Another Key Dem Senator Won’t Say Whether He’ll Cast Key Vote For EFCA

[babylonsister]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/labor/another-key-dem-senator-wont-say-whether-hell-cast-key-vote-for-efca/

Another Key Dem Senator Won’t Say Whether He’ll Cast Key Vote For EFCA


This one is very, very bad news for the Employee Free Choice Act: Senator Jim Webb, who was thought by labor to be supportive of the measure, now won’t say whether he’ll cast a key vote for it.

Worse, his office says he views this as a bad time to be introducing the legislation — a potentially serious blow, because Webb is generally seen as strong on labor issues.

“He doesn’t believe this is the appropriate time to introduce this legislation or to be debating it,” Webb spokesperson Jessica Smith confirms to me. “He’s always been a strong supporter of the right to collective bargaining, but as written, he would look towards improving the legislation in a way to make it more fair and equitable.”

In another blow, Webb’s also won’t say whether he’ll support bringing it to the floor for debate. “He’s not publicly going to say at this point,” his spokesperson said.

That could be a big deal, because the initial “cloture” vote to allow the bill to be debated, thus overcoming the GOP’s filibuster, is the one that requires 60 votes in the Senate. Labor, obviously, can ill afford to lose another Dem like Webb, particularly with another reliable backer, Senator Dianne Feinstein, also refusing to say whether she’ll back it.

So Webb’s position will cause some serious heartburn in labor circles.

[dkofos]

1. I guess the unions haven't given him enough cash yet.

[Blackhatjack]

2. Listen closely and you can hear the anti-union pressure being applied....

This is like a fight to the death and the anti-union forces are pulling out all the stops to pressure votes against EFCA.

[Raspberry]

3. There are some things I don't understand about this

Isn't the secret ballot a GOOD thing? Isn't the secret ballot fundamental to a true democracy? That's why I don't understand why Democrats are in favor of card check. Knowing how everyone votes on an issue seems like something the Repugs would want to do, so that they could retaliate against someone.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Taken in totality, Virginia is not very pro-union.

Webb, lest we forget, won in a **real** squeaker even against the totally discredited Macacaman.

I assume his ear is glued firmly to the ground trod upon by his constituents.

I also believe he is, in his heart, for the bill.

[Winterblues]

5. This will not pass

They may as well move on because this will not fly..I am sure everyone in Congress knows that also.