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Title: Kentucky's Bunning Again Blocks Jobless Benefits
Source:
Associated Press
URL Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic ... /03/01/national/w150605S00.DTL
Published: Mar 2, 2010
Author: Associated Press
Post Date: 2010-03-02 11:40:36 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 656
Comments: 10
(03-02) 08:23 PST WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Jim Bunning on Tuesday again blocked the Senate from extending unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for the jobless. The Kentucky Republican objected Tuesday to a request by Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a fellow Republican, to pass a 30-day extension of jobless benefits and other expired measures. The measure would also extend highway programs and prevent a big cut in Medicare payments to doctors. Bunning has been single-handedly blocking the stopgap legislation since Thursday, to the increasing discomfort of Republicans like Collins. Collins said 500 people from her state would lose their unemployment benefits this week, while doctors will soon have to absorb a 21 percent cuts in their Medicare reimbursements. "This issue is so important to senators on both sides of the aisle," Collins said. Frustrated Democrats have been lobbing attacks at Bunning and his fellow Republicans for days. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., implored Bunning to relent and allow a vote. But Democrats are also reaping political gains by attacking Bunning and his fellow Republicans. All three major cable news networks carried Tuesday's proceedings live, and two other members of the Democratic leadership, Charles Schumer of New York and Patty Murray of Washington, came to the floor to attack Republicans for blocking the legislation. "Today we have a clear cut example to show the American people just what's wrong with Washington, D.C.," Murray said. "That is because today one single Republican senator is standing in the way of the unemployment benefits of 400,000 Americans." Bunning said again Tuesday that he opposed the extension because it would add $10 billion to the budget deficit, and he attacked Democrats for abandoning promises to pay for legislation instead of contributing to a budget deficits projected to hit almost $1.6 trillion this year. Bunning proposes to pay for the extension with unspent money from last year's massive economic recovery package, but Reid objected. Democrats want to pass the measure with the unanimous permission of all senators, a common tactic to speed non-controversial measures through the notoriously balky Senate. Otherwise it could take almost a week to slog through the procedural steps required to take up the measure and defeat Bunning's filibuster. Bunning is retiring from the Senate at the end of the current session, which gives fellow party members little leverage to try to force him to change his mind. Bunning has been feuding with his home state colleague, GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, who privately urged him to retire rather than risk losing the seat to Democrats.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
(Edited)
The GOP is the gift that keeps on fucking itself, eh?
Day 9 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 7 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount? Jan 30, 2006 ... by saveliberty (Proud to be Head Snowflake, Bushbot...
Pay as you go! The Democrats said they were for it so he's just holding their feet to the fire. Boy you guys sure don't like being held accountable for your comments.
Goldi-Lox: You're one dumb-fucking bitch.
That's so yesterday . . . . Geeez. Get with the program.
Obammy sez it You do know that Bunning voted for Medicare Part D, the largest unfunded expansion of government in a generation.
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
Is that today's spin? Using Obama's suggestion for the 2011 Budget as a litmus test for current needs?
Day 9 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 7 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount? Jan 30, 2006 ... by saveliberty (Proud to be Head Snowflake, Bushbot...
Bunning is a cranky old man about to retire due to lack of interest on the part of voters in Kentucky. That said, he's correct here.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Name me a politician who's served as long as he has who hasn't made PLENTY of mistakes. I dare you.
Goldi-Lox: You're one dumb-fucking bitch.
I dare you. That's one heck of a mistake, plenty of others didn't vote for that unfunded monstrosity.
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
Was Bunning concerned about funding when he voted to give President Bush a blank check to fund his illegal war in Iraq?
I dare you. FDR, HST, LBJ, Reid, Pelosi, Carter, Clinton (both), Algore, Kerry, etc. etc. etc. Members of the jackass party don't ever make mistakes - and when they do, it's all the repugs fault.
Obammy sez it
#2. To: war (#1)
The GOP is the gift that keeps on fucking itself, eh?
#3. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#2)
The Democrats said they were for it . . .
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#4. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#2)
#5. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#2)
(Edited)
#6. To: go65 (#4)
#7. To: go65 (#4)
You do know that Bunning voted for Medicare Part D, the largest unfunded expansion of government in a generation.
#8. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#7)
Name me a politician who's served as long as he has who hasn't made PLENTY of mistakes.
#9. To: Brian S (#0)
#10. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#7)
Name me a politician who's served as long as he has who hasn't made PLENTY of mistakes.
I believes it
an' that settles it!
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