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Coburn Holds FAA Hostage With One-Man Filibuster

Agency could face a second shutdown

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 15, 2011 2:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – The FAA could soon be shut down again, costing thousands of workers their jobs and the government $30 million a day in airline ticket taxes, all thanks to a single Republican senator. Tom Coburn is exploiting a Senate procedural rule requiring unanimous consent to switch from working on one bill to another. Coburn won’t consent to switch to a transportation bill that includes stop-gap FAA funding, and if it’s not passed by tomorrow, the agency shuts down, the AP reports.

Coburn objects to a provision in the highway section requiring states to spend money on “transportation enhancements” like bike lanes or tourist attractions. He says he’d support Harry Reid splitting off the FAA portion but that would require sending the bill back to the House. A frustrated Reid said Coburn was acting like “a dictator,” but Republicans say Reid has only himself to blame—he could have brought the FAA bill first, but instead tried to pass a disaster aid bill some Republicans opposed.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., listens during a news conference on the debt ceiling on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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It's a pretty good way to legislate around here, be a dictator and say either take this or leave it. I'm convinced his issue would lose overwhelmingly. But he's holding this legislation up. - Harry Reid, in comments that
didn't mention Coburn by name

I would think we would rather repair these 146,000 bridges rather than redecorating a (road) side. - Tom Coburn

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 40 comments

Watching4theMODS

Sep 16, 2011 9:31 AM CDT

Just more proof that the Tepublicans work only for the richest (top 1%) of Americans. Just more proof they don't want the economy to recover. Just more proof they don't want to work to compromise. Just more proof how they are not working for you. Just more proof they are working against you. To hijack the Senate to stop a bill that includes disaster relief. I mean even Scrooge isn't that heartless.

DontLikeYou

Sep 16, 2011 9:30 AM CDT

Calling republicans hostage takers and terrorists is real classy, libs. I realize you don't have any thing else to say except negative shit, but try to keep your punches above the belt, will ya? Thanks libs.

DanPB

Sep 15, 2011 9:56 PM CDT

This JERK is at it again! Is it the only way he thinks he can get any attention? They should "vector" any ship he's on to the middle of the Pacific where he runs out of gas!

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Coburn Holds FAA Hostage With One-Man Filibuster

Agency could face a second shutdown

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

FAA • Senate • Harry Reid • filibuster • Tom Coburn • Federal Aviation Administration • Senate procedure

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