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Congress acts to avert a government shutdown at midnight

September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 by AZ BlueMeanie

It’s the final countdown to midnight, and averting the GOP’s “Planned” government shutdown.

The Septuagenarian Ninja Turtle, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has delivered on his end of the bargain. Senate passes funding bill to avert government shutdown:

The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of a funding bill that would avert a government shutdown and fund federal agencies through Dec. 11.

The measure, which also provides emergency funding to fight wildfires and extends the expiring authority of the Federal Aviation Administration, passed the Senate by a vote of 78-20.

Roll Call Vote 272, Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake voted in favor.

The TanMan’s House has taken a procedural vote to advance a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. House moves toward final funding vote:

The House easily advanced a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown at midnight, setting up a final vote later Wednesday.

The procedural rule governing debate on the bill passed 239-187 with only three Republicans voting against it. Roll Call Vote 525.

Planned Parenthood Supporters Fight Back: Pink Out Day, Sept 29

September 29, 2015September 28, 2015 by Pamela Powers

Republicans in Congress have been yammering for weeks about shutting down the US government — again— rather than compromise on a budget.

Since the Tea Party took over in 2010, their thing seems to be to throw temper tantrums until they either shut down the government or get their way on their issue du jour.

This time around, they want to shut down the government unless they are given a budget that defunds Planned Parenthood (PP). What do they have against affordable healthcare for women?! We are 51% of the US population.

The deadline to sign a budget or shut down the government is September 30, 2015. That is why Planned Parenthood is sponsoring a national Pink Out Day on Tuesday, September 29. Planned Parenthood is asking supporters to wear pink, change their Facebook profile photo background to pink, attend a local rally, join the Twitter Thunderclap or share a #PinkOut selfie on social media. People are also being prompted to share their Planned Parenthood stories on FB. (Local event details after the jump.)

Senate advances funding bill to avert a government shutdown

September 28, 2015 by AZ BlueMeanie

The Septuagenarian Ninja Turtle, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is delivering on his end of the bargain to avert a government shutdown on October 1. The Hill reports, Senate advances bill to prevent shutdown:

A short-term bill to fund the government through Dec. 11 overcame a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Monday, just days before the deadline to avoid a shutdown.

Senators voted 77-19 to end debate on the continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. The move paves the way for final passage before the Oct. 1 deadline.

Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake voted against Cloture on H.R. 719. So they are for shutting down the federal government over defunding Planned Parenthood. Contact their offices and give them a piece of your mind.

Nineteen Republican senators—including Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rand Paul (Ky.)—voted against moving forward, citing concerns about funding for Planned Parenthood and the overall spending levels it contains.

The “Filibuster Twins” decided not to attempt a speaking filibuster after promising the religious zealots at the Values Voters Summit this past weekend that defunding Planned Parenthood is a priority for them. The Christian Right got played again.

Rep. Martha McSally trying to have it both ways on GOP’s ‘Planned’ government shutdown

September 27, 2015 by AZ BlueMeanie

Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) consistently votes with the rest of the Arizona GOP congressional delegation who are members of the farther-far-right GOP House Freedom Caucus. She recently voted for the 20 week abortion ban and to defund Planned Parenthood as part of the GOP House Freedom Caucus aka the “Shutdown Caucus” plan to shut down the federal government this week over defunding Planned Parenthood.

This past week the GOP-friendly media in Arizona announced that Rep. McSally would not vote for a continuing resolution (CR) appropriation bill that defunds Planned Parenthood because it would result in a government shutdown. She is trying to have it both ways after enabling the GOP crazy base with her votes on abortion and defunding Planned Parenthood, but stopping just short of supporting a government shutdown, McSally: Don’t shutter government over Planned Parenthood funding, as if she should receive praise for doing what is the baseline expectation of most Americans, that their member of Congress will act responsibly and not shut down the government.

Rep. Matt Salmon says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is ‘the next guy in the crosshairs’

September 25, 2015 by AZ BlueMeanie

Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) — a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, which just forced House Speaker John Boehner to announce his resignation — said Friday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is probably “the next guy in the crosshairs.” GOP Rep: McConnell Is ‘The Next Guy In The Crosshairs’:

“Mitch McConnell is infinitely worse as a leader than Boehner,” Salmon told reporters Friday. “He surrenders at the sight of battle every time.”

Boehner was under extreme pressure from the House Freedom Caucus, which was pushing for a government shutdown over Planned Parenthood funding. McConnell has put in motion a plan to avert the shutdown.

“I was texting back and forth with one of my friends on the Senate side, Mike Lee,” Salmon said, referring to the Utah senator. “And I said, the next guy in the crosshairs is probably going to be McConnell.”