Caught between a disapproving Republican establishment and a rebellious caucus, House Speaker John Boehner threw in the towel on the effort to pass a yearlong extension of the current payroll tax holiday and funding for long-term unemployment benefits and Medicare.An objection wouldn't stop the bill - they'll just have to come back next week to pass it. But it might cause Obama to miss his precious Hawaiian vacation since he might have to stay in town to sign it. At the very least that would save the taxpayers a few bucks and give some angry Republicans a chance to spit in Boehner, Obama, and Mitch McConnell's eyes.
That sets up the big drama for today: will any House Republicans move to stop the deal from going through. It only takes one, since Boehner is moving the package by “unanimous consent.” If even one House member stands up to object, the speedy deal is kaput.
Let's see if anyone has the cajones to do it.
UPDATE: Apparently not. Even before I finished writing his the House Tea Party caucus rolled over and joined the establishment GOP. There was no objection and this farce is kicked further down the road and a new $105 billion whole has been opened up in Social Security.
What a bunch of cowards.
By the way, if an Republicans had plans to send me fundraising materials or were expecting a donation this year, forget it.
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1 comment:
Not cowardly, but strategic. If Republicans block this bill now, they will give the Democrats lots of nasty talking points to use as a battering ram. Yes, it's kicking the can down the road, but hopefully down the road there will be better strategic opportunities to move our country in the right direction. Saying no at this time would be political suicide for the Republicans.
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