Pelosi Plays Hardball

Gotta give NP her props; when she plays hardball, she plays hardball. David Sirota:

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is preparing to take a dramatic step that could send the GOP's draconian budget cuts down to defeat.

Pelosi's press release spells it out:

"The Senate passed its immoral budget by a narrow margin of 51 to 50, with Vice President Dick Cheney breaking the tie. Because Democrats forced several changes to the budget bill, it now must come back to the House to be voted on again. Pelosi will not allow approval by unanimous consent and will request a recorded vote."

Pelosi's statement in her release makes it clear why this is important:

"Democrats believe this Republican bill has the wrong priorities. That is why we will request a recorded vote where all Members return to Washington to make clear their values to the America people. Democrats will work with our allies to fight for a budget that represents the values and needs of all Americans."

You can read Pelosi’s entire statement here. Sirota also notes:

This is basically an unprecedented move - Democrats have long just rolled over and allowed these "unanimous consent" agreements to pass, but now they are putting their foot down. Pelosi is saying enough is enough - no more budgets that takes billions out of health care and puts it into new tax cuts for the very wealthy.

Let's hope every single Democrat shows up for this vote, and puts this bill down to defeat.

Because they’ve got some making up to do, since the disgusting GOP budget bill passed the House by 6 votes—and guess how many Democrats didn’t show up? Six. Including Rahm Emanuel, who’s head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and thereby tasked with leading the charge on behalf of House Democrats in 2006.

It will be very impressive if Pelosi’s maneuver can undo this stinking mess.