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

[BR_Parkway]

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

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. The right wing, anti-choice zealots have been apoplectic about Sebelius -- and we all know that the GOP caters to its most extreme elements. 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. 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.

[Skidmore]

1. Well, it's time to take them to task on yet another act of obtructionism

and I'm certain the public in general will pay attention to this one.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Oh great another unqualified Bush appointee

Dem leadership should clobber the GOP on this.
We need competent HHS leadership now...
fuck the obstruction.

[Canuckistanian]

3. When's the next recess? n/t

[SpiralHawk]

4. "Republicon Charles Johnson will do a heckuva job. Smirk." - xCommander AWOL (R)

"We republicons are famous for our FAIL. Too bad America. Smirk."

-xCommander AWOL (R)

[barbtries]

5. this would be a good time

for the president to speak to congress about growing up.

[dgibby]

6. Forwarded to Rachel.

[TankLV]

7. wow - the repukes ARE going there - imagine that...

TRYING (unsuccessfully) to blame the Obama administration for not having cabinet positions filled BUT THEY THEMSELVES ARE BLOCKING CONFIRMATION BECAUSE OF - "JUST BECAUSE WE WANNA"!!!

[DFW]

8. Let a hundred letters top the editor bloom

Letters to the editor about this need to to deluge the editorial desks of every paper on the country.

Tell them we know who, we know why, and that we are mad as hell about it.

[Jim Lane]

9. What's especially strange is the reason for their opposition

As I understand it, the Republicans are upset because Sebelius got some campaign contributions from supporters of reproductive rights.

Uh, fellas? (I think most of you are fellas.) Here's a newsflash: Obama supports reproductive rights. So do most of his appointees. Therefore, so do most of their contributors. Our people get some contributions from pro-lifers, just as you get some contributions from pro-choicers, but there's certainly a rough correlation.

If the Republican plan is to filibuster any appointee who disagrees with the Republican Party platform on a major issue, that will at least be a bucket of cold water thrown on anyone who's still dreaming the "post-partisanship" dream.

[Demeter]

10. Furthermore, It's Legal and Proper and Protected Speech Under 1st Amendment

Scalia and Alito said so!

[csziggy]

14. Sebelius or someone on her behalf should simply quote Hillary Clinton

"We {the Obama Administration} happen{s} to think that family planning is an important part of women's health and reproductive health includes access to abortion, that I believe should be safe, legal and rare." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, April 22, 2009, to Congressman Chris Smith.
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/print/9929

Succinct and to the point. Let the Democratic Party stop dancing around this issue and own it.

[Warren DeMontague]

16. Again. The base of the GOP thinks all birth control, particularly the pill, should be outlawed.

This is why they'll never really get on board with any 'abortion reduction' measures that involve the one thing that actually DOES reduce abortion rates- easily accessible contraception. This is why they have Griswold v. Connecticut as the judicial target as much as, if not more than, Roe.

Abortion isn't half of it. They're not going to be happy until they can throw women in prison for taking the pill. Seriously.

[femrap]

11. Unbelievable.

The gop just keeps digging its hole ever deeper.

Now the blame will be on them...people's lives are just a game to them.

[tomp]

12. if obama and the democratic party do not go to the mat for her...

...assume the fix is in on prosecutions for torture.

[chill_wind]

13. K & R n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

15. Anyone who believes people should be allowed to fuck for non-procreative purposes is unacceptable

to the nutjobs of the GOP.