| Things are a-brewin' in Congress today that are sure an embarrassment to the Republican party.
Okay...so a FISA bill granting retroactive immunity for telecoms was passed in the Senate and sent down to the House. Only House Democrats instead want to consider granting a 21-day extension of the "Protect America Act" instead, which was soundly beaten by both the right and left.
To protest this decision, Republican House members staged a walkout...during the middle of a memorial service for Representative Tom Lantos, who died earlier this week.
Classy.
But wait! There's more!
So, then the House votes on contempt citations for former White House aides, Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers, for refusing to testify in the Congressional investigation of the prosecutor purge. No brainer, right? Surely even Republicans would recognize that their body's power is being compromised by the White House, and that, even if they question the worthiness of the investigation, would be interested in ensuring their authority is respected in the other branches of government...right?
Guess again.
The House voted 223-32 in favor of contempt citations for chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers on Thursday. They are accused of failing to cooperate in a congressional inquiry into whether the firings of at least nine federal prosecutors were politically motivated.
Minority leader John Boehner led angry Republicans on a walkout before the vote, leading to the lopsided tally.
Okay, so maybe they're dead wrong on all the measures, and so maybe they're acting like a pack of spoiled 13-year-olds, but at least they're getting exercise! Too bad Hastert's not around to enjoy the benefits... |
