Man, that's funny, coming from a veteran Republican of the most recent "Do_Nothing" congress.

Uhhh..."Do-Nothing".  : )

What was the legislative priority of the LAST congress?  Terry Schaivo?  Flag burning?  Gay marriage?  Gee.  What a legislative juggernaut.  BTW, they adjourned last year's seeesion without funding this year's budget.  Just left it for the next congress to clean up, the same as bush (lowercase intentional) is doing with his silly little war games.

they haven't been productive.  There's no other way to put it.

Did you mean to say they haven't been RE-productive, as in they haven't been effing up the Homeland like the previous congress did?

'Cause I'd agree with you there... 

CompliantConsent, you might like this bit of idiocy from your friends at the Evans/Novak report;

"Despite the failure of Democrats to get the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to cut off debate on an Iraq, Republican unease with the war is growing."

Is this the sort of place you get the nonsense you repeat on your little site? Aside from the fact that it makes no sense (debate on an IraQ?), I think what is being implied here is that the Dems are failures because the Repubs insist on continuing their failures.

Brilliant. 

FACTS ON REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISM * Senate Republicans have obstructed almost every bill in the Senate – even ones with wide bipartisan support. * So far, in the first half of the first session of the 110th Congress, there have been THIRTEEN cloture votes on motions to proceed – each one wasting days of Senate time. (110th Congress, Roll Call Votes #44, 51, 53, 74, 129, 132, 133, 162, 173, 207, 208, 227, and 228) * In comparison, in the first sessions of the 108th and 109th Congresses combined, there were a total of FOUR cloture votes on motions to proceed. EIGHT times Republican obstruction tactics slowed critical legislation * Fulfilling the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (Passed 97-0, Roll Call Vote #53) * Improving security at our courts (Passed 93-3, Roll Call Vote #133) * Water Resources Development Act (Passed 89-7, Roll Call Vote #162) * A joint resolution to revise U.S. policy in Iraq (Passed 89-9, Roll Call Vote, #74) * Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 69-23, Roll Call Vote #173) * Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 64-35, Roll Call Vote #228) * CLEAN Energy Act (Passed 91-0, Roll Call Vote #208) * Funding for the Intelligence Community (Passed 94-3, Roll Call Vote #129) FOUR times Republicans blocked legislation from being debated * Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23) * Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16) * Senate Republicans blocked comprehensive immigration reform (Rejected 45-50, Roll Call Vote #206) * Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223) FOUR times Republicans stopped bills from reaching a vote * Senate Republicans blocked funding for the intelligence community. (Rejected 41-40, Roll Call Vote #130) * Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23) * Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16) * Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223) TWICE Republicans blocked bills from going to conference * Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (6/26/07) * Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on ethics reform (6/26/07)

http://democrats.senate.gov/journal/entry.cfm?id=277868

Call me a liar. 

Sorry.

FACTS ON REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISM * Senate Republicans have obstructed almost every bill in the Senate – even ones with wide bipartisan support.

* So far, in the first half of the first session of the 110th Congress, there have been THIRTEEN cloture votes on motions to proceed – each one wasting days of Senate time. (110th Congress, Roll Call Votes #44, 51, 53, 74, 129, 132, 133, 162, 173, 207, 208, 227, and 228)

* In comparison, in the first sessions of the 108th and 109th Congresses combined, there were a total of FOUR cloture votes on motions to proceed. EIGHT times Republican obstruction tactics slowed critical legislation * Fulfilling the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (Passed 97-0, Roll Call Vote #53) * Improving security at our courts (Passed 93-3, Roll Call Vote #133) * Water Resources Development Act (Passed 89-7, Roll Call Vote #162) * A joint resolution to revise U.S. policy in Iraq (Passed 89-9, Roll Call Vote, #74) * Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 69-23, Roll Call Vote #173) * Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 64-35, Roll Call Vote #228) * CLEAN Energy Act (Passed 91-0, Roll Call Vote #208) * Funding for the Intelligence Community (Passed 94-3, Roll Call Vote #129) FOUR times Republicans blocked legislation from being debated * Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23) * Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16) * Senate Republicans blocked comprehensive immigration reform (Rejected 45-50, Roll Call Vote #206) * Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223) FOUR times Republicans stopped bills from reaching a vote * Senate Republicans blocked funding for the intelligence community. (Rejected 41-40, Roll Call Vote #130) * Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23) * Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16) * Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223) TWICE Republicans blocked bills from going to conference * Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (6/26/07) * Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on ethics reform (6/26/07)

http://democrats.senate.gov/journal/entry.cfm?id=277868

UGHHH!!!

FACTS ON REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISM * Senate Republicans have obstructed almost every bill in the Senate – even ones with wide bipartisan support.

* So far, in the first half of the first session of the 110th Congress, there have been THIRTEEN cloture votes on motions to proceed – each one wasting days of Senate time. (110th Congress, Roll Call Votes #44, 51, 53, 74, 129, 132, 133, 162, 173, 207, 208, 227, and 228)

* In comparison, in the first sessions of the 108th and 109th Congresses combined, there were a total of FOUR cloture votes on motions to proceed. EIGHT times Republican obstruction tactics slowed critical legislation

* Fulfilling the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (Passed 97-0, Roll Call Vote #53)

* Improving security at our courts (Passed 93-3, Roll Call Vote #133)

* Water Resources Development Act (Passed 89-7, Roll Call Vote #162)

* A joint resolution to revise U.S. policy in Iraq (Passed 89-9, Roll Call Vote, #74)

* Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 69-23, Roll Call Vote #173)

* Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Passed 64-35, Roll Call Vote #228)

* CLEAN Energy Act (Passed 91-0, Roll Call Vote #208)

* Funding for the Intelligence Community (Passed 94-3, Roll Call Vote #129) FOUR times Republicans blocked legislation from being debated

* Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23)

* Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16)

* Senate Republicans blocked comprehensive immigration reform (Rejected 45-50, Roll Call Vote #206)

* Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223) FOUR times Republicans stopped bills from reaching a vote

* Senate Republicans blocked funding for the intelligence community. (Rejected 41-40, Roll Call Vote #130)

* Senate Republicans blocked raising the minimum wage. (54-43, Roll Call Vote #23)

* Senate Republicans blocked ethics reforms (Rejected 51-46, Roll Call Vote #16)

* Senate Republicans blocked funding for renewable energy (Rejected 57-36, Roll Call Vote #223) TWICE Republicans blocked bills from going to conference

* Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on the 9/11 Commission Recommendations (6/26/07)

* Senate Republicans blocked appointing conferees on ethics reform (6/26/07)

http://democrats.senate.gov/journal/entry.cfm?id=277868

You had me at "FACTS..."

 - of the 110th Congress, there have been THIRTEEN cloture votes on motions to proceed – each one wasting days of Senate time. - monk

Let me help you out a little with your cut and paste...of the 13 votes you referenced...8 times cloture was adopted...with republicans blocking the other five...that's not exactly the picture that your democrat site tried to paint.

Currently this senate has rejected cloture 20 times:

Republicans blocking cloture 11 times

Democrats blocking cloture 3 times

Bi-Partisan action blocking cloture 6 times 

Right underneath:

* In comparison, in the first sessions of the 108th and 109th Congresses combined, there were a total of FOUR cloture votes on motions to proceed. EIGHT times Republican obstruction tactics slowed critical legislation.

How about clearing up your math...4 cloture votes...8 times republicans blocked.

Am I missing something?

In the first half of the first session (the time the dems took power until now) for the 110th congress there have been 13 cloture votes. The claim is that these vote have taken up a lot of time. Some of the press has said the dems haven't done anything (Which is bunk). HOw much time has been wasted on cloture votes and even the onces that actually did go through how much time was wasted due to partisianship?

I have my issues with the 110th (many), but some hacks are pretending that the cons have nothing to do with the current situation.

Yeah, you're missing something...the obvious spin from the democrat site that you clipped the info from.

A cloture vote...by rule...generally takes about 15 minutes...so in 8 of the 13 cloture votes you cited...about 2 hrs. worth of voting time...total...because cloture was adopted.

The other five...caused delays of days...not all 13. 

It has been proven repeatedly that both sides use the cloture vote as a strategy...and both sides whine when it is used against them.

If you're opposed to the cloture strategy...great. If you're in favor of the cloture strategy...great.

But selective outrage is dishonest. 

"The other five...caused delays of days...not all 13."

I wil concede, lazy on my part, but my biggest beef isn't the cloture issue. It's this label of "do nothing" which doesn't hold up when compared to the previous "rubber stamp" congress. 

"Selective outrage is dishonest." 

Do disagree with the fact the the reason congress is held back due to the fact that Rep. block many of the measures they put forward due to the dems not having the 60 votes needed? Is your only issue with the cloture part of my post?

Your ReNAMBLAcans have filibusted a lot more than democrats on legislation its that simple. The ReNAMBLAcans are obstructionist

In the last three sessions of the senate...cloture votes have failed to produce an up or down vote...called obstructionism by some...40 times.

Democrats blocked an up or down vote 15 times.

Republicans blocked an up or down vote 16 times.

A bi-partisan effort blocked an up or down vote 9 times.

Your ReNAMBLAcans are being obstructionist.

 - the previous record number of cloture votes - 58 each in the two Congresses from 1999-2002, according to the Senate Historical Office. - mmfa

Here's a little help for Simon Maloy...who uncritically reports the above info from the McClatchy article:

1999-2000, 106th Congress:

Republicans blocked cloture 3 times

Democrats blocked cloture 24 times

Bi-Partisan action blocked cloture 3 times

2001-2002, 107th Congress:

Republicans blocked cloture 22 times

Democrats blocked cloture 1 time

Bi-Partisan action blocked cloture 4 times

Cloture...love it or hate...it's still a political tool used often by both parties...and whined about by both parties.

Gridlock...what a wonderful situation. With the current crop of mental midgets and power mongers in congress...damned little action is welcome. 

Here's a little help for Wesley who seems to be clueless as to the point....

MMFA isn't questioning whether both parties have used filibusters in the past.  Instead, the point is that Republicans are currently using it at a rate almost three times the previous record.  Therefore, putting the blame for a "do-nothing" Congress at the feet of the Democratic leadership is disingenuous.

I'll clear this up for you and mmfa.

You and mmfa are citing dubious reporting by McClatchy. A call for a cloture vote does not in itself cause delays...it's a 15 minute vote.

When cloture is rejected...that is the cause of delay. Simply counting the number of cloture votes requested proves nothing about obstructionism.

Rejecting cloture means the up or down vote is delayed. Here are the real numbers that prove McClatchy wrong.

McClatchy refers to the 106th and 107th sessions as the "high" standard that the current senate is on track to shatter by a 3 to 1 margin.

110th rejected cloture 20 times...with republicans "on pace" to reject 22 cloture votes.

107th rejected cloture 27 times...with republicans rejecting 22 cloture votes.

106th rejected cloture 30 times...with democrats rejecting 24 cloture votes.

But, it's ok with me if you and mmfa want to cut and paste a dubious piece of work by McClatchy...it won't make the story accurate. 

First, your representation of filibusters and cloture votes is simplistic to the point of being misleading.  Once a cloture motion is filed, by rule the Senate generally doesn't vote on it for two days.  Fifteen minutes is the minimum time for a vote, but typically runs longer.  Once cloture is invoked, debate can still continue another 30 hours.  In other words, a filibuster, or threat thereof, typically creates a delay of days, not 15 minutes.Second, I'd like to know your reference for your statistics.  A quick check of the votes shows Republicans having rejected cloture 13 times (3 democrat, 3 bipartisan, 1 indeterminate) so far in the 110th Congress.  That puts them on pace to reject ~ 47 motions by the end of this Congress, not 22.  (Also, on motions where cloture was invoked, the voting record would seem to indicate that Republicans were frequently responsible for the threat of filibuster.)

Quite frankly, I support the right to filibuster.  If Republicans want to filibuster, I say let them. However, for them or others to label the Democratic leadership "do-nothing" is disengenuous considering the record.

 - However, for them or others to label the Democratic leadership "do-nothing" is disengenuous considering the record. - christiandemocrat

I agree.

Just pointing out the error of McClatchy's report and mmfa's uncritical use of the faulty report.

Both sides use the filibuster...and both sides whine when it is used against them. 

WESLEY:

Yes, both sides whine when the filibuster is used by the miniority.

The Republicans whined (and threatened the "nuclear option") when a few judicial appointments were filibustered (the GOP never sent Clinton's appointments out of committee, so the cloture question never came up).

The GOP has bigger fish to fry. They filibuster FUNDING THE WAR.

Other senators "whined" about filibustering those judicial appointments, but the ENTIRE NATION is getting outraged at the GOP's obstructionism while our soldiers are dying.

It may not be a difference YOU can see, WESLEY, but the American People know the difference, and the GOP is getting really scared, and jumping the good ship Dubya. That's the reality, pal.