Today in Washington D. C. - Dec 11, 2008 - #RINO #TCOT

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: Last night, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 237-170. an emergency loan package for troubled U.S. automakers, which would make $14 billion available to the auto companies. While Republicans stood strong for the taxpayers including former GOP Presidential candidate Ron Paul, 32 republicans are being labeled as RINOS by conservative groups for voting for the bailout, including former GOP Presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter (not returning to Congress next session). Fifteen (15) Republicans abstained including former GOP Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo abstained (not returning to Congress next session)and 1 Republican voted Present. Maybe these will be identified as "closet RINOS. In addition, several "blue dog democrats" who claimed to be fiscal conservative, showed their true color and voted for the bailout.

Microview of Arkansas vote: Arkansas readers: Rep Boozman (R) voted against the bailout. Even with a majority of Arkansas voters opposing the bailout measure, Rep. Marion Berry (D) and Rep. Mike Ross (D), alleged Blue Dogs, voted for the bailout while surprisingly liberal Rep. Vick Snyder (D) abstained.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has filed for cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 7005 as a vehicle for loans to domestic auto companies. If an agreement is reached, votes on the bill could be held today. Otherwise there will be a cloture vote tomorrow morning.

From Senate & News Sources: Over the course of the week Senate Republican leaders have discussed concerns they and other GOP senators have with many aspects of this plan but have focused on the need to keep American taxpayers in mind through this whole process. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday, “we will not let taxpayers spend their hard-earned money on ailing carmakers unless these companies are forced to reform their bad habits — either inside or outside of bankruptcy.” Texas Sen. John Cornyn said at a press conference, “The one point I want to make is that we’re worried about the American taxpayer and that any money that’s loaned to these big three manufacturers will ultimately be repaid.” And Republican Policy Committee Chair John Ensign said on the floor today, “With the deficit reaching $1 trillion or more next year, why aren’t we having a debate over the true cost of such a bailout? We should be worried about the U.S. taxpayer.”

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats still don’t seem to be sure they can get the votes needed to pass this bill from their own members. The Hill reported yesterday, “Montana Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester, as well as Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) have expressed concerns about the bill that makes their support questionable. Baucus, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, released a statement on Wednesday morning criticizing a tax provision in the package.”

While Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid, have been critical of Republicans for not openly supporting the bill they wrote, there seems to be a lack of unity among their own members which indicates that they may need to take another look at their (the Democrats) proposed legislation.

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