Posted on 12/16/2009 10:01:57 AM PST by Mount Athos
Republicans have forced the Senate clerk to read aloud a 767-page amendment to healthcare reform legislation, paralyzing action on the chamber floor as Democrats approach a Christmas deadline.
Senate aides estimated that it could take 8 to 10 hours to read the massive amendment offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) came under strong pressure from conservatives last week to do more to delay progress of the Democratic health bill.
Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives called on McConnell to use every parliamentary tactic at his disposal to slow Senate action.
“The Senate Republican leadership strategy here was flawed because it allowed the Democrats to take the offensive, buy time to work out a deal,” Limbaugh said on his show last week. “I know a disaster when I see it. And I know that it’s gotta be stopped, and whatever parliamentary steps are available to people ... should have been taken.”
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) objected to a request to dispense with the reading of the amendment, a courtesy that is almost always granted to fellow senators.
Senators had been expected to vote on Wednesday but now the schedule is uncertain.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had hoped to file a motion to cut off debate on the healthcare bill by Friday so that the chamber could pass the measure by Christmas. But the new GOP procedural offensive raises serious questions over whether that timeline can be met.
McConnell needs to step aside and let a fire-breather take the lead in the Senate GoP members.
He couldn’t melt an ice cube with a handful of BIC lighters.
Every delay is appropriate until healthcare reform can be defeated.
Have we hit 3,000 yet? 4,000?
That’s what I was thinking! What the hell could THAT amendment be about?? When are we Americans going to be able to learn just what this will all mean to us?
Merry Christmas!
The Republicans should demand ALL bills (except those pertaining to National Security, so that we don’t give away more secrets) to be read into the record.
He really does suck.
DeMint-Coburn-Inhofe-Sessions need to be the GOP leaders in the Senate.
Republicans are being painted as the obstructionist party — might as well earn the title!
good point
They need to do whatever it takes to delay this into mid-January.
We need to get past the distractions of Christmas and New Years in order to get the public educated and focused on this bill and put maximum public pressure on key senators and reps.
The more people learn about this, the more it will be unpopular.
If this health care deform passes, you’ll need a 767 to hold all the resulting rules and regulations it generates.
any one of those 4 is heads above what we have, imo.
I like DeMint and Inhofe, Sessions and Coburn are fine too.
Yep!
It looks like the amendment was offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) and it would have established a single-payer-system. Probably would have gone no where.
Looks like Sen. Jim DeMint has joined Sen. Coburn.
more at the link (includes video):
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/12/16/coburn-fires-warning-shot-across-senate-democrats-bow/
I just called Demint's office to express my appreciation.
Coburn's line is busy, and I'm calling McConnell's office next to get the other 2 some more support.
Okay, I got thru to Coburn’s office after several attempts..
Way to go!
Why be nice, this HC reform is a disaster.
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