Politico's Allen uncritically quoted McConnell claiming Democratic Congress has "not been very productive"
In his July 25 "Politico Playbook," Politico chief political correspondent Mike Allen uncritically quoted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) claiming that "the first six or seven months of this Congress have basically not been very productive." According to McConnell: "We've had excessive Iraq votes, excessive investigations, and not much legislating. Managed to keep the lights on and managed to do a troop-funding bill that was important, but that's really about it for the first seven months." Allen offered no challenge to McConnell's attack on Congress' "productiv[ity]"; in fact, Republicans have repeatedly blocked legislation proposed by the Democratic majority in the Senate. As Media Matters for America noted, McClatchy Newspapers reported on July 20: "This year Senate Republicans are threatening filibusters to block more legislation than ever before."
Additionally, Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-MS) acknowledged the GOP's "obstructionist" Senate strategy in an April 18 Roll Call article (subscription required): "The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail. ... For [former Senate Democratic Leader Tom] Daschle (S.D.), it failed. For [then-Senate Minority Leader Harry] Reid [D-NV], it succeeded, and so far it's working for us."
Allen wrote:
A NEW SIGN that Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell may have a real challenge next year. From the Lexington Herald-Leader: "Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo, a Democrat, filed papers [Monday] allowing him to raise and spend money to evaluate whether he should challenge U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2008. "I am keeping my options open. I am excited about gathering the facts and doing the ground work on this important election," Stumbo said in an e-mail sent to reporters. "It is time we remind Mitch McConnell that he represents Kentucky not George Bush."
LEADER McCONNELL AT A POST-LUNCH AVAIL YESTERDAY: "I think the first six or seven months of this Congress have basically not been very productive. We've had excessive Iraq votes, excessive investigations, and not much legislating. Managed to keep the lights on and managed to do a troop-funding bill that was important, but that's really about it for the first seven months. Having said that, I'm somewhat optimistic going into the last two weeks that the majority may have figured out the way to get things done around here. We're about to pass a higher education bill on a bipartisan basis. ... I think finally getting around to doing at least one of the appropriation bills is a good thing. ... I think we've got a chance of getting there on the 9/11 bill. ... And I remain optimistic that we're going to finally pass a lobby ethics bill."
McClatchy reported in a July 20 article:
Seven months into the current two-year term, the Senate has held 42 "cloture" votes aimed at shutting off extended debate -- filibusters, or sometimes only the threat of one -- and moving to up-or-down votes on contested legislation. Under Senate rules that protect a minority's right to debate, these votes require a 60-vote supermajority in the 100-member Senate.
Democrats have trouble mustering 60 votes; they've fallen short 22 times so far this year. That's largely why they haven't been able to deliver on their campaign promises.
By sinking a cloture vote this week, Republicans successfully blocked a Democratic bid to withdraw combat troops from Iraq by April, even though a 52-49 [sic: 52-47] Senate majority voted to end debate.
This year Republicans also have blocked votes on immigration legislation, a no-confidence resolution for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and major legislation dealing with energy, labor rights and prescription drugs.
Nearly 1 in 6 roll-call votes in the Senate this year have been cloture votes. If this pace of blocking legislation continues, this 110th Congress will be on track to roughly triple the previous record number of cloture votes - 58 each in the two Congresses from 1999-2002, according to the Senate Historical Office.
Man, that's funny, coming from a veteran Republican of the most recent "Do_Nothing" congress.
Uhhh..."Do-Nothing". : )
What was the legislative priority of the LAST congress? Terry Schaivo? Flag burning? Gay marriage? Gee. What a legislative juggernaut. BTW, they adjourned last year's seeesion without funding this year's budget. Just left it for the next congress to clean up, the same as bush (lowercase intentional) is doing with his silly little war games.
they haven't been productive. There's no other way to put it.
Did you mean to say they haven't been RE-productive, as in they haven't been effing up the Homeland like the previous congress did?
'Cause I'd agree with you there...
CompliantConsent, you might like this bit of idiocy from your friends at the Evans/Novak report;
"Despite the failure of Democrats to get the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to cut off debate on an Iraq, Republican unease with the war is growing."
Is this the sort of place you get the nonsense you repeat on your little site? Aside from the fact that it makes no sense (debate on an IraQ?), I think what is being implied here is that the Dems are failures because the Repubs insist on continuing their failures.
Brilliant.
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)
http://democrats.senate.gov/journal/entry.cfm?id=277868
Call me a liar.
Sorry.
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)
http://democrats.senate.gov/journal/entry.cfm?id=277868
UGHHH!!!
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)
http://democrats.senate.gov/journal/entry.cfm?id=277868
You had me at "FACTS..."
- of the 110th Congress, there have been THIRTEEN cloture votes on motions to proceed – each one wasting days of Senate time. - monk
Let me help you out a little with your cut and paste...of the 13 votes you referenced...8 times cloture was adopted...with republicans blocking the other five...that's not exactly the picture that your democrat site tried to paint.
Currently this senate has rejected cloture 20 times:
Republicans blocking cloture 11 times
Democrats blocking cloture 3 times
Bi-Partisan action blocking cloture 6 times
Right underneath:
* 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.
How about clearing up your math...4 cloture votes...8 times republicans blocked.
Am I missing something?
In the first half of the first session (the time the dems took power until now) for the 110th congress there have been 13 cloture votes. The claim is that these vote have taken up a lot of time. Some of the press has said the dems haven't done anything (Which is bunk). HOw much time has been wasted on cloture votes and even the onces that actually did go through how much time was wasted due to partisianship?
I have my issues with the 110th (many), but some hacks are pretending that the cons have nothing to do with the current situation.
Yeah, you're missing something...the obvious spin from the democrat site that you clipped the info from.
A cloture vote...by rule...generally takes about 15 minutes...so in 8 of the 13 cloture votes you cited...about 2 hrs. worth of voting time...total...because cloture was adopted.
The other five...caused delays of days...not all 13.
It has been proven repeatedly that both sides use the cloture vote as a strategy...and both sides whine when it is used against them.
If you're opposed to the cloture strategy...great. If you're in favor of the cloture strategy...great.
But selective outrage is dishonest.
"The other five...caused delays of days...not all 13."
I wil concede, lazy on my part, but my biggest beef isn't the cloture issue. It's this label of "do nothing" which doesn't hold up when compared to the previous "rubber stamp" congress.
"Selective outrage is dishonest."
Do disagree with the fact the the reason congress is held back due to the fact that Rep. block many of the measures they put forward due to the dems not having the 60 votes needed? Is your only issue with the cloture part of my post?
Your ReNAMBLAcans have filibusted a lot more than democrats on legislation its that simple. The ReNAMBLAcans are obstructionist
In the last three sessions of the senate...cloture votes have failed to produce an up or down vote...called obstructionism by some...40 times.
Democrats blocked an up or down vote 15 times.
Republicans blocked an up or down vote 16 times.
A bi-partisan effort blocked an up or down vote 9 times.
Your ReNAMBLAcans are being obstructionist.
- the previous record number of cloture votes - 58 each in the two Congresses from 1999-2002, according to the Senate Historical Office. - mmfa
Here's a little help for Simon Maloy...who uncritically reports the above info from the McClatchy article:
1999-2000, 106th Congress:
Republicans blocked cloture 3 times
Democrats blocked cloture 24 times
Bi-Partisan action blocked cloture 3 times
2001-2002, 107th Congress:
Republicans blocked cloture 22 times
Democrats blocked cloture 1 time
Bi-Partisan action blocked cloture 4 times
Cloture...love it or hate...it's still a political tool used often by both parties...and whined about by both parties.
Gridlock...what a wonderful situation. With the current crop of mental midgets and power mongers in congress...damned little action is welcome.
Here's a little help for Wesley who seems to be clueless as to the point....
MMFA isn't questioning whether both parties have used filibusters in the past. Instead, the point is that Republicans are currently using it at a rate almost three times the previous record. Therefore, putting the blame for a "do-nothing" Congress at the feet of the Democratic leadership is disingenuous.
I'll clear this up for you and mmfa.
You and mmfa are citing dubious reporting by McClatchy. A call for a cloture vote does not in itself cause delays...it's a 15 minute vote.
When cloture is rejected...that is the cause of delay. Simply counting the number of cloture votes requested proves nothing about obstructionism.
Rejecting cloture means the up or down vote is delayed. Here are the real numbers that prove McClatchy wrong.
McClatchy refers to the 106th and 107th sessions as the "high" standard that the current senate is on track to shatter by a 3 to 1 margin.
110th rejected cloture 20 times...with republicans "on pace" to reject 22 cloture votes.
107th rejected cloture 27 times...with republicans rejecting 22 cloture votes.
106th rejected cloture 30 times...with democrats rejecting 24 cloture votes.
But, it's ok with me if you and mmfa want to cut and paste a dubious piece of work by McClatchy...it won't make the story accurate.
First, your representation of filibusters and cloture votes is simplistic to the point of being misleading. Once a cloture motion is filed, by rule the Senate generally doesn't vote on it for two days. Fifteen minutes is the minimum time for a vote, but typically runs longer. Once cloture is invoked, debate can still continue another 30 hours. In other words, a filibuster, or threat thereof, typically creates a delay of days, not 15 minutes.Second, I'd like to know your reference for your statistics. A quick check of the votes shows Republicans having rejected cloture 13 times (3 democrat, 3 bipartisan, 1 indeterminate) so far in the 110th Congress. That puts them on pace to reject ~ 47 motions by the end of this Congress, not 22. (Also, on motions where cloture was invoked, the voting record would seem to indicate that Republicans were frequently responsible for the threat of filibuster.)
Quite frankly, I support the right to filibuster. If Republicans want to filibuster, I say let them. However, for them or others to label the Democratic leadership "do-nothing" is disengenuous considering the record.
- However, for them or others to label the Democratic leadership "do-nothing" is disengenuous considering the record. - christiandemocrat
I agree.
Just pointing out the error of McClatchy's report and mmfa's uncritical use of the faulty report.
Both sides use the filibuster...and both sides whine when it is used against them.
WESLEY:
Yes, both sides whine when the filibuster is used by the miniority.
The Republicans whined (and threatened the "nuclear option") when a few judicial appointments were filibustered (the GOP never sent Clinton's appointments out of committee, so the cloture question never came up).
The GOP has bigger fish to fry. They filibuster FUNDING THE WAR.
Other senators "whined" about filibustering those judicial appointments, but the ENTIRE NATION is getting outraged at the GOP's obstructionism while our soldiers are dying.
It may not be a difference YOU can see, WESLEY, but the American People know the difference, and the GOP is getting really scared, and jumping the good ship Dubya. That's the reality, pal.