REVOLT: Critical Spending Bill Goes Down In The House
REVOLT: Critical Spending Bill Goes Down In The House
In a dramatic rebuke of conservative leadership, the House has defeated the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending bill for Fiscal Year 2006. This year’s bill, which contains one-third of all domestic spending, calls for deep cuts in critical government programs.
The vote was scheduled for 15 minutes but lasted more than a half hour. This time, the conservative leaders couldn’t twist enough arms.
UPDATE: This bill seemed to be OK with the right-wing until Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) cut out all the pork.
UPDATE II: More on the loss for conservative leadership from a Hill staffer, via The Plank:
The defeat was embarassing in more than one respect. First, they lost. Second, they looked hapless while losing. Rather than stopping the bleeding, they held the vote open for a long time, but had a twenty vote deficit. Very few of those votes were budging. To make the effort to hold the vote open and then to lose looks exceptionally weak.
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Ohh, I’m all tingly!
November 17th, 2005 at 2:17 pmLooks like the Bush League overspent it’s political capital.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:23 pmThe Leadership can’t twist arms without their “Hammer.”
Besides, these guys are not worried about their arms. They’re looking over their shoulders and seeing a snarling mad America looking back at them.
New on EWM: “Society of Co-opted Journalists Presents Inaugural Judy Miller Award to Bob Woodwardâ€
November 17th, 2005 at 2:26 pmHOORAY!! HOORAY!! The Republican are not getting their TAX CUTS. Old Bushie is on his way out.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:26 pmAmazing. The Gay ‘Ol Party is falling apart right before our eyes.
The Fat Lady sounds like she’s warming up.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:30 pmWow.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:32 pmUh oh…where’s NED to tell how he’s now going to crush us all, kick all of our asses, and beat the crap out of us? Oh yeah, he lost. Nevermind, we won’t be seeing his sorry ass around here…
Sorry NED (whenever you show)–you own the Senate, the House, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branch, and you can’t pass your crappy-ass laws. Go stuff a sock in it…
gloating is rare, but fun
November 17th, 2005 at 2:32 pm2006 is an election year.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:34 pm15 minutes of debate.
And those a*holes in charge of Congress think we can imposed democracy on someone else?
November 17th, 2005 at 2:37 pmI’ve noticed an absence of NED, IRI, mighty assphrodite, etc.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:38 pmIsn’t it illegal to keep a vote open longer than the time alotted?
November 17th, 2005 at 2:40 pm#11 - Not if you control the rules committee. Ugh.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:42 pm#9- TP should have written “15 minute vote” not “15 minute debate.” A typo. Look at the screen capture. Those are votes.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:42 pmI was watching some of the debate before this vote. Democrat after Democrat would get up and talk real numbers about the cuts in the bill. The Republicans would then respond with some nonsense about how this bill “moves the country forward” or (and this is the real fun one) how “compassionate” the bill is without really talking any details. They are all for rhetoric, but refuse to look at real things like science, numbers, and statistics.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:44 pm[…] Today’s crucial spending bill apparently wend down in another revolt by GOP moderates. For now Think Progress has the only info, but you can be sure more will come out soon. […]
November 17th, 2005 at 2:46 pmThey refuse to look at peoples lives. Republican are only for the rich, rich, rich. They are so out of touch with the American people.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:49 pmThe Wheels on the Bus
Keep coming off.
Poor Denny Hastert. He can’t seem to keep his grand coalition together anymore
November 17th, 2005 at 2:49 pmTime for another sake, george? Dang … governin’ is haaaarrrrrrrrdddddddd werk!!!!
November 17th, 2005 at 2:52 pmRe the Update - Go Arlen!
November 17th, 2005 at 2:52 pmThis is great news. Kudos to all who voiced their opinions to kill this bill. Shame on my piece of sh*t congressman, The Dishonorable Scott Garrett, for ignoring the pleas of his constituents.
November 17th, 2005 at 2:58 pmI’m proud of the Dems for hanging together on this one. A little more solidarity, please?
November 17th, 2005 at 2:58 pmDoes this mean the new money for INC is out, too?
Damn.
–
November 17th, 2005 at 3:05 pm#13 I thank the commenter. I reserve the rest of my time and would like to revise and extend my remarks to say they are still a*holes.
I now cede the balance of my keystrokes.
:-)
November 17th, 2005 at 3:14 pm#7 Punchy, this isn’t a time to gloat, it’s a time to demonstrate consistently at the Whitehouse. #16 Mary Poppin how absolutely true, they’re out of touch with practically every aspect of human lives for that very reason. #22 Pope Ratzo here’s another reason for you: I apologise for this long message but check this out;
The United States is coming under increasing pressure from European governments to reply to charges that planes with alleged links to CIA prisoner transports have quietly touched down in their countries.
From Portugal to Iceland, there have been reports of landings by private jets that have allegedly been used for the CIA’s extraordinary renditions programme.
These have added fuel to already burning criticism of the treatment of prisoners in the US-led war on terror.
“This is proof that we are co-operating too intimately with the CIA and the American government in the so-called war on terror,” Sweden’s Left Party leader Lars Ohly said.
“If these allegations turn out to be true, the crucial thing is whether these flights landed in the member states with or without the knowledge and approval of the authorities,” Council of Europe Secretary-General Terry Davis said.
The Council of Europe is a human rights watchdog.
I’m from Britain. How much of this activity has been made public in America? The above article appeared today in the British press and I have copied it unaltered, its interesting because it;
1. has been doctored before publishing as it omits the fact the prisoners were in fact being tortured in small wire cages during transportation and by many other methods after landing. The activity has been referred to as a ‘renditions’ programme. Public information manipulated with a cynical disregard for truth (esp. activities of this nature) must have Paul Joseph Goebbels in awe.
2. is a legacy of neocon activity, in particular another horrific abuse of international treaty by Americans and who knows how many other Governments (coerced by America to do so?) but unfortunately and unfairly history will blame ALL Americans.
3. will anger many Europeans who will unfairly blame ALL Americans and seek to distance themselves further from you.
4. further reinforces the message across the world that America is one of the most awful places in the entire world to be, lawless, arrogant, imperialistic, barbaric and corrupt. How does America differ politically in real terms from North Korea or Tehran in the manner of contempt the leaders have for their own people (e.g. Cindy Sheehan), the press has for its own people (O’Reilly - San Francisco) and others around the world? America is closing the gap, no hands or heads chopped off in public yet but what will another Republican election win result in? Neocons (Israel), Evangelists (Protestants) and ‘Intelligent’ Design holding sway far worse than now. Wait until Alito gets his way and controls what women can do with their own bodies. Yet another man dominating women. 34% of you support Bush so 66% of you don’t. How much more will 66% of you have to suffer before you are motivated enough to stop this rot? When will you bottom out?
It is imperative that the current administration in America is removed ASAP to prove to the world and yourselves you are better than this, your current reputation is undeserved and you are not all responsible for what your current leaders are doing – you swear an allegiance to your flag and constitution – your country but not your leaders! The difference cannot be starker in dark times like these. PoliWood, Evangelists and neocons have a lot to answer for! Democrats unite, scream support for the Congressional Black Caucus, stick a cattle prod up the backsides of your Democrat Senators/Congressmen and Demonstrate, Demonstrate, Demonstrate for all our sakes!
November 17th, 2005 at 3:16 pmAmazin’, folks. In the short span of 2 weeks, the moderates on the other side have finally woken up and smelled the coffee (or smelled something else emanating from the right-wingnuts). NOW we’ll see this country moving forward, for sure. Too bad it’ll take a while to undo all the damage done by Georgie-porgie and his ultra-right wing fringe. But at least it’s starting to seem like “morning in America” again…
And by the way, us Virginians are proud to have played a possible part in starting this re-awakening, by kicking the crap outa the GOP in our governor’s race only 8 days ago…
November 17th, 2005 at 3:20 pmWho else here thinks that we progressives have more in common with the moderate republicans than they have with the leadership of their own party?
May the middle rise again….
November 17th, 2005 at 3:35 pm11 - it isn’t illegal. The “rule” is 15 minutes, but it is more a parlimentary nicity to speed things along. They have alota votes in a day, you know.
That doesn’t mean we can’t point it out when they hold the vote open longer for their twisted reasons. Yes, gloat even.
November 17th, 2005 at 3:38 pmNow if they can defeat the energy bill and all the porc to those corporation with obcene profits , the country may be on the road to rcoverfy , specially if the democrats keep pushing for a withdrawal from irak
November 17th, 2005 at 3:42 pm#25 Gary Thanks for the news. The government only puts out what they want us to hear. It is good to have someone outside America to talk to. We need all the information we can get. I think the Dems, some of the Reppublicans and the American people are waking up.
#26 Zippy the Other Pinhead Thanks for getting the GOP governor out of office on Tuesday. Now we can get the ball rolling. Maybe next year the Dems can take Congress back. I like to check on what other state are doing. You can learn what is happening in this country by the internet bloggers.
November 17th, 2005 at 3:44 pmThe dems and the renegade pukes ought to shut the whole damn government down from now until the elections of 2006.
I will bet that Georgie Porgie is doing a “I peed my pants dance” and wringing his hands before asking for another Jack Daniels and watee.
November 17th, 2005 at 3:45 pm[…] “This” being the implosion of GOP unity and party effectiveness. In a dramatic rebuke of conservative leadership, the House has defeated the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending bill for Fiscal Year 2006. This year’s bill, which contains one-third of all domestic spending, calls for deep cuts in critical government programs. […]
November 17th, 2005 at 3:48 pmRight on People. We have spoken and will not stop until we take America back.
Impeach Bushie now!
November 17th, 2005 at 4:02 pmWe are doing pretty well lately in PA. Next we’ll have to get rid of Santorum. Now I feel like my many E-mails to Specter were not a complete waste of time.
November 17th, 2005 at 4:04 pmHouse GOP Defeat
Turmoil in the House GOP Caucus has resulted in defeat of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending bill. The President’s weakness, fractured and distracted Republican leadership, a unified Democratic Caucus, and the absence of pork…
November 17th, 2005 at 4:10 pmRe Update 2 - What goes around, comes around.
November 17th, 2005 at 4:26 pm#34 I hope you can get Santorum out of office. He is a real piece of work.
November 17th, 2005 at 4:27 pmMary and Francis, you are both right about Santorum, like many of these old men that have been in office and at the trouth to long they should be mandatory retired and have to survive like the rest of us on social security. There are many on both sides we need to weed out….
November 17th, 2005 at 4:51 pmI love it! Damn well time! I’m hearing that chorus from “Tommy” right now: “We’re not going to take it!….da da da da. We’re not going to take it!” Maybe we’re finally starting to come out of the the Wonderland looking glass.
November 17th, 2005 at 4:52 pmBush is lame. Cheney is discredited. Frist is weak and under investigation. Hastert is running scared. The Hammer is out of commission.
November 17th, 2005 at 5:28 pmThe one-party system of government we have suffered under is fraying — time to rip it apart.
#40 Marie, please can you do me a favour and tell me how often Americans demonstrate at the Whitehouse? I’m from Britain, I wrote #25 and on the news over here we only ever get what Blair wants us to hear. We heard nothing of the demonstrations by Cindy Sheehan etc. Do many americans demonstrate and if so, how often?
November 17th, 2005 at 5:38 pm#26 Zippy they haven’t smelled the coffee, the moderate Repubes have smelled the election coming in 06 and realized they are going to get their asses handed to them if they keep doing what they’ve been doing. The Prez with a 35% approval rating can’t help them, the Veep with a 16% approval rating (and plumeting every time he defends torture etc) ain’t going to do it. They have smelled the rot and are working to do things that will be in some way, no matter how small, show their constituants that they aren’t part of “them”.
#41 Gary, People protest there EVERY DAY. I was down there just last week and there was a guy in an orange jump suit (the kind prisoners wear) protesting torture. Good for him. No matter how large or small the group, there’s usually someone hanging out with a protest sign on the street that’s closed off to vehicular trafic just north of the Whitehouse.
November 17th, 2005 at 6:02 pmGary, we demonstrate constantly. Only the large demonstrations make the news.
Our latest demonstration is happening at this very moment.
Thousands of people (maybe millions) of people are hosting/attending screenings of the movie WALMART, THE HIGH COST OF LOW PRICES.
We the People support Robert Greenwalds documentary that outlines how America pays dearly by patronizing Sam Waltons Walmart and Sams Club stores.
Sam Walton is a traitor.
November 17th, 2005 at 6:03 pmJennty, Susan, thanks for this - the impression here is that people are not really demonstrating and those that do soon give up - its all propaganda. That’s why I enjoy reading thinkprogress.
November 17th, 2005 at 6:14 pmGary–pretty much the same impression all over this country actually. US press generally doesn’t do any better a job. Plus, many people who don’t support much of anything that’s going on… have jobs. And kids. And when there’s kids in the picture the job isn’t expendable. Etc. There’s some sporadic resentment of protestors among those who complain of too much to do in their lives. Luxury of elites etc. Mostly nonparticipants sigh and wonder aloud rhetorically what it’ll accomplish.
November 17th, 2005 at 8:22 pmQuick Response Time
Everybody is arguing tonight. Great politics!
November 17th, 2005 at 9:00 pm#41, People protest the White House every day. Some of us make a special trip there for a particular cause (such as a peace march in September that drew more than 100,000). However, the problem is that when small numbers gather there, they are ignored as simply crackpots - and when very large demonstrations occur, the mainstream media barely covers it. Our national media is very pro-Bush, and the conservative viewpoint in print on television and on the radio is very pervasive and dominant. It has taken us years to gain even a bit of acknowledgement, but we keep trying.
November 17th, 2005 at 10:05 pmAs for Cindy Sheehan, she was recently fined for her latest demonstration in front of the White House — certainly because she is a celebrity of sorts. She is planning to camp out again in Texas near the Bush estate, but since they have now prohibited gatherings and travel on all roads near his place, I don’t know where or how she will manage. I also recently read that she is going to go to Europe, but I can’t say for sure.
I am sure that I speak for many here who appreciate the support we get from those of you across “the pond” and it’s nice to read your posts.
Please don’t abandon us — we Americans are not all like Bush and Co.
Yes Marie, Cindy Sheehan is scheduled to visit Europe and I’m pretty sure she’s going to Britian.
Cindy Sheehan is also appealing her conviction. She wasn’t demonstrating without a permit she was trying to deliver a petition to the White House. Her lawyer wants a judge to overturn the conviction and return her $75 fine.
Sounds like she has an attorney that is true American who works on principle.
November 18th, 2005 at 12:03 amCindy Sheehan will be visiting London and Madrid after turkey dinner at Camp Casey.
November 18th, 2005 at 12:53 amapologies for not replying sooner, it was getting late. Marie, Susan this is great news about Cindy. I will drum up support as I know people all over my country so we can meet up with Cindy in London. The vast majority of people here hate the Iraq war - always have, hate being lied to and want out of Iraq now. Here’s another titbit from across the pond for you….. are you aware that about 20 Members of Parliament across 5!!! parties have already signed a petition to begin a debate about impeaching Blair? Has America covered this news? I’ll bet not! Be assured I won’t be abandoning you, I support good Americans and enjoy putting down the trolls in Britain who stereotype you all as puppets of Israel. The latest outrage here about Americans is the use of W Phos on Iraq civilians – people are saying you are as bad as those you’ve removed – until I point out Britain has dropped cluster bombs on civilians (then tell them what cluster bombs are) and most of America hate their own current leaders as much as we do our own! Now I can tell them you are constantly demonstrating but BRITISH propaganda doesn’t cover it!
Anyone reading this who can help, please let me know where/when Cindy is arriving in London so we can greet her – or where I can find out. Cheers
November 18th, 2005 at 9:27 amThanks, Gary, I think the time difference, plus hours we spend on our jobs explains the long time spans between replies.
November 18th, 2005 at 5:18 pmAnyway, I am pleased to hear that there is a movement in Britain to debate the impeachment of Tony Blair. (We have heard nothing on our news.) I want to say something here — after we were struck on 9/11/01, our extremely inarticulate president, while gathering support from all quarters, was incapable of speaking with any form of grace and eloquence in his speeches. When Mr. Blair spoke he gained a lot of our respect and admiration for his support and for his comforting words, and many of us were pained to make the comparison between him and Bush.
Therefore, after the decision was made to invade Iraq, I was as disappointed in Blair as I was in Bush. I don’t know what kind of secret pact the two have made, but it is a deadly one. I hope that the populace of both countries, along with parliamentary and congressional support will bring about their impeachments and we can get on with repairing the damage.
By the way, I do watch your government occasionally on late-night TV where Blair debates parliament. If Bush were to engage in something like that, we would have to show it on the comedy channel.
I think I couldn’t bear to watch ‘yee-haaah’ Bush with his stooges asking preconceived questions.
Parliamentary debates would serve their purpose if the opposition parties bared their teeth a lot more, for a long time they have been damp squibs. Howard and Kennedy would have received better election results if they had been rightly vitriolic and louder.
Blair communicates in an articulate manner but the majority of his opinions are just plain wrong e.g. Blair thought Ken Livingstone was wrong for London Mayor, the congestion (traffic) charge was the wrong way forward, not to mention the Iraq war was necessary. He’s publicly apologised for the former 2 but not the latter (he’ll never apologise for the war for obvious reasons).
The only thing Blair can claim credit for being right about recently was his argument with France and Brussels re. not increasing British monetary contributions to Europe but ANYONE in power would have taken that decision.
Blair’s worst attributes are his deliberate lies (Downing St. Memo, Britain is 45 minutes from a nuclear attack by Hussain) and his dictatorial ‘don’t you dare question me’ attitude (90 days holding of ‘terrorist’ suspects without access to a lawyer – the anti-terror laws have already been misused on an elderly gent heckling Jack Straw at a conference (more apologies followed), opening bars/pubs for 24 hrs/day – bad idea with the volume of violent, drunken trolls we have here – the police/courts/public/councils/press have unanimously declared this policy lunacy, identity cards will ‘reduce terrorism’ and won’t cost much, despite warnings from MI6 identity cards won’t work and economic advisors stating the cost is prohibitive – Blair can’t see the wood for the trees). This country is sick of Blair and his apologies.
Blair is all but incapable of making correct decisions, drunk with power as he is.
You are right about work and the time difference, they tend to conflict with defending constitutional and human rights laws but I know I’m not alone in writing there are many things worth defending in this world. I send friendship and love to 66% of America.
November 20th, 2005 at 3:14 pm[…] On the heels of last month’s domestic spending bill defeat, CongressDaily (sub. req’d) has this important news: Negotiators seeking about $45 billion in five-year budget savings appear likely to drop proposed reductions in the federal food stamp program, with GOP opposition firming up as the Agriculture committees work to meet a $3 billion savings target. […]
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