Republicans Have Had Enough Of The Games…They Walk Out Of Congress
And rightfully so. The FISA bill is an important portion of the WOT and it is the job of Congress to enact lasting legislation. These temporary bills are bandaides, and imo, a half-assed way to do business. The Democrats have been playing games, and the Republicans have had enough:
Moments after President Bush threatened to delay his weekend trip to Africa and force Congress to act before key intelligence programs expire, House Republicans staged a walkout to protest Democratic inaction on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act bill. Frustrated Republicans streamed out of the Capitol and onto the east steps of the Capitol, a powerful act aimed at stopping House floor proceedings and forcing a vote on the FISA bill.
The Republican walkout came after an angry morning in which both sides accused each other of improperly using House floor procedures during the memorial service of Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) who died Monday. Republicans were also angry that Democrats are taking up contempt resolutions against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers.
Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), led his colleagues out of the chamber in a dramatic gesture, saying “let’s just get up and leave.” But it’s not clear if anything will come of the theatrics, as Democrats have refused to take up a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act bill. Democrats do not want to pass a bill with lawsuit immunity for telecom firms as the White House has demanded.
A Democratic aide said Republicans are at fault because they voted against a 21-day FISA extension on Wednesday, leaving some of the law’s programs set to expire.
Bryan has video and adds: “The question is the timing and whether the House Democrat leadership cares more about slapping around a couple of Bush officials or about retaining the current FISA law past Saturday.”
David Fredosso has more.
Michelle Malkin has this:
The Democrats finally apologized for smearing Diaz-Balart. GOP aide Michael Steele sent the following statements:
- “This morning, during the memorial service for Tom Lantos – a public servant beloved on both sides of the aisle – the House Democratic Leadership violated an agreement and called the House back into session. They took this action despite clearly understanding that it would trigger a series of procedural motions. This cheap, cynical political move seems to have been designed to shut down one of the few procedural tools that can be employed by the minority party in the House. Playing this sort of game during the memorial service of a great and good man is beneath the dignity of this House and should be beneath the dignity of Democratic Leaders.”
- “We appreciate Rep. Hoyer’s statement that he “regrets” the situation this morning and the inaccurate statements that were directed at Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart.”
And public opinion of Congress plummets even further:
Look how the left tries to spin this
February 14, 2008 - 05:22 PM on February 14th, 2008
[...] Right Voices wrote an interesting post today on Republicans Have Had Enough Of The Games…They Walk Out Of CongressHere’s a quick excerpt And rightfully so. The FISA bill is an important portion of the WOT and it is the job of Congress to enact lasting legislation. These temporary bills are bandaides, and imo, a half-assed way to do business. The Democrats have been playing games, and the Republicans have had enough: Moments after President Bush threatened to delay his weekend trip to Africa and force Congress to act before key intelligence programs expire, House Republicans staged a walkout to protest Democratic inaction on the [...]
February 15, 2008 - 11:20 AM on February 15th, 2008
It’s about time the republicans in Congress stand up and take issue with the dems and their idiotic ways. What they are doing to America is dangerous and naive. Do they honestly believe that we can end the war on terror by raising the white flag? Do they have any concept of what the consequences will be? Do they even care?
Democrats talk alot of good talk. Just look at Obama. But people you need to look beyond the talk and check out actions (or lack thereof). Actions speak louder than words and there’s alot of truth in that.