Democrats are playing politics with defense funding, and today, the game turned ugly. Since Republicans seized the majority in 2014, Democratic leadership has engaged in a revolt not against specific policies, but against productivity in general. Today, they put the NDAA on their chopping block. Defense funding is chum in the water for Democrats, who whose minority status has forced a tactical shift from all-out bullying via the calendar, to simply threatening to hold good legislation hostage. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said today that, although he hasn’t forced the issue yet, Dems may still filibuster defense spending unless Republicans agree to pad the already-passed House version of the bill with cash for other federal agencies. Oh, and if Reid and his caucus don’t like that bill? Well, it’s clearly a waste of time to even begin a discussion. Watch, via America Rising:Now, was Reid suggesting with this statement that our troops are worthless, and undeserving of badly-needed funds? I think not. I do think, however, that this is representative of everything Harry Reid currently stands for. He doesn’t care about this NDAA reauthorization because he doesn’t have complete control over the contents of the bill. He’s pouting in his official capacity as a senior Senator. Still, Republicans are making hay whilst the sun shines on Reid’s bitter, bitter head. Mac Thornberry of the Armed Services Committee:
“Senator Reid’s comment yesterday was deeply disturbing. The first job of the federal government is to defend the country, and whatever political differences we may have on other issues should take a back seat to supporting our troops and providing for the common defense. Meeting those responsibilities should not be a political pawn or inconvenient afterthought for anyone. “Year after year as Majority Leader, Harry Reid forced the Department of Defense to navigate uncertainty as he wasted floor time and pushed NDAA consideration until the very end of the year. “The defense bill gives the President every penny he requested, cuts waste, reforms the bogged down acquisition system, pays our troops, cares for their families, and updates their benefits. Yet to Senator Reid, doing all these things is a ‘waste of time’. Meeting troops’ needs is never a waste of time and the Congress’ top responsibility. Suggesting otherwise is irresponsible.”
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy:
The only person wasting time is Senator Reid and the Democrats who seem to think blocking a bipartisan bill is a higher priority than supporting national defense.House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy had this to say about Senator Reid’s comments:
“The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is essential to providing the resources our men and women in uniform need to defend and protect the American people. By tradition, this legislation has been passed with bipartisan support, reflecting our mutual commitment to national security. But apparently Senator Reid has decided this year that doing his job is a waste of time. If Senator Reid really believes that, I suggest that he change his priorities and think about the reasons why the people sent us all here.”
And of course…
It’s politics at its most primal—burn the witch!—but at least Republicans have rejected the idea that we can play nice with Democrats and still come out on top.
So yes, please: burn the witch.
What hasn’t been emphasized enough, I think, is the fact that the House already passed NDAA 269-151 back in May–with bipartisan support.
This isn’t a party issue; it’s a Reid issue—and if he’s not careful, whatever legacy was left intact after his disastrous tenure as Majority Leader is going to crumble before the end of his final term in the Senate.
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