A move by Senate Republicans to push the unemployment benefits extension vote to Wednesday incensed Senate Democratic leaders Tuesday night.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he wanted everyone to understand the Republican strategy to use up all of the 30 hours of debate time allotted for the $34 billion measure. . . . The cloture vote that passed 60-40 this afternoon provides for up to 30 hours of debate that Republicans could yield back, allowing a vote much sooner on the legislation.
Harry Reid was, let us say, unimpressed.
"Now, I hope the American people understand how callous this is," Reid said in a statement. "People are desperate, can't make house payments, car payments, can't pay for kids' food. And they are having us wait for 30 hours after cloture's been invoked."
That seems a little understated. Why don't you tell us what you really think, Senator Reid?
"This is a dark day in the United States Senate, and some feel it brings shame to this institution. But more than that, it hurts the very people we were sent here to help," Reid said in a floor speech. "Why would someone in public service do such a thing? Why would they be so callous? Mr. President, I simply don’t know. I am at a loss."
"Perhaps they think that when unemployment goes up, their poll numbers do too," he said. "Perhaps they look at such pervasive misfortune and see an opening for their political fortunes.
However, the White House interceded and attempted to act bipartisan by kissing up to the Republicans. (note: snark)
A day after the Senate moved forward to pass the unemployment insurance extension to help millions of Americans fighting to get back on their feet and find work, the partisan minority in the Senate is yet again obstructing passage of this bill. After blocking this aid three separate times over the past weeks, Republicans have once again refused to reach an agreement and allow this bill to come to the floor for a vote quickly so these benefits can be restored. Republican obstruction has already cost 2.5 million Americans essential aid they need to pay their rent, put food on the table, and take care of their kids. By the end of this week, roughly 350,000 more Americans could be added to that number. The livelihoods of nearly 3 million Americans shouldn’t hinge on partisan game playing in Washington. This latest move gives the partisan minority thirty more hours to stall in the Senate, but that means thirty more hours of suffering for these hardworking families trying to get by.
Let's hope this rhetoric continues unabated through November.
November 2012, that is.
Comments are closed on this story.