Republicans have control – albeit narrow – over the House and the Senate, with a better-than-average wider margin in the upper chamber. It’s been months now, and not only is part of the government still shut down, but we haven’t gotten any more movement on national voter ID, an issue that 80 percent of the country, Democrat and Republican voters, want. So what’s the deal? What’s the issue?
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is the issue.
Because he won’t nuke the filibuster – something that Democrats will no doubt do if/when they retake control of the upper chamber because their left-wing voting base is increasingly rabid and insane – nothing is happening. The measure isn’t moving. The will of the people is actively being thwarted. This is a legislative lay-up that our side can go into the midterm townhalls with and use as a massive win, painting their Democrat opponents on the trail as being opposed. It doesn’t get any easier than this.
But…John Thune.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) pulled no punches in an interview this week, naming his name as being the biggest obstacle to voter ID:
CATHERINE HERRIDGE, STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, LA TIMES: Let’s take that a step further. I mean, Republicans control the House and the Senate. Why can’t they get the Save America Act, which requires evidence that you’re an American, and ID to vote?
REP. ANNA PAULINA LUNA (R-FL): John Thune is a problem. I do not like what he’s done because he has every ability, and really it’s him that’s blocking voter ID. He has every ability to embrace the standing filibuster or remove the filibuster.
Democrats are going to do it anyways. And by the way, the current form of the filibuster is a perversion of what it initially was. But there’s this position in the Senate that people need to protect the institution.
I get protecting the institution, but let’s also talk about what the institution’s become.
HERRIDGE: Is John Thune weak?
HERRIDGE: I think John Thune is doing the wrong thing. I don’t know if I would necessarily say weak because he’s clearly stubborn. He’s not doing voter ID.
But he can’t honestly blame the Democrats for this because he’s the one in control. And so what I would say and what I’ve continued to say is it’s John Thune blocking voter ID. We have FISA up for a vote this week.
I’m trying to do everything I can to get voter ID on to FISA. But I’m having to work against my own party to do that. And I’m just one person and it takes multiple votes to do that.
Yes, FISA needs reform, but I think the number one most important issue in the country right now is voter ID. And if we can’t deliver on that, then people like John Thune do not deserve to come back to Congress. Vote him out. He’s not up for reelection, but when it’s time.
FISA has been granted a short extension until April 30, approved through a voice vote in the House around 2 a.m. this morning. The House is now adjourned. Initially, the plan was to extend FISA for five years; however, that proposal failed to pass because approximately 20 Republicans voted against it.
But it’s time to get moving on voter ID, which also contains a requirement to prove you’re a citizen before casting ballots. If we can’t get this done, Democrats will continue to ‘win’ elections they shouldn’t, through various forms of fraud (bogus voter registration rolls, handing illegal aliens driver’s licenses, etc.). Let’s go, Mr. Thune.