PFAW's Keegan Complains About Shelby's Hold: 'Obstruction' Reaches A 'New Low'

So, Richard Shelby! As you may have heard, he is being what the kids on the street call "an intransigent dick." This is because he's placed a blanket hold on all of President Obama's nominations for no other reason than that he feels Obama hasn't shown sufficient respect to Alabama.

It is crazy that America cannot have judges or agency heads or, you know, a guy to head up the Transportation Safety Administration, just because the president didn't send flowers and wishes to Alabama, but that is basically what is happening.

Also? Remember that part of Obama's "Question Time" with the House GOP Caucus, when he said, "wasteful spending is usually spent somehow outside of your district," and quipped: "The spending in your district tends to seem pretty sensible." Well...

According to the report, Shelby is holding Obama's nominees hostage until a pair of lucrative programs that would send billions in taxpayer dollars to his home state get back on track. The two programs Shelby wants to move forward or else:

- A $40 billion contract to build air-to-air refueling tankers. From CongressDaily: "Northrop/EADS team would build the planes in Mobile, Ala., but has threatened to pull out of the competition unless the Air Force makes changes to a draft request for proposals." Federal Times offers more details on the tanker deal, and also confirms its connection to the hold.

- An improvised explosive device testing lab for the FBI. From CongressDaily: "[Shelby] is frustrated that the Obama administration won't build" the center, which Shelby earmarked $45 million for in 2008. The center is due to be based "at the Army's Redstone Arsenal."

At any rate, now Michael Keegan, president of People For The American Way, has weighed in with complaints about Shelby:

"Senator Shelby's move is deeply cynical and an abuse of Senate procedure," said Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way. "The American people deserve a functioning government, but Senator Shelby would rather hobble important agencies that keep us safe and provide important services than risk losing some pork barrel projects for his own state. Conservative commentators have slammed Democrats negotiating deals that pale in comparison to this. I hope they'll be aggressive in pointing out Senator Shelby's behavior, but I'm not holding my breath."

Senator Shelby is angry about the Pentagon's bidding process for air-to-air refueling tankers and funding for a research center to be built in his state. His hold effectively blocks votes on more than 70 executive branch nominees, including officials in the Army, Air Force, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice and Department of State.

"To block votes on U.S. Attorneys, key positions in the armed forces, and nominees tasked with overseeing the disposal of radioactive waste in order to wring a few more dollars from the federal government in dangerously irresponsible," said Keegan. "Senator Shelby is doing an immense disservice to all Americans, including his own constituents. When voters voice their anger about the gridlock and partisanship in Washington, this is exactly what they're talking about."

Keegan went on to say that Shelby "better watch out" because "Carly Fiorina's sheep may want to have a few words with him." But there, I think he's just being trendy.

Comments

[Ladyrantsalot]

01:16 PM on 02/06/2010

Conservative Red State politicians are spending us into the poor house.

[macgregor59]

01:04 PM on 02/06/2010

When you put together everything the reaperbaggers haven't done (support for HCR, Shelby, ya know....NO!) I am reminded of Reagan's oft repeated words:

"I'm with the republican party and I'm here to make you dead".

[macgregor59]

12:52 PM on 02/06/2010

Or, as Shelby would have it, "Democracy hits new low".

[afgail]

09:39 AM on 02/06/2010

Harry Reid is worthless. The Democrats need to replace him. We can't wait for the voters of Nevada to do the job for us. The full might of the Senate majority leader should be brought to bear on Shelby. For starters move Shelby's office to the latrine. Obama needs to make recess appointments or all 70 of those on Shelby's holds list.

[afgail]

09:24 AM on 02/06/2010

If our congressmen and senators would put in five full eight hour days a week in the capitol doing their jobs a lot more would get done. Most of them spend 30% to 50% of their time fund raising for re-election. They all leave on thursday night to go to their home states and roll into the office tuesday morning. They treat their elective office as a part time job and it sure shows.

[Horus45]

09:18 AM on 02/06/2010

The Republicans had a cow over Louisiana getting $100 million for Medicaid, now all we hear from them about this is crickets.
It's ONLY OK when a Republican gets pork and no one else is allowed!
What hypocrites!

[MyrtleJune]

03:38 AM on 02/06/2010

I'm glad this is out in the bright lights. We know they do this crap behind the scenes, which is how and why Congress nevers gets to what we have voted for. Do you really think Shelby is alone? NO. They ALL do it. I think it was especially brilliant for Shelby to put his ransom note in a letter. This is what is wrong with America. Politics. Office politics, school yard politics, cheerleader politics, churchy politics..... everyone dickering about what they want and what they're going to do to get it including destroying reputations, lying, cheating, stealing, or rolling around on the supermarket floor in spectacular display of snitfittery (like the gop in general).

Sooooooo the ONLY way around these political gaming events is simple. Devalue the hostage/vote...... or as in "Speed".... "shoot the hostage"..... same thing. Do we REALLY need Shelby's vote to install these appointments? NO. RECESS APPOINTMENTS. There's nothing stopping Reid from calling a recess any time he wants to...... like a snow storm recess, eh? RECESS APPOINTMENTS for all in three days. JUST DO IT. That removes the hostage and Shelby is left to actually govern instead of wheeling and dealing. AND our government starts working again. BONUS: The DEMS start looking for other ways to govern and move forward instead of sitting there bawling that these fools won't play nice and LET them govern. Time for the DEMS to start GOVERNING and stop all this political asking permission from the gop. gah.

[oldpol2]

03:44 AM on 02/06/2010

spot on and fanned! I am so sick of the games.

[jill2468]

10:26 AM on 02/06/2010

You can't be sick of the games while advocating another game. Which is it. You only like the games if it's your turn up to bat?

[Horus45]

09:20 AM on 02/06/2010

Exactly, Bush made 170 Recess Appointments!

[oldpol2]

03:36 AM on 02/06/2010

A slimeball extraordinaire. If anyone needed proof, that the right cares not a whit for the people of this country, this should remove all doubt. If the right had a real leader they would put a stop to it!!!
NO morals
No ideas
No heart
No courage
definitely the party of NO

[jill2468]

10:28 AM on 02/06/2010

Look at all the money we are saving as a country by not having to pay all those salaries. We have done alright so far without them.

[noaxe397]

01:46 AM on 02/06/2010

Dems are so weak kneed they can't even hit this softball out of the park.

Dems need to fear monger just like the GOP. Tell the public how GOP fillibustering and obstruction is making America less safe from terror threats and that the next attempt will be squarely the fault of the GOP. Except this is not fear mongering because it would be true.

Sunshine, the best disinfectant

[liblizard]

01:06 AM on 02/06/2010

There is substantially documented proof on Fox News that Shelby thought the term was actually "fill it, buster". He is now completely embarrassed and is considering resigning.

[cirrus7]

12:58 AM on 02/06/2010

Obama could do the calm carefully considered action of recess appointing Alabama U.S. Attorneys to replace the Bushie hacks visciously persecuting Don Siegelman for nothing at all. Shelby's head might explode to boot.

[Horus45]

09:22 AM on 02/06/2010

I am really disappointed with Obama and Holder for allowing those Partisan Hacks to stay in their cushy government jobs, they should have been the first to be fired.

[Rider3]

11:44 PM on 02/05/2010

Political blackmailing. Nice..... How can this be legal?

[janeycat]

10:25 PM on 02/05/2010

I think Shelby will be gone in the next election... he just put a huge spotlight on Alabama ... and if the people of Alabama don't speak up against the Hostage taking of 70 administration positions when all of these positions are vital to running the US... they will be the scorn of the rest of the US...

Shelby must be competing with SC for the title of the "" Brainless Representatives of the US "" ...

Yeppy, he will be gone come election time... OH , he should be made to carry out his threat of Filibuster and should be made to stand in the well of the House Floor and speak until he collapses or withdraws his filibuster....

Grow some gonads Democrats , call him out on this to all TV and Radio Stations.....

[Horus45]

09:24 AM on 02/06/2010

A "Hold" is not the same as a Filibuster.

[jazzman]

10:18 PM on 02/05/2010

If things go true to form the Democrats will give Richard Shelby exactly what he wants and then wait for the next outrageous behavior from Republicans. The Republicans, up to now, have been despicable traitors to our nation but the Democrats have been spineless wimps in handling them. President Obama has been no better than the rest of the jelly spines that inhabit the Democratic Party right now.

When will we get some bold leadership from someone who really gives a damn about the country and the suffering of its people.

[thinking4]

03:01 AM on 02/06/2010

Absolutely true. Thank you.

[Horus45]

09:26 AM on 02/06/2010

I am starting to believe that the best thing that can happen for the Democratic party is if Reid loses his re-election and Durbin or Schumer takes over as Majority leader.

[ladbrady]

10:09 PM on 02/05/2010

Senator Shelby is against those budget breaking earmarks right? He's a real Conservative right?

This is great. One step toward fiscal responsibility.

What a patriot!!!!

Right Senator Shelby?

Can you spell filibuster?