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Out of 218 Republicans in Congress only three liberal Republicans voted for the welfare and pork bill. That is a great unity among Republicans. They stood up and fought. We do not have the vote for a filibuster in the Senate it is that simple. McConnell cannot do anything about these three liberal Republicans and threatening to cut them from committees will lead to nowhere because they will go democrat and vote 100% with them instead of 50%.

On the other hand when the democrats were a minority or before 2007 and a majority in 2007-2008 they could not stop some of their Senators and Representatives from voting with Republicans and President Bush on important votes such as funding the war and the voting for the surge. So they do not have the great party discipline that you think.

It is almost impossible to have 100% of your party with you on most issue. You will always find few who will vote against the party.