The Real Consequences of Obstruction
- Although the blockade was primarily Bunning's work, he was aided by a party that either stayed silent or even cheered on his obstruction.
- Even when Bunning finally relented last night (March 2) and allowed a vote to go forward on the legislation, 18 Republican senators joined with him to vote against the temporary extension of benefits.
Alex Seitz-Wald and others, Think Progress
For the past year, Republicans have embarked on an aggressive obstructionist agenda, determined to block any progress the Democratic majority may try make on health care, jobs, or even approving presidential nominees essential to keep the government running.
This week (Feb 28-Mar 6), the country saw the real-life effects of this partisan game. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) became a "poster child" for GOP obstruction and demonstrated the outsized influence a determined minority can exert over policies affecting the entire country. Although he's not the first obstructionist, he likely won't be the last. Most recently, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) put a blanket hold on President Obama's nominees in order to secure pork funding for his state. Although he eventually relented on most of the nominees, he continues to block several military officials.
Since last week (Feb 21-27), Bunning had been blocking legislation that would offer a 30-day extension on unemployment and COBRA health benefits, which expired on Sunday for millions of Americans, over objections about how the bill would be funded. Although the blockade was primarily Bunning's work, he was aided by a party that either stayed silent or even cheered on his obstruction. Even when Bunning finally relented last night and allowed a vote to go forward on the legislation, 18 Republican senators joined with him to vote against the temporary extension of benefits. Although the suffering of millions of Americans has now been eased, their well-being will continue to be subject to the whims of dysfunctional obstruction if lawmakers continue to put their partisan interests over the best interests of their constituents.
Related:
Don’t Blame Bunning, Robert Scheer, TruthDig.com
Bunning’s action was a sideshow, a boneheaded symbolic gesture that backfired with slight consequences. Yet the senator was made to look the dangerous fool in media accounts while many of those who enabled the financial catastrophe continue to be treated as reasonable experts after being rewarded for their folly with the highest posts in both the Bush and Obama administrations.
Jon Stewart On Bunning: Just Tell Him There Are 'Free Smoothies For Crazy People In The Lobby' To Get Him Out Of The Room, Jillian Rayfield, Talking Points Memo
Jon Stewart has some advice for Senate Democrats trying to overcome Sen. Jim Bunning's filibuster: Get him out of the room by announcing "free smoothies for crazy people in the lobby."
