Posted on 11/03/2010 1:19:46 PM PDT by jazusamo
The top three Senate Democrats said the onus was on the newly-strengthened GOP conference to cooperate on legislation next year.
Republicans picked up six Senate seats Tuesday night, not enough to take control of the chamber but the new numbers will make it harder for Democrats to get the necessary 60 votes to proceed on controversial legislation.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.), in a conference call with reporters Wednesday, pledged to work with the Republicans but also emphasized the GOP’s responsibility to not block legislation.
Reid, especially, renewed a threat he made before, that Republicans must stop obstructing and start cooperating. The majority leader, who survived a close re-election battle, said he spoke early Wednesday afternoon with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
“Republicans must take their responsibility to solve the problems of ordinary Americans,” Reid said. “Simply saying ‘No,’ as we’ve had this past Congress… won’t bring jobs back. It won’t strengthen the economy, and it won’t help families who are struggling to make ends meet. ‘No’ is not the answer. It has to be ‘Yes.’ Not our ‘Yes,’ but a combined ‘Yes,’ something we work out — a consensus ‘Yes.’”
“Playing to a draw in the United States Senate for political score is not acceptable to the American people,” added Durbin. “We need to work together. The Senate will be the crucible for some of the most important issues of our day.”
Specifically, Schumer said the 112th Congress will “focus on the middle class like a laser,” and that he expects, as per tradition, Republicans will insist on tax cuts and Democrats will defend spending on infrastructure. However, Schumer also acknowledged Democrats “don’t have the monopoly on knowledge.”
Asked about the lame-duck session scheduled to start on Nov. 15, Reid said “a number of issues” could be taken up and that he has begun talks with McConnell on the agenda.
Pointedly, however, Reid signaled that Democrats would likely vote against a wholesale extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts signed by President George W. Bush, which expire at the end of the year. Democrats would agree to extending the cuts for middle-class families, Reid said, but allowing them for wealthy Americans “is not going to happen” because it would cost $4 trillion.
President Obama has pressed for the cuts to be extended for families making $250,000 or less while Republicans want an across-the-board extension.
Pressed on how Congress could function in a divided state in 2011, with a Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate, Reid repeated that the answer lies with GOP leaders.
“When this government was set up in the 18th Century, they knew that there would be problems… This has all happened before,” he said. “The message I repeat today is that the ball is in their court.
“53 (seats), over my long time in the Senate, is a pretty good majority… We’re comfortable where we are, and we have made the message very clear that we want to work with Republicans. If they’re unwilling to work with us, there’s not a thing we can do about that, but the American people can see that like a very slow curve ball.”
The Senate will have some new members in the lame duck. The winners of contests in Delaware, West Virginia and Illinois will be sworn-in immediately. Democrats held two of the seats with Chris Coons (D) winning in Delaware and Joe Manchin (D) winning in West Virginia, but Republicans took Illinois. Rep. Mark Kirk (R) won that seat.
Same old Harry (the war is lost) Reid, he wants the GOP to work with the Dems as long as they do it his way.
The dog won’t hunt anymore Harry.
And the Senate Democrats think THEY are in the position to make demands and give US orders today?! I don’t think so....
The real “onus” was on the Democrat libtard arseholes when they controlled both the House and Senate nd shoved everything they could down our collective throats. Here is a brilliant thought: Beohner or someone needs to tell the Remaining Dem arseholes to shove that “onus” up their collective asses. Just a thought.... =.=
AFTER healthcare repeal; go after defunding their pet projects and pork; wholesale.
Same old Harry talking to a newly invigorated group of Senators. I can just hear Rand Paul’s response.
These maggots are infuriating! Just damn!
GOP’s responsibility to not block legislation
NO COMPROMISES!!!
YOU HAVE THE PEOPLES MANDATE!!!
Senate Republicans need to make Reid’s tenure a living hell. And they can do it.
It is time for the GOP to send a “come to Jesus” message to Reid!
Amen!
22 democrat senate seats will be up for grabs in 2012. Compare that to the only 10 for the Republicans. Please Reid, piss off the American people more.
From my understanding of US Constitution, all money bills originate in the House.
If the GOP House immediately passes a bill after getting sworn in and the Republicans in the Senate run with the ball, how can the Democrats do anything to stop it?
I think there are enough conservative Democrats in the Senate to get it done.
Then challenge Barack Obama to veto it.
The Senate Republicans should pretend that Harry Reid doesn’t exist.
But, then, I don’t think like an establishment Republican.
That’s why it is important to go after the Dems who will be up for reelection in 2012 right now!
Make them reach across the aisle!!!!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2620546/posts
Harry, put your ‘heads I win, tails you lose’, coin away, that old trick isn’t going to work anymore. New realities, Harry. Deal with it.
Yea, they can shove that “onus” up their collective “anus”.
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