Blue Spot

Democratic Caucus's Senate Journal - Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader

While Senate Democrats are determined to move America in a new direction, Senate Republicans are doing their best to stop change at every turn. Senate Republicans are forcing the Senate to waste hours upon hours debating meaningless motions – wasting Congress’ time and the American people’s time. Senate Democrats are trying to lead the way – but Senate Republicans are determined to stand in the way.

Republican Whip Senator Trent Lott in a Roll Call article dated April 18, 2007:

“The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail ... so far it’s working for us.”

FACTS ON REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISM

Senate Republicans have obstructed almost every bill in the Senate – even ones with wide bipartisan support.

So far, in the first half of the first session of the 110th Congress, there have been THIRTEEN cloture votes on motions to proceed – each one wasting days of Senate time. (110th Congress, Roll Call Votes #44, 51, 53, 74, 129, 132, 133, 162, 173, 207, 208, 227, and 228)
In comparison, in the first sessions of the 108th and 109th Congresses combined, there were a total of FOUR cloture votes on motions to proceed.

EIGHT times Republican obstruction tactics slowed critical legislation

Fulfilling the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (Passed 97-0, Roll Call Vote #53)
Improving security at our courts (Passed 93-3, Roll Call Vote #133)
Water Resources Development Act (Passed 89-7, Roll Call Vote #162)
A joint resolution to revise U.S. policy in Iraq (Passed 89-9, Roll Call Vote, #74)
Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 69-23, Roll Call Vote #173)
Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 64-35, Roll Call Vote #228)
CLEAN Energy Act (Passed 91-0, Roll Call Vote #208)
Funding for the Intelligence Community (Passed 94-3, Roll Call Vote #129)

FOUR times Republicans blocked legislation from being debated

Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23)
Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16)
Senate Republicans blocked comprehensive immigration reform (Rejected 45-50, Roll Call Vote #206)
Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223)

FOUR times Republicans stopped bills from reaching a vote

Senate Republicans blocked funding for the intelligence community. (Rejected 41-40, Roll Call Vote #130)
Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23)
Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16)
Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223)

TWICE Republicans blocked bills from going to conference

Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (6/26/07)
Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on ethics reform (6/26/07)

Labels: GOP Hypocrisy, Senate