Specter Announces His Intention To Vote Against Employee Free Choice Act
Specter Announces His Intention To Vote Against Employee Free Choice Act
Today on the Senate floor, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) announced his intention to vote against cloture on the Employee Free Choice Act. Specter was the only Republican to vote for cloture when the measure was last considered in 2007. During his announcement, Specter noted his previous support for EFCA, but suggested that the current condition of the economy makes “this a particularly bad time to enact employee’s choice legislation”:
SPECTER: The problem of the recession make this a particularly bad time to enact employees choice legislation. … I am announcing my decision now because I have consulted with a very large number of interested parties on both sides and I have made up my mind. Knowing that I will not support cloture on this bill, Senators may choose to move on and amend the [National Labor Relations Act], as I have suggested, or otherwise.
Additionally, Specter suggested that he did not want to bear the political cost of being the “decisive vote” in favor of EFCA. Watch it:
Earlier this month, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) noted, “In 1935, we passed the Wagner Act that promoted unionization and allowed unions to flourish, and at the time we were at around 20 percent unemployment. So tell me again why we can’t do this in a recession? … This is exactly the time we should be insisting on a fairer playing field for people to organize themselves.” As David Sirota commented, “Put another way, we don’t have the leeway to pass EFCA despite the bad economy, we have the imperative to pass EFCA because of the bad economy.”
CongressDaily notes that “Specter’s opposition could doom the legislation because to pass the bill organized labor needs 60 votes to overcome a Republican filibuster,” which means, “keeping every single Democratic vote, securing a win for Democratic candidate Al Franken in the ongoing Minnesota Senate race and keeping Specter.”
As evidence of the right-wing pressure he was facing, one of Specter’s first calls was to Grover Norquist, the head of Americans for Tax Reform, to inform him of his decision. Further, as Sam Stein notes, Specter is “likely to face a major primary challenge from Club For Growth president Pat Toomey in the 2010 election, which may have factored into this apparent decision.”
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Huh? WHY don’t they like ‘card check’?
March 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pmSphinctor think political expediency outweighs doing the right thing.
Arlan, that’s why you’re going to lose your seat in 2010.
I heard the outright lies again this a.m. driving to work…’the EFCA will prohibit secret ballots!
Why are these lies being allowed under FCC rules?
March 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pmSpecter is a spineless idiot, and we in PA will make sure he never sees another win.
Doubtful he’ll make it past the primaries, as the PA GOP is much smaller, and more wingnuttier than ever.
Let’s just hope the Dems run a viable candidate. My congressman, Patrick Murphy, is a good guy but has little state-wide name recognition.
PEACE
March 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pmAdditionally, Specter suggested that he did not want to bear the political cost of being the “decisive vote” in favor of EFCA.
Why is Specter still afraid of Dick Cheney’s man-sized safe?
March 24th, 2009 at 3:33 pmWell, Arlen, here’s to you getting bounced in the reelection campaign. You won’t be missed.
http://www.pufferfishblog.com/
March 24th, 2009 at 3:34 pmThe FCC is powerless since Fox News won their court battle to allow them to lie.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:35 pmI thought Senators were supposed to vote their constituent’s interest, not Grover’s.
Doesn’t want to be the deciding vote? Arlen, Join the long list of spineless leaders in corporate board rooms and our hallowed halls of government.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:37 pmOkay, so let me get this straight.
We can’t pass EFCA
We can’t get universal healthcare
We can’t break contracts within bailed out corporations
We can’t allow gay rights
We can’t leave Iraq
We can’t investigate and prosecute the prior administration
We can’t we can’t we can’t
What happened to “Yes we can”?
Or is that only reserved for taxpayer funded bail outs?
PEACE
March 24th, 2009 at 3:39 pm“Earlier this month, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) noted, “In 1935, we passed the Wagner Act that promoted unionization and allowed unions to flourish, and at the time we were at around 20 percent unemployment. So tell me again why we can’t do this in a recession? … This is exactly the time we should be insisting on a fairer playing field for people to organize themselves.”
Because it seems certain elected officials paid for their election with their guts and their brains? I’ve thought for years Congress had a definite fishy aroma…too many kippers.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:40 pmSpecter – the consummate politician.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:40 pmFrom the days of the Warren Commission to the Bush crime cabal, he never changes — you can’t believe what he says if he sounds reasonable – just watch what he does, it will be unreasonable. He will vote his party.
I will be amazed if the Employee Free Choice Act passes. If it does it will represent a titantic rebalancing of power from management to employees. You can be every single lobbyist in DC, all 42,000 of them will be lined up to fight this. The little guy always gets screwed unless he threatens to take the company apart at the seams.
As far as Specter is concerned he is a spineless tool.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:40 pmTypical Specter – he “supported” the EFCA when it was unlikely to pass and now, when there is a danger that it actually could, he is against it.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pmRush must of called Arlen and gave him the riot act.
Repubuscum are as Anti-American as it gets.
Torture – AOK
War – Good Times (as long as their not fighting it)
Pollution – The Economic Solution
Middle Class – Up their As$
Education – Not good medication
Regulation – Not for a truly Free Market
Unions – The End of the World as we know it
If you are a repubuscum, you are truly an America hating scumbag.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pmGOP_lover
When TP admin gets through with you, you’ll be vomiting on your lap.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pmAnd what better time than a recession time to stand with employees and workers who are feeling the money crunch more than any other groups.
Specter is telling us that he is standing with Oligarchy instead in recession and bad economic times.
Over the years Senator Specter has been an empty shell,loves cameras,speeches, but when it comes down to a decisive or a crucial vote,undependable Specter is nowhere to be seen.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:45 pmThe most telling thing is how consistently dishonest they are in voicing opposition against this bill. It does NOT eliminate secret ballots, but it DOES make unions harder to organize and EASIER for employers to prevent organization. The fact they lie and lie about this makes it something all the more worthwhile to pursue.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:45 pmSpecter suggested that he did not want to bear the political cost of being the “decisive vote” in favor of EFCA.
Too bad Al Frankin can’t take the seat he won in the Senate.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:46 pmGrover, we will pick up more senate seats and that bathtub of yours will be far removed from any plumbing.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:49 pmIf Arlen Specter thinks this is going to keep Club for Greed fringer pat Toomey from running roughshod over him, he’s got another think coming.
Great time to put that seat in the blue column.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pmNormally I don’t trust either party, but this 60 votes obstructionist crap has to end. I hope the Democrats get Specter’s seat.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:00 pmIf the Democrats were able to present a unified front, then I think Specter would have had a tougher decision to make. With all the splintering that’s already beginning to happen with the Democrats, I’m sure Specter’s not going to bank his political future on a party that even when its in charge is in disarray versus the Republican Fear and Slime machine.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:02 pmGood Luck Specter. I live in Pa. I hope the citizens of Pennsylvania vote you out. You deserve it.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:07 pmUmm, huh? The first is true (but moot, since which pro-union group will ever want to stop at 30% when they can cajole and arm-twist their way to 50% + 1), but where do you read the second and third? I’ve read the bill and don’t see anything like that in there. (Admittedly, I’ve read the bill from the previous Congress, is the new one any different?)
Later,
March 24th, 2009 at 4:07 pmWho will fight for working men & women in the Senate? Who will stand up? Not enough apparently, although sympathetic mouth noises will be made, I’m sure. Bet Reid is relieved no matter what he says, the weakwad. Damn this pisses me off.
BTW, I’m a Specter hater from way, way back when I lived in PA. He defended Ira Einhorn ya know, & successfully argued to a judge that Einhorn should be let out on bail because he posed no flight risk. The Maddux family hasn’t forgotten your wonderful words, Specter.
Plz take out the trash next election, PA voters!
March 24th, 2009 at 4:14 pmThe man just slit his own throat.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:14 pm*
Whew! That was a close one. We wouldn’t want Americans earning more money, right? They might pay more taxes if they make more money. The may not need medicare and SS is they made more money. maybe their kids wouldn’t need govt assistance if they made more money. Maybe they could pay off some debt if they made more money. Wow, we really just about had a more prosperous citizenry – and republicans can’t have that, now can they? To be republican means never having an awareness of the real world around you. Talk about a bubble!
March 24th, 2009 at 4:16 pmOh boy, Arlen’s running scared and trying to get back into the good graces of the Republican’t party. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t start towing the party line once again.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:16 pmSpecter has a jellyback – he may as well do the right thing instead of yielding to the thugs in his party. It’s not like he’s going to get re-elected in 2010.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:19 pmThe R’s want to filibuster this bill?? Let them!
MAKE THOSE MORONS READ THE PHONE BOOK.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:22 pm#28- It’s not like he’s going to get re-elected in 2010
They’ve kept re-electing the son of a buck term after term, but this time Arlen’s number is finally up no matter what the SOB votes against. I fervently hope.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:24 pmArlen Specter just lost the 2010 election. Here’s hoping the Dems put up a credible candidate…I shudder to think of Sen. Pat Toomey…..
March 24th, 2009 at 4:33 pmPennsylvania people need to retire him in the next coming election,and elect someone else who cares more about people of Penn State.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:34 pmSomeone who serves and represents people of Pennylvania State much better than Specter does.
Buh-Bye Arlen…We will remember in 2010
March 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pm“to enact employees choice legislation. … I am announcing my decision now because I have consulted with a very large number of interested parties on both sides and I have made up my mind.” Interested parties on both sides of what, the bathroom stall?
March 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pmSpecter is a conservative ideogogue @#$%@#$%/
Water is Wet
Dog Bites Man.
But I have to argue with him that while the economy is down, this is exactly the time that employees need protection. No doubt at all that business will use the economy excuse to try to force a mountain of concessions from their workers.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:44 pmtypical specter.
handjob everyone for months, then hop back in line with the Borg.
he’s more craven and 2-faced than john mccain.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:47 pmThe R-cants don’t need to filibuster. All they need to do is add amendments to the bill. Each one has to be voted on, thus holding up the Senate from further action. Once the frustration sets in, Reid will pull the bill.
The question is, why didn’t the Dems use this procedure from ‘01 to ‘06?
March 24th, 2009 at 5:10 pmCome on, Pennsylvania. Be that 60th seat in 2010! Sphector just signed his political obituary. He’ll never get re-elected in PA.
March 24th, 2009 at 5:23 pmSpecter, please stay in rhe republican party. The democrats don’t want you.
March 24th, 2009 at 5:27 pmThey’ve kept re-electing the son of a buck term after term, but this time Arlen’s number is finally up no matter what the SOB votes against. I fervently hope.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Likely he’ll catch a primary challenger from the Right.
PA seems to elect useless, feckless DINOs–I’m lookin at you, Bob Casey–when they elect Dims at all…
March 24th, 2009 at 5:32 pmThe bill is dead regardless of Specter. Get over it.
Next time, consider modifying the card-check. That’s not a vote up or down. It’s a “yes” or “undecided” at best. And it leaves workers vulnerable to pressure from both sides.
Mind you I’m all for EFCA, but it will not happen with the clothes its wearing now. It needs to dress for success. Let’s get it right and try again.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:43 pmI mean after all Specterbush is a RePUG
March 24th, 2009 at 7:25 pmSpecter’s career is now toast. Pennsylvania still has plenty of current and former union members who will NOT FORGET this treachery. And though he could win the GOP nomination, Toomey will probably never be senator. Pennsylvanians finally realized what a rightwing nutcase Santorum was; I doubt they will want another senator of the same ilk representing them again.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:27 pmSpecter is a RepubliCon a$$wipe. He will be voted out. He will go the way of that RepubliCon a$$wipe, Santorum.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:35 pmsomeone 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 pmSenator Specter, I respect the fact that you have successfully battled life-threatening brain tumors, but if you can’t face down Grover Norquist and tell him to take his government-drowning bathtub and shove it up his ass, then you are a coward.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:40 pmWell at least we can rest assured that the Democrats will bring the bill to the floor and force the Republicans to actually filibuster so their opposition to working families is clearly on display.
Never mind …
March 24th, 2009 at 9:26 pmWe’re trying!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:31 pmJust_Asking,
Are you one of those people who thinks that the Employee Free Choice Act (the actual name of the bill) will take away the right of workers to have a secret vote? Because if you heard that it does, it was a lie. Employees may still use the secret ballot under EFCA.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:55 pmGot the sights set on Rush and Grover.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:29 amdtabb,
You lie scumbag. There is no card check in this bill.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:35 amhttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.1409:
Looks like Specter just lost financial support from the Unions and other Labor groups in Pennsylvania. It no longer matters who wins the Republican primary in PA because Specter WILL be replaced with a Democrat, any Democrat…
March 25th, 2009 at 8:54 amAlecto – are they still spreading their lies? They don’t quit. They are just like their former masters, Dick Cheney and George W Bush, just keep lying over and over. These liars are still talking about President’s Obama birth certificate and Nancy Pelosi’s use of military planes. Yet, they have absolutely nothing new to add. They have no solutions except to give themselves and their rich friends more tax breaks.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:56 amthis is the first thing in years Specter has done that I agree with. If the secret ballot is absolutely essential to free political elections, how can anyone with the brains of a turnip want to abolish it in union elections? Liberals are so clueless.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:13 pm