Posted on 02/09/2011 3:09:10 AM PST by broken_arrow1
It was the Congressional version of never count your chickens before they're hatched.
And when you do on Capitol Hill, you can sometimes lose a vote.
The newly-minted House Republican leadership botched a vote Tuesday night when it presumed it had the necessary support to reauthorize the Patriot Act, the anti-terrorism law imposed after September 11th.
The GOP expected little trouble with the bill. So Republicans brought the Patriot Act to the floor under a special procedure that requires a two-thirds vote for passage. It's a maneuver that's typically reserved for non-controversial legislation or bills that carry wide support.
Renewing that Patriot Act had certainly had wide support. 277 members voted in favor of the measure compared to just 148 nays.
But that's short of the two-thirds supermajority. Which means the House defeated the bill.
With 425 members voting, 284 yea votes were necessary to cross the two-thirds threshold for passage. 26 Republicans voted against renewing the law.
Democrats opposed to the Patriot Act were gleeful at the GOP miscalculation.
"Look at the ‘Don't Tread on Me flag.' It doesn't say don't tread on me, but it's okay if you spy," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), one of the most ardent opponents of the Patriot Act. "What the Republican leadership didn't count on is that they have some new members who are freshmen who are conservative, libertarian, who really do believe in civil liberties."
Eight Republicans whom the GOP regards as freshmen voted against the reauthorization. That's precisely the number of yea votes Republicans needed to pass the bill.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) used to set the schedule when Democrats were in the majority and is familiar with floor meltdowns like the one Tuesday night.
But despite the misstep, Republicans blamed Democrats for the defeat.
(Excerpt) Read more at politics.blogs.foxnews.com ...
Not unless you like bacon.
The Templars chose for their emblem a design showing two riders on a single horse.
Why would they do that?
Garcon! mon ami voudriez le porc sandwich
Or even more suitable to our case. "Tu parle francaise comme un arabe!"
Bearing in mind what Saladin did when Richard the lionheart lost his horse - why did the Templars chose an emblem featuring two riders on the same horse?
I am waiting.
This guy needs to step down and let someone like Bachmann take the seat!
Thank you for that Pee Wee Herman (I know you are but what am I) response. Incoherent devoid of context ridiculous accusation.
Please put down the bottle before you make any more posts. It might help you make sense.
So you’re one of those who push that all modern science came from muslims.
Do you get a stipend from Dubai?
Those in Dubai - are not my friends nor yours. As to the history of science, and the influence of the Islam on Western Civilization - If I take the time to write, will you take the time to read?
You may be a drunk but you’re a jerk to accuse me of drinking when you’ve never met me. It fits with your other stupid grade school level accusations though.
Well sport you are the one that started with accusations. Despite having never met me.
Go away and grow up
Try to act like a freaking adult just once in your life, chief.
I wished to convey something to you - but perhaps you are busy with other things - I’ll let you be.
No, you started with the drama accusations. you debate as poorly as crim does.
I haven’t debated you about anything. I have been responding to your poorly thought out accusations based on knee-jerk assumptions. Your first post confirms that diagnosis.
My fondest hope is to see this trifecta completely abolished. They are all an anathema to freedom, period.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2671813/posts
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