Republican vandals slash tires of the Senate

Most americans know that majority vote exceeding 50% can pass a bill. And some know that a bill can be filibustered indefinitely by the minority. Some know about cloture, in which a supermajority vote of 60% can end a filibuster. Very few people however are aware that some of the most basic procedures within the Senate require unanimous consent. To simply allow a bill to be debated requires that 100% of the senate are willing to let the process of debate commence. The process is usually simple, and a long history of courteousness usually makes it look like this:

mr. reid: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to a period of morning business and senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered.

Individual Republicans have increasingly started leveraging this ancient parliamentary formality as the ultimate power play. Why work together with your caucus to create a unified NO during a formal vote, when you can take matters into your own hands, 'hold' formal progress of the underlying proceedings process, and gum up the lawmaking machinery of the entire country all by your lonesome? Classic game theory applies, and by taking such a non-cooperative role, a single individual can often walk away with many rich spoils at the expense of the rest of the population.

Jim Bunning, Senator from Kentucky, used a senate unanimous consent hold for 4 straight days to obstruct a one month extension of unemployment benefits. Bunning sought Pay-Go principles be upheld and that the benefits be paid for with Recovery Act funds rather than increase the deficit. Bunning ultimately folded amidst lack of support from his own party only after causing a 1 day furlough of 2000 government transportation workers and squandering nearly a week of Senate time.

Richard Shelby, Senator from Alabama, invented the unprecedented 'blanket hold' in which he vowed to obstruct all procedural requests to proceed on debate and discussion of the confirmation 70 nominees by the Obama administration a meer week after Obama was inaugurated. Shelby sought over $35 billion in pork for his state in the form of military contracts in exchange for lifting his hold.

Democratic Congress Struggles with Majority; Drop Like Flies

Despite holding a supermajority in both houses for nearly a year, Democratic congressmen have struggling to pen a compelling story of their accomplishments. With only one major bill to point to, the massive $800 billion Recovery Act, and having squandered much time spinelessly placating to a completely obstructionist Republican minority, the Democrats are anticipating a slew of ferocious voters in November ready to axe incumbents on both sides en masse. In recent weeks, many senior Democrats have taken matters into their own hands by simply raising their hands and giving up all together.

Charles B. Rangel, Chairman of the tax-policy-writing Ways and Means Committee. Taking leave due to ethics panel inquiries regarding corporate sponsored trips to the Caribbean, and accusations of impropriety involving Manhattan real estate.

Evan Bayh, Indiana Senator. "I love working for the people of Indiana," he said. "But I do not love Congress."

Christopher J. Dodd, Chairman of the senate Banking Committee. Retired after long tenure in the face of weak polling numbers.

Byron L. Dorgan, Senator for North Dakota. Grew skeptical of his reelection prospects, blaming congressional emphasis on health care rather than job creation.

Parker Griffith, Representative from Alabama, switched to become a Republican to clarify his opposition against large spending measures including the stimulus, cap and trade, and health care.

Obama announces HomeStar program

Designed to drive energy efficiency and to spur job growth and the economy, President Obama announced the HomeStar program yesterday. The idea is to subsidize efforts to make home improvements such as weather proofing, adding insulation, upgrading to new windows, improving heating systems, and the like. The logic is that such improvements typically rely on local contractors and suppliers that are based in the United States, thus driving domestic job growth in industries that are currently suffering from higher than average (22% cited) unemployment. Also, the increases in efficiency are seen as a motion towards lowering dependance on foreign oil and saving households on energy costs over time.

Details:

• Direct rebates for energy-saving investments
• 50 percent rebates for the cost of each upgrade up to $1500
• Rebates up to $3000 for those who choose to retrofit their whole homes
• Guaranteed quality installations through quality assurance providers who would conduct field audits after work is completed
• Support for financing through State and local governments