Today in Washington D. C. - Dec 12, 2007

Democrats are wasting limited floor time complaining why nothing is getting done instead of actually getting things done. Normally, Congress doing "nothing" may in fact be good thing but with 11 out of 12 appropriations bills not passed and the DOD about to layoff thousands of critically needed civilians, we now have strong evidence that Democrats need to seek a change in their Senate leadership. The "Peter Principle" has proven true for Sen. Harry Reid. Consider the following:

From Senate & News Sources: Democrat Senate leadership is wasting 3 hours this morning attempting to score partisan points by making unanimous consent requests on a number of bills that would bring Congress no closer to completing any of its critical unfinished work for the year. A parade of Democrat senators have come to the floor to denounce Republicans and “obstructionism,” without ever acknowledging the legitimate policy disagreements with Democrats’ prerogatives. This morning is a good example of the priorities of this Democrat lead Congress. The latest Gallup poll shows Congress’ approval rating remains mired 15%.

In response, Sen. McConnell (R) asked for consent to move directly to work on the farm bill, which Democrats were eager to move forward on in November, but his request was objected to. On inquiry of his concern, McConnell responded: "Democrats have set aside the next three hours to try and show that this session’s limited accomplishments haven’t been their fault; that the endless investigations and midnight Iraq votes weren’t the cause. They have set aside this time, as if magically in the next three hours, they will somehow pass the litany of things they have not been able to accomplish over the past three months.”

On The Floor: The Senate reconvened at 9 AM today but because of rhetoric pandering and wasting the 3 hours previously mentioned, it will be this afternoon before the Senate resumes consideration of the farm bill (H.R. 2419). The first order of business will be two roll call votes on amendments by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), which would cut certain funding from the bill. Yesterday, the Senate rejected an amendment by Sens. Lugar (R-IN) and Lautenberg (D-NJ) to end subsidy programs and replace them with a new crop insurance program.

The Senate is still waiting for action from the House on an expected omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a patch for the alternative minimum tax, and a possible revision to the Democrats’ energy package that failed to get cloture in the Senate on Friday.

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