Senate Republicans find Their Spine, Vote Against Auto Bailout Bill

**12-15-2008** Welcome FoPs! (Friends of Petulant) Check out my new Christmas video.

Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.), the lead GOP negotiator, said the sides were on the brink of a deal on the amendment he had offered. Representatives from the United Auto Workers -- who were present for most of the negotiations -- would not agree to a specific date, Corker said.

"We offered any day -- any day -- in 2009," Corker said.

Minutes after the talks failed, the Senate voted on the bailout measure that had been approved Wednesday by the House on a largely party-line vote, 237-170. In the Senate, the vote was 52-35, eight votes short of the 60 needed to override a Republican filibuster. Of those voting yes, 10 Republicans joined 42 Democrats.

"It's disappointing that Congress failed to act tonight," the White House said in a statement. "We think the legislation we negotiated provided an opportunity to use funds already appropriated for automakers and presented the best chance to avoid a disorderly bankruptcy while ensuring taxpayer funds only go to firms whose stakeholders were prepared to make difficult decisions to become viable."

Source: Washington Post

I am very glad that some Republicans have found their spines, and stood against this awful form of lemon socialism that was supported by the Democrats and President George W Bush. What worries me is that there was 10 Republicans who supported this socialist bill. They were: Kit Bond of Missouri, Sam Brownback of Kansas, Susan Collins of Maine, Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Richard Lugar of Indiana, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and John Warner of Virginia.

Of those that are returning to the 111th Congress in January 2009, I would like to see investigations begun by their constituents for a suitable replacement to run in the primary. They should be reminded that the "R" beside their name should mean that they are opposed to socialism.

My US Senators split their votes on this with Burr voting against it and Dole voting for it.

That is interesting. On the earlier bailout bill, Burr voted for and Dole against. Are there no reliable Republicans available to be our Senators?

Here is the Roll Call on this vote. Why the online newspapers couldn't link to it is beyond me...goodness knows, they link to other stuff.

The next eight years are going to be very long indeed. I sure hope we get some relief in 2010, but I ain't holding my breath.

Previously: Congressman Shuler Votes With Republicans On Big Three Bailout