Posted on 02/12/2014 10:49:28 AM PST by jimbo123
Republicans in the Senate are struggling to come up with the five votes they'd need to ensure passage on Wednesday of a House bill raising the debt ceiling.
The measure is likely to win support from the upper chamber's 53 Democrats and the two Independents that caucus with Democrats.
But only one Republican, Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.), has so far said he would back the bill.
The measure needs 60 votes because Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is filibustering the bill over the lack of spending reforms attached to it.
Kirk told The Hill the vote would be close.
“I think it’s narrow," he said.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is expected to vote yes but told The Hill she was not prepared to announce her position on Wednesday morning.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
“In spite of the big talk show hosts and some Freepers, I don’t think America is paying attention. Most don’t even know what cloture means.”
It doesn’t matter if most of America doesn’t know. Enough of us know that these people are saying to the leadership: “not me buddy! I’m not walking the plank for this!”
Cornyn and McConnell should now announce they’re not running for reelection and allow their primary opponents to concentrate on defeating the Dems.
“Cornyn was whipping votes and failed. So he had to vote for Cloture. So did McConnell.”
That is so awesome that Cruz forced the two leaders to push the vote over the top! You know they are seething!!!
I predict the Graham’s future will be BRIGHT... Lee Bright
Thank God for Ted Cruz!
They’re counting on big money and name recognition to survive ... in the meantime, they’ll do all they can to undermine Cruz and any TEA Party candidate who dares talk of conservative principles.
I enjoy seeing Reid squirm like the little Rat that he is,
Above all, McConnell and Cornyn don’t want this bill to drag out. They look incredibly weak when Reid treats them like doormats on important issues.
This is bullsh*t posturing by the Senate GOP. Everyone knows this damn thing is going to pass - the Senate GOP doesn’t have the spine to stop it. This is just giving cover to a handful of GOP-e senators who were going to vote for it anyway, and will vote for it eventually, but will now be able to (try to) say that “I fought against this, and only voted for it in the end so we could prevent the Dems from pushing the country into default.”
I enjoy seeing Cornyn and McConnell squirm the Rats that they are.
Indeed good for him for making them come out of the shadows. I really like this guy.
This was a very damaging vote for them. Their chances may be so poor now that their donors may decide to get some other ‘moderate’ elected to their seats anyway.
Other RINOS getting ready to vote YES on cloture to give Cornyn and McConnell cover!
The ideal targets are Republicans who are safe from Tea Party challengers (they think) because they are from a blue state OR because they’re not going to run for re-election because they’re retiring OR at least they’re not going to run for re-election until 2016 or 2018.
Kirk - blue state, Collins - near blue state, Chambliss and Johanns - already announced they’re retiring, and McCain - not up for re-election this year and may be thinking of retiring.
Chambliss and Johanns will deliver the deciding votes - you heard it here first.
The bastards passed it 67 yeahs.
I didn’t realize they needed 3/5ths!
Wow! Outstanding Mr Cruz (I presume)!
Like Charlie Brown kicking a football, I'm always hopeful my representative will do the right thing... especially, during election years. :-(
So... ? Cloture passed?
RINOs to the rescue of Cornyn and McConnell. Good to get them on record.
They just needed 60. I misunderstood.
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