GOP Senators Who Used Budget Reconciliation To Pass Bush Agenda Items Now Calling It ‘Chicago Style Politics’
GOP Senators Who Used Budget Reconciliation To Pass Bush Agenda Items Now Calling It ‘Chicago Style Politics’
Today, Politico reported that Republican senators are prepared to go “nuclear” — essentially shutting down the Senate through the use of parliamentary maneuvers — if President Obama attempts to use budget reconciliation to pass key parts of his legislative agenda, such as health care reform and cap-and-trade. Reconciliation allows some legislation to be protected from filibusters and passed by a simple majority. On NPR this morning, Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) repeated a now familiar attack on budget reconciliation:
BOND: “In this post-partisan time of Barack Obama, we’re seeing a little Chicago politics. They steamroller those who disagree with them, then, I guess in Chicago, they coat them in cement and drop them in the river.” [NPR, 3/24/09]
Bond appears to be parroting his colleague Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), who said any use of budget reconciliation by President Obama would be “regarded as an act of violence” against Republicans, and likened it to “running over the minority, putting them in cement and throwing them in the Chicago River.” Other GOP senators have chimed in against reconciliation, with Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) calling it a “purely partisan exercise” and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) saying it “would be a mess.”
Despite their howls against Obama, Republicans employed the same procedure to pass major Bush agenda items (which were supported by all four aforementioned Senators):
– The 2001 Bush Tax Cuts [HR 1836, 3/26/01]
– The 2003 Bush Tax Cuts [HR 2, 3/23/03]
– Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 [HR 4297, 5/11/06]
– The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 [H. Con Res. 95, 12/21/05]
As ThinkProgress has noted, Gregg defended using the reconciliation procedure to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for domestic drilling in 2005, arguing, “The president asked for it, and we’re trying to do what the president asked for.” Evidently, Gregg has lost the same sense of patriotic duty.
While Republicans seem to be experiencing a particular form of political amnesia from the Bush years, they ought to be reminded that budget reconciliation has been used by several other presidents, including Clinton and Reagan. In fact, Republicans — with Bond and Gregg among the leaders of the charge — were instrumental in pushing through key provisions of their signature legislative agenda, the Contract with America, using budget reconciliation.
A list of instances where reconciliation was implemented:
Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1983
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
Balanced Budget Act of 1995 (vetoed)
Personal Responsibility and Budget Reconciliation Act of 1996
Balanced Budget Act of 1997
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act of 1999 (vetoed)
Marriage Tax Relief Act of 2000 (vetoed)
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005
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GOP Senators Who Used Budget Reconciliation To Pass Bush Agenda Items Now Calling It ‘Chicago Style Politics’ »
– - As a native Chicagoan this kinda crap from the GOP really incenses me. It isn’t known as The City That Works for nothing. The GOP acts like we just came off of 8 years of bipartisanship nirvana. Mother—–
March 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pmI wonder if somebody could remind me again why Obama thought he could get cooperation from the Pukes?
And then tell me what he planned to do if they–against all odds, of course–decided to be obstructionists?
And then what the phuque we’re supposed to do when the Pukes butt-phuque the country (again)?
March 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pmThe Dems should hit back, calling what Republicans are doing just more of the same failed Texas-style politicking, that got us into this mess to begin with, with concessions to their Big Oil buddies being their sole focus, economic recovery be damned.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pmIm just wondering if they go on all the sunday morning talking head shows will these same talking heads call them on the shere hypocracy of there statments???we know it wont happen on fixed noise how bout tweety or gregory?? we will wait and see who has the journalistic intergity to call them out….hahahah see what I did there I used the words integrity and journoulist in the same sentence as tweety and gregory aint that a hoot huh???
March 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pmIn those immortal words…bring it on. The public is getting more riled by the day at all the evidence of elitism, obstructionism and jingoism.
Filibuster and be damned, boys.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:40 pmWhy coat them in cement? These GOP dickheads are already dense enough to sink to the bottom.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:40 pmHypocrites! We all know it. You would think that once in their lives they would put the country first, but no, they put their party first. It is so hard to have any respect for these people.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:48 pmBadmoodman…a-freakin’-men! I am from Chicago and am tired of hearing it, too.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:49 pmThat’s why they’re known as Repugincants.
The Red team can do it repugnantly, but blues can’t.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:51 pmTIP FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE:
get a manequin dressed in a suit with a television for a head, then while hauling the mannequin into the senate floor, make a show of saying, “we now give the floor to honorable Sentator Blah Blah (R, circa 2004).”
March 24th, 2009 at 6:56 pmGet a dvd video recording of the these obstructionist bufoons, saying the totally opposite thing when they were running the show (’we demand an up or down vote in the interests of democracy, etc etc), and play the video on the televsion screen right there in front of them. Maybe then these idiots might actually be too overwhelmed by their own hipocracy to keep this up. also, the spectacle would attract tv cameras and would finally get the senate floor some attention somewhere other than C-Span…
Call their bluff. Let the Red boys go nuclear while our country is in crisis.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pmI guess in Chicago, they coat them in cement and drop them in the river.
Right on, I can get behind this 100%.
What is 300 Republicans at the bottom of river?
A good start.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:02 pmAs we all know, this would be the republicans worst nightmare.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:03 pmIf Obama and the dems can successfully reform health care,( on top of pulling the economy out of the doldrums), the Limbaugh national party will become even more irrelevant.
>Let the Red boys go nuclear
>while our country is in crisis.
Dunno, Senator Bond looks like he might be able to survive the fallout as long as he has the blood of young children to bathe his leathery skin in…
March 24th, 2009 at 7:03 pmPresident Obama: The USA can’t afford to listen to these numbskull jerks.
Just DO it!
Steamroll over the obstructionists like they’re just road-bumps.
They aren’t just bullying YOU, they’re screwing the whole United States. Please– Stick Up for Us!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:06 pmThat’s a good idea. Let’s coat the RepubliCons in cement and drop them in the river.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pmhttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20400.html
“And Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) warned Monday that Democrats could do “serious damage to our bipartisan effort” if they start talking “in earnest about putting [health care reform] in reconciliation.””
bipartisan effort? WTF? how many republicans in both houses voted for this? 2? so bipartisan basically means “all the democrats plus 1 percent of the republicans”?
im telling you, it sucks, but i think a good half to 1/3 of the dems are sleeper cell republicans whose corporate masters put them in hibernation until they are needed…then the charade is revealed and you realize there are wolves amongst you..
March 24th, 2009 at 7:08 pmRepublican = hypocrit.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:08 pmWhenever I see Kit Bond , the same 2 words pop into my mind :
Toilet Bug
March 24th, 2009 at 7:19 pmYou know they were dripping with eagerness to get that attack point in on his presidency.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:21 pmMarch 24th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
If that’s anything like
Chicago-style hot dogs, or
Chicago-style pizza, or
Chicago-style neighborhood bars, or
Chicago-style public transportation, or…..
…sign me up.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:21 pmWhat goes around, comes around!!!!!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:22 pmHere in Chicago we stopped using cement a long time ago.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:22 pmThe GOoPers have graduated from mere obstruction to overt sabotage and treason. While the Palins and Jindals reject any funds that might actually help people, the Michelle Bachmanns and Glenn Becks are calling for armed insurrection against the lawful government of our nation. The whole lot of ‘em should be imprisoned or committed to the care of mental institutions.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:22 pmWhatever the problems with Chicago, the place singlehandedly beats the quality of life in every red state McCain won!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:23 pmNow if we did what Kitty Bond suggested don’t you think Gov. Rod would be swimming with the fishes by now?
Remember, St. Louis is way down river from Chicago.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:27 pmSo much for re-inventing the R party
March 24th, 2009 at 7:27 pmIf Kit Bond’s lips are moving, he’s lying.
This man has become a national embarrassment and “outed” hypocrite. Enough of this quack in congress already.
Time for Kit Bond to be put out to pasture. He’s an old has been with a IQ of about 78.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:29 pmX: That’s right….same ole/same ole….same old gang of morons, charlatans, and criminals.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:30 pmpete: We need to begin a movement to press the administration to round up those committing treason as well as those in the GOP who are violating the Patriot Act. And pronto.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:31 pmIs Kit Bond really a woman in disguise? An ugly, old, wrinkled woman in disguise?
March 24th, 2009 at 7:32 pmPeople have come to accept the synonym for Republican which is HYPOCRITE. What they will not tolerate is any backlash by the Blue Dog democrats – they will be given their walking papers summarily if they pull any $hit.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:34 pmI must quibble, a bit, blistex11. I’m afraid that any action “from the left” would merely result in the hard-cases feeling justified in their paranoia. The effort needs to be a grass-roots movement.
I think the first step is holding the media accountable. Unless the sheeple see the stories on their local news, there’s little chance for success.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:40 pmGOP= nothing more than a bunch of thumbsucking pansies who can dish it out but not take it. scratch that…most thumbsucking pansies i know are more masculine than any elected repukie in washington.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:42 pmThat picture of Bond almost makes him look thoughtful and likable. Weird.
http://www.pufferfishblog.com/
March 24th, 2009 at 7:42 pmChicago Style politics?! The nerve of these rethuglicanhypocrites – especially mealy mouth Kit Bond! I wish President Obama would discontinue reaching across the isle to these thugs and just move forward with his agenda. Where were these fools last year?! Or the past 8 years?! We didn’t hear any criticism then! This is sickening!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:48 pm31 blistex11 Says:
It would be the ultimate in justice for Obama to use the Patriot Act to round up the very people that forced it down our throats and the ultimate in irony for Obama to reopen Gitmo just for the GOP and their troll toadies.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:54 pmum…
someone needs to tell chris matthews that there will be NO LOSS of the secret ballot with EFCA…
i believe i heard him allow that fallacy slide yesterday also…
March 24th, 2009 at 8:01 pm“running over the minority” is only good for the Republicant’s. They did it to the Democrats for 8 years.
I am so happy that the American public is finally getting what a bunch of hypocrites the Republicant’s are.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:01 pmblistex11 Says:
Is Kit Bond really a woman in disguise? An ugly, old, wrinkled woman in disguise?
– - If you put a blond wig on Kit, I swear he’s Kay Bailey Hutchison. Saaaay, have they ever been seen together?
March 24th, 2009 at 8:04 pmThe poor Republicans, they have no leader, they have no plan and they have no purpose other than sabatoging anything this president tries to do. They have had this problem for 8 years (clueless). I wonder if there is a chance of the RNC getting thier act together?
March 24th, 2009 at 8:13 pmWhat is 300 Republicans at the bottom of river?
GrOuPer
March 24th, 2009 at 8:20 pmChrist! Will these GOPers give it up! Remember Tom (The Hammer) Delay? That SOB would literlly frog-march Democrats out the door. Pleeze!
March 24th, 2009 at 8:33 pmAll fillibuster, all day, every day, on C-Span, networks, everywhere! Let the rethugs show all America how much they hate the average worker.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pm…“running over the minority, putting them in cement and throwing them in the Chicago River.”
God, that sounds like fun!
March 24th, 2009 at 8:39 pmDemocratic Party Guide to Congressional Parenting:
When a 2 year old drops to the floor, kicking and screaming, give it anything it wants.
If the 2 year old’s face turns blue, get horribly frightened and call 911.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:42 pmOh my, big, bad Chicago politics! What about the South? Lord knows, if you admit your a Democrat, they scorn you. Jeez!
March 24th, 2009 at 8:44 pmBOND: “In this post-partisan time of Barack Obama, we’re seeing a little Chicago politics. They steamroller those who disagree with them, then, I guess in Chicago, they coat them in cement and drop them in the river.”
Senator, are you implying that President Obama had someone coated in cement and dropped into the Chicago River? Because that would be a serious allegation, along the lines of the accusations of murder thrown at the previous Democratic president.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:03 pmWhat a bunch of dicks. The GOP is just a buncha dicks.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:05 pmralph@50, Blunt, but true.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:08 pmIf and when the republican will threaten with filibuster, the democrats should let them go.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:36 pmThey will not last long. All they do is talk.
The DUBYA era is history and you, Retugs, are in the minority. So don’t be an obstructionist.
Where is everyone? And by the way, why doesn’t CNN, MSNBC, and CBS news have a poll on how well the public thinks Obama did on his speech? Afraid of the response maybe?
March 24th, 2009 at 9:47 pmPress conference stupidity:
Chuck Todd: “What sacrifices will you ask the American people to make?”
Major Garrett: sprinkling the usual buzzwords, “communist” “socialist” into his questions, predictable on behalf of Fixed News.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:49 pmKit Bonds’ bonds are coming loose. These people get elected HOW, exactly?
March 24th, 2009 at 9:50 pmhivanh@55, Because they claim to be Christians. How sick is that?
March 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pmWhy do Republicans want to take away our God given right to majority rule?
March 24th, 2009 at 10:01 pm* * *
EXCELLENT JOB, AMANDA!!!
got in a funny too!
*
March 24th, 2009 at 10:01 pmRight on Amanda!
Right on President Obama. You put chimpy in more shame.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:05 pmThis is not a man of honor. This is a man who has no intention of being bipartisan. He cares nothing about the voters or the American people. He just wants to complain, complain, complain. Well, Mr. Bond, if you’re not a part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem. You ARE the problem Mr. Bond!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:11 pmblistex11 Says:
People have come to accept the synonym for Republican which is HYPOCRITE. What they will not tolerate is any backlash by the Blue Dog democrats – they will be given their walking papers summarily if they pull any $hit.
Yes indeedy.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:13 pmA good point Obama made tonight is that the republicans will criticize but not put out their own budget proposal because then they’d have to acknowledge that health care costs are what’s driving the long-term deficits.
I was surprised at no mention in the update in accounting techniques, making clear that including the cost of operations in Iraq & Afghanistan in the budget will give Americans the big picture.
He also noted that CBO projections would be as bad if not worse if we weren’t making investments in key areas of wellness.
You have to invest for success. Republicans want to tackle deficits (when they’re not in power, that is) at the expense of people’s well-being. President Obama wants people’s well-being to come first, and the increase in health, education & productivity will pay off in many ways, including the deficits. A government is only as good as its people.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:21 pmJust_Asking Says: Who is talking about taking control of banks and corporations? Is this the talking points from Rush? Hey guy come back to the real world, its not to late.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:30 pmThat’s stupid rhetoric, Just_Asking. You’ve been here before, haven’t you?
These companies made business decisions that no longer afforded them the option of standing on their own two feet. They pose a systemic risk because they’re “too big to fail.” We own 79% of AIG through tax payer aid; otherwise, they’d be out of business and we’d be in a near depression, if not a full-fledged one.
Which is better, a reorganization to ensure the sanctity of taxpayer aid, or Chapter 11?
Instead of posing the same tired criticisms out of the Limbaugh handbook, accompany your criticisms with your solutions.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:35 pmShould we select a fine cheese to go along with the good Senator’s whine?
March 24th, 2009 at 10:38 pmI have grown tired of the partisan politics that I have wirnessed over the past 37 years as a registered voter. It is impossible for me to be affiliated with either of the two most popular political parties and feel their elected politicians do not adequately represent the majority of the people in this country. The middle class of this country has paid for the running of our government programs that benefits the rich and the poor for far too long. Democrats give our tax dollars to the poor while the Republicans give tax advantages to the rich. Yes I have, very much grown tired of being pulled from both the left and the right to give up more of my income to operate a federal, state and local government that doesn’t know when to stop spending tax dollars without benefitting the middle class. I have learned to tune a deaf ear to politicians who can not speak with any evidence of intelligence or facts and out of both sides of their mouth whenever it suits them. So whatever Kit Bond may have to say about Obamama’s tactics should be met with deaf ears by all within earshot and consider it the rantings of a disgruntled politician from the wrong side of the tracks.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:43 pmJust_Asking Says:
Seizing control of Banks and corporations BY THE GOVERNMENT, should be a major concern of any freedom loving person.
Anyone should oppose the nationalization of our banks and corporations.
We didn’t vote for changing America into a Chavez-Venezuelan socialist dictatorship.
Didn’t you listen to President Obama tonight? He just said he will not nationalize banks. LISTEN! He further went on and said that fdic will take care of banks.
Nationalization will happen to the investment firms. But maybe you like getting ripped off from these crooks.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:45 pmJust_Asking Says:
Seizing control of Banks and corporations BY THE GOVERNMENT, should be a major concern of any freedom loving person
You are begging the question. Why are we at this point of proping up these banks? You think that anyone wants socialism? These banks were not participating in capitalism or a free market, that is what got them into this mess! These executives of these banks need to be sent back to school and learn Capitalism and sound banking practices.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:26 pmangels81 Says:
Just_Asking Says: Who is talking about taking control of banks and corporations? Is this the talking points from Rush? Hey guy come back to the real world, its not to late.
Deliberate ignorance = repugs
March 24th, 2009 at 11:33 pmObviously the Republicans are devoid of policy ideas, but what is more interesting is how their arguments consist mainly of using extreme catchphrases that usually make little sense when you drill down. It’s as if they would rather paint some negative visual of the opponent rather than discuss the issues like adults.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:42 pmRepeal the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:52 pmI, personally, have no problem with socialism. It’s not the opposite of democracy. It’s not totalitarianism. It’s not Republican.
March 25th, 2009 at 1:54 amThis is nothing new for the rethuglicans, they have always been hypocrites devoid of the ability to work with others or play with others. These people were the tattle tales and the bullies we knew all our lives. They are basically dishonest people.
March 25th, 2009 at 7:37 amThese Senators are upset because their tax deductions for charity will go from 34% to 28% and these rich ba$tards don’t want to lose a dime of their money. They are ruled by greed.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:48 amDamn straight. Republicans who don’t play along will be fitted with a cement overcoat.
Mr. Logan’s Magic Book
March 25th, 2009 at 8:55 amPlease go to PBS website and watch the Frontline presentation of “Ten Trillion and Counting”.
March 25th, 2009 at 9:00 amIt came on our local station one hour after Pres. Obama’s speech and COMPLETELY explained the financial mess we’re, who put us here, and which party should shoulder the blame.
PLEASE watch this, pass it on to others, and educate those who are stumbling through their policitcal lives in ignorance.
By the way, it was funded through the WGBH Educational Foundation.
Now is the time to educate everyone you can reach.
Bush ran Texas into the ground. Don’t be fooled by reports saying all is well in TX. We work for minimum wage, have no benefits, no govt support for educators, unemployment, etc.
The hypocrisy for thirty (almost)years of Ray Gun nomics never ceass to amaze me, the Reich deficit spends to no end and when a Democrat gets in the W.H. he is left with nothing to spend on,health care,infrastructure,education,poverty and so on and this is why this country is in the spot it`s in,class warfare has got to end and the only to get this country moving again is to deficit spend it`s a proven fact that the return is much greater than doing nothing.Unfortunately we as individuals are paying I think about a $140,000 each for the Buschco crime family debacle and obama is going to add to it,but that`s they it is.WE all now the Reich wants more tax cuts for the wealty that will absolutely no way in hell trickle to us.Let them filibuster and hopefully they will be reminded of thier past,A list of instances where reconciliation was implemented:
Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1983
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
Balanced Budget Act of 1995 (vetoed)
Personal Responsibility and Budget Reconciliation Act of 1996
Balanced Budget Act of 1997
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act of 1999 (vetoed)
Marriage Tax Relief Act of 2000 (vetoed)
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005
Let`s see them deny this.
March 25th, 2009 at 9:47 am“And Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) warned Monday that Democrats could do “serious damage to our bipartisan effort” if they start talking “in earnest about putting [health care reform] in reconciliation.””
Isn’t the insurance capital of America Delaware???? NO WONDER!!!!
Your time will be up soon sir…the door is this way…
March 25th, 2009 at 11:39 am@christopher wiwi
Let`s see them deny this.
With their track record, I’d be more surprised if they didn’t. Let’s face it, facts and numbers frightens them.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:57 amHey old man Kit Bond. What are you talking about–we have the ‘river blue’ here in Missouri. I am sure you are aware of that and the lingo you preach about is a poor representation of my state Missouri. You need to shut up and retire really soon as you don’t know what you are talking about. Get out of office now, please give all of us in Missouri a gift and quit embarrassing us.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:36 pmI think Obama needs to repeal the rich tax cuts now instead of 2011. Maybe that might shut up some of the radical right wing idiots that have nothing to offer but give the rich more tax cuts. Repeal all the mistakes of the Bush era now and don’t wait another day. Because of these idiots on the Fox network speaking their stupidity every day and stalking liberal freedom bloggers is why we are in the mess we are in today. Between Glenn Becks’ dead fish, O’Reilly’s paranoid bi-polar attitude and Rush Oxycodone’s ignorant remarks the country is suffering as these idiots only speak to idiots and it’s like a prduction of seemingly endless idiots. Thank you Olberman and Maddow. Morning Joe is getting close to needing to move to the Fox network too. Take Buchanan with you too Joe.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:45 pm