lyndon]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  The only bill the Senate acted upon in the lame duck session is the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - and that's probably because cloture was brought before the Republicans made their priorities known.  Those should be the priorities of the American people, too - not, like many of the other bills Democrats want to raise in the lame duck session, goodies for the Democratic base like the DREAM Act.

The only other thing the full Senate has done since coming back is hold a judicial impeachment trial.

So the minority demands to set the agenda of the majority.
Sounds very democratic.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  

Ahhhhhh, so they're standing on principles, cinyc?   What about the principle that jobless benefits must be PAID FOR.......or is the Bunning spectacle far from their minds?

[Dan the Roman]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  The only bill the Senate acted upon in the lame duck session is the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - and that's probably because cloture was brought before the Republicans made their priorities known.  Those should be the priorities of the American people, too - not, like many of the other bills Democrats want to raise in the lame duck session, goodies for the Democratic base like the DREAM Act.

The only other thing the full Senate has done since coming back is hold a judicial impeachment trial.

What part of support for the Lebanese resistance do the March 14th front in Lebanon not understand?  What part do they not understand about the the consequences against treachery against the interests of the Lebanese people? Do they need another few blockes in Beirut to be liberated?

[Smash255]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  

Ahhhhhh, so they're standing on principles, cinyc?   What about the principle that jobless benefits must be PAID FOR.......or is the Bunning spectacle far from their minds?

Hell they had a chance to get the tax deal done, they were the ones who chose to vote no, even at the $ 1 million mark.

So extending tax cuts for those making over $250,000 and hell $1 million is now more important than providing for those who were sickened as a result of their heroism on 9/11.  Its beyond sick.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  

Ahhhhhh, so they're standing on principles, cinyc?   What about the principle that jobless benefits must be PAID FOR.......or is the Bunning spectacle far from their minds?

Hell they had a chance to get the tax deal done, they were the ones who chose to vote no, even at the $ 1 million mark.

So extending tax cuts for those making over $250,000 and hell $1 million is now more important than providing for those who were sickened as a result of their heroism on 9/11.  Its beyond sick.

I don't know that they're against the bill itself but their determined principled stand (which is stalling this bill) is a charade....they have no principles. 

[Smash255]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  

Ahhhhhh, so they're standing on principles, cinyc?   What about the principle that jobless benefits must be PAID FOR.......or is the Bunning spectacle far from their minds?

Hell they had a chance to get the tax deal done, they were the ones who chose to vote no, even at the $ 1 million mark.

So extending tax cuts for those making over $250,000 and hell $1 million is now more important than providing for those who were sickened as a result of their heroism on 9/11.  Its beyond sick.

I don't know that they're against the bill itself but their determined principled stand (which is stalling this bill) is a charade....they have no principles. 

The GOP vote in the House was 17-157 so it wouldn't exactly surprise me if they would still block it, no matter what happened on the tax issue.  Anyway aside from that I agree its a charade, putting tax cuts for millionaires ahead of this is just that.  Its downright pathetic.

[memphis]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  

Ahhhhhh, so they're standing on principles, cinyc?   What about the principle that jobless benefits must be PAID FOR.......or is the Bunning spectacle far from their minds?

Hell they had a chance to get the tax deal done, they were the ones who chose to vote no, even at the $ 1 million mark.

So extending tax cuts for those making over $250,000 and hell $1 million is now more important than providing for those who were sickened as a result of their heroism on 9/11.  Its beyond sick.

I don't know that they're against the bill itself but their determined principled stand (which is stalling this bill) is a charade....they have no principles. 

Not only that, but they've blocked it before with OMGZ the socialized healthcare rhetoric. It has nothing to do with taxes. It's all about not wanting to give these people healthcare. How is the GOP anything more than a fringe nutter party?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Whatever it is regarding the 9/11 H&CA, Smash and memphis, it bothers me that the principled GOP who won't allow this legislation to hit the floor and, who blocked jobless benefits in the past on principle because they're not paid for, is no longer concerned with paying for them since it's part of the tax deal.

Not that either party has much in the way principles, but this is a beacon on their hypocrisy.
 

[DrScholl]

What part of no bills will get on the floor until the tax cut and government funding bills are passed don't Democrats understand?  The only bill the Senate acted upon in the lame duck session is the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - and that's probably because cloture was brought before the Republicans made their priorities known.  Those should be the priorities of the American people, too - not, like many of the other bills Democrats want to raise in the lame duck session, goodies for the Democratic base like the DREAM Act.

The only other thing the full Senate has done since coming back is hold a judicial impeachment trial.

Nice try, but there is no excuse for holding everything hostage until their little agenda gets passed. It doesn't make Republicans look noble, it just makes them look like the selfish ideologues they really are, but pretend not to be.

[Marokai Backbeat]

In a straight party line vote of 57-42 (Reid voted no for Procedural reasons) the Republicans in the Senate Blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  Truly just beyond sickening

That's really the more sad part of the story. That things can be so easily blocked even with 57 votes in favor.

This country is screwed.

[Smash255]

In a straight party line vote of 57-42 (Reid voted no for Procedural reasons) the Republicans in the Senate Blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  Truly just beyond sickening

That's really the more sad part of the story. That things can be so easily blocked even with 57 votes in favor.

This country is screwed.

Actually 58 in favor, Reid changed his vote to no as a procedural move.

[cinyc]

Nice try, but there is no excuse for holding everything hostage until their little agenda gets passed. It doesn't make Republicans look noble, it just makes them look like the selfish ideologues they really are, but pretend not to be.

"The Republicans are terrorists.  They are holding the Democrats hostage" meme is tiresome.  

There was an election.  As Obama said when he got into office, elections have consequences.  Remember him lecturing Republicans about how "I won?"  Well, he and the Democrats lost in November.  Big time.  

Republicans are using the power granted to the Senate minority to do the work the American people want them to do - get the economy back on track and get the government funded in a proper way, not getting sidetracked with giving away goodies to Democratic special interests as the Democrats had done for the past 2 years, largely against the will of the American people.

[Marokai Backbeat]

All those affected by 9/11 = a special interest group?

[© tweed]

In a straight party line vote of 57-42 (Reid voted no for Procedural reasons) the Republicans in the Senate Blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  Truly just beyond sickening

That's really the more sad part of the story. That things can be so easily blocked even with 57 votes in favor.

This country is screwed.

it is comical. the GOP's behavior could well be setting the course of history for these things. the emergence of the filibuster has the potential to totally hamstring the US government's ability to enact even the most obvious legislation to solve basic problems.  such as DREAM.

[Landslide Lyndon]

All those affected by 9/11 = a special interest group?

Of course! They make less than 250000$ a year.

Not to mention that New York isn't Real America.

[cinyc]

All those affected by 9/11 = a special interest group?

Well, they're not a general interest group, like all taxpayers or all citizens.  They are a group of people who have a particular interest not shared with the rest of the public - so as loosely defined, I guess so (and, as far as I remember, it's not all those who are affected by 9/11 who benefit under the bill, largely first responders).  But they're not an inherently Democratic special interest group, or what in particular I was talking about.

I was talking more about DADT, the DREAM act, the various paycheck (supposed) fairness acts, card check, etc.

[Smash255]

All those affected by 9/11 = a special interest group?

Well for some sick people and dying people are a "Special Interest" so I guess in the  GOP realm of things it equates.

[© tweed]

Nice try, but there is no excuse for holding everything hostage until their little agenda gets passed. It doesn't make Republicans look noble, it just makes them look like the selfish ideologues they really are, but pretend not to be.

"The Republicans are terrorists.  They are holding the Democrats hostage" meme is tiresome.  

There was an election.  As Obama said when he got into office, elections have consequences.  Remember him lecturing Republicans about how "I won?"  Well, he and the Democrats lost in November.  Big time.  

Republicans are using the power granted to the Senate minority to do the work the American people want them to do - get the economy back on track and get the government funded in a proper way, not getting sidetracked with giving away goodies to Democratic special interests as the Democrats had done for the past 2 years, largely against the will of the American people.

not that this post is of any value, but I'd like to point something out to the readers. note the use of 'special interests'. it has taken an Orwellian meaning. special interests generally refer to organized or categorized segments of the general population: veterans in this case, but also labor unions, retirees, etc. in slightly different contexts. meanwhile the trillion dollar 'defense' budget, much of it an overt gift to tech, private security, and defense contractors is divine, sacrosanct, for the good of us all.

[© tweed]

ah, you guys beat me to it. I hope my elaboration retains some value.

[memphis]

Nice try, but there is no excuse for holding everything hostage until their little agenda gets passed. It doesn't make Republicans look noble, it just makes them look like the selfish ideologues they really are, but pretend not to be.

"The Republicans are terrorists.  They are holding the Democrats hostage" meme is tiresome.  

There was an election.  As Obama said when he got into office, elections have consequences.  Remember him lecturing Republicans about how "I won?"  Well, he and the Democrats lost in November.  Big time.  

Republicans are using the power granted to the Senate minority to do the work the American people want them to do - get the economy back on track and get the government funded in a proper way, not getting sidetracked with giving away goodies to Democratic special interests as the Democrats had done for the past 2 years, largely against the will of the American people.

In what world is adding $4 trillion in tax cuts to the budget funding the government in a proper way?  The GOP is completely destroying the functionality of the American government to funnel crazy money to those who are already rich beyond imagination. Again, how are they not a fringe nutter party?

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

In a straight party line vote of 57-42 (Reid voted no for Procedural reasons) the Republicans in the Senate Blocked the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  Truly just beyond sickening

That's really the more sad part of the story. That things can be so easily blocked even with 57 votes in favor.

This country is screwed.

When y'all get to be in the minority in 2012 you can control the Senate too.