Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning’s (R-Ky.) long-winded call for fiscal responsibility was finally disconnected on Tuesday, March 2. The retiring politician, however, said he was ready to dial up another filibuster if he sees Congressional spending spin out of control.
Bunning’s delay tactic created a political firestorm late last week, when the Senate was unable to extend unemployment benefits and the highway program, which expired on Feb. 28. U.S. DOT and Federal Highway Administration projects were shut down on Monday before the Senate was able to pass a $10 billion measure 24 hours later by a 78-19 count to get things moving again.
Bunning, however, said he would be back with another filibuster if Washington fails to come up with the money to pay its bills.
“We cannot keep adding to the debt and passing the buck to generations of future workers and taxpayers, my children and your children and our grandchildren,” Bunning told his fellow Senators on Tuesday.
Bunning agreed to stop his legislative blockade if the Senate would consider that the $10 billion bill be offset with the closing of the black liquor tax that the paper industry has used to make billions. The amendment failed, but Bunning also will get the opportunity to offer amendments in the next Senate jobs bill, a $150 billion measure which is set to be debated this week. The senior Kentucky senator also will lift holds on all pending Obama administration nominees.
