The now-closed Memorial Bridge between Arlington and Washington, D.C.
In some ways, being in the minority gives Harry Reid a lot more power, a lesson he took to heart as majority leader, when he was so often subjected to Mitch McConnell's obstruction. Roles reversed, he has the chance to use obstruction for actual good—attempting to make Republicans be responsible and
force a six-year transportation bill instead of continuing on with last-minute, short-term funding bills.
The goal, Democratic sources said, is to expose the GOP’s lack of planning ahead of the July deadline and pressure them to come up with as much as $90 billion for a six-year transportation bill just at flat funding levels, a near impossibility without politically painful tax increases. The most aggressive tactic, raised by Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) at a private bicameral leadership meeting Tuesday, would have Democrats filibuster any transportation funding extension lasting longer than 30 days.
Democratic leaders are now shopping the idea to their chairmen and the rank and file to test just how far the party is willing to press Republicans on an issue that’s sharply divided the GOP.
Pot, kettle. When Republicans were on the other side, they were obstructing only for the loftiest of goals, I'm sure. But there's a lot at stake here, including thousands of jobs and a
crumbling and downright dangerous infrastructure. The
latest example is right there in Washington, D.C. But Republicans for years have refused to take the warnings seriously and to allow adequate, long-term funding bills. Not if it might mean raising taxes on corporations or the one percent even the tiniest bit.
Republicans have always been able to count on the fact that, in the end, Democrats are going to be responsible and give in to keep some level of funding flowing, even if it's not enough and even if it's only for a few months at a time. Maybe now, this time, being the responsible party will mean going over that cliff and forcing Republicans to fix it.