The Republicans, frequently billed as the Party of Stupid, do occasionally exhibit some tactical prowess. Senate Democrats have made campaign spending reform the centerpiece of their fall election strategy with a constitutional amendment that would allow states and the federal government to write laws that would limit campaign spending. Republicans could have blocked the amendment on a procedural motion but led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell allowed the bill to move forward. This is a fight the Republicans want.
Aside from getting the debate that they relish Republicans will jam up the legislative calendar thereby preventing Democrats from introducing more election year nostrums such as student loan repayment scheme the country cannot afford and pay check fairness measures that would address unfounded claims of gender discrimination.
“They know we’re getting out of here fairly shortly and they want to prevent discussion on other very important issues,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). “I would love to be proven wrong. But if the end of this week, we end up getting 67 votes, you can tell me I was too cynical.” ... Democrats’ argument would be made simpler if the GOP simply rejected the constitutional amendment on the first vote, rather than opening debate on it. But now the amendment will be on the Senate floor for several days — allowing perhaps the last substantive debate of the election season...
Oh! They didn't want a vote? It was just a charade that backfired badly. As Cleta Mitchell pointed out Democrats have no intension of following the election laws they write.
Senator Mike Lee lays out the case against the amendment.
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