Republicans Stall Senate Hearings

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Republicans used a procedural move Wednesday to halt hearings in the Senate and force Democrats to vote on a series of politically dicey matters relating to the health care "fixes" sent over by the House this week.

Senate Republicans said they would insist that no committee meet after 11 a.m., two hours after the Senate gaveled in on Wednesday. The objection was used as part of the "two-hour rule," a formality that requires unanimous consent for the Senate to meet two hours after the chamber has come into session.

To start a hearing beyond that time now will require the approval of all 100 senators.

A series of afternoon hearings were canceled as a result, with Senate Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., railing against Republicans for action that results in the delay of a hearing on a controversial judicial nominee, Goodwin Liu.

"For months, Senate Republicans have resisted efforts to enact important reforms to our health insurance system. But when the dust settles and the emotions are calmed, history will show that President Obama and this Congress responded to a pressing national issue, and proved once again that we can act with the purpose of advancing an important national interest," Leahy said.

It was the second day hearings were held up by Republican objections. One Colorado report noted that State Rep. Dan Gibbs was forced to return home Tuesday without testifying about the dangers of the bark beetle to the Centennial State's pine trees.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressed his frustration at the cancelations.

"For a second straight day, Republicans are using tricks to shut down several key Senate committees. So let me get this straight: in retaliation for our efforts to have an up-or-down vote to improve health care reform, Republicans are blocking an Armed Services committee hearing to discuss critical national security issues among other committee meetings? These political games and obstruction have to stop," Reid said.

But Republicans are hoping to change any part of the fix-it bill to delay implementation and send it back to the House for additional votes.

Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn said he wants a vote on his amendment to prohibit coverage of Viagra for sex offenders. New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg wants savings from Medicare cuts plowed back into the health care program for seniors, instead of being used to expand coverage to the uninsured. Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi wants to gut penalties on employers whose workers wind up getting taxpayer subsidized coverage.

"What we're doing is offering amendments to take out the sweetheart deals, to take out the overcharging of students ont he student loans, to take out the taxes on people who make less than $250,000, which the president promised he wouldn't do," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., of the overhaul. "And then we'll get into the points of order and there may be some constitutional issues raised during that period of time."

Democrats are vowing to bat down the Republican amendments one-by-one.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/24/republicans-use-objections-stall-senate-hearings-force-votes-health-care/

[scandal 951]

Senate Dems defeat initial GOP attacks on health care 'fixes' bill

Washington (CNN) -- Senate Republicans on Wednesday launched an attempt to amend or kill legislation expanding the recently enacted health care reform law -- part of a GOP pledge to use every parliamentary tool available to undermine the measure.

The amendments also are designed to force Democrats to cast unpopular votes in the run-up to this November's midterm elections.

Senate Democrats easily defeated the first of the amendments, which challenged provisions in the bill involving changes to Medicare funding.

Also defeated were attempts to send the measure to committee for reconsideration -- which would effectively kill it -- and other amendments intended to strip provisions from the bill. There were at least 11 other motions or amendments to be considered.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Senate Dems defeat initial GOP attacks on health care 'fixes' bill

Washington (CNN) -- Senate Republicans on Wednesday launched an attempt to amend or kill legislation expanding the recently enacted health care reform law -- part of a GOP pledge to use every parliamentary tool available to undermine the measure.

The amendments also are designed to force Democrats to cast unpopular votes in the run-up to this November's midterm elections.

Senate Democrats easily defeated the first of the amendments, which challenged provisions in the bill involving changes to Medicare funding.

Also defeated were attempts to send the measure to committee for reconsideration -- which would effectively kill it -- and other amendments intended to strip provisions from the bill. There were at least 11 other motions or amendments to be considered.

It was still going on, before my satellite got knocked out by a cloudburst, maybe 20 minutes ago. April is coming a week early to Sonoma County, evidently.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The GOP still hasn't grasped the simplest concept:

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

http://cspan.org/Watch/C-SPAN2.aspx

It's like watching paint dry.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

http://cspan.org/Watch/C-SPAN2.aspx

It's like watching paint dry.

Sounds exciting.

[scandal 951]

http://cspan.org/Watch/C-SPAN2.aspx

It's like watching paint dry.

Quit watching. Isn't there a college basketball game on somewhere?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Dimocrats, bringing the nation together thru bipartisanship.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Quit watching. Isn't there a college basketball game on somewhere?

That's almost as boring as baseball. Idol just started on the west coast. Something I can have on the TV, and not pay attention to.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Dimocrats, bringing the nation together thru bipartisanship.

We've been down this road before - it takes two to tango. Right now, out of frustration that the health care bill - which they had the option to either help shape or try to defeat - passed, the Republicans have largely decided to take their toys and go home. They're acting like six year olds not like responsible representatives able to govern a country through difficult times.

Edited March 25, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[Sofiyya 1,687]

We've been down this road before - it takes two to tango. Right now, out of frustration that the health care bill - which they had the option to either help shape or try to defeat - passed, the Republicans have largely decided to take their toys and go home. They're acting like six year olds not like responsible representatives able to govern a country through difficult times.

Still too arrogant to admit that the Dims shut the Republicans out.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Still too arrogant to admit that the Dims shut the Republicans out.

That's bull and you know it. The health care measure passed is almost the same as that proposed by the GOP in 1994 to counter Clinton's reform effort - at least then they came up with alternatives. It is very similar to that signed into law by Romney in MA. Surely, there was enough to agree on for the GOP to negotiate and compromise - to shape the future rather than oppose it. Keeping in mind, of course, that they are in the minority and can't have 100% of what they wanted. The lack of cooperation originated not from the left side of the isle. Not even close.

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Still too arrogant to admit that the Dims shut the Republicans out.

Despite the fact there are over 200 Republican amendments made to the bill......they were shut out weren't they?

Simple fact of the matter is the Republican Party right from the get go had no interest in dealing with the current health care system. They were happy with status quo...They once controlled the House, Senate and Presidency between 2003 and 2007 and did nothing then.

On a side note the Senate are currently voting on the 24th Republican Amendment or motions made on the Reconciliation Bill.....

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Despite the fact there are over 200 Republican amendments made to the bill......they were shut out weren't they?

Simple fact of the matter is the Republican Party right from the get go had no interest in dealing with the current health care system. They were happy with status quo...They once controlled the House, Senate and Presidency between 2003 and 2007 and did nothing then.

No facts, please. They disturb her.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

That's bull and you know it. The health care measure passed is almost the same as that proposed by the GOP in 1994 to counter Clinton's reform effort - at least then they came up with alternatives. It is very similar to that signed into law by Romney in MA. Surely, there was enough to agree on for the GOP to negotiate and compromise - to shape the future rather than oppose it. Keeping in mind, of course, that they are in the minority and can't have 100% of what they wanted. The lack of cooperation originated not from the left side of the isle. Not even close.

No bull. How the Dims work is well known. They operate by showing their azz and manufacturing justifications for doing so.