GOP’s orgy of filibusters continues at record-destroying pace
Why do we not have a vote on restoring habeas corpus? A Republican filibuster. Why did we not have a vote on the Webb Amendment to give troops humane time off the battlefield? A Republican filibuster. Why did we not have a vote on giving a seat in the House to a representative of Washington, D.C.? A Republican filibuster.
Basically, while you and I are sitting here, Republicans are filibustering everything that comes their way.
As you can see, Republicans aren’t just obstructing legislation at normal rates. They’re obstructing legislation at three times the usual rate. They’re absolutely desperate to keep this stuff off the president’s desk, where the only choice is to either sign it or else take the blame for a high-profile veto.
As things stand, though, Republicans will largely avoid blame for their tactics. After all, the first story linked above says only that the DC bill “came up short in the Senate” and the second one that the habeas bill “fell short in the Senate.” You have to read with a gimlet eye to figure out how the vote actually broke down, and casual readers will come away thinking that the bills failed because of some kind of generic Washington gridlock, not GOP obstructionism.
So, for the record, here are the votes. On the habeas bill, Democrats and Independents voted 50-1 in favor. Republicans voted 42-8 against. On the DC bill, Democrats and Independents voted 49-1 in favor. Republicans voted 41-8 against. Would it really be so hard for reporters to make it clear exactly who’s responsible for blocking these bills?
Why aren’t things getting done in Washington? Because the Republicans, working together, are obstructionists. But as Drum pointed out, that just doesn’t fit the mainstream media’s narrative.
Update: The GOP will, however, spend its time trying to push through a condemnation of MoveOn’s Patraeus ad. You know, because Republicans never resort to attack ads.
–WKW