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Summary:
The myth of the "do-nothing Congress" is exposed in an analysis released by the Campaign for America's Future. A record-breaking campaign of obstruction by the Republican minority during the 110th Congress is responsible for the lack of progress on such issues as withdrawing from Iraq, alternative energy development and health care.
Get the full story: "The Real Story of the 100th Congress: The Right-Wing Block-And-Blame Game" [1] | Robert Borosage on "The Roots of Obstruction" [2]
A record-breaking campaign of obstruction was waged by the Republican minority in Congress during the 110th Congress to keep the Democratic majority from enacting legislation sought by the American people. Their strategy of "block and blame" has driven the perception of a "do-nothing Congress." In reality, the 110th Congress would have achieved truly landmark accomplishments—including safely bringing the troops home from Iraq, reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and its contribution to global warming, and funding long-neglected domestic priorities—had it not been for conservative obstruction.
Our July 2008 update [3] to our earlier block-and-blame analysis [4] cuts through the political spin. We document how what is being reported as political stalemate is really the product of a conservative political strategy, both in Congress and the White House, to sabotage the new majority in Congress as it responds to the mandate it received from the American public—even if it means bringing down public support for the entire Congress in the process.
Get the full story:
» Report: "The Real Story of the 110th Congress: The Right-Wing Block-And-Blame Game" [5]
» Robert Borosage on "The Roots of Obstruction" [6]
» “FILIBUSTERED: How the Right is Obstructing America’s Progress” [8]
» The chart of presidential veto threats [9] and a report on why they matter. [10]
» The voting records [11] of senators who are obstructing or supporting the people's agenda.
» The polling data [12] that shows the popularity of the reforms being blocked.
» The comebacks [13] you can use to rebut conservative talking points on the war.
Senate Obstruction Leader
As far back as January 2007, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made it clear that he would assume the role of Senate Obstruction Leader by insisting on a 60-vote supermajority, rather than a simple 50-vote majority, for getting bills through the Senate.
He claims “that’s the ordinary procedure.” But he’s wrong, and we have the proof [14]. The reality is, his abuse of Senate procedures to block the majority will on legislation is unprecedented. McConnell and Senate Republicans like the filibuster now, but they didn’t when Democrats used it more sparingly in the 109th Congress against President Bush’s most extreme judicial nominees. Learn more about McConnell and the Republican filibuster flip-flop » [15]
The Plot To Bury Progress
[16]
Our cameras have caught the conservative mastermind leading obstruction in Congress. Watch the video and pass it on [17] to help revive the fight for progress. GO» [18]
State Obstruction Reports
In Early 2007 we compiled reports on key obstructionists in the Senate.
Allard (Colo.) [19] | Coleman (Minn.) [20] | Collins (Maine) [21] | Dole (N.C.) [22] | Domenici (N.M.) [23] | Ensign (Nev.) [24] | Grassley (Iowa) [25] | McConnell (Ky.) [26] | Roberts (Kan.) [27] | Snowe (Maine) [28] | Sununu (N.H.) [29] | Voinovich (Ohio) [30] | Warner (Va.) [31]
The Majority Doesn't Count
Source: Secretary of the Senate [32]
As this chart shows [33], never have so many filibusters been threatened as in the first session of the 110th Congress. In just the first year, Republicans filibustered more legislation, and required more cloture votes to break those filibusters, than in any Congress in recent history. Congress is on pace to more than double the number of cloture votes of previous Congresses — including the ones that Republicans controlled and complained of Democratic 'obstruction.'
This is the result of a deliberate effort by the Republican minority to undercut the will of the majority of the American public, expressed when voters placed a Democratic majority in control of both houses of Congress. The filibuster, a procedure unique to the Senate to block an up-or-down vote on legislation unless a 60-vote supermajority agrees to proceed, has been historically used by both parties. But it has never been used as routinely as it has been by Republicans since January 2007.
» Read our up-to-date chart on judicial nominations. [34]
OBSTRUCTION ARCHIVE
» Robert L. Borosage's analysis of the obstruction strategy [35] and how we can fight back. [36]
A Basic Right Filibustered
[37]
by Isaiah J. Poole on 09/19/2007 - 8:22 am
Block And Blame Republicans [38]
by Isaiah J. Poole on 08/04/2007 - 5:31 pm
Passing thoughts on a topic of the moment [39]
by Rick Perlstein on 07/31/2007 - 3:28 pm
There's Always Obstruction [40]
by Bill Scher on 09/05/2007 - 11:11 am
For Our Next Obstruction... [41]
by Bill Scher on 07/19/2007 - 6:56 pm
Expose The Obstructionists [42]
by Robert Borosage on 06/29/2007 - 1:39 pm
Working through the Obstruction on Labor Day [43]
by Eric Lotke on 09/04/2007 - 12:52 pm
Rovemort's Change Of Address [44]
by Rick Perlstein on August 13, 2007 - 12:08pm
Challenging The Right's Obstruction Strategy [45]
by Robert Borosage on August 2, 2007 - 8:59am
Feel The Compassion [46]
by Bill Scher on July 30, 2007 - 2:18pm
Routine Hypocrisy [47]
by Bill Scher on July 27, 2007 - 11:39am
Standing Up To The Obstructionists (And The Pundits Who Love Them) [48]
by Bill Scher on July 26, 2007
Proudly Blocking Children's Health Care [49]
by Bill Scher on July 25, 2007 - 12:41pm
Reversing The Slide [50]
by Bill Scher on July 24, 2007 - 11:06am
For Our Next Obstruction... [51]
by Bill Scher on July 19, 2007 - 6:55pm
One Night of Pressure Removes One Obstruction [52]
by Bill Scher on July 18, 2007 - 1:17pm
Forcing them to filibuster: what it's ultimately about [53]
by Rick Perlstein on July 18, 2007 - 11:36am
Talkin' filibuster [54]
by Rick Perlstein on July 18, 2007 - 12:38am
They were against the filibuster... [55]
By Rick Perlstein on July 17, 2007 - 4:09pm
Conservatives Block Vote on Ending The War [56]
By Bill Scher on July 17, 2007 - 3:38pm
Whatever Happened to "Extraordinary Circumstances"? [57]
By Bill Scher on July 17, 2007 - 1:05pm
Reid’s Bold Move [58]
By Bill Scher on July 17, 2007 - 12:57am
Filibuster!! [59]
By Rick Perlstein on July 16, 2007 - 7:22pm
Harry Reid is doing his job [60]
By Rick Perlstein on July 16, 2007 - 5:39pm
Democratic Senators: Do Your Job! [61]
By Rick Perlstein on July 16, 2007 - 10:46am