Sen. Graham Trades Judicial Confirmations for a $50,000 Study

[The Straight Story]

Sen. Graham Trades Judicial Confirmations for a $50,000 Study

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has given up his political hostages –namely, all of President Barack Obama’s unconfirmed nominees—in exchange for $50,000 to study a key port back home.

After learning that his pet project had lost its funding during the recent budget reduction negotiations, Graham threatened to prevent all of the White House’s pending appointments from receiving a confirmation hearing. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) then stepped in and reached a deal with Graham to provide $50,000 for a study on deepening the Port of Charleston, which could lead to a 7-year $350 million project.

Graham’s original funding request was not axed by Obama or Senate Democrats, but by House Republicans who considered it an earmark and, thus, expendable.

Reid’s solution has changed the wording of Graham’s port-study plan by including Charleston among a dozen harbors around the country eligible for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study.

http://www.allgov.com/Where_is_the_Money_Going/ViewNews/Sen_Graham_Trades_Judicial_Confirmations_for_a_50000_Dollar_Study_110422

[sinkingfeeling]

1. This is what we've been reduced to... blackmail. Is this that 'American exceptionalism' people talk

about?

[crickets]

2. They don't even bother to hide it anymore. -nt