Cheney Breaks Senate Tie

irishgrl · #1 12-21-2005, 11:04 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051221/...get_passage_dc

Senate passes spending cuts after Cheney breaks tie 5 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday narrowly passed a bill to trim nearly $40 billion from federal spending over five years, including cuts to social welfare programs such as health care for the elderly and poor.

Vice President Dick Cheney, in his role as president of the Senate, broke a 50-50 tie when he voted in favor of the spending cuts.

The House of Representatives approved the measure on Monday. But during debate in the Senate, Democrats forced a minor change to the bill, requiring the House to act again, probably on Thursday.

Rickypt · #2 12-21-2005, 11:25 AM

Yeah, it was most unpleasant to turn on CSPAN this morning and see Cheney's ugly mug (before I even had coffee) casting the tie-breaker to cut Medicaid and other safety net programs. Now Medicaid recipients, who are among the sickest and poorest in the country, will have their co-pays raised and for the first time, pharmacists will be able to refuse to give them drugs if they can't pay.

Shame, shame, shame, shame, shame

Cheers to the five Republican Senators who voted with the Dems: Collins, Snowe, Chafee, DeWine, Smith

Cheney's now sticking around to see if he has to be the tie-breaker to drill for oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

There's a big lesson in this--only one more vote was needed to stop this shameful budget, which means every Senate race is crucial. One person can make or break legislation. So if you think your vote doesn't count or that your elected reps really don't make a difference, today's vote is all the info you need.

Now to get some goddamn coffee and erase that hideous man's face out of my mind.

SuzeQuze · #3 12-21-2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickypt

Yeah, it was most unpleasant to turn on CSPAN this morning and see Cheney's ugly mug (before I even had coffee) casting the tie-breaker to cut Medicaid and other safety net programs. Now Medicaid recipients, who are among the sickest and poorest in the country, will have their co-pays raised and for the first time, pharmacists will be able to refuse to give them drugs if they can't pay.

Shame, shame, shame, shame, shame

Cheers to the five Republican Senators who voted with the Dems: Collins, Snowe, Chafee, DeWine, Smith

Cheney's now sticking around to see if he has to be the tie-breaker to drill for oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

There's a big lesson in this--only one more vote was needed to stop this shameful budget, which means every Senate race is crucial. One person can make or break legislation. So if you think your vote doesn't count or that your elected reps really don't make a difference, today's vote is all the info you need.

Now to get some goddamn coffee and erase that hideous man's face out of my mind.

This also shows that they are barely getting their agenda through. This is very sickening indeed. I am so sorry you had to see that face first thing, ew!

wondergirl9847 · #4 12-21-2005, 12:49 PM

Jerkwad.

I'm thankful that my dad (who will be 60 next year) is healthy and has a pretty good job with health benefits because if he wasn't and he didn't, he'd be screwed. What if something happened to Cheney's mom/dad? What if they didn't have health care?

WHY the frick do these politicians not see where they waste and yet, they cut stuff we NEED!!!!?!!?!?!

irishgrl · #5 12-21-2005, 01:02 PM

DONT GET ME STARTED

irishgrl · #6 12-21-2005, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Cheney's now sticking around to see if he has to be the tie-breaker to drill for oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

well, thank goodness that wont enter into it because the Dems are going to fillibuster I believe.....see my other post....

dissention · #7 12-21-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickypt

Cheers to the five Republican Senators who voted with the Dems: Snowe

I hate to like any Republican, but I can't help it when it comes to Olympia Snowe. Why she doesn't switch teams is beyond me, the Republicans certainly can't stand her. I don't agree with a helluva lot of her politics, but she's got more integrity than pretty much anyone in either party.

DavidMn · #8 12-21-2005, 03:30 PM

Yes but this isnt the end of it I dont think. Doesnt it still have to go back to the house?

gldstwmn · #9 12-21-2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I hate to like any Republican, but I can't help it when it comes to Olympia Snowe. Why she doesn't switch teams is beyond me, the Republicans certainly can't stand her. I don't agree with a helluva lot of her politics, but she's got more integrity than pretty much anyone in either party.

Lincoln Chaffee isn't bad either. He voted against IWR. DeWine only voted the way he did 'cause he's feeling the heat from Paul Hacket.

Rickypt · #10 12-21-2005, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I hate to like any Republican, but I can't help it when it comes to Olympia Snowe. Why she doesn't switch teams is beyond me, the Republicans certainly can't stand her. I don't agree with a helluva lot of her politics, but she's got more integrity than pretty much anyone in either party.

I like her, too. She's actually a true moderate Republican. She believes in things like tax cuts, smaller government and spending discipline, but is quite liberal on social issues. She just doesn't believe in reducing the deficit on the backs of poor people.

I actually don't blame her for not switching parties. What is there in the Democratic Party these days to be very proud of (and I say this as a lifelong Dem). She actually does more good for the Dems by staying in the GOP and joining us on key issues.

irishgrl · #11 12-21-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I like her, too. She's actually a true moderate Republican. She believes in things like tax cuts, smaller government and spending discipline, but is quite liberal on social issues. She just doesn't believe in reducing the deficit on the backs of poor people.

I actually don't blame her for not switching parties. What is there in the Democratic Party these days to be very proud of (and I say this as a lifelong Dem). She actually does more good for the Dems by staying in the GOP and joining us on key issues.

now if only there were more like her

Rickypt · #12 12-21-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Yes but this isnt the end of it I dont think. Doesnt it still have to go back to the house?

Yes, because the bill was changed slightly. But there's no way to defeat it in the House; the Senate was the best chance.

irishgrl · #13 12-22-2005, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickypt

Yes, because the bill was changed slightly. But there's no way to defeat it in the House; the Senate was the best chance.

all those blue hairs who voted for Bushwhacker will now reap the result of their shortsightedness.