When All Else Fails, Break Out The Amy Winehouse

Having tried charts, speeches and even all-nighters to protest what he sees as Republican obstructionism in the Senate, New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer took to quoting British songstress Amy Winehouse Thursday, hoping to drive home his message.

“It’s sort of like that song,” said Schumer, "Democrats say let’s legislate and [Republicans] just say 'no, no no.'”

Winehouse—whose struggles with substance abuse caused a media firestorm earlier this year-- won 6 Grammy’s last year on the strength of her song “Rehab” which containes the hook Schumer took such glee in repeating.

“They need rehab, I guess,” said Schumer with a laugh before turning serious to decry what he sees as constant filibusters from the GOP, which is preventing serious issues like energy independence from being debated.

An aide later told the Crypt Schumer's daughter put the song on the senator's ipod and a new talking point was born.

Although he later corrected himself to say he was referring to "political rehab" and not anything more nefarious, Schumer warned that by refusing to vote to debate bills, "Republicans are filibustering themselves out of their seats" and would pay a price in November.

While most reporters in attendance spotted the reference immediately, it was clear that not every member of the Senate Democratic leadership team was singing from the same song sheet, as Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) had to ask who Amy Winehouse was.

However, it wasn’t just Senate Democrats getting into the musical metaphor game, with one Senate GOP aide comparing Senate Democrats to Brittney Spears.

“They are not quite what they used to be,” said the aide, “but some people who don’t know them still think they look pretty good, and in the end, it is awfully difficult not to question their decision making.”

The world’s greatest deliberative body indeed.