Reply #1: There is a back story here we don't (and most likely) will not know...

[MazeRat7]

I'm going to make a guess as to possible reason the GOP would "cut off their nose to spite their face". I am assuming there is some kind of "back-room" deal has been reached in principal with the congress-critters involved.

Here is the setup:
Deny the money which would force the company into bankruptcy.
Close plant's that are heavily unionized in the NE region.
Move said closed plants to the South where union presence is not as strong.

The benefits the corporation by reducing labor cost (letting them out of their contracts) and benefits the states by bringing in additional revenue/jobs/workers.

I don't subscribe to the belief they "made a tactical error". I think there is something deeper going on here.

Peace,
MZr7