Reid was source of partisanship

Published 9:51 am Thursday, November 6, 2014

Why was there a divided government? One word — Harry Reid.

Quoted from the Wall Street Journal: Wyoming Republican John Barrasso kept a running tally of Mr. Reid’s amendment blockage through July. In the previous 12 month, senators introduced 1,952 amendments — 1,105 from Republicans and 847 from Democrats. Mr. Reid blocked all but 19.

Legislation? Mr. Reid blocked at least 10 bills sent to him by the House that passed with notable bipartisan support. Some 35 House Democrats voted with Republicans to delay the Obamacare mandate; 46 Democrats voted to expedite the approval of liquefied natural gas exports; 130 Democrats voted for patent-reform legislation; 158 Democrats voted to expand access to charter schools; and 183 Democrats voted (in a bill that passed 406-1) to exempt certain veterans from the Obamacare mandate. Mr. Reid’s response: no debate, no vote.

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Now that the Republicans control both the Senate and House it will be up to the president to either sign or pass legislation. I would encourage the Albert Lea Tribune to list all bills passed and how our senators and representatives voted so we really know the facts and not from editorials based on opinions and not facts!

 

Russel Tordoff

Glenville