Posted on 03/02/2010 11:56:33 AM PST by quesney
WASHINGTON – To the increasing discomfort of his fellow Republicans, Sen. Jim Bunning on Tuesday again blocked the Senate from extending unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for the jobless.
The Kentucky Republican objected to a request by Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a fellow Republican, to pass a 30-day extension of jobless benefits and other expired measures. The measure would also extend highway programs and prevent a big cut in Medicare payments to doctors.
Bunning has been single-handedly blocking the stopgap legislation since Thursday...
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Bunning made the following quotes on the floor of the United States Senate:
"I believe we should pay for it. We have run up $5 trillion in debt. There has to be a time to stop that."
"Well, we have tried to work this out with the majority, particularly after the pay-go vote last week. When 100 senators are for a bill and we can't find $10 billion to pay for it, there's something the matter, seriously the matter with this body. I've said that last night. I don't want to repeat myself. I have offered several ways to pay for it. If everybody in this chamber -- and there is no senators except me here right now, but there are 100 members of this body -- believes as the senator from Illinois does that this is essential and we should pass it, then we should pay for it.
There are going to be other bills brought to this floor that are not going to be paid for, and I'm going to object every time they do it.
I have got too many young grandchildren that want America to be the same America that I grew up in. And I'm worried to death that that's not going to be the case.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
As a country, when are we going to start acting like adults, stop putting things on credit, start prioritizing and start paying our bills?
What kind of country is this turning into when a man who proposes to do just that is so viciously attacked?
Amen - Bump Bunning - maybe his example will rub off on some other Republicans.
Bunning may have more major league baseball pitching help in the senate if the Georgia republicans get their way. Saw an article where they have approached ex-Atlanta Braves great John Smoltz too run for the retiring senator’s seat!
“One man with truth makes a majority”.
This would have made more sense than the bailouts and stimulus plans.
I support this in principle, but I worry it would help the Dems in the elections. It’s generally pretty bad to be seen as sticking it to unemployed workers over procedure.
... less taxes, less spending, less government...
... repeat!
How long do we keep the benefits flowing? The longer it goes on the more it looks like another entitlement program. Some of these folks have been drawing unemployment benefits for more than two years. Hello!!!!!!
Where’s the Republican leadership support? McConnell? McCain??
I’m sorry....I thought you said McCain.....
I’ve tried calling his offices to thank him...can’t get thru...
You’ve noticed the double ??. No doubt about major weakness in Republican leadership calling a press conference and supporting conservative ideas on budgeting
Same here. Right stand, wrong timing. The Dems will use this to demonize the Republicans and try to win votes with the unemployed before November elections.
He’s following the law. Darn right I support him.
“This would have made more sense than the bailouts and stimulus plans.”
Isn’t that the truth. Better late than never.
who is standing with him
An honest politician...who’d a thought.
Too damn bad.
Next step, it’s about time someone start telling “the American people” they personally are not owed anything, and they need to start finding jobs and working and saving by themselves to take care of themselves.
Welfare is a socialist construct that didn’t exist for most of our history.
Amazing how the country flourished and grew immensely in wealth before income taxes and welfare.
Well, I now know why I decided to leave Seattle and buy a farm in central Kentucky. :)
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