Though it may contain billions worth of earmarks they requested, most Senate Republicans are outraged at the 2,000-page omnibus spending package. However, if even a few GOP Senators vote ‘yes,’ the bill would have a good chance of passing.
The prime culprits are the Republican members of the Senate Appropriations Committee (whence the pork abomination came). They are the ones most likely to be targeted, and potentially swayed, by Senate Democrats to support the bill. GOP aides are worried about these members, but are optimistic they have the votes to block the bill.
Retiring Sen. Bob Bennett (R., Utah) has already announced his intention to support the omnibus, while three others – Sens. Kit Bond (R., Mo.), Susan Collins (R., Maine), and George Voinovich (R., Ohio), who is also retiring – have said they would consider voting yes, but are currently reviewing the massive bill.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) is also “still reviewing” the package. Sen. Thad Cochran (R., Miss.) has not announced his position yet, but requested more than $560,000,000* worth of earmarks in the bill, so go figure.
Judd Gregg (R., N.H.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Texas) plan to vote against the package. Sens. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.), Sam Brownback (R., Kan.) and Lamar Alexander (R., Tenn.) are likely no’s, but their offices did not return a request for comment.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) told reporters earlier today that the omnibus represents a “consequential vote” for Republicans, and said he hoped Republicans could find the votes to defeat it. “Second acts are hard to get in life…particularly in politics,” Graham said. “We got a second lease on life… not because of anything we did, because of [the Democrats’] screw-ups, and if the first thing we do is quietly let this go through, then our second act is over before it begins.”
*Editor’s Note: This figure is an NRO calculation based on data made available by the office of Sen. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.)
Do the Republicans realize what a fat, hanging curveball this pork bill is?? Were they not paying attention last month???
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePlease do not refer to fired members of congress as "retiring". The difference is who made that choice.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnyone who lives in MO, ME, OH, AK or MS should be contacting these alleged Republicans and letting them know what will happen to them if they vote for this monstrosity. Also, constituents of all 23 Dems up for re-election in 2012 should be getting an earful as well. Passage of this bill would be the ultimate thumbing of the nose at the electorate's clear preferences, stated recently and unmistakeably on Nov. 2.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseKit Bond is also retiring. Roy Blunt was elected to replace him, not that it would make a difference in the pork department.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWe are glad this little piggie (Sen. Bob Bennett (R., Utah)) is heading back to Utah. This little piggie may be going soon (Sens. Kit Bond (R., Mo.)) if he votes for this hog of a bill. This little piggie (Susan Collins (R., Maine)) is a social liberal but generally a fiscal conservative so what the heck is with this? This little piggie (George Voinovich (R., Ohio)) need to run all the way home.
This little piggie (Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska))shows how Alaskans love their federal bacon while complaining about federal meddling. And this little piggie (Sen. Thad Cochran (R., Miss.)) shows that Mississippi Republicans love their pork.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAny GOP senator who votes for this, should be taken off the Appropriations committee next year.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLindsey Graham said that? THE Lindsey Graham? You know, the squishy Lindsey Graham who's a U.S. Senator from South Carolina?
He's not up for re-election until 2014 and he's already talking like this? Either he must be really scared, or he's been cribbing off of John McCain's notes again.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSince Sen. Bennett insists on going out with spite, let's all remember this when he starts his lobbying career after January 4th, 2011. Any group represented by any firm he is affiliated with should be shown the door.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePlunder. There's no other way to describe this bill.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBennett doesn't even have the courage to leave his email contact form up.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, if the Republicans really want to lose more control/support of the right and fire up the Tea Party, all they have to do is let this thing pass.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI live in TX, but claim MO for residency. I sent SEN Bond a note yesterday. He has done great service for MO, but this is not the way to go out and I told him so. I know SEN-elect Blunt and have high hopes of what he can accomplish.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHell hath no fury like an electorate scorned.
Double that for a Tea Party scorned.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSquibob - even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Every now and then Graham says something that makes him sound like an actual conservative. Although to be fair his statement really is about the politics of attracting voters to Republicans - not about advancing conservative principles.
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