2011.09.25
Warner blames “Tea Party Republicans” for budget gridlock
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia was on CNN’s “State of the Union” program this morning discussing the latest budget impasse in Congress. Warner, a Democrat, appeared with Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander. Warner voiced dismay with the stalemate over disaster relief funding and and blamed “Tea Party Republicans” in the House of Representatives for pushing the federal government to the brink of a shutdown.
As Alexander said, the House passed a good bill to take care of the situation, the senate wont pass it. Obviously they are the problem, and as usual Warner toes the party line. He is a huge dissapointment as a US Senator.
Comment by Jack Mcguire — September 26, 2011 @ 7:53 am
The House, where the Tea Party resides, passed the Stopgap Bill that keeps the government running. The Senate, led by the Democrats, voted down the Stopgap Bill. So how are the Tea Party members to blame for the government shutdown?
Comment by Henry — September 26, 2011 @ 9:02 am
Warner is correct! Normal people would have worked for the betterment of the nation and the best compromise they could get that would keep up moving forward. The TPR’s want no part of that unity or progress. Having stood silent while we were destroyed they now want to pretend some “higher ground” which is beyond ludicrous.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — September 26, 2011 @ 9:14 am
No quesion about what the RW talking point of the day is.
Comment by Kristen — September 26, 2011 @ 1:39 pm
I’m with Warner on this. To say that the Senate is to blame for this is like a loan shark saying, “I don’t know why that guy says he doesn’t have any money–I offered to loan him some at a very reasonable rate!”
Comment by John — September 26, 2011 @ 2:14 pm
The Senate is the one that turned down the request. You can’t blame the House for sending them the bill. They did what was asked. Perhaps Warner could come up with a plan instead of complaining about the plan that was passed by the House.
Comment by Henry — September 26, 2011 @ 4:16 pm
The Senate has already passed a plan, Henry. But you knew that.
Boehners ridiculous demand that disaster relief be offset by other cuts
shows them kowtowing to their teaparty masters, not helping the victims.
Comment by Art Hill — September 26, 2011 @ 8:04 pm
Yeah Art, imagine that – Boehner has the audacity to ask for cuts to offset addl spending and actually decrease our debt. What a hair brained idea!
Comment by Dublin Dawg — September 27, 2011 @ 10:26 am
Art – Here’s how important Obama’s job plan is to the Dem sin the Senate (courtesy of Drudge) quote:
Obama’s jobs plan isn’t top priority for Reid
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The Washington Times
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
President Obama still is pressing Congress to pass his jobs stimulus bill immediately, but his own party leaders in the Senate, where Democrats have a majority, have pushed that vote off yet again.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said Monday night that when the Senate returns from a weeklong vacation, the chamber will work instead on a bill that would push to label China a currency manipulator, which would make retaliatory steps in order.
“I don’t think there’s anything more important for a jobs measure than China trade,” Mr. Reid said.
Late Monday, before he closed down the Senate, Mr. Reid locked in an early test vote for when senators return next week.
Mr. Obama two weeks ago sent Congress legislation he said would create jobs by extending and expanding temporary tax cuts and boosting infrastructure spending, which he offset by increasing taxes over the long term.
The president has been traveling the country demanding that Congress act immediately, but even his own party has not been keen to rush the legislation.
Mr. Reid is the Senate sponsor of the measure, but he said there are other priorities.
“We’ll get to that, but let’s get some of these things done that we have to get done first,” he said.
On the House side, GOP leaders, who control that chamber, have said they are waiting for an evaluation of the bill from the Congressional Budget Office and will then send the legislation through the committee process.
Republicans have said there are some ideas in Mr. Obama’s plan that they can accept, though they and some Democrats have rejected the tax increases Mr. Obama has called for — particularly the $400 billion he would raise over 10 years by limiting deductions for high-income taxpayers.
The China currency legislation, meanwhile, is sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators, and Mr. Reid said he’s confident it can pass the upper chamber.
“China trade is a jobs bill. It’s long, long overdue,” he said.
The legislation would push the Treasury Department to declare that China manipulates its currency in order to seek an edge in international trade.
Comment by Dublin Dawg — September 27, 2011 @ 11:46 am
It’s been over 800 days since the Senate has even passed a budget. It’s nice to see Warner concerned over disaster relief funding when his constituents in Washington County were turned down for aid by Fema after the tornado that hit there this past spring.
Comment by Robert — September 27, 2011 @ 11:22 pm
This is great! IF it really was attributable to the Tea party. (Good points above which really suggest otherwise.) They may be a minority but to be able to put up road blocks is really progress. The question is now, will the libs understand that they are a force even though small in numbers? Better temper your plans libs! I’m ready for another cup of Earl Grey!
Comment by Al — September 29, 2011 @ 8:29 am
Yes Reid did say: ““I don’t think there’s anything more important for a jobs measure than China trade, and that’s what we’re going to work on next week,” he said…“We understand that there’s conversations going on about the president’s jobs bill — which I support, I’m in agreement with,” Reid said. “We’ll get to that. But let’s get some of these things done that we have to get done first.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-jobs-plan-senate-democrats-wont-take-up-bill-immediately-harry-reid-says/2011/09/27/gIQAWman2K_story.html
Context matters.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — September 29, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
Funny how folks who normally complain about ANY minority holding up ANYTHING can profess admiration for the TPR’s! Strange bedfellows indeed.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — September 29, 2011 @ 12:25 pm
“They may be a minority but to be able to put up road blocks is really progress.”
So roadblocks are “progress”. Interesting bass-ackwards definition there, Al.
Comment by Kristen — September 29, 2011 @ 1:01 pm
“So roadblocks are “progress”.”
When it comes to stopping Obama absolutely. Stopping socialism and the bankrupting of our country are both huge positives for the Tea Party. And is the reason they were elected. Once Obama is out and the Senate is in TP hands, the real progress will begin. Until then we must be content to “stop the bleeding”
Comment by Jackj Mcguire — September 29, 2011 @ 2:24 pm
Hold your breath on that one why don’t you, JackMcTony.
Comment by Kristen — September 29, 2011 @ 3:01 pm
It appears he already did Kristen.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — September 29, 2011 @ 8:16 pm
“courtesy of Drudge”
Drudge, the Moonie Times? You really should get out more. Be careful or I’ll start linking Daily Kos.
Comment by Art Hill — September 30, 2011 @ 3:03 am
Perfect answer to the libbers, Jack. It’s war and anything you can do in war to halt or delay the enemy is progress. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT
And on another point, how many times have you heard comments from all side (both) that the two party system is not working well. Actually, it seems that the biggest threat to our form of govt is the homogenized political parties. R’s have watered down their views and tended to move from the middle to the left on many issues, esp those related to the economy. Bringing in a 3rd party mixes it up a little.
Comment by Al — September 30, 2011 @ 5:38 am