Reuters: Democrats post wins as Congress nears close

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. Congress was close to wrapping up its work for the year on Thursday in the wake of an unexpected string of Democratic successes on matters from energy to spending to security.

Senate Democrats thwarted a permanent renewal of the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act....

Senators also stripped from a $453 billion defense spending bill a provision that would have opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling....

Bush, who has been battling sinking approval ratings, has seen his clout in Congress diminished by recent scandals affecting top Republicans, as well as the recent revelation that he secretly ordered domestic eavesdropping on U.S. citizens.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/22/AR2005122200627.html

And Cheney's infamous, tie-breaking vote that rescued the All For Me, None For You budget bill? Not so much:

"...Senate Democrats forced small changes that meant the House had to take it up again.

Democrats were hoping the vote could take place in about a month so they can highlight what they say are harsh Republican-backed measures that hurt the poor as they prepare for the 2006 congressional elections."

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. It's A Start

We seem to be building some momentum here.

Maybe we have found a leader in Feinman? And Feingold?

[Tamyrlin79]

2. Don't forget Pelosi...

She is forcing a vote on the budget, rather than letting it pass by unanimous consent.

But, I certainly admit that most of our "wins" of late have come in the Senate, and we certainly owe much of it to Reid, Durbin, and Feingold.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. Reid's Been Out There, Hasn't He?

I didn't care much for him after the Bankruptcy Law but I am getting to like him better.

[newswolf56]

6. I will never forgive Reid. I blame him (and all the other class-traitors..

in the Democratic Party) for the fact the banks are now doubling our credit-card payments and forcing millions of us into indentured servitude (and those of us below the poverty line into bankruptcy).

This is the most savage kick in the balls delivered to working Americans in my lifetime, and when the elections roll around I intend to post early and often and in as many places as I can a list that names and denounces all the alleged Democrats who voted for it.

Any pretend-Democrat who voted for this viciously ruinous legislation is a closet Republican, pure and simple -- I don't give a damn how they might vote on other issues.

[YvonneCa]

4. And John Kerry. n/t

[Mass]

5. Thanks to all those who have fought for that

All those who are listed above and many others like Kennedy, Levin, Cantwell, ...