GOP filibusters confirmation of Health Secretary in midst of swine flu preparations

[Harry Hope]

http://www.americablog.com/2009/04/gop-is-filibustering-confirmation-of.html

Sunday, April 26, 2009

GOP is filibustering the confirmation of the Secretary of HHS in the
midst of swine flu preparations
by Joe Sudbay

Never underestimate the willingness of the GOP to put politics over
the best interests of the nation.

Last week, Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell started a
filibuster to prevent confirmation of Obama's choice to head the
Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius.
http://www.americablog.com/2009/04/senate-republicans-are-filibustering.html

The right wing, anti-choice zealots have been apoplectic about
Sebelius -- and we all know that the GOP caters to its most extreme
elements.
http://www.americablog.com/2009/04/anti-choice-activists-apoplectic-that.html

Now, this is a filibuster (even though most of the traditional media
won't exactly say that and Mitch McConnell denies it.)

Again, here's the definition:

filibuster - Informal term for any attempt to block or delay Senate
action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering
numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive
actions.

This is vintage GOP obstruction.

In the few days since the GOP Senators launched their filibuster, it's
become clear that we may be facing a major health threat.

The key government departments and agencies are gathering to plot
strategy.

Absent is a Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Today, at the White House briefing, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, Janet Napolitano, was there as was John Brennan, Assistant
to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Press-Briefing-On-Swine-Influenza-4/26/09/

They were joined by the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC).

But, we don't even have a head of CDC because the Secretary of HHS
appoints that person.

And, no Secretary of HHS.

In fact, as the White House transcript shows, Napolitano had to make
the announcement about the "public health emergency" for HHS:

The first thing I want to announce today is that the Department of
Health and Human Services will declare today a public health emergency
in the United States.

For the time being, HHS is being led by Acting Secretary Charles
Johnson, a Bush-appointee from Utah who spent most of his career
working as an accountant. http://www.hhs.gov/about/bios/asrtbio.html

Meanwhile, the GOP Senate games continue.

Via a unanimous consent agreement, on Tuesday, the Senate has
scheduled eight hours of debate on the Sebelius nomination to assuage
the GOP and a cloture vote -- requiring 60 votes -- could happen on
Tuesday.

Here's the text of that agreement:

Ordered, That at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, the Senate
proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Kathleen
Sebelius, of Kansas, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services;

that there be 8 hours of debate with respect to the nomination, with
the time equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their
designees and that the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning) be allotted
20 minutes;

that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote
on confirmation of the nomination; and that confirmation be subject to
an affirmative 60 vote threshold;

that upon achieving that threshold, the nomination be confirmed and
the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table;

that no further motions be in order;

the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the
Senate then resume legislative session.

That's wasting too much more time in the middle of a crisis.

Tomorrow, the Senate convenes at 2:00 PM. Majority Leader Harry Reid's
first act should be to move for an up-or-down vote on the confirmation
of Sebelius.

If the Republicans want to further obstruct that nomination, make them
actually filibuster it.

They've had plenty of time to bitch and complain already.

Let them all vote to further prevent the nation from having a
Secretary of Health and Human Services -- when we're in the midst of a
public health emergency and preparing for a possible pandemic.

This isn't the time for GOP games when everyone in the Senate knows
Sebelius will be confirmed.

Now, just for fun, imagine what would happen if the situation were
reversed:

Would the Republicans wait, in the name of Senate comity, to allow for
a Democratic filibuster to play out?

Put the Republican Senators to the test.

See if the GOP puts its own extreme political base before the
well-being of the nation.

_________________________________________________

Ain't Republicans cute?

Harry