Luke Russert makes a discovery.
Yeah, that "fund the troops" continuing resolution Republicans in the House passed yesterday, and that the Republicans in the Senate are harping about today isn't just about funding the troops. Had it been just about funding the troops, the House would have passed the clean continuing resolution offered twice in the House yesterday by Democrats. In addition to banning D.C. from using its own, local funds for abortions (since it's not a state, that whole "let the states decide" thing doesn't apply, apparently), the bill also limits the EPA from regulating green house gas emissions.
It's not about funding the troops.
[T]he House Democrats tried three times to pass a measure that would ensure the troops received pay. The Republicans overwhelmingly opposed every single “troop-funding” opportunity....
What’s more, the Obama administration announced today that it “would support a short-term, clean Continuing Resolution” like the alternative Democrats offered. Thus, by voting against these measures, House Republicans are flatly refusing to support any “troop funding bill” unless their anti-abortion and anti-environmental riders get passed. Incidentally, Republicans have ensured that, unlike the troops, Members of Congress will still get paid.
Interestingly enough, not all teahadist Republicans are on board. "Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA), Tom Coburn (R-OK) and — surprisingly — Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) have signaled a willingness drop the policy rider to reach an agreement and avoid a shutdown." Even more shockingly, Rep. Allen West says he is "disgusted at the perception that Leaders in my own Party...are now using the men and women in uniform" to pass a short-term budget bill.