It never ends. From Greg Sargent today at the Plum Line blog:
Right now, as we speak, Senate Republicans continue to file a bunch of motions that could delay the vote on extending unemployment benefits for as long as another day.What we're up against. We need us some fighters. Just sayin'.
This is key: It's a reminder that Republicans intend to continue to try to block the extension, unless its costs are offset, for as long as possible. Nobody is focused on this, but Republicans actually see a political upside for themselves in this standoff.
I'm told that Republicans are filing the motions because Senator Harry Reid says he doesn't want to allow votes on amendments that are designed to offset the extension's costs. Reid wants to proceed with the full vote. Senator Tom Coburn just filed a motion to suspend the rules, and Republicans are resolved to sit tight in hopes of forcing a vote on it.
"Republicans are declaring an all-out war on unemployed Americans," Reid spokesman Jim Manley emails. . . .
Republicans have their own strategy here. They believe that while Dems can milk this for short term advantage, over time any discussion of "chronic" joblessness -- a term you'll hear more often -- draws attention to the failure of Dem economic policies and feeds the GOP's larger critique[.]
GP
