Politico: House GOP leaders desperate to avoid shutdown

[mystery-ak]

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/house-gop-leaders-congress-avoid-shutdown-government-121687.html

House GOP leaders desperate to avoid shutdown

With the clock ticking, Republicans have yet to settle on a strategy to resolve a showdown over Planned Parenthood funding.

By Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer

8/25/15 5:09 AM EDT

Updated 8/25/15 5:09 AM EDT

An explosive confrontation brewing between the House Republican leadership and conservatives over Planned Parenthood is threatening to shut down the government for the second time in three years. And House GOP leaders have yet to settle on a strategy to avert it.

Desperate to avoid another closure, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and his team would prefer to build bipartisan opposition to funding the group through a series of high-profile Congressional investigations. But, at this point, that seems unlikely to cut it with a bloc of House conservatives who have said they simply won’t vote for a large-scale spending plan that funds Planned Parenthood.

Funding runs dry Sept. 30, so Republican leaders have barely have a month to figure it out.

Many GOP aides are skeptical of using a funding bill to cut off the group’s government money, aware that the legislation would likely die in the Senate. And, even if Congress could broker a deal on Planned Parenthood, anything that cuts its government funding would likely be vetoed by President Barack Obama.

Instead, House GOP leaders would rather use’s Congress’ broad investigative powers to build an overwhelming case against the group, which they believe would allow them to hammer Planned Parenthood for months and put Democrats under enormous pressure to turn against the women’s health organization.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/house-gop-leaders-congress-avoid-shutdown-government-121687.html#ixzz3jvMk7gnw

[andy58-in-nh]

It has become impossible to exaggerate either the stupidity or dishonesty of mainstream political reporting, but on and on it goes.
 
And it goes on largely because it is unchallenged by a feckless GOP leadership, whose solons cower in perpetual fear of being blamed for "shutting down" a government that never really shuts down, even when it runs out of money. It would be terrific if one such "leader" could go before the cameras and calmy, soberly, and convincingly explain the truth to the American people. But not a one of them can seem to make themselves understood or even act like they possess anything that, if presented in just the right light, might actually resemble a Principle.
 
All the GOP poohbahs know is that they'll get blamed for a shutdown if they are in the minority, and get blamed just the same if they are the majority, so they now instead will do anything to prevent that from happening, even if it means opposing the wishes of 85% of their constituents.
 
But what about the voters? The dreaded .... buh-buh-buh-base?
 
Screw 'em. That's what McConnellboehner really thinks. To Hell with them people. They don't have to raise money every two years, groveling at the feet of people they secretly detest and shaking the clammy paws of the great unwashed, trampling through dingy diners and rustic ranches, getting crap all over your new tassel loafers. 
 
It's so much easier to be a Democrat, it really is. It's like hitting the jackpot every day. MegaMillions in campaign funding from plug-ugly union thugs and white shoe foundations alike, and more than five thousand progressive PAC's all there for the asking, plus all of that wonderful, free, lovingly-supportive media coverage.
 
Among Republicans, only Donald Trump doesn't have to suck up to anyone. Which would be awesome... sigh... if he weren't such a shallow, self-referential, bloviating ass.
 
Lucky us. 

[Longiron]

Another pre announcement of another CAVE coming from Boehner and the RINOS in Congress. Why do we need TRUMP when we have such a strong PUBBIE House and Senate

[EdinVA]

Another pre announcement of another CAVE coming from Boehner and the RINOS in Congress. Why do we need TRUMP when we have such a strong PUBBIE House and Senate

An explosive confrontation brewing between the House Republican leadership and conservatives  - even the media is noting the problems.... republicans USED to mean conservative... :)

[Bigun]

Another pre announcement of another CAVE coming from Boehner and the RINOS in Congress. Why do we need TRUMP when we have such a strong PUBBIE House and Senate

Cowards! Worthless COWARDS! Every last one of them!

[Fishrrman]

Longiron wrote above:
[[ Another pre announcement of another CAVE coming from Boehner and the RINOS in Congress. Why do we need TRUMP when we have such a strong PUBBIE House and Senate  ]]

Sumthin' tells me that when Trump moves into the White House, Boehner and McConnell won't visit the place anywhere near as much as they do now!

(with a hat tip to andy for an excellent post above!)

[Godzilla]

The way you avoid a shutdown is to craft a budget that will secure 2/3rd of the House and Senate votes.

[Paladin]

"Many GOP aides are skeptical of using a funding bill to cut off the group’s government money, aware that the legislation would likely die in the Senate. And, even if Congress could broker a deal on Planned Parenthood, anything that cuts its government funding would likely be vetoed by President Barack Obama."

Do it anyway, you dweebs. Do what is right because it is right.

[Bigun]

"Many GOP aides are skeptical of using a funding bill to cut off the group’s government money, aware that the legislation would likely die in the Senate. And, even if Congress could broker a deal on Planned Parenthood, anything that cuts its government funding would likely be vetoed by President Barack Obama."

Do it anyway, you dweebs. Do what is right because it is right.

Bears repeating!

Do it anyway, you dweebs. Do what is right because it is right.

[andy58-in-nh]

Bears repeating!

Do it anyway, you dweebs. Do what is right because it is right.

The GOP leadership has become so risk-averse that they are virtually paralyzed.
 
And by "risk-averse", I mean to say: cowardly.
 
I cannot in my lifetime ever recall a Congress that refused to vote on or even consider legislation because the President might veto it.
 
Courage, by way of contrast consists of doing what you know is right even when you know it will result in personal pain or loss.

[rangerrebew]

The problem with congress, both commiecrats and repugnantcans, is they are politicians, not statesmen.  What is the difference?  Statesmen worry about  the next generation; politicians the next election.

[Relic]

It has become impossible to exaggerate either the stupidity or dishonesty of mainstream political reporting, but on and on it goes.
 
And it goes on largely because it is unchallenged by a feckless GOP leadership, whose solons cower in perpetual fear of being blamed for "shutting down" a government that never really shuts down, even when it runs out of money. It would be terrific if one such "leader" could go before the cameras and calmy, soberly, and convincingly explain the truth to the American people. But not a one of them can seem to make themselves understood or even act like they possess anything that, if presented in just the right light, might actually resemble a Principle.
 
All the GOP poohbahs know is that they'll get blamed for a shutdown if they are in the minority, and get blamed just the same if they are the majority, so they now instead will do anything to prevent that from happening, even if it means opposing the wishes of 85% of their constituents.
 
But what about the voters? The dreaded .... buh-buh-buh-base?
 
Screw 'em. That's what McConnellboehner really thinks. To Hell with them people. They don't have to raise money every two years, groveling at the feet of people they secretly detest and shaking the clammy paws of the great unwashed, trampling through dingy diners and rustic ranches, getting crap all over your new tassel loafers. 
 
It's so much easier to be a Democrat, it really is. It's like hitting the jackpot every day. MegaMillions in campaign funding from plug-ugly union thugs and white shoe foundations alike, and more than five thousand progressive PAC's all there for the asking, plus all of that wonderful, free, lovingly-supportive media coverage.
 
Among Republicans, only Donald Trump doesn't have to suck up to anyone. Which would be awesome... sigh... if he weren't such a shallow, self-referential, bloviating ass.
 
Lucky us.

 

Well said. If the GOP can't find it within themselves to stand against the crimes of Planned Parenthood, what will they stand for? As far as I can tell, nothing but their own bank account.

[GourmetDan]

 
"The sole purpose of the Republican Party is to serve as an ineffective alternative to the Democrat Party."
                                                                                                                                                     

[Right_in_Virginia]

The GOP leadership has become so risk-averse that they are virtually paralyzed.
 
And by "risk-averse", I mean to say: cowardly. I

I disagree. I don't think the GOP leadership is risk-averse.  The GOP leadership is doing exactly what they want to do.  Remember, conservatives are the trouble makers.  Boehner and McConnell left for the dark side a long while ago.