Here's what the A-hole Republicans accomplished in the Senate today.

[rusty quoin]

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/14/republicans-block-gi-bill/

GOP Uses GI Bill As A ‘Political Gimmick’ On Senate Floor To Thwart Passage Of First Responder Legislation

Today, the Senate debated the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (H.R. 980), a bill strengthening the collective bargaining powers of firefighters, police officers, and first responders.

At noon, the Senate quickly “devolved into a procedural mess” when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) attempted to attach Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) watered-down GI Bill — which is strongly backed by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — as an amendment. McConnell also immediately seconded his measure, but then filed cloture, “prohibiting Democrats from filing their own version of the proposal.”

This amendment is a poison pill. It not only kills the Public Safety bill, but also blocks Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-VA) more generous GI Bill from being considered. In one swift maneuver, conservatives trampled over first responders and veterans. In a fiery speech, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) responded on the floor:

We have seen this parliamentary gimmick that has taken place offered by the Republican leadership that is a slap in the face to every firefighter and police officer and first responder in the country. <…>

We’re saying to the firefighters of this nation and to the police officers of this nation and the first responders of the nation: Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) angrily reacted to the GOP maneuver by issuing a quorum call and denying Sen. Judd Gregg’s (R-NH) right to speak three times.


(Think Progress has Ted Kennedy's great response)
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/14/republicans-block-gi-bill/

[TwilightGardener]

1. Please, God, please let all of America see how the GOP treats our veterans--

they are pawns and props in the game, nothing more.

[dysfunctional press]

10. unfortunately, the gop media won't let that happen.

:shrug:

[tom_paine]

11. Exactly. n/t

[Aloha Spirit]

2. Thanks! Now does anybody know what the House Reps got up to today? What happened w/Farm Bill?

[gratuitous]

3. Lather, rinse, repeat

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

You might get tired of saying it, but sooner or later, even the most lizard-brained voters will internalize it:

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

"Your interest, the safety and security of our communities across the nation, should be put aside in favor of some political gimmick by the Republican leader here in the United States Senate."

[hisownpetard]

4. K&R. n/t

[cynatnite]

5. Another nail in the coffin of the repuke party...

K&R this folks. Get it out there so the country will know it was the repukes that crapped on our servicemembers once again.

Add this to their foul treatment at Walter Reed, the lack of support for those coming back with PTSD, attempting to cover-up the skyrocketing suicide rates and every other thing these fucking repukes have done to our military and our veterans.

[izquierdista]

6. Everyone who complains about Reid

Should pay attention to this and STFU unless they can do better. Harry is going to be able to do MUCH more come January.

[cayuga]

7. Oh, how I long for the old days of the Senate

When the only good thing that was done was to eliminate a despotic Caesar...and all the conspirators got away with it. That's when men were men and women were glad of it!

[Robbien]

8. And they wonder why the voters are running away from them in droves

They live to keep poking Dems and being childish.

They vote against Moms. They vote against society's protectors.

Except for supporting tax cuts for the rich, what does the GOP stand FOR?

[crimsonblue]

9. Why doesn't Reed just flex some muscle...

and refuse to allow the bill to be attached? Or call for independent votes on both the bill and it's amendments?