Republicans Make Good On Threat To Force Lame Duck Spending Showdown

[meegbear]

Before the midterms, conservative leaders were warning that they'd force a showdown over federal spending much earlier than expected: in the lame duck session, before the newly elected Republicans come to Washington.

They weren't joking. Republican and Democratic leaders are now engaged in a brinksmanship that could result in a temporary shutdown of the federal government. After the election, Republicans voted among themselves to eschew all earmarks for two years, and now they have to make good on their pledge. Yesterday, Democrats' chief appropriator, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) unveiled what's known as an omnibus spending bill -- a bundled up package of appropriations legislation, earmarks, and other measures -- which would keep the government running for a year.

In response, most Republicans -- even those whose multimillion dollar earmark requests are included in the legislation -- are saying, "Hell no you can't!"

That puts them all in an awkward position. At a press conference this morning, Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SC) were at pains to explain away why they requested earmarks that appear in the bill they're now railing against. But it also sets the two parties up for a standoff -- and one side must blink by this weekend, or the lights will start going out in the federal government.

Democrats will try to use the impending deadline to pass the omnibus. If it fails, they can take up a piece of legislation passed by the House known as a "continuing resolution," which will keep the government funded at current levels through next year.

Republican leaders reject both plans. They're demanding that Congress pass a short-term funding measure, which would expire early next year and give the incoming Republicans the power to cut spending significantly.

"The government runs out of money this Saturday," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned this morning on the Senate floor. "Congress should pass a short-term CR immediately."

And they're taking dramatic steps to stop Democrats (and their omnibus) in their tracks.

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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/republicans-make-good-on-threat-to-force-lame-duck-spending-showdown.php?ref=fpblg

[Skinner]

1. God they are awful.

Fucking hypocrites.

[Innocent Bystander]

11. You're right. They are.

We can all be thankful for Obama and the Democrats standing up to and defeating the attempted republican blackmail, though. We can depend on them to do the right thing and fight for the country.

[xchrom]

2. well they are good at circling their wagons and fighting.

they're monsters -- but they are fierce.

[Bandit]

3. If Democrats ever stand up for anything, they need to stand up on this one.

Call their bluff.. Let the Republicans shut the government down a week before Christmas..I guarantee you the people will not blame Obama..

[Innocent Bystander]

13. I believe that the Democrats are standing up by sitting down.

This is clearly a way of confusing the republicans and making them believe that Obama will give them anything they demand.

This is clearly 4th dimensional Romulan chess at its best.

[RT Atlanta]

4. They are awful...

but why do I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that our party will "compromise" - ergo, give the republicans everything they want.

If the 'pukes are serious about cutting spending, they do plan on cutting all funding for the wars in early January, right? :sarcasm:

[Recursion]

5. Why the **** did our Reps wait for the lame duck to pass this?

Congress is broken.

[Bandit]

6. Republicans have placed a permanent filibuster in the Senate

Yes Congress at least the Senate is broken...The ONLY leverage Democrats have to accomplish anything is to keep Republicans in session so they can't go home for Christmas. That is the ONLY leverage they have and I fear with Republicans hollering "Democrats Hate Christians" because they can't go home for Christmas, that they are going to lose even that tiny bit of leverage...

[gratuitous]

7. Whatwhatwhat?!

Weren't the Republicans supposed to be all cooperative and stuff if we handed them everything they wanted? Our faultless, blameless leaders worked the best possible deal, couldn't be any better, and this was going to usher in a new era of bipartisanship and stuff. The prospect of a deal would move the Republicans off the schneid, and soon it would be nothing but rainbows, puppy dogs and unicorns in a latter day Era of Good Feelings!

And now they've got a whole new list of non-negotiable demands? Nobody could have seen that coming!

[S_E_Fudd]

8. Which of course means....

That we will get a short term funding measure that will allow Republicans to dramatically reduce spending early next year...

[Ozymanithrax]

9. Republicans, killing the American economy in a city near you. n/t

[Historic NY]

10. Get use to it people thats been their mantra since Obama was elected..

they use archaic rules, demands, and huffery to get their way. The game is rigged by the gamers.

[City Lights]

12. The first invoice to go unpaid should be health care premiums for Congress.

Fuck Republicans. :nuke:

[newblewtoo]

14. and no retroactive pay for them., n/t