House GOP refuses Reid proposal to keep government open during negotiations

[ProSense]

House GOP refuses Reid proposal to keep government open during negotiations

by Jed Lewison

The Hill:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Tuesday that he was taking two actions he said are aimed at averting a government shutdown after March 4.

He said he is introducing a bill temporarily extending federal funding for 30 days, to give time for spending talks with the Republican House, and that he has appointed an emissary to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to lead the talks over funding for the rest of the year.

Reid has tapped his chief of staff, David Krone, to begin negotiations with Boehner’s chief of staff Barry Jackson.

Reid's proposal would keep the federal government open while negotiations continue on a final spending bill for FY 2011. Given that the alternative is a government shutdown, Reid's proposal sounds reasonable, right? Wrong, at least if you're a Republican :

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) on Tuesday blasted a proposal from Democrats to keep the government running for another 30 days at current spending levels.

<...>

In rejecting Reid's offer, Cantor is saying Republicans won't sit down at the table with Democrats unless Democrats cave before negotiations begin. That's an absurd position to take. And if Republicans don't show some flexibility—and show it fast—come March 4 they will be responsible for shutting down the federal government.

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[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. "...he has appointed an emissary to House Speaker John Boehner ..."

Broken.

[starroute]

2. Barry Jackson is trouble all his own

I've run through his history here before and I'm not going to do it again. But it's long and questionable and leads through a stint as part of Karl Rove's operations in the White House. When I saw he was back with Boehner now, I knew nothing good come come of it.

For anyone who cares, here a link to one earlier post I did on him:
http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x563272#563297

[randr]

3. Proof that the people who distrust and hate our governing system

are actually inept at participating as representatives and need to be recalled.
Hey Repubs--you have sent in the clowns, take them back and try again.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. I and most federal government employees here in D.C. are not holding our breaths.

We are preparing for the worst. I have saved up a little bit of money but it won't be enough. I can't complain, however. There are those in much worse situations that I am.

[annabanana]

5. This is good what Harry did. He put the bullseye right on the GOP

if the place shuts down. Is this one of those things where a wavering Northern repub might break ranks?