Liberal in the Land of Conservative

First of all, this sentence structure is terribly confusing and poorly written! Shouldn't there be a comma after "I wonder"? What does he wonder? Incidentally, he used the procedural votes made by Bachmann to attack Bachmann and not the tragedy itself!

From the Ric Studer LTE:

"On the surface, the facts concerning 6th District Rep. Michele Bachmann's votes on the resolution to give Minnesota $250 million to rebuild the I-35W bridge would make her appear ridiculous.

First she sponsored the resolution, then voted for adjourning so the bill could not be voted on, then voted against suspending the rules so the resolution could be accepted and voted on, then voted for the resolution itself."

While I agree that playing politics over a tragedy is not my cup of tea, I think that pointing out a questionable vote is well within our right when it comes to the speedy delivery of relief to said tragedy. Also, it certainly should be noted that for the past FOUR years this administration and the Republican Party has played politics with the greatest of American tragedies (9/11) in order to consolidate power and lead us into a war that was ill conceived.

From the Patrick Oakes LTE:

"As a DFL activist and former Progressive Caucus Chairman, Studer should know better.

The Congressional Record shows that House Democrats brought a warrantless wiretapping bill to a vote without letting members read it first. Almost half of Congress voted to halt proceedings so they could read the bill before voting on it.

It's shameful to misrepresent that as a vote to delay bridge relief. Maybe that's why Studer forgot to mention that all Minnesota members voted that way before the bridge bill passed.

Thank goodness our representatives care to read legislation before voting on it."

Our representatives care to read legislation? Would those be the same representatives that didn't bother to read the Patriot Act before voting on it?

"But here's where it gets worse. Studer says members opposed a House rule governing consideration of the bridge bill.

In truth, the Democrat-written rule exploited the bridge by linking it to an immediate vote on withdrawal from Iraq. Talk about showing your true colors! See for yourself by reading House Resolution 600.

Thanks to Bachmann for opposing these antics and supporting a clean bill.

She and the other members of Minnesota's congressional delegation should be commended for their hard work in supporting and passing a bridge relief bill that will help make Minneapolis whole again."

In truth, House Resolution 600 was merely a suspension of the rules so that the House could move these items up within the calendar. The Republicans could have voted up or down on each of them individually even after voting for the resolution. That was the ONLY connection between the two measures meantioned by Mr. Oakes (apparently selective fact finding cuts both ways!). It was made clear to the Republicans that the Resolution was meant to move these measures up in the calendar, that Minnesota would be first, and that the others would be discussed later.

From the Congressional Record for the day:

"Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 600 authorizes the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules at any time through the legislative day of Friday, August 3, 2007, on the following measures:

I do wish to put my colleagues on notice that, following the conclusion of debate on this rule, I intend to offer an amendment to the rule. My amendment will permit the House to consider emergency legislation today appropriating $250 million to begin the reconstruction of the I-35 bridge, which collapsed this week in Minnesota. We have properly given our condolences and continue those to those who have lost loved ones and those who are awaiting word regarding those who are still missing and those who have been injured. All of us grieve with all of them.

Without this amendment and this rule, this legislation will not be permitted to proceed; and these emergency funds would be delayed. Realize a vote against this rule and my amendment to the rule will be a vote against providing this emergency assistance to the people of Minnesota, specifically Minneapolis, Minnesota."

Later...

"Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would remind everyone here that this rule is to make in order a suspension day. This particular measure is not about FISA."

...

"Mr. HOYER. The order we will consider those is we will consider Minnesota first. We believe that is the least contentious of the items, and we think, therefore, it would be good to get the least contentious item out of the way first."

...

"Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to briefly describe this amendment to House Resolution 600.

The amendment would add a third suspension measure to this resolution, a bill to provide assistance to Minnesota. This will allow the House to consider the Minnesota bridge disaster emergency relief legislation. I am sure that everyone here would urge that the reconstruction of the bridge that tragically collapsed on Wednesday be undertaken.

While the minority has been engaging in manufactured obstructionism, the House has been denied the opportunity to act on the priorities of the American people.

While the minority has been engaged in manufactured obstructionism, the House has enacted on legislation to require a comprehensive strategy to withdraw our troops from harm's way.

While the minority has been engaged in manufacturing obstructionism, the House has not been able to act on FISA reform.

Finally, while the minority has engaged in manufactured obstructionism, the House has not acted on providing emergency assistance to our fellow Americans who are grieving and suffering in Minnesota.

Manufactured obstructionism is what they are doing, and the American people will not stand for it.

By allowing this bill to come to the floor today, we can get this bill to the President's desk immediately. Whatever differences we have here today, this should be something we all can support.

I hope my colleagues will support the amendment and the rule.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the amendment and on the resolution."

All along it was made clear to the Republicans that this was a resolution simply to bring certain bills to the front and out of order normally assigned to them. The Republican Party (Michele Bachmann tagging along behind) did not want to discuss FISA or the Iraq War so it chose to use delay tactics at the possible expense of Minnesota.