New rules, y'all?

[madamesilverspurs]

Texas Republicans think that Wendy Davis should pay $2.5 million to cover the cost of her one filibuster. Okay, if that's how Republicans want to play then Democrats can demand that Mitch McConnell pay the same for each of his 400+ filibusters. Right?

[mucifer]

1. No don't be silly. Rules are different in Texas.

But, K and R for your post.

[valerief]

2. Yes, and rules for non-DINO Dems are different from Repubs. Always. nt

[Igel]

3. Sure.

But keep in mind what you're saying.

What the Texas legislature wants must automatically apply to the Federal government.

I'll assume that this wasn't what you intended.

The rules are different in Texas.

And Hawaii.

And Iowa.

And Maine.

And Alabama.

And Washington.

And Rhode Island.

And New Mexico.

Etc.

[madamesilverspurs]

6. Well, yes.

It was posted with tongue firmly in cheek. Didn't think I'd have to say so. . .

[AsahinaKimi]

4. I thought that the rules were

Different for Rich Republicans? In fact, didn't it used to be, that on FOX news, if a Republican did something legally wrong, they would be labeled as a Democrat? See...they have their own rules.

[stonecutter357]

5. K&R

[JaneyVee]

7. I want my tax dollars back for 40 Obamacare repeal attempts.

[DirtyDawg]

8. No, actually...

...the bastards need to be made to pay for the Iraq War...and a few trillion for all the other shit too.

[Skittles]

23. CORRECT

[Initech]

9. $2.5 Million * 400 = $1,000,000,000

Hey I think that's fair - the republicans can filibuster all they want, at the same time they'll drastically reduce the deficit!

[Iliyah]

10. The American taxpayers want

their money back!

1. Doma
2. 40th repeal on Obamacare
4. 400 plus filibusters
5. Reimbursement for non-working congresscritters, i.e. house gopers
6. Goper house bills for abortions, ultra sounds, light bulbs, et al.,
7. Refund on healthcare benefits from house gopers, et al.,

on and on and on

What the Texas gopers are doing is trying intimidate future Dems from filibustering, get that, not gopers, but Dems When a goper does it all amnesia will be kicking in and all the fake news pro-filibuster bullshit, i.e. no democracy for anyone who goes against gopers!

[TxDemChem]

11. As I posted in another thread,

Send the invoice to Rick Perry, as he's the one who calls special sessions. Furthermore, filibusters are legal and fair game (as his national rethug brethren have shown) for both parties.

[Cha]

12. gops can pay for their 40 attempts to repeal Obamacare.

[littlewolf]

13. they will in Nov. nt

[bvar22]

14. I believe that in Texas, Wendy Davis ACTUALLY filibustered.

She STOOD at the podium for 11 straight hours to block the Republicans from voting on a severe Anti-Choice Bill.

In the Washington DC Senate where the Democrats hold the majority, things are a bit different.
We don't actually FORCE the Republicans to stand at the podium for hours on end,
in front of the TV Cameras and national audience to block a Democratic Bill.

In OUR Senate, all the Republicans have to do is [font size=3]SAY[/font]
they are going to filibuster,
and the Majority Party immediately rolls over and says,
"Oh No. We don't want to inconvenience YOU.
Gawd forbid we would actually ask you to STAND UP before the Nation where they can SEE YOU blocking the Business of our Country.

We will immediately withdraw our bill,
and please accept our apologies.
OK?
Still BFFs??? Please? Cherry on Top?
What else can we do for you today to make your life more pleasant?
Would you like some coffee, or a belly rub?"

Its kind of hard to send them a bill if we don't make them actually DO anything to deserve one.

[Avalux]

15. Do you understand why Texas Republicans are doing this?

They're terrified of Wendy Davis as they should be and us Texas Democrats have a reason to be excited....I hope she decides to run. I'll work my ass off to get her elected.

http://www.ksat.com/news/wendy-davis-addresses-san-antonio-democrats/-/478452/21316584/-/9gaika/-/index.html

[Skittles]

24. AGREED

[Tx4obama]

16. Related article below

Giovanni Capriglione, Texas Republican, Thinks Wendy Davis Should Foot Bill For Special Sessions

Though the abortion war in Texas may be on a break, there is a hefty bill from the special sessions that closed out the Legislature, and one Republican lawmaker has an idea of who should cover it.

In an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R ) said that Wendy Davis should personally cover the $1.6 million cost of the two special sessions which ultimately led to new abortion restrictions in the state.

"I firmly believe that Sen. Wendy Davis should reimburse the taxpayers for the entire cost of the second special session,” Capriglione said. “I am sure that she has raised enough money at her Washington, D.C., fundraiser to cover the cost."

Earlier this summer, Davis made headlines for leading a last-ditch effort against Texas' latest anti-abortion legislation with a memorable 11-hour filibuster. Though the measure ultimately passed, meaning abortions are illegal in the state after 20 weeks and the vast majority of Texas' clinics will close their doors, Davis was praised for her efforts.

-snip-

Full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/01/wendy-davis-special-sessions_n_3691304.html

[DhhD]

26. Representative Capriglione is a first term Republican. Even though he angered several lawmakers

in his own party, he could not get the Texas Senate or the Governor to do his bidding. His proposed bills were not popular. Seems like it is all about Gold to him.

And Rep. Caprigilione is playing the blame game for his ineffectiveness. He and Senator Davis are from Tarrant County, Southlake and Fort Worth, respectively. In my opinion, he was not that popular with Republican Senators so he projects his failure off on Democratic Senator Wendy Davis.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/05/12/4844385/could-texas-soon-have-the-golden.html

[rhett o rick]

17. Sorry to disagree but when McConnell filibusters he simply raises a paddle like at an auction

and Harry concedes and gives a big bow to McConnell. It only costs $1.92. Now if Harry had a backbone he would make McConnell stand for hours like Rep. Davis. But Harry is sympathetic knowing that old man McConnell would wet his diapers after 10 minutes. These old men look out for one another.

[tammywammy]

18. Everyone that voted for the anti-choice bill should pony up for the legal cost that will be incurred

Dumbasses. Oh and they could have easily put up the two bills BEFORE the filibuster and not had any special sessions. Double dumbasses.

[AppleBottom]

19. Will the congressional member be required to pay it?

Or can their lobbyist just write a check directly.

[MoonRiver]

20. It is 102 in Austin. Thugs can't think straight in those temps!

Just sayin'.

[rurallib]

21. I think Boehner owes us @ $40 mill for those idiotic

Obamacare repeal votes.

[NewThinkingChance40]

22. Funny how

it only counts when it is in their favor. If congress is going to start paying for wasting our time, that would pay for several instances of Obamacare. Hell, we could provide free healthcare to the world at that rate

[treestar]

25. Is there something in Texas law allowing for that?

Otherwise, I don't see how she can be liable for the cost. If it's part of their procedures, they have to absorb it. It's not like they have to rent the State House. What can the cost be?

[NoPasaran]

31. No, it's whiny GOP crap meant to stir up the teahadists

If it were, Lt Gov David Dewhurst would surely be on the hook for the current third special session, whose purpose is to send a highway funding constitutional amendment to the voters. At the time of Wendy Davis' filibuster, the Texas House had agreed on the measure and it was pending on the Senate calender. Senate Democrats offered to support a suspension of the rules to move the highway bill ahead of the abortion bill and all but guaranteed that it would pass. Dewhurst refused, since that would have shortened by an hour or so the time needed for a filibuster before the session ran out.

Passing a constitutional amendment requires a 2/3 majority in both the House and Senate, and the consensus that would have passed it a month or so seems to have disappeared. The continuing battle over this amendment is entirely Dewhurst's fault.

[mwooldri]

27. Cannot compare Texas to DC.

US Congress has two annual sessions for its two-year term... and the session can theoretically go on all year. The US President can call a special session but because Congress is technically more in session than not (even if they're not getting anything "done&quot it just doesn't happen. Also the US House or US Senate can call themselves into session without the President prodding them to do so.

However, Texas is different. Texas legislature meets every other year and has 140 days in its normal session. It is in essence a "part time" legislature. Also the legislature cannot call itself back into session, as can be done in US Congress. It takes the Texas Governor to do that with "special sessions".

In this case here, it's Texas Republicans smarting from a procedural tactic used by Wendy Davis to stall a particular piece of (IMO horrible) legislation from coming into law. But since the Governor is a Republican, and the legislature is a Republican majority, if the Governor wants a piece of legislation passed, I'm sure he'll call multiple special sessions to get what he wants done done. He did it before apparently with redistricting. Governor Perry did not have to call a second special session. It could have waited until 2015. He wanted that legislation to pass, he could have directed the legislation to consider the items in a special session in a particular order. In that first special session the legislation could have been introduced much earlier, making it impossible to filibuster to the end of the special session. That this legislation was pretty much on the top of the list in the second special session made it clear that the Governor wanted it passed and his willingness to do the second special session (or if it came to it a third...) meant that while Ms. Davis put up a good fight and won that particular battle... armed against a determined governor who can call special sessions and a Republican majority... the bill would have passed anyway.

The Republicans taking about Wendy Davis footing the bill for the 2nd special session are just plain p.o'd that someone would dare challenge their right to make law as they saw fit. Those same Republicans probably were asking Governor Perry to call a second session. Again, the governor didn't have to. He did though... the costs are on him. Wendy Davis didn't call the second special session... the legislature doesn't have that authority.

[blkmusclmachine]

28. F/ck the GOPee

[qualitybeatsquantity]

29. So what are the PEOPLE in that state going do about it?

Where is the PUBILC outcry?

Where are the Protests?

Is this wrong yes it is but the PEOPLE need to stand and be counted or they will continue to attack those who do not support the perverted pub agenda.

The main reason Pubs get away with what they do is that the PEOPLE do not protest in large numbers and many non republicans who are in elected positions either support what is going on or stay silent so as not to make waves which is nothing more than passive support.

[oldandhappy]

30. Yippee! Love this idea.