Judd Gregg’s evolving opinion of the budget reconciliation process.
Judd Gregg’s evolving opinion of the budget reconciliation process.
Some members of the Obama administration have suggested that they might use the budget reconciliation process to pass their health care and energy proposals, which would require only 51 votes in the Senate, instead of the usual 60. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) doesn’t like this idea, claiming that it is the equivalent of “running over the minority, putting them in cement and throwing them in the Chicago River.” But The New Republic’s Jonathan Cohn notes that Gregg wasn’t so opposed to pushing changes through budget reconciliation in 2005 when Republicans were in power:
Republican leaders indicated Tuesday that they plan to press the issue of drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of a so-called budget reconciliation process, which cannot be subject to a Democratic filibuster–a tactic that has blocked the refuge’s development in the past. …
Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H. said it was reasonable to assume ANWR, as the refuge is commonly called, would be part of the budget measure.
“The president asked for it, and we’re trying to do what the president asked for,” Gregg said Tuesday after meeting privately with Republicans on his panel.
Matt Yglesias writes that “Gregg is being a hypocrite and deserves to be called on it; media outlets who quote him complaining without noting that he’s a hypocrite are being irresponsible.”
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Wow..only 51 votes?..what is this some kind of democracy?
March 18th, 2009 at 5:04 pmSen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) doesn’t like this idea, claiming that it is the equivalent of “running over the minority, putting them in cement and throwing them in the Chicago River.”
Go tell it to oprah, judd. perhaps she’ll care. doubt it though since she was a fervent obama supporter
March 18th, 2009 at 5:06 pm“it is the equivalent of “running over the minority, putting them in cement and throwing them in the Chicago River.””
now you’re talk’n!
March 18th, 2009 at 5:08 pmAre’nt Repugs suppose to rule when they are in the minority?
March 18th, 2009 at 5:08 pmThey all seem to think so.
It seems that hypocracy has become a requirement for Republicans.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:18 pmI certainly hope that the Obama administration will use the budget reconciliation process to introduce these much needed reforms. There is clearly no use trying to bargain with an opposition stunned by their sudden fall from absolute power. It’s time for the Democrats to use the (possibly fleeting) power they have — the will of the people, remember — to do what is right. The Republicans simply deny reality and do what they like; they are fantasy driven.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:22 pmWow, never realized that running over the minority party, putting them in cement and throwing them in the Chicago river was an option. No one other than Rush and Hannity would miss them if this happened.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:24 pmwatchdog Says:
Wow, that’s the best WD can do??
March 18th, 2009 at 5:26 pmjjm – The Republicans are definitely driven by fantasy. They live in some make believe world. Look at how loony Glenn Beck is becoming. Just waiting to see the men in the white coats come and drag him away.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:27 pm.
Q U E S T I O N:
Is an eel a fish, or more like a snake?
.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:31 pmI will never see how a majority rule is considered “running over” the minority..The American people did that when they kicked their majority status out of government..I guess they forgot that they lost the election..Judd Gregg must be roaming the halls of congress wondering where is buddies went.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:31 pm.
#6 watchpuppy,
I’d watch the site bashing if I were you.
Making unsubstantiated claims about this site and it’s affiliates earns you a big red FLAG!
.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:32 pmWhen my son was little he used to through some great histrionic tantrums when he didn’t get his way. I would listen until he ran out of energy, applaud his performance and repeat whatever it was that set him off.
When the Republicans get around to threatening to hold their breath until they turn blue, the Democrats should sell popcorn and sit back and enjoy the show. Who knows the Cspan congress channel might actually get interesting.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:32 pmThe only time majority rule is ‘running over’ the minority is when said minority decides to set themselves up as an obstacle. Frogs really shouldn’t stand out on the highway and yell at the semis.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:35 pmGregg is a charter member of the IOKIYAR club.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:36 pm.
Why…
… It’s not abusing the budget reconciliation process to attach “PET(goat) Projects” when (R)ushpublickin’s do it, NO?
.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:36 pmHoodathunk Says:
The only time majority rule is ‘running over’ the minority is when said minority decides to set themselves up as an obstacle. Frogs really shouldn’t stand out on the highway and yell at the semis.
You reminded me of a line I heard in a song “Sometimes your the windshield, sometimes your the bug.”
March 18th, 2009 at 5:39 pmRun over this minority of liars, traitors, torturers, criminals and greed-meisters? Hmm…
O/T, ever so slightly:
Hang all these AIG economic traitors.
Obama should just declare that all derivatives and credit default swaps are instruments of economic terrorism and as such, there are null and void and thus worthless. Force AIG into bankruptsy (sic). Let the chips fall where they may. Eight years of Bush Republican financial deregulation and Republican Wall Street greed have combined to make quite a little mess, no?
March 18th, 2009 at 5:39 pmI say call their bluff – let them filibuster – most the the Republicans need to be in bed by 2200 – not to mention their afternoon naps…
March 18th, 2009 at 5:44 pmWake me up when the Republicurse ends.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:06 pmSen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) doesn’t like this idea, claiming that it is the equivalent of “running over the minority, putting them in cement and throwing them in the Chicago River.”
Gee Gregg, that sounds a lot like what the Republicant’s did to the Democrats for 6 years. Don’t like it when it may happen to you?
March 18th, 2009 at 6:10 pmlivelongandprosper, the Republicans still think they are the semis.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:11 pmMatt Yglesias writes that “Gregg is being a hypocrite and deserves to be called on it; media outlets who quote him complaining without noting that he’s a hypocrite are being irresponsible.”
Update Bush’s 2001 tax cut passed the Senate with 58 votes and his 2003 tax cut passed with 51 votes.
there you go, obama team – all the ammo you need.
now you make sure the dem leaders know they have no excuse.
buck up and do the right thing. and soon.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:31 pmGregg should go F himself!
March 18th, 2009 at 7:13 pmporn link loser?
March 18th, 2009 at 9:08 pmFriggen Chat Porn Spammer.
Please Flag the a$$hat posts whenever you see them.
They are attempting to ride the coattails of TP’s success by inserting as many links as possible into as many threads as possible so thier “hitcount” on search engines goes up.
This is dispicable ,as is their trade. And TP monitors should be on top of it. Allowing it to continue only sullies thier good name.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:10 pmSounds like an excellent idea.
March 19th, 2009 at 11:15 amThe GOP does not want ANYTHING that will help the American people but they were willing to put OUR kids in harms way to fight 2 wars at the same time.
I say karma is a *****.