Bunning relents

Senator Jim Bunning (R-Ky) has accepted a deal to allow a vote on unemployment extension to move forward: 

From Roll Call: Under increasing pressure from Democrats and members of his own party, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) Tuesday night abandoned his one-man filibuster of a one-month extension to unemployment benefits and other programs.

In the end Bunning agreed to a deal allowing him one vote on an amendment to pay for the bill’s $10 billion cost. That proposal was offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last Thursday at the start of his filibuster, but Bunning rejected it because he feared his amendment would not pass.

Reid has also agreed to give Bunning two votes on amendments to a larger, one-year extension bill that is currently under consideration in the Senate.

Bunning put up a brave fight and I hope this may lead to the important discussion of just how are we suppose to keep paying for things with deficit spending. If our senators cannot figure out a way to actually pay for $10 billion, how on earth are we to believe they have the guts to find ways to pay for the bigger items? 

Senator Bunning isn’t just rolling over. He posted this statement on his website: 

Bunning Statement On Pay-For Vote 

Washington, DC 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

U.S. Senator Jim Bunning issued the following statement on the agreement reached today with Majority Leader Harry Reid to vote tonight on how to pay for extending Unemployment Insurance and other programs.

"I hope Senate Democrats tonight vote for their own pay-fors and show Americans that they are committed to fiscal discipline. I will be watching them closely and checking off the hypocrites one by one."

This tie up happened because Democrats tried to be too cute by half and asked for “unanimous consent” on the bill in order to avoid debate. They figured no one would stick their necks out in objection to unemployment benefits (and the other items attached to the bill). 

Seeing just how worked up the left became over Bunning’s stand (bomb threats too), I suspect they will continue to use the “unanimous consent” maneuver on other important items (all along hiding noxious crap inside those bills) to try to bait another Republican into holding out on a vote.  If there is one thing we have learned these last few months, it is that Democrats love using the word “obstruction”.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Roll Call

Via: Red State

Via: Gateway Pundit