GOP Senators Refusing To Work Past 2PM, Invoking Obscure Rule

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The Huffington Post

Senate Republicans fuming over the passage of health care reform are now refusing to work past 2 p.m. -- a tactic they can employ by invoking a little-known Senate rule.

On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee was forced to cancel a hearing as was the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) tweeted today : "Disappointed. Rs refusing to allow hearings today. Had to cancel my oversight hearing on police training contracts in Afghanistan."

Sen. Mark Udall also complained that he had to delay a hearing on the cause of Western forest fires.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/gop-senators-refusing-to_n_511639.html

[Bicoastal]

1. Er...nap time?

Buncha geezers. x(

[TomCADem]

53. DNC Needs To Run Some Ads On This!

With McCain fast asleep.

[aquart]

2. I assume they aren't paid by the hour.

What, btw, is preventing the Democrats from working without them? No quorum?

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Time to consult The Parliamentarian.

[Wickerman]

4. I guess the whiney little babies needed naps

no offense to actual babies intended.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. It's better if they just stay home.

They are a waste of time and money anyway.

[WI_DEM]

6. You know there is so much material if the dems were smart they could use against the GOP this fall

such as they lose on HCR so they decide it's okay to work part time while the voters are paying them to do the people's business full time wages and benefits.

Another Good one is using some of their comments in an ad such as Boehners "Hell No we won't" and portray them as friends of the big insurance companies who want to repeal such things as no pre-exisitng waivers, etc.

[Botany]

9. Let me write the t.v. spot

Sen. ________ refused to work after 2:00 PM because he wasn't happy.

What would happen to you if you told your boss that you would not
work after 2:00 PM at your job because you did not feel the love?

Hi, I am _________ ___________ and I promise to work for the good people
of ___________ because after all your vote helps to hire me for the job
as a U.S. Senator. I am _________ ____________ and i approve of this message.

[NewJeffCT]

27. But, you can always count on the Democrats

to miss the opportunity. The GOP has given us so much material over the past 15 months that if the party stayed coordinated with talking points like the GOP, we might even pick up a few seats.

[malletgirl02]

58. I agree

The Democrats are like the keystone cops.

[AlbertCat]

34. Here's mine:

Republicans think it's great some Americans have to work 3 jobs, 80 hour weeks and on week ends.

(clip of Bush telling a woman who has to work 3 jobs to make ends meet "That's great!")

But now when they didn't get their way, they only work 1/2 a day. (shots of GOP senators leaving the Capital after 2:00 PM) They up and quit half way through (shot of Palin)

___________________________ plans to work for ________________'s for the whole day, all week.... and even beyond if that's what helping his constituents demands

Democrates, working for the people, even when it's tough!

[yellowcanine]

7. Oh man the Democrats better make hay out of this one. How many people get to knock off at 2pm?

My prediction - One day of this will be all of the heat they can stand. Of course they likely have already planned on that and will be moving on to the next obstructionist tactic.

[Bluzmann57]

8. Yep, the public will be impressed by that

Especially when so many of us are barely scraping by and either working overtime or more than one job and cannot dictate our own hours. I really hope the Dems point all this out during the coming campaign season. Example- "Senator Grassley not only voted against health care reform, he then joined the rest of his REPUBLICAN colleagues in a pout fest by refusing to work after 2 PM. Does that sound like a Senator who's working for the people of Iowa?" Hey, I think I'll suggest that to whomever his opponent is this fall.
Please note that I used Grassley only because he is a Senator from Iowa and he is up for re-election this year. It could apply to any Repuke Senator who is up for re-election. Kick 'em when they're down.

[progressoid]

11. I'd cough up a few bucks to get something like that on the air!

:thumbsup:

[defendandprotect]

10. Such pettiness deserves only disdain and I hope the public gives it to them!

[Mithreal]

12. +1

[Plucketeer]

13. TEXAS!

They deserve the country of Texas to exercise their small-mindedness. :crazy: The party of no - no integrity, no common sense, no pride.

[Left Coast2020]

38. You remind me of an event that occurred in Texas.

Remember the Dem's who fled Texas Legislature to Oklahoma to avoid quorum? The Dem's should do same thing as repugs tried to redistrict--but couldn't because they didn't have quorum. Dem's should just ram it down their throats. BTW, I love the TV ad scripts. Get them on the air NOW!!!

[Stuckinthebush]

14. Folks, this is excellent

They are imploding. They are showing the voters what they are about and it isn't pretty. The backlash cometh.

[kenfrequed]

15. Dear gods...

If the Democratic party had half a brain they could use this to take a pot shot at the repukes.

[WatchWhatISay]

16. Anything in the rule state that their day cant start at 3 a.m.?

Early to bed, early to rise ....

[annabanana]

21. +1.. Rise and Shine you mother#@*%$@s!!

(BIG LOUD BUGLE PLAYING REVEILLE)

[CBHagman]

61. LOL!

:rofl:

Please tell me you know someone who can get that on the air...

[David__77]

31. I know. They can adjourn and then convene at midnight.

This would only draw attention to the pissy fit they're throwing. At least it will energize our side as well.

[Posteritatis]

49. The rule says two hours after whenever the session begins. (nt)

[No Elephants]

56. So, they start at noon and quit at two? Grrrrrr.

[jmowreader]

60. Does the rule also say how many sessions can be in one day?

Oh...say...hold four or five sessions a day, each two hours long.

[pmorlan1]

17. Great Campaign Material Here For Democrats

I'd also hold every vote after 2 p.m. LOL

[lifeliberty345]

18. Make them were diapers!

[bc3000]

19. if they were republicans

Democrats always seem unable to capitalize on anything like this. Republicans would use it as a talking point for the next ten years.

[xultar]

24. The DNC needs to be running commercials on this shit right now.

[BeyondGeography]

20. So many "obscure" Senate rules...all workplaces should have such flexibility

[xultar]

22. I suppose Joementum clocked out @ 2p as well.

[Bitwit1234]

23. Why isn't all this stuff on the news

When it does come out by the MSM they are going to make it seem as if the Democrats are involved, wait and see.

And I suppose when the tea bags and the butthole republicans hear about it they will smile and smirk and say....well our guys are showing them. I'd go on with the meetings and such and say sorry, Oh you weren't here. Guess since you never interested in carrying out the business of the American people you weren't missed.

[xultar]

25. +1 - but I bet some are, Blanche, Joe, Ben...

[NewJeffCT]

29. They're waiting for a Democrat

to not cover his or her mouth quickly enough when sneezing so they can report that both sides are being obstinate.

[bergie321]

26. They are making

Campaigning against them too easy.

Vote for (insert progressive candidate here). (Insert State Here) deserves a full time Senator.

[nyc 4 Biden]

28. +1. They just keep on digging deeper.

this is getting entertaining.

[David__77]

30. Can't the rules be changed without cloture?

I think the Democrats pushing a change that the minority can't leisurely adjourn at 2 PM would be a popular fight, even if lost.

[pattmarty]

32. If the Dems are smart (which they won't be) they would publicize..............

..........the shit out of this. As all here know most Americans make under 50K per year and have to bust their ass for every goddamn penny. Many are out of work. If they play this right, it would work well in their favor.

[tom_paine]

35. And exactly which Corporate M$M outlet would keep the story alive

even if the Dems DID publicize it?

[pattmarty]

57. You have a somewhat of a point. Although MSNBC may get some.......

.......digs in with Maddow and Olberman. There are plenty of liberal blogs out there that can and should cover it. Hell, we both saw it here at DU.

[Fearless]

33. Make them come in EARLIER then. Haha!

[leftynyc]

36. Seems the pubs have

learned nothing since they shut the government down in 1995 over Newt's hissy fit at having to deplane Air Force I from the back. People working harder for less pay and they want to work 1/2 a day because their feelings are hurt. Pathetic.

[Solly Mack]

37. Those obscure rules work both ways...

[POAS]

39. If you have a republican Senator call

their local office after 2 PM tomorrow and ask why they are still their if their boss gets to quit at 2!

[connecticut yankee]

40. According to Google ...

The Constitution requires a majority of Senators (51) for a quorum.

So let the Dems hold all their votes after 2 pm, and we'll get everything we want passed.

I love it!!!

:fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump:

[Plucketeer]

41. SO eager to serve their constituents!

Of course, in a "Bye!-partisan" fashion. Truly, truly AMAZING display of childishness!

This has GOT to be used in coming elections.... Republican candidate, Senator Boondoggle, thinks it's time to knock off in early afternoon. Vote for candidate, "On-the-job". He'll deliver a FULL days work on your behalf!

[daleo]

42. Shiftless, lazy

That will impress the hard working voters.

[tomhayes]

43. Quick - someone make a TV commercial with this

Senate Republicans refuse to work past 2p.m.?

Do you really want them in charge of your country???

In November, vote for the Democrat.

[underpants]

44. Sounds like Bush and the 109th "Do Nothing Congress"

Republican Do-Nothing Congress Vacations But Does Nothing For America's Families
August 4, 2006
As Republicans in this "Do-Nothing" Congress head home for the August recess after the shortest and least effective work period in at least 60 years, they should be prepared to explain their failed agenda and rubber-stamping ways. Just yesterday, Democrats successfully stopped Republican election year efforts to attach a fiscally irresponsible million-dollar tax giveaway for multi-millionaires to a minimum wage increase that would benefit nearly seven million Americans. The same day, Democrats strongly questioned Secretary Rumsfeld on growing sectarian violence, mounting casualties and troop preparedness in Iraq, while Republicans continued to rubber-stamp the Administration's commitment to a failed strategy in the region.

"This Republican-controlled Congress is now headed for vacation after the shortest and least effective work schedule in at least 60 years. Republicans will undoubtedly face some tough questions at home since their 'do-nothing' failed leadership has done absolutely nothing but rubber-stamp George Bush's failed agenda on everything from Iraq to the minimum wage to multi-million dollar giveaways to special interests," said DNC Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "Democrats want to move in a new direction so we can get things done for America, unlike the Republicans who continue to play partisan political games that put the special interests ahead of the American people."


109th Congress Sets Do-Nothing Record. "If the House sticks to its schedule, it will have worked 84 days this year when votes were scheduled, 26 fewer than the Congress that President Truman labeled 'do-nothing' during his 1948 campaign."


The "Do-Nothing" Congress Did Nothing to Help America's Families:


They did not pass a raise in the minimum wage to help 6.6 American workers despite 10 years since the last increase
They did not provide any oversight of the Bush Administration’s commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq
They did not do anything to help Americans facing sky-high gas prices
They did not help expand life saving stem cell research by overriding the President's first veto
They did not fix problems with the Medicare drug bill forcing an estimated 3.4 million seniors to have additional drug expenses

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/08/republican_do-n.php

[NecklyTyler]

45. Republicans are in the Minority - just legislate without them

The Republican party has proven to be a drag on the country for years. We should just ignore them and get on with fixing things

[Posteritatis]

50. Can they do that without the committees?

That's the problem; the Republicans are vetoing the legislative committees' operation.

[Zambero]

46. What work ethic?

I'm sure their constituents would be thrilled to know that, in return for their 6-figure salaries they have adopted the Ronald Reagan workday schedule. In the meantime, since they are in the minority, why can't the business of gov't proceed without their whiny asses present?

[crazylikafox]

47. That worked out really well for them last time they shut down the Government.

Ask President Clinton. Didn't that help him get a second term?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[struggle4progress]

48. Well, that oughta go over well with ordinary work-a-day taxpayers!

[Canuckistanian]

51. Why don't they just stamp their feet and hold their breath til they turn blue?

Honest to Gawd, these people are immature.

[Omaha Steve]

52. When did the Republican Senators...

Join a union???? They can't stand unions.

[pepperbear]

54. "I'm so pissed I'm going to vote myself half a day off."

[Kablooie]

55. I hope some Democratic candidates get some good mileage out of this.

I'll bet you can find some pretty important things that won't be done because of the Republicans. They need to get people angry with the GOP.

[dogfacedboy]

59. F'king Lazy Bums! What happened to "personal responsibility"?