Hallelujah! Senate Republicans block Dem attempt to lard up stimulus package; McCain skips out on vote
It’s one of those rare moments when I can bring you a bit of good news from the Beltway. Senate Republicans banded together to block the Democrats from larding up the already bloated stimulus package. They successfully put hapless Harry Reid on the spot and beat back the Dem attempt to pin $44 billion more onto the stimulus donkey.
The stimulus-palooza is still a bad deal, but the small, fleeting victory here is worth savoring. Gotta take ‘em where you can find ‘em:
The fate of $600-$1,200 rebate checks for more than 100 million Americans is in limbo after Senate Democrats failed Wednesday to add $44 billion in help for the elderly, disabled veterans, the unemployed and big business to the House-passed economic aid package.
Republicans banded together to block the $205 billion plan from advancing Wednesday, leaving Democrats with a difficult choice either to quickly accept a House bill they have said is inadequate or risk being blamed for delaying a measure designed as a swift shot in the arm for the lagging economy.
The tally was 58-41 to end debate on the Senate measure, just short of the 60 votes Democrats would have needed to scale procedural hurdles and move the bill to a final vote.
The not-so-good news, but not-so-surprising news? Eight Republicans, half of whom are up for re-election this year, jumped ship and sided with the Dems:
In a suspenseful showdown vote that capped days of partisan infighting and procedural jockeying, eight Republicans - four of them up for re-election this year - joined Democrats to back the plan, bucking GOP leaders and President Bush, who objected to the costly add-ons. Supporters actually had 59 votes in favor of the Democratic proposal, but Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada switched his vote to ‘no’ at the last moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up for a revote.
Here’s the roll call vote. Look who didn’t bother to show:
Just to underscore:
The Republicans who caved: Coleman, Collins, Dole, Domenici, Grassley, Smith, Snowe, Specter.
Not voting: John McCain
Meanwhile:
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois flew to Washington for the vote. Clinton and Obama voted yes on the measure; GOP front-runner John McCain did not vote, reports CBS Radio News’ John Hartge.
So much for “leadership” from McCain on one of his core issues–fiscal responsibility and holding the line against special interests.
The climactic vote came after an intense lobbying effort by Democrats to convert wavering Republicans, including those facing tough re-election fights. Their efforts got a boost from outside groups leaning on senators to back the package, including home builders, manufacturers and the powerful seniors lobby.
Republicans were under enormous pressure from their own leaders not to support the Democrats’ plan.
At least there were other GOP Senators around to carry the fight:
Republican leaders objected to add-ons such as a $14.5 billion unemployment extension for those whose benefits have run out, $1 billion in heating aid for the poor and tax breaks for renewable energy producers and coal companies. The measure builds upon a $161 billion House-passed bill providing $600-$1,200 checks to most taxpayers and tax breaks to businesses investing in new plants and equipment. The Senate version would provide checks of $500-$1,000 to a broader group that includes 20 million elderly people, 250,000 disabled veterans and taxpayers making up to $150,000 for singles - or $300,000 for couples. It would extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks for those whose benefits have run out, with 13 more weeks available in states with the highest jobless rates. The bill also includes $10 billion in tax-free mortgage revenue bonds to help homeowners refinance subprime loans.
Reid denied Republicans an opportunity to offer changes to the measure, provoking the filibuster. The calculus was that enough Republicans would relent in the face of political pressure to support unemployment insurance and heating aid to join Democrats and force the measure through.
Chalk up another Reid calculation gone awry.
You know what? Republicans should act like Republicans more often. It’s good for the soul and the pocketbook.
***
Why was McCain the only one who didn’t make the vote? Looks like we need some straight talk:
Republican presidential candidate John McCain skipped a difficult Senate vote Wednesday on whether to make 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans eligible for rebate checks as part of a proposed economic stimulus package.
The Arizona senator’s decision to miss the vote appeared to come at the last minute, after his plane had landed at Dulles International Airport outside Washington just before the proceedings opened on the Senate floor.
Asked Wednesday morning to comment on the pending vote, McCain talked about the need to pass a stimulus measure quickly. Later, on his plane, he said he was not sure he would make the vote.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk about it at all, have not had the opportunity to, even,” McCain said. “We’ve just been too busy, focused on other stuff. I don’t know if I’m doing that. We’ve got a couple of meetings scheduled.”
Whichever way McCain may have voted, it would have been a difficult choice given his status as the Republican presidential front-runner.
Senate Democrats cleverly bundled the rebates for seniors and veterans, key voting blocs, with expanded unemployment benefits and home heating subsidies for the jobless and poor.
President Bush and Republican leaders, as well as conservatives McCain was scheduled to woo on Thursday, vehemently oppose the expanded benefits and subsidies.
That put McCain in a bad political spot.
Voting “no” with Republican leaders would have offended millions of Social Security recipients and the disabled veterans not scheduled to receive rebates. Voting “yes,” on the other hand, risked alienating Bush, GOP leaders and conservatives already suspicious of McCain’s political leanings. McCain was speaking Thursday before a meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference, a group that booed him last year in absentia.
For McCain, not voting meant not going on the record either way. He has missed all eight Senate roll call votes this year…
… There was confusion among McCain’s his staff about whether he would make the vote. Campaign spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said when he landed that she believed he was headed to the Capitol to vote, but a second spokeswoman, Brooke Buchanan, said later that he would not make it.
Leadership, anyone?
***
Commenter capitano: “The story early today was he was making a special flight back to D.C. for the vote. No doubt Reid expected McCain to vote ‘yea’ or he wouldn’t have embarrassed himself (again) by calling for the vote. There’s no way McCain could then appear at CPAC to make nice with conservatives after voting against holding the line on spending. Yep, when the going get’s tough, the tough free-thinking mavericks vote ‘present’ or ‘no show.’”
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- This is How Conservatives Work : The Sundries Shack
- Right Voices » Blog Archive » Reid Fails On Stimulus Gamble..Republicans Reject His $44 billion Add Ons
- Right Wing Rebel » Blog Archive » Holy Crap! Republicans Acted Like Republicans!
- Right Angles » Blog Archive » Dole votes with the pork lovers
- Right Wing News
- Liberty Pundit
- Neocon News » MSM playing with headlines. Republicans hate the economy! And you!
- Michelle Malkin » House sends stimulation-palooza to Bush’s desk
- Neocon News » Daily Quick Hits 2/7/08
- KVNU's For The People
- Michelle Malkin » Another massive mortgage boondoggle–and one lone dissenting vote
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44 Billion?
Wow! Republicans acting like Republicans. Haven’t seen that in a while.
A temporary phenomenon, no doubt. Considering that spending has escalated continuously since 1965 under each party’ control, the idea that conservatives are better stewards of the finances is pure BS.
Hagel, Lugar & Reid nays…oh my!
Well it is about high time! Probably won’t happen again in my life time. Poor Reeeeed.
L
McCain was afraid to show up and show his true colors. A Yea from him would have cause Reid to vote Yea and it would have passed.
McNasty was too busy to vote. Also, he would have voted against the Republicans–with his buddies Snowe, etc. and that would not look very good these days. Surprisingly Lindsey Graham voted with the GOP…and, weirdly, so did Harry Reid??? I’ll bet he is in hot water.
Off topic: Mary Matalin–who I have a lot of respect for– was just on Glenn Beck. She was formerly with the Thompson campaign and seems to lean towards Romney. She says it ain’t over yet for Mitt, although the MSM and FOX News would like for you to think that way.She kept saying that McCain only has 1/2 of the delgates. So a glimmer of hope?
Republicans will “act like Republicans more often,” when faced with a Democrat President (not a RINO) and are not overcome with white guilt (sorry, Obama) one should add.
All of which translates to: Go Hillary!
Hello? Paging John “The conservative Reagan foot soldier” McCain. Where were you on this fiscally irresponsible measure?
But, have no fear - He is “Mr. Conservative”. All we have to do is “judge [him] by [his] friends.” Ugh!
Straight talk and decisiveness meets the real world. What will he do when he doesn’t have “nothing” as an alternative? Hell, sometimes you have to take the boat past Scylla. It’s called leadership.
Did anyone notice Elizabeth Dole (wife of the so-called “conservative”, Bob Dole, that lost to a Clinton in ‘96) in the “YEAs”, along with Lieberman and several other McCain hacks in the Senate?
Not going to get that from John McCain.
John McCoot does not seem to be a multi-tasker. Therefore, he will not get my vote. (sarcasm)
I don’t think it is right for McCain, Hillary or Obama to spend an entire year on the political trail and still be paid as a Senator who are supposed to vote,and possibly pay attention to something other than their own egos. When I am queen and make the rules I am going to stop this policy.
I wondered, also, about the Libby Dole vote. Is she up for re-election this year?
Miss Libby Dole will be hearing from me.
I have been a supporter of hers for years and have met her.
Disappointed to say the least.
McVanity? No surprise there.
Hope MITT keeps that info embedded in his talking points.
Ok, maybe this goes here maybe it does not, Newt Gingrich just said that McCain may have some problems this fall with the conservative base. Hannity said that some of them must just stay home Gingrich said it may be a bigger problem than that, the conservitive base is the most powerful part of the Republican party and it’s been that way since 1964 and that McCain can not win without it.
I saw old Harry flapping his jaws about how home builders have been left out and blah blah pork blah blah more pork, he was trying to hold up the this stimulus package to get more pork of course of course and he has done but as usual he has shot himself in the foot once again by his greed. McCain was not there to vote because he would have reached across the isle once again to appease the Dimocrats and would have done a reach around on his own party and would have lost thousands of supporters to his true colors.
Thats might stay home
McShame was to busy editing the video comparing himself to Ronald Reagan to be shown at CPAC tomorrow to vote. RR must be PO I just heard Thunder outside, while typing this.
McCain’s elbow must be out of joint from reaching across the dang aisle so much. Why doesn’t he stay on his side and play in the GOP sandbox?
I have McCain Derangement syndrome.
wow, I thought he was the courageous one? Pretty cowardly move for a true conservative who wants to stop wasteful spending so badly.
Go Mitt!
RINO (republican in name only) Specter is not running for re-election. People in Western PA say he’s a democrap for 5 years and a republican for 1, yep, the 1 when he is up for re-election.
Now that I think about it, I don’t like many Senators–except Sessions and DeMint. I vote to elect them for President.
Well, he does seem to look pretty stiff in the upper torso, when you see him, Lindsay. I suspect he has thrown a joint or two out “reaching across the aisle.”
The story early today was he was making a special flight back to D.C. for the vote. No doubt Reid expected McCain to vote ‘yea’ or he wouldn’t have embarrassed himself (again) by calling for the vote.
There’s no way McCain could then appear at CPAC to make nice with conservatives after voting against holding the line on spending.
Yep, when the going get’s tough, the tough free-thinking mavericks vote “present” or “no show”.
Smith, Snowe, Specter haven’t voted sensibly nor Republican in so long it is hard to remember that ther hare a ‘R’ by their name and state.
McCain certainly showed leadership style and decision making today - LMAO.
If this isn’t a perfect illustration of Mr. Straight Talk’s contempt and arrogance for his own party, then my friends, I don’t know what is.
Good work, McCain supporters.
He’s missed all votes this year…what a guy who cares for his country.
I don’t think I am going to make it to the convention, much less the election.
What is the cure for McCain Derangement?
News fast? Alcoholism? Catatonic stupor?
I don’t know but MDS seems to be infectious. Maybe the CDC and the pharmaceutical companies has something in the works. LOL
Yet he was going to catch a flight back to DC right after his new conferance were he told Conservatives to CALM DOWN!
BarryF, so that’s why McCain hates pharmaceutical companies!
It is all much clearer now…
Will he be telling CPAC to calm down tomorrow or will he just put on his chameleon suit and tell everyone at CPAC sweet little lies. What a back stabber this man is, he sold the Republican party long ago.
Jarhead, McCain is bipartisan (bipolar).Don’t worry, he’ll come through with his Reagan video tomorrow.
He’ll probably trot out his Mama to soften the crowd and decrease the throwing of rotten tomatoes.
I noted on another thread that McCain didn’t show up in 2007 to speak at CPAC. But, Romney and Huckabee did. I guess he didn’t feel the need to be as “conservative” in 2007, as he does now.
Mrs. McCain should go on the record as denying that he ever came from her loins.
Was that over-the-top? Sorry. I guess I am just to that point with this whole campaign season now.
Gotta take ‘em where you can find ‘emRemember that later this year, dear girl.
Remember that later this year, dear girl.
Derangement: to make insane
It’s not derangement if he’s really out to get you.
With stunts like this one, part of me agrees with Ann Coulter - part of me would like to vote for the Democrat, whoever it is, just to prove a point to the Republican party. If it weren’t for the president’s ability to appoint judges, I really think I’d do it.
Just because McRino had a few photo ops with President Reagan does that make him a conservative. So if
McCainMcRino can be conservative because of a few photo ops, then (gag) my Senator Chuckie “Govt. Cheese” Schumer is a conservative too. I’m sure when he was a congressman from NY he had his share of photo ops with President Reagan. (Sarc off)I’ve been trying really, really hard to find positives in McCain. Even argued with folks here about him. However, over and over again, he turns out to be more liberal than the average democrat…
So, what makes you think that he would put conservative judges on the SCOTUS? I don’t think he’s got a chance of being elected, anyway, but I don’t see him doing any pandering to conservatives in any way.
The whole country seems to have lost it’s collective mind. It’s going to be either Obama, or Hillary leading the charge to oblivion in the next decade!
Don’t think I’ll vote for a president this year. Just leave it blank… That’s not a suicide vote… because I’m not voting to commit suicide with the rest of the electorate..,.
It’s a disgusted with the whole mess vote!!
David Cooperfield (magician) has nothing on McCain. His conservatism is all smoke and mirrors, he makes Harry Houdini look like an amateur. Come to think of it he is the “Fliflam Man”.
Yea that’s the ticket… it’s McFlimflam
Come on people, McCain was too busy to attend to the job he is getting paid for. Besides, he was probably busy shoring up the edorsement of “Republicans for Choice”.
Not voting: John McCain
The Cavemen, and Cavewomen votes don’t surprise me, what with their “Can’t we just get along” mentality, and striving for (the one sided) “bi-partisanship.”
McCain is no surprise, either. Take the time to look at the voting record for most of last year, and this. You will see he has missed a vast majority of senate votes. What leadership!!!
McCain playing both sides of the aisle? No!
Weasel McCain was too hung over.
This whole “stimulus” package will be a big failure anyway. Personally, my “check” will go into savings and left there. There it will earn some interest before I have to return it in higher taxes next year.
Regardless of whether the stimulus package is a good idea or not, & I don’t think it’s a good idea, but if it’s OK to give “rebates” to illiegals, why isn’t it OK to give rebates to seniors & disabled vets? Seems to me they are a bit more deserving.
How many of those 8 scumators… err… I mean “senators,” have endorsed Johnny Boy?
What a complete loser McCain is.
Sunshinerbay,
Supporting a demoncrat would probably give us a better justice than McCain would.
McCain is going to reach out for a “compromise” candidate. That’s code for “whatever Chuck, Ted, and Barack will support.” Republicans will be expected to back “their” president, and we end up with a judge that the communists basically chose.
If Barack is president, the republicants will find what little spine they have and oppose anything but a TRULY moderate candidate, since their base will revolt otherwise.
Do you want to be the republican running for re-election when your opposition says “I have just one word to say about my opponent: ______” and they insert the name of another Ginsberg or Souter?
No, at this point our best hope for keeping the supremes even partially conservative is to put the bad people in power - if just - but badger them mercilessly.
I’ll say this: conservatives had better gain more seats in congress this year.
I think Mitch McConnell is doing a much better job as senate Republican leader
than Lott or Frist. Lott was a mealy mouth moderate and Frist was just plain incompetent as a senate leader. McConnell seems to be low key, but firm.
oh, and not voting, John McCain. I guess he was getting fitted for his Reagan Uniform and Mask.
Coleman is a loser. The Brooklyn born, reincarnated as a MN-sotan, Senator. Endorsed Rudy first, then when Rudy couldn’t win a state he chooses the other liberal in the race - McCain.
Norm Coleman is the quintessential “finger in the air testing which way the wind is blowing” Politician. As evidenced by his votes on Amnesty and yesterday in favor of “Stimulus to break the bank”. If polls are to be believed he’s -unbelievably- polling behind the hate mongering Al Franken.
McCain’s non-vote yesterday was cowardly. Can someone tell him that when the going gets tough you can’t just “not show up” or “disappear”.
Oh whoops, I’m supposed to calm down.
McCaskill is supporting Obama need I say more?
This women should not have gotten close to winning her election which I might add was a narrow defeat of Jim Talent (R), her career not only in politics has been frought with scandalous behavior her term ends in 2012 and should not be elected again.
The silver lining: at least with McCain as front-runner, he didn’t dare hand the democrats their pork sammich. If he weren’t running for president, or was too far out of it to win, do you really think that he would have abstained?
Oh, and as MM said, Harry Reid’s “nay” vote was a procedural devise to allow him to bring the issue back if he chooses to. He is not in trouble and was not voting it down.
What a joke, yes he’s still getting paid as a senator and I’d be willing to bet he would have voted with the dems and didn’t want the publicity.
We know where he’s at. And this is what we’ll get if he’s President. Every democratic bill passed, great thing to look forward to.
I hope Mitt still has a chance. Oh boy, do I!!