House Democrats Suspend Spending Bills

Dems Call A Halt To Efforts To Pass Bills That Fund Cabinet Budgets

(AP)  Sidestepping battles with Republicans over offshore oil drilling and pork barrel projects, Democrats controlling the House have called a halt to efforts to pass the 12 annual bills that fund Cabinet agency budgets.

The House is typically busy during the month of July as lawmakers debate and vote on the annual spending bills. Late nights are common and dozens of votes on amendments are called. There's more than a little institutional pride at stake as the House plugs away with its work, fulfilling its traditional responsibility to initiate spending bills.

But Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis. - blindsided last month by a GOP effort to transform a bill funding education and health care into a vehicle to permit additional offshore oil drilling - has suspended his panel's work on spending bills for the budget year beginning Oct. 1.

In the wake of the imbroglio, House leaders have failed to schedule debate on a single appropriations bill, including politically popular measures funding veterans and homeland security programs.

Obey says Republicans simply want to drag out the annual appropriations debates for political ends and that he won't be a pawn in such a game. But with President Bush promising veto after veto of the Democratic bills - and Senate action unlikely for most of them as well - there's little enthusiasm among either rank and file Democrats or their leaders to pass all the bills.

Then there is the question of additional offshore oil exploration, which sparked the battle and is a huge issue with voters, who are rallying behind the idea in public opinion surveys. Democratic leaders have blocked GOP efforts to force a vote to end the blanket prohibition on energy development of over 80 percent of the country's offshore waters.

Under ordinary circumstances, Republicans could use the Interior Department budget bill to lift the restrictions on offshore oil exploration. Obey postponed plans for a committee vote on the Interior measure last month after Republicans unveiled a measure by Rep. John Peterson, D-Pa., to open waters 50 miles offshore to oil companies.

The delay by Obey was followed by a remarkable move by top Appropriations Committee Republican Jerry Lewis of California, a longtime colleague of Obey on the powerful panel but one who has a strained relationship with him.

At a hearing last month, Lewis and a colleague tried to force a vote to lift the offshore drilling ban, enraging Obey, who quickly gaveled the meeting to a close. The panel hasn't reassembled since and has no plans to vote on bills this week.

"With all due respect, there are only seven weeks left in the session. I don't see why we should spend those seven weeks in Jerry Lewis' playpen," Obey said.

Republicans say Democrats are unfairly shutting them out of an opportunity afforded them under the rules governing debate on spending bills to obtain a vote on expanding offshore drilling. When they were in the minority two years ago, House Democrats used an Appropriations hearing to win a panel vote to raise the minimum wage. GOP leaders kept the measure from a floor vote.

The impasse seems overshadowed by the presidential campaign and Capitol Hill battles over gas prices. Still, the House has always had a sense of institutional pride concerning its power over the federal treasury.

"I'm hard-pressed to recall a year when they were as far behind the curve as they are this year," said Jim Dyer, who served as the top staff aide on the House panel for a decade under recent GOP control.

Another factor is GOP conservatives, who promise dozens of amendments to strip parochial projects known as earmarks from the spending bills and to try to force cuts in the measures, which easily exceed Bush's budget requests. The moves invariably lose but stretch out debates on the bills beyond what Democratic leaders believe to be acceptable.

In the Senate, where it has become increasingly common for only a few of the 12 spending bills to be given debate time, the Appropriations panel is moving ahead with all 12 of the bills. But Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has not said whether any of the bills will be awarded a vote before Election Day.

Instead, Congress is likely to pass a stopgap measure funding the government into next year. Democratic leaders such as Reid have little to no desire to engage in a confrontation with the lame-duck Bush, who has vowed to veto spending bills that exceed his February budget request.

[atlanta1962]

its bad that all the monies for bush war can pass but things for veterans its always a fight as a veteran I am so sick of the bull I hope in 2009 we have a group that will see about veterans

[anecdote1]

Sure wish they would have waited until AFTER I got my stimulous check...

[stn_sage]

I find the actions of the Democratic-controlled Congress to be utterly despicable in failing to make a ''good-faith'' effort to pass these necessary funding bills!

Their actions are an abrogation of their personal responsibility as elected public officials! They''re being just as irresponsible and partisan as the Republicans have been all these past years!

They should send whatever bills they can put together to Bush, and if he vetoes them---well, then he''s responsible! And, it''s apparent to the public WHO the problem sources or party IS---but, to refuse to take any action and quit, well, that puts the burden of responsibility on the heads of the Democrats!

It appears to me Democrats are going to ''blow'' their opportunity for historical gains in seats by doing something that is incredibly childish and irresponsible! :(

I''d reconsider if I were them!

[ringading3]

And again the DemonCraps commit political suicide by selecting da Omamma. You would think they had learned something after picking Gore and Kerry. American does not like Liberal Leftist Radicals.

[randynason]

The House AND Senate can go straight to hel*, for all I care. They''re both a bunch of backstabbing incompetents and have betrayed their offices.

[hermitdave]

LIKE it means anything from a 9% approval rated bunch of cowardly crooks giving the Bush gang whatever it wants anyway.

[itgranny]

In minnesota here, we have coleman coming up and walz from the first district. I''m so sick and tired of both of them I could scream. Coleman I can understand is a right wing tool, but I had real hope for walz and he''s let me down.

It''s about enough to give Jessie V. a real look!

[demwatcher]

The Dumbocrats CAN''T beat the Republicans, so they stamp their feet and hold their breath till they turn blue.

Well, at least their "DO NOTHING" banner is not at risk of being removed any time soon.

[deacon20081]

It is hilarious that the Repugs are complaining about the Democrats stopping their march to destroy the USA.
Heck Repugs, look at it this way...sure beats a sharp stick in the eye.

[deacon20081]

When they were in the minority two years ago, House Democrats used an Appropriations hearing to win a panel vote to raise the minimum wage. GOP leaders kept the measure from a floor vote.

What goes around comes around...stop your whining

[mommakat64]

And, after all of their promises in ''06, what exactly HAVE the Dems done lately...zip, nada...lies, all lies. Same s**t, different party, different day. Same pork, same slopping at the trough....

[wardoglrs]

We should ponder as to what is really going on in the White House. Something is very wrong and it comes down to the voter. Look what Obama has done so much for change, This is there thinking and every time we vote one of these people in they change and I have had enough
Dr Paul was right and I thank him for healing my apathy.

Absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement.

Lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.

We have been betrayed

[greatdrivew]

Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow have officially become the DNC''''s version of Limbaugh and Hannity.

All are blind, partisan hacks; and none has any credibility.

Anyone who listens to any of them is derelict.

[yongamerica]

US oil companies already have oil extortion rights on 70 million acres of US soil (an area greater than the state of Maryland) and not one production well has been drilled.

Bush and Cheney''s energy plans to rape the US of domestic oil and extremely fragile uninhabited areas must be stopped.

[ariel133]

"With all due respect, there are only seven weeks left in the session. I don''t see why we should spend those seven weeks in Jerry Lewis'' playpen,"

So the Democrtats are whining that thir bills are being vetoed so much they would rather just sit back, blame the Republicans, and do nothing? What a bunch of children.

[mcvet]

So the Democrtats are whining that thir bills are being vetoed so much they would rather just sit back, blame the Republicans, and do nothing? What a bunch of children.

Posted by Ariel133 at 07:18 AM : Jul 10, 2008

Now I know you fascist can''t understand things real well or otherwise YOU wouldn''t be fascist but the Republican''s, if you are within the very few who call them that anymore, had 6 years in control of the entire Government and did NOTHING. Now they are scratching and clawing trying, as best they can, to salvage something. That''s just the reality of this. Now lets stand... let Shooter and the Gestapo know the Bootlickers are still here!! SIEG HEIL BUSH

[mcvet]

And, after all of their promises in ''''06, what exactly HAVE the Dems done lately...zip, nada...lies, all lies. Same s**t, different party, different day. Same pork, same slopping at the trough....

Posted by MommaKat64 at 01:02 AM : Jul 10, 2008

Oh I think EVERYONE who WORK''s, YOU KNOW actually WORKS for a living would disagree with that statement... Course you being a fascist you wouldn''t understand what it''s like to have to work for so little now would you! There is NO telling how much MORE they could have done given a senate with a solid Democrat Majority and a Democrat President! When you are working with the WORST President in US History in the White House any progress is great! Now stand... Let''s salute the Fuhrer this morning like a good little bootlicker!! READY?? Sieg Heil Bush

[mcvet]

Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow have officially become the DNC''''''''s version of Limbaugh and Hannity.

All are blind, partisan hacks; and none has any credibility.

Anyone who listens to any of them is derelict.

Posted by GreatDriveW at 01:34 AM : Jul 10, 2008

How''s that? I watch them EVERY night and LOVE the program. I NEVER see the stupidity of the other programs during countdown.... NEVER! Now lets salute Limballs! He''s needs MORE of you brainless people to TELL what to think... Ready?? Sieg Heil Rush!!

[ariel133]

This biased support of a person who has flip flopped and is being excused for doing so is hypocritical when spoken in terms of adjusting his frame of reference according to the times and then not accepting McCains changes as well. It is so obvious and evident the propaganda for this unqualified Democrat just because of the unpopularity of Bush and not because MCCain is actually more experianced and less embarressing as a leader of a nation. People are not that stupid that they can see through the manipulation, media. The general election will prove that after we see more crazy flip flops from the only candidate who is not credible. Obama should accept that he is wrong for the USA and get off the pedastal that does not suit him.

[zerato-2009]

The general election will prove that after we see more crazy flip flops from the only candidate who is not credible. Obama should accept that he is wrong for the USA and get off the pedastal that does not suit him.
Posted by Ariel133

The greatest flip flopper of all time goes to the republican nominee, john mccain. He has never met a position on any issue he hasn''''t liked.

[geneonlbk]

America needs an immediate Marshal Plan to transform our country into a non-oil using nation. The technology is already available. All that is required is a federal mandate and funding to re-employ millions of workers and stop the yearly flow of billions of dollars to foreign countries. Oil costs America ten times as much as the Iraq war and pollutes our air as well.

[liberalme]

Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow have officially become the DNC''''''''''''''''s version of Limbaugh and Hannity.

All are blind, partisan hacks; and none has any credibility.

Anyone who listens to any of them is derelict.

Posted by GreatDriveW at 01:34 AM : Jul 10, 2008


Hahaha the truth really hurst when it hits you right upside the head huh?

Olbermann and Maddow are the only two in the news arena that have the guts to tell it like it is!

On the other hand, Faux news is just a comical as Saturday Night Live!

[liberalme]

That would be the truth really hurts

[smiley676]

Oh, the Democrats, refusing to follow the democratic process.

What a surprise.

[liberalme]

Oh, the Democrats, refusing to follow the democratic process.

What a surprise.


Posted by smiley676 at 08

Sort of like a few years ago when the repukes were "in charge" and the Dems wanted to have a meeting, the were only allowed to use the basement--or how about the time during a debate between the 2 all the microphones and lights were suddenly turned off--I can find more--want to talk "democratic" process further?

[a8151947]

More of the same BS from the Hill. Kids playing, If I can''t have my way you can''t play. Do we really want people that act like LITTLE Kids running things. Vote them all OUT

[walt1944-2009]

Reading the comments on this story shows me how divided this country is.

The evil, cowardly Whimpo-crats say they want to preserve our freedoms and the Constitution, but when the Great Emperor Bush wants something that threatens both, they bow low and kiss the Emperor''s toes.

The neocon Fascist Nazi Republicans say they want SECURITY and PROTECTION from "terrrrrrrorrists" even if it means turning the country into a second Nazi Germany to do it!

Evil, cowardly Whimpo-crat or neocon Fascist Nazi Republican, both are slugging away at each other over what "elected" politicians in Washington want and those politicians aren''t influenced by the people who elected them, but by lobbyists, big business, power, and money!

Who needs nasty Islamic "terrrrrrrorrists" when all they have to do is sit back and watch us destroy ourselves?

All the "terrrrrrrrorrists" and dictators out there are laughing at us!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!!
sig heil, DEFINITELY MORE OF THE SAME, McCain!!!!!

[kansas1946]

Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow have officially become the DNC''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s version of Limbaugh and Hannity.

***********************************************

LOL. Comparing Olberman to Limbaugh is like comparing a house fly to an eagle.
One flies around mindlessly sticking his feet, (an nose) into sh**, and the other rises above the fray and promotes the high ideals of our country.

Limbaugh...give me a break.