Never underestimate the willingness of the GOP to put politics over the best interests of the nation. Last week, Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell started a filibuster to prevent confirmation of Obama's choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. The right wing, anti-choice zealots have been apoplectic about Sebelius -- and we all know that the GOP caters to its most extreme elements. Now, this is a filibuster (even though most of the traditional media won't exactly say that and Mitch McConnell denies it.) Again, here's the definition:
filibuster - Informal term for any attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions.This is vintage GOP obstruction. In the few days since the GOP Senators launched their filibuster, it's become clear that we may be facing a major health threat. The key government departments and agencies are gathering to plot strategy. Absent is a Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Today, at the White House briefing, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, was there as was John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. They were joined by the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). But, we don't even have a head of CDC because the Secretary of HHS appoints that person. And, no Secretary of HHS. In fact, as the White House transcript shows, Napolitano had to make the announcement about the "public health emergency" for HHS:
The first thing I want to announce today is that the Department of Health and Human Services will declare today a public health emergency in the United States.For the time being, HHS is being led by Acting Secretary Charles Johnson, a Bush-appointee from Utah who spent most of his career working as an accountant.
Meanwhile, the GOP Senate games continue. Via a unanimous consent agreement, on Tuesday, the Senate has scheduled eight hours of debate on the Sebelius nomination to assuage the GOP and a cloture vote -- requiring 60 votes -- could happen on Tuesday. Here's the text of that agreement:
Ordered, That at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius, of Kansas, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services; that there be 8 hours of debate with respect to the nomination, with the time equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their designees and that the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning) be allotted 20 minutes; thatupon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination; and that confirmation be subject to an affirmative 60 vote threshold; that upon achieving that threshold, the nomination be confirmed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that no further motions be in order; the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.That's wasting too much more time in the middle of a crisis.
Tomorrow, the Senate convenes at 2:00 PM. Majority Leader Harry Reid's first act should be to move for an up-or-down vote on the confirmation of Sebelius. If the Republicans want to further obstruct that nomination, make them actually filibuster it. They've had plenty of time to bitch and complain already. Let them all vote to further prevent the nation from having a Secretary of Health and Human Services -- when we're in the midst of a public health emergency and preparing for a possible pandemic. This isn't the time for GOP games when everyone in the Senate knows Sebelius will be confirmed.
Now, just for fun, imagine what would happen if the situation were reversed: Would the Republicans wait, in the name of Senate comity, to allow for a Democratic filibuster to play out?
Put the Republican Senators to the test. See if the GOP puts its own extreme political base before the well-being of the nation
