Democrats abruptly drop spending fight giving Republicans a greater chance to enact deep cuts

[Better Believe It]

Democrats abruptly drop spending fight
By Andy Sullivan
December 16, 2010

Democrats abruptly abandoned a fight over spending on Thursday and said they would instead extend government funding on a temporary basis, a move that gives Republicans a greater chance to enact the deep cuts they have promised.

The surprise agreement looked likely to end a high-stakes game of chicken that could have led to a shutdown of wide swaths of the government if Congress had not agreed on a spending bill by Saturday night.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said nine Republicans had agreed to back the bill but their support evaporated in recent days.

Lacking the votes to advance the measure, Reid said he would agree to a Republican proposal to temporarily extend government funding beyond the Saturday deadline.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BD5C320101217

Lacked the votes? Reid only needs 51 votes to pass it by simply using Senate rules to force a Republican filibuster or he could keep the Senate in session until the budget is passed.

Well, passing a budget proposed by Democrats can't be that important. So what if Senator Reid agrees to Republican proposals on government funding? That's constructive bi-partisanshit! BBI

[mdmc]

1. the party of d'oh

[Better Believe It]

2. d'oh we can believe in?

:)

[mth44sc]

3. I can't defend this

Chicken shits get played. They also lose.

[sasha031]

4. I don't understand what is happening, why did he do this?

[Better Believe It]

5. Because he wants to go home for Christmas and end this partisan bickering.

[sasha031]

6. but what about funding the government

:dilemma: is there going to be a shutdown?

[elleng]

9. No, a 'continuing resolution,' which allows things to go along 'as is,' temporarily.

[sasha031]

10. thank you

[elleng]

7. To accomplish DADT, remove their 'no time' excuse.

'They' plan to force reading of the entire bill, which will take 50 hours.

[aquart]

8. Will the nausea ever end?