Posted on 03/03/2011 8:30:26 PM PST by pissant
WASHINGTON -- A bloc of Senate conservatives, led by South Carolina's Jim DeMint, flexed their muscles Thursday, pledging to block any bill they alone deem wasteful or unconstitutional.
Seven other GOP senators joined DeMint's effort, including three freshman he helped elect in November, and veteran Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.
"I'm proud to stand with my fellow conservative Senate colleagues to require thorough review of bills to prevent secret passage of wasteful spending and unconstitutional legislation," DeMint said.
Beyond passing judgment on whether measures are constitutional, DeMint's new group wants any new spending to be offset by other funding cuts and for duplicative government programs to be consolidated or eliminated.
The group also demands that all government programs be reviewed periodically and that the cost of every bill be made public before the Senate votes on it, along with the full text.
Jon Summers, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he's pleased that DeMint and his allies recognize "that we need to reduce the deficit and cut spending to make government leaner and more efficient."
But, Summers said, "it's a shame their austerity does not apply to the unpaid-for, budget-busting special interest tax breaks that they seem all too happy to hand out."
DeMint was overwhelmingly elected to a second Senate term in November after gaining a national following among conservative activists by blocking immigration legislation and helping to eliminate spending earmarks.
(Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...
Give them HELL Jim.
...and considering the circus freak show we have running for Prez (Newt, Romney, Daniels, Huckabee, etc.), please give that some hard thought.
In 2008 we had 3 choices, and they all were terrible...we don’t need to repeat that nightmare.
One of these things is not like the other.
Aw hell.
Well, it was a good idea, anyways.
But, Summers said, "it's a shame their austerity does not apply to the unpaid-for, budget-busting special interest tax breaks that they seem all too happy to hand out."
You know, Jon, had you stopped after the word "efficient" you would have fooled many people into thinking that you were intelligent. But you had to keep yapping your lips.
If we gotta have a co-ed team... DeMint / Bachmann.
Jim DeMint is the best. Keep fighting the commie islamists in the Senate.
Mr. DeMint, you are one of the few that we are hoping that will effect the course of history... - ie. the demise of the US. If you are going to go down in history, you had better stick to your guns and force Congress to get serious about the budget. If this means obstruction (as defined by the MSM), stay tough and do the right thing.
The reality is that history (and really most of the idiots today) will reward you for standing up for what is right - and you know that you are right! Stick to your principles and things will work out for years to come.
:)
Jim’s Gang will steamroll Lindsey’s amd McLames Gang!
oops. looks like the let McCain in.
This isn’t good. Plus McCain has his own group of the 14 Gangsters.
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