Republican obstructionism reaches new levels

In a stunning display of obstructionism, Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama has put a “blanket hold” on at least 70 nominations President Obama has sent to the Senate, according to multiple reports. The hold means no nominations can move forward unless Senate Democrats can secure a 60-member cloture vote to break it, or until Shelby lifts the hold. Sen. Shelby has offered no explanation for the holds except to confirm the holds are in place. News of the holds was broken by aides to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who indicated the hold extends to “all executive nominations on the Senate calendar.”

According to the Talking Points Memo, Sen. Shelby is holding President Obama’s nominees hostage until two earmarks that would send billions in taxpayer dollars to Sen. Shelby’s home state move forward. The two programs Sen. Shelby wants to move forward include a $40 billion contract to build air-to-air refueling tankers and an improvised explosive device testing lab for the FBI, at a cost of $45 million.

I can’t wait to read all the conservatives who’ll attack Sen. Shelby for his blatant obstructionism in the name of pork barrel spending, and I can’t wait to see how fiscal conservatives plan on protesting Sen. Shelby’s decision to obstruct the business of the Senate simply so he can grab some dollars for his home state.

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2 thoughts on “Republican obstructionism reaches new levels

  1. “I can’t wait to read all the conservatives who’ll attack Sen. Shelby for his blatant obstructionism in the name of pork barrel spending, and I can’t wait to see how fiscal conservatives plan on protesting Sen. Shelby’s decision to obstruct the business of the Senate simply so he can grab some dollars for his home state.”

    Don’t hold your breath Zach, I’ve never known that group to be real principled when it comes to putting people before politics.

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