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| Rhode Island's US Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse |
US Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse have neglected
to notice Democratic caucus’ significantly diminished status.
Despite the Election 2014 shellacknado, Whitehouse still
preaches about climate change. Reed pushes against the better interests of this
country. Now they are blocking debate on funding the Department of Homeland
Security. If nothing passes the US Senate, the Democrats are the partisan
minority holding “crucial” funding hostage.
preaches about climate change. Reed pushes against the better interests of this
country. Now they are blocking debate on funding the Department of Homeland
Security. If nothing passes the US Senate, the Democrats are the partisan
minority holding “crucial” funding hostage.
On Fox News Sunday this past week (February 15, 2015), House
Speaker John Boehner was crystal clear about where the
blame would lie:
Speaker John Boehner was crystal clear about where the
blame would lie:
Why don't you go ask
the Senate Democrats when they are going to get off their ass and do something”
the Senate Democrats when they are going to get off their ass and do something”
What is the situation which built up to another budget
showdown with the Democrats and the White House? What were Reed and Whitehouse’s
position on the legislation then?
showdown with the Democrats and the White House? What were Reed and Whitehouse’s
position on the legislation then?
The 2014 CRomnibus bill, both a Continuing Resolution as
well as last-minute Omnibus package, included extended funding until September
2015 for all major departments expect for the Department of Homeland Security,
which would be funded until February of this year.
well as last-minute Omnibus package, included extended funding until September
2015 for all major departments expect for the Department of Homeland Security,
which would be funded until February of this year.
Conservatives were puzzled. Why not do piecemeal funding for
everything?
everything?
I had spoken with House
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) staff about this plan. They informed me
that while a government shut-down would be emotionally satisfying for the conservatives
and Republican base, it would not correct the long-term problems of a rogue
President, but worse yet would cast the Republicans as the anti-government
obstructionists.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) staff about this plan. They informed me
that while a government shut-down would be emotionally satisfying for the conservatives
and Republican base, it would not correct the long-term problems of a rogue
President, but worse yet would cast the Republicans as the anti-government
obstructionists.
The House Majority did muscle together barely enough votes
to push the bill through to the US Senate. For the first time in his career,
President Obama was begging his fellow Democrats to go along with the
Republican agenda. That outcome was a step in the right direction. As for the
US Senate, Senators Reed and Whitehouse voted
against the CRomnibus bill, thus casting themselves as the irresponsible
obstructionists. What if the funding bill failed?
to push the bill through to the US Senate. For the first time in his career,
President Obama was begging his fellow Democrats to go along with the
Republican agenda. That outcome was a step in the right direction. As for the
US Senate, Senators Reed and Whitehouse voted
against the CRomnibus bill, thus casting themselves as the irresponsible
obstructionists. What if the funding bill failed?
They probably never considered that outcome. For decades,
Democrats have not had to ask themselves: “How will the press perceive this
vote?” The Republican Party has borne the brunt of a negative media, and the
government shutdowns in 1995, 1996, and 2013 confirmed the automatic crouch of
the press: “Blame the GOP!”
Democrats have not had to ask themselves: “How will the press perceive this
vote?” The Republican Party has borne the brunt of a negative media, and the
government shutdowns in 1995, 1996, and 2013 confirmed the automatic crouch of
the press: “Blame the GOP!”
Of course the record on Republican political consequences have
suggested that government shut-downs do not necessarily hurt them in the long run.
In
Election Year 1996, Republicans actually gained a net two US Senate seats. In
2014, Republicans swept out five US Senate Democratic incumbents, while
also increasing house numbers buy double-digits.
suggested that government shut-downs do not necessarily hurt them in the long run.
In
Election Year 1996, Republicans actually gained a net two US Senate seats. In
2014, Republicans swept out five US Senate Democratic incumbents, while
also increasing house numbers buy double-digits.
Besides, the anti-conservative Big Media is taking big hits
these days, no longer having the final say on who wins and loses in Washington
DC. Liberal pundits treated President Ronald Reagan like an “amiable dunce”.
George Herbert Walker Bush got slammed because he did not know the price of
milk. Buysh George W. Bush was routinely pilloried for his speech flubs and missteps,
even though in policy issues he was a straight arrow, and his former Democratic
inumbert challenger Ann Richard concede that Bush (who would replace her 1994)
was an excellent debater.
these days, no longer having the final say on who wins and loses in Washington
DC. Liberal pundits treated President Ronald Reagan like an “amiable dunce”.
George Herbert Walker Bush got slammed because he did not know the price of
milk. Buysh George W. Bush was routinely pilloried for his speech flubs and missteps,
even though in policy issues he was a straight arrow, and his former Democratic
inumbert challenger Ann Richard concede that Bush (who would replace her 1994)
was an excellent debater.
Today, Big
Media is losing big time, trying to explain the serial falsehoods of news
anchors (Brian
Williams) or force off race-baiting reporters (Martin
Bashir), or spin the low ratings of retiring newscasters (Jon
Stewart). Even the Providence
Journal looks like a sophomoric rag.
Media is losing big time, trying to explain the serial falsehoods of news
anchors (Brian
Williams) or force off race-baiting reporters (Martin
Bashir), or spin the low ratings of retiring newscasters (Jon
Stewart). Even the Providence
Journal looks like a sophomoric rag.
Which brings us back to Senators Reed, Whitehouse, and the battle
of Department of Homeland Security
funding.
of Department of Homeland Security
funding.
Despite media and Democratic pretensions, the House DHS
funding bill does not restricting funding to any agency. Its riders merely
mandate that not one dollar of taxpayer dollars can fund President Obama’s unconstitutional
executive amnesty. So much for DHS chief Jeh Johnson’s false
assertion.
funding bill does not restricting funding to any agency. Its riders merely
mandate that not one dollar of taxpayer dollars can fund President Obama’s unconstitutional
executive amnesty. So much for DHS chief Jeh Johnson’s false
assertion.
Rhode Island’s
senators called on Congress on Friday to fully fund the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security because emergency officials in the state are relying on the
funding.
senators called on Congress on Friday to fully fund the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security because emergency officials in the state are relying on the
funding.
As written above, the legislation already fully funds the
department.
department.
Democratic U.S. Sens.
Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse say the department is at risk of a partial
shutdown when it runs out of money at the end of the month. They said they’re
disappointed some Republicans are engaging in a partisan battle and holding the
funds hostage to protest the administration’s immigration policies.
Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse say the department is at risk of a partial
shutdown when it runs out of money at the end of the month. They said they’re
disappointed some Republicans are engaging in a partisan battle and holding the
funds hostage to protest the administration’s immigration policies.
Republicans are holding nothing hostage. Democrats have
refused any debate or amendments on the legislation. The Senate Clerk’s office
could not make it any clearer.
refused any debate or amendments on the legislation. The Senate Clerk’s office
could not make it any clearer.
Reed said RIEMA’s
operations would continue, but would become gradually less effective.
operations would continue, but would become gradually less effective.
Why? Because they aren’t getting paid?
They said a funding
lapse could significantly delay grants first responders rely on for equipment,
and make it harder for Rhode Island to be reimbursed with federal funds for the
cost of digging out from recent snowstorms.
lapse could significantly delay grants first responders rely on for equipment,
and make it harder for Rhode Island to be reimbursed with federal funds for the
cost of digging out from recent snowstorms.
A delay in grant funding will not threaten Rhode Island
residents. Why do Ocean State cities beg Washington for money? The
Democratically-controlled statehouse on Smith Hill raises taxes and fees, yet
runs annual multi-million dollar deficits. Providence lawmakers should balance
their budgets and fund municipal grants.
residents. Why do Ocean State cities beg Washington for money? The
Democratically-controlled statehouse on Smith Hill raises taxes and fees, yet
runs annual multi-million dollar deficits. Providence lawmakers should balance
their budgets and fund municipal grants.
Transportation
Security Administration agents would report to work at T.F. Green Airport in
Warwick, Rhode Island, but they wouldn’t be paid, Reed added.
Security Administration agents would report to work at T.F. Green Airport in
Warwick, Rhode Island, but they wouldn’t be paid, Reed added.
They will be paid, if Reed, Whitehouse, and his Democratic
cohorts stop blocking the funding.
cohorts stop blocking the funding.
That's because most
department employees fall into exempted categories of workers who stay on the
job in a shutdown because they perform work considered necessary to protect
human life and property. Airport security checkpoints would remain staffed, the
Secret Service would continue to protect the president and other dignitaries,
the Coast Guard would stay on patrol, immigration agents would still be on the
job.
department employees fall into exempted categories of workers who stay on the
job in a shutdown because they perform work considered necessary to protect
human life and property. Airport security checkpoints would remain staffed, the
Secret Service would continue to protect the president and other dignitaries,
the Coast Guard would stay on patrol, immigration agents would still be on the
job.
Democrats have lost two major elections, statehouses across
the country, and now their one-time ally Big Media can no longer carry their
false narrative.
the country, and now their one-time ally Big Media can no longer carry their
false narrative.
If DHS does shut down, blame Reed and Whitehouse, who sat on
their asses spinning the situation instead of doing something about it.
their asses spinning the situation instead of doing something about it.
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| Reed, Whitehouse Block DHS Funding, Do Nothing |