Democrats Likely to Drop IMF Provision From Ukraine Bill (Cruz draws more blood!)

rollcall.com ^ | 3/25/14 | Humberto Sanchez

[cotton1706]

Updated 1:51 p.m. | Democratic leaders seem on the verge of nixing the International Monetary Fund provision in a Ukraine aid package that House Republican leaders oppose, in what would amount to a victory for House Republican leaders and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and a defeat for the White House.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Robert Menendez, D-N.J., conceded that removing the IMF provisions was the likely outcome.

“The House Republican leadership is intransigent about IMF, despite the fact, that IMF, I think, is very important,” Menendez said Tuesday. “And if that’s the case, and there is no pathway forward, then you know we may very well strip it out.”

Ranking Member Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said the Ukraine measure could pass the Senate Tuesday afternoon.

Corker called the likelihood of stripping the IMF language “very high.” Corker supports the IMF policy overhaul itself, which the White House has said would free up billions that could be lent to Ukraine.

“It’s under discussions,” a senior Senate Democratic aide said earlier. Democrats are meeting behind closed doors at their weekly policy lunch.

The aide’s comments come after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., warned the bill could not become law in its current form. He urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to allow amendments to the measure, including a GOP proposal to strike the IMF provision.

“He’s going to do that,” McCain said of Reid weighing the possibility, adding that he supports nixing the IMF provision.

“I think it’s very important that we do that because the transcendent issue is sending a signal that we are going to help Ukraine as quickly as possible,” he said.

[cotton1706]

Despite Mitch McConnell helping Harry Reid in his attempt to further empower international bodies, Cruz is succeeding in getting this provision removed.

Had he chosen not to fight this, as McConnell did, we all know what would have happened!

[ConservativeMan55]

bump!!!

[SADMILLIE]

I love Cruz. Wish he had been born in the USA so he can be president. Even if he would lie about it ( obama) then we could ignore the truth like the Rats do.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Cruz's “Americaness” was settled ages ago.

[rcrngroup]

Wow, did Mitch McConnell & the other squishy RINOS’s grow some balls over this past night? Unbelieveable that the Stupid Party (Repubs) is trembling in their slippers, but nevertheless is standing up to the Evil Party (democRATs), at least on this issue

[cotton1706]

“Wow, did Mitch McConnell & the other squishy RINOS’s grow some balls over this past night? Unbelieveable that the Stupid Party (Repubs) is trembling in their slippers, but nevertheless is standing up to the Evil Party (democRATs), at least on this issue”

Reid and McConnell, as usual, wanted to put pressure on the House to just pass their provision. For whatever reason (probably pressure from conservatives) the House wasn’t going for it. So Reid and McConnell are pulling the provision. Their in the dark of night scheme to expand foreign power was stymied by Ted Cruz and the conservatives in the House! The only bulwarks against the establishment.

[lonevoice]

You might want to check out this thread and reconsider the advisability of your posts in this matter. Especially if you'd prefer not to be zotted, like this

[Viennacon]

Cruz is the BUZZSAW! Mitch McConnell humiliated again.