Merkley, Stabenow Explain Why Bunning Succeeded In Blocking UI/COBRA Benefits

[Joanne98]

I asked the Senators why they didn’t continue asking for unanimous consent agreements on Thursday night, forcing Bunning to stay on the floor and continue his crusade. He was already getting belligerent, and could have just faded through the exhaustion of an all-night filibuster, but the Senate adjourned around midnight. Many Senate observers have described this as letting Bunning win.

Sen. Merkley, the only one of the three who was on the floor that night, responded. “When it was Bunning by himself, the prospect of breaking him was very real,” he said. “But when coordinated support materialized, it became clear we weren’t going to be able to overcome this on the floor.” In other words, other Republican Senators stopped by on the floor in reserve, and if Bunning could no longer continue, they stood ready to step in and object to any unanimous consent agreement. Obviously, UC agreements require… unanimous consent, so any Senator can block them. Merkley identified Bob Corker (R-TN) as one of the Senators who reached the floor late at night, and Stabenow added that Jeff Sessions (R-AL) showed up earlier in the evening.

“The most important thing is the people impacted,” Stabenow said, “But on the process, Bunning was concerned about paying for the extension, he was offered an amendment and he didn’t accept it. In the Senate we’ve seen a hijacking of the legislative process. In a legislature you debate a policy and then you vote. Voting is the American way. Instead, Bunning chose to use the filibuster in blocking and hijacking the system.”

Therefore it’s wrong to call this Jim Bunning’s filibuster. It was a Republican filibuster, as they offered “passive support,” as Stabenow put it. “We’re going to see benefits run out on Sunday” as a result, she concluded. “Where is the Republican leadership? Where will it be next week?”

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/02/27/merkley-stabenow-explain-why-bunning-succeeded-in-blocking-uicobra-benefits/

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[LonePirate]

1. Reid is somewhat to blame for not scheduling a vote

[Tippy]

6. So say the Republicans......

This is what took place the last time: Oct. 2009

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[notadmblnd]

2. So since bunning has nothing to lose, he's doing the pukes dirty work?

none of them want to be seen as holding up UI/Cobra, yet none of them have spoken up against Bunning. Then they show up to prevent him form giving in...

It's so fucking sad that these poltician see this as just a game and not the real people who's lives they devastate by playing these stupid games.

[AllyCat]

3. More people suffer so the Repukes can funnel money into their pet projects

And the Dems wring their hands. Great government we have here.

[haikugal]

4. ??

Why haven't the Democrats met the threat of a filibuster by demanding they filibuster...let them stand there and read the phone book and look like the idiots they are?

[Tippy]

5. Sign Petition to end Filibuster...Sen. Durbin

http://ga3.org/campaign/fedup2/e58ieid4hjew6j8d?qp_source=filibuster%5f022410

[depakid]

7. Merkley's an up and coming leader- people would be wise to get on that bandwagon early