Blocking subpoena power in disaster investigative commissions is unheard of. The terrorists crisis, the financial crisis and Three Mile Island commissions all had subpoena power. However, Senate Republicans gave no explanation on Monday when they blocked the Presidential Commission on the BP oil spill from having subpoena power to conduct the investigation. “These guys are in bed with the oil industry” said MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews.
Sen. Byron Dorgan D-ND said, “At a hearing that I was at we had Halliburton, Transocean and BP, all of whom were involved on this rig and this drill, and you know what they were doing is pointing at each other. Well, listen, the only way you’re going to get to the real truth and find out exactly what happened is to be able to subpoena all of them and say, look, you have got to produce all of your books and records so that we can inspect them and understand what happened a mile under the ocean out there.”
Protecting BP does not serve the American people, and it will not bring the truth to the millions of people along the Gulf Coast who are entitled to answers. Moreover, it is an insult to the families of the eleven men who were killed the night the Deepwater Horizon exploded. It is difficult to fathom how the Republicans can justify obstructing justice in the BP oil spill, but that is exactly what they have done. The bigger question is, how can Americans let them get away with it?
The move makes little sense, apart from Matthews conclusion which suggests that Republicans have been financially motivated to protect BP from being forced to supply the facts on what caused the April 20, 2010 disaster that killed eleven people, and polluted the Gulf of Mexico with almost 5 million barrels of oil and 2 million gallons of toxic chemical dispersant.
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Comments
This the type of obstruction the Democrats need to make public so voters know what is at risk on Nov 2. This move by Senate Republicans might move Louisiana to a progressive Dem candidate instead of David Vitter.
This has to get out. It has not been reported on any news programs that I've watched. Voters need to know this has happened. The Democrats have to get this information to the voters BEFORE the election. Don't let this languish.
Why protect corporations when they commit criminal actions?
You have to wonder - is it more a case of them being in bed with the oil companies (get a room !) or just following the standard procedure of blocking anything and everything the Obama administration needs.
It could be a combination of both I guess. Either way - it stinks and everyone should be aware of what obstructionists the republicans are.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/07/senate_gop_will_do_ri...
:whistle:
why do the liberal media continue to LIE about this?
because they have found, by watching the conservative media, that it's a great way to make money. Any more questions? - lg
Who believes DEM are not collusive with this Repug "block"?
I'm absolutely disgusted. I was really considering who I would vote for next being very disappointed with Obama. I will work extra hard to block all republicans after this.
Excellent story.
All this based on nothing but conjecture by Mr. Tingly Leg himself. What a crock of shit.
Are you so stupid as to blame Matthews instead of the Republicans who voted against the Subpoena Power?
This article says nothing about how Senate Republicans were supposed to have blocked subpoena power. I was under the impression the Senate is controlled by Democrats 57 to 40 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_ratio_of_democrats_to_republicans_...
Study up - You have to have 60 votes to break a filibuster. That is called a super-majority. That means that you have to have ALL Democrats on board and some Republicans. That piece of information should make a whole lot of things make more sense. Unfortunately, articles are always written that assume folks know that. Most don't and the stories over the last 18 months have not made much sense without that knowledge. - lg
Calling getting cloture as equivalent to breaking a filibuster is a canard used by both parties when they cannot get their way. Doesn't anyone else find it odd, or at least disingenuous that the Democrats have enough of a majority to change these rules if they want to - but don't...? If they REALLY wanted to change these rules, they could...
One possible answer is that at least in part, both caucuses know that cloture was added to protect the voice of the minority. Since neither the Republicans nor the Democrats expect to have a permanent majority, they want to reserve the ability to make their voice heard.
I hope everyone reading this shares this on their FB page and/or tweets. Get this info out!
I would have been surprised if the republican (corporation) didn't block this. For those who are unaware, the 911 Commission issued not one subpoena. And since when did the senate need 60 votes to get anything done. We're paying these people for obstructing the future of our democracy
Since 1917 when the rules changed to stop a filibuster. It required a 2/3 vote of the Senate or 60 Senators of the 100. This is the only way to stop a filibuster if either party chooses to use it to obstruct a vote on any given bill. It has never, in the history of this country, been used as frequently as the Republicans have used it in this Congress - that's why it seems like a new thing - lg
I heard this story on Hard Ball on the 29th and then watched Fox all day to see what the Republican response was. Nothing . . . . . . I guess even they know there is no defense for this.
Maybe you guys should do some research and find out why they voted for it instead of taking what Chris "tingle up my leg" matthews resports on.
The reason why it was blocked is because the Commission that was created by the executive branch is full of environmental whack jobs out for a witch hunt. No checks and balances and is giving the executive branch far too much power. If the commision was created by the Senate and had a well balanced group unlike who is on the current commission...I'd say yes give them the power.
The commission created by the White House is a bipartisan commission. And if the Senate gave a damn, it would have created it's own bipartisan commission if this were the real issue. We all know why Senators (some Democrat, all Republican) did not vote for the right to subpoena. It's one thing to keep pouting because your side didn't win an election, it's another to block something as important as this just to make some sort of neener neener point. I'm sure the money coming in from big oil doesn't hurt either. People DIED because of this. There is a moral obligation to investigate without political delay.
Ha You obviously haven't seen who is on the commision.
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