Bayh: No dice on massive spending bill

[Project Grudge]

Source: The Indianapolis Star

WASHINGTON — A few Senate Democrats are voicing opposition to a pending $410 billion catchall spending bill, unhappy with its cost and changes to U.S. policy toward Cuba.

Most importantly, Democrats Evan Bayh of Indiana and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin announced today that they are voting against the bill, and each urged President Barack Obama to veto it if it passes later this week.
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The White House has signaled that Obama will sign the bill — even though it contains almost 8,000 pet projects sought by lawmakers — calling the measure last year’s business.

Opinion piece: Read Bayh's letter to The Wall Street Journal.

“The omnibus debate is not merely a battle over last year’s unfinished business, but the first indication of how we will shape our fiscal future,” Bayh wrote in an op-ed in today’s Wall Street Journal.

“I’m going to vote against it,” Feingold said. “The president should veto it.”

Read more: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090304/NEWS05/90304043

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Wow, Evan Bayh's really stepping out on a limb here and being a DINO -- that's a shocker.




(edited for factual correction)

[Mass]

1. This is not the budget. It is the spending bill for 2009. Two different things.

This said, this bill needs to be passed so that the government can function in 2009. The budget they are talking about is for 2010.

[Spouting Horn]

3. The Government

has been "functioning"on a continuing resolution. They can continue to function like they have been for the last 5 months, until FY '10 begins. This bill is for the 2009 budget, which is a massive increase in spending for the fiscal year we are already in.

Bayh is wise to oppose this bill. We cannot just keep borrowing more and more money ad infinitum.

[w4rma]

5. They should veto this one and pass the new budget as the 2009 one. (nt)

[xchrom]

2. coming from bayh -- how can this be 'news' or a surprise? nt

[biopowertoday]

4. I am glad to see you are not calling Russ Feingold a DINO.

[depakid]

6. He has his moments

This being one of them.

Leave it to the Dems attempt to self destruct- in the WSJ of all places this time.

[No Elephants]

12. Disagree strongly. Feingold is one of very few Senators who sticks to his

principles, and those principles are unfailingly democratic and Democratic.

[DallasNE]

7. It's More Complicated Than That

The continuing resolution sets spending at last years level plus a little extra. Most of those "pet projects" were also in last years budget so considerable money has already been spent on them. While you could reduce the amount for the remainder of the fiscal year you cannot completely delete them because of the money already spent. Much of this is mere grandstanding, and they know it.

[No Elephants]

13. Feingold is not prone to grandstanding.

[Doctor_J]

8. Good that Ibama didn't pick Bayh to be VP

they're not on the same page.

[rcsl1998]

9. 60 Votes Are Not Needed To Pass This Bill... nt

[biopowertoday]

11. I believe they need the 60 votes as this contributes to the deficit.

[benld74]

10. Act like repubs and NOT give THEIR states ANY MONEY from the budget

[Project Grudge]

14. Feingold

It's rare that Feingold and Bayh agree on one issue; they're normally at opposite ends of the spectrum in the party.

[Vinca]

15. Bayh should not be a big crybaby. If he's opposed to the spending,

do something about it. Obama isn't a babysitter. Fix it in the Congress, don't waste Obama's time.

[marshall]

16. Bye bye, Bayh!

We can do without those who refuse to be a team player!