I was listening to an NPR report on John Boehner a couple days ago. The reporter was insinuating that Mr. Boehner's leadership was lacking because he could not compel the GOP caucus in the House to support bills that his office was bringing to the House floor. The example used was the recent continuation of the Violence Against Women Act.
The final bill passed in the House by a vote of 286 - 138. Only 87 Republicans voted for this version of the bill. Other Republicans had issues with the bill that ranged from questions of Constitutionality with regards to expanding tribal law enforcement authority beyond tribal members to ideological issues with providing abortion services to rape victims.
For the record, I think the Constitution matters. Questions regarding Constitutionality matter. I do not know if their concerns were fully legitimate as I have not studied the issue with any depth.
Also for the record, the GOP needs to get off the anti-abortion wagon.
Back to the issue of Mr. Boehner's leadership, I find it curious that he is being criticized for bringing a bill to the floor that passed the House and was signed into law as this is being typed. He is the Speaker of the House. He is not the Speaker of the GOP in the House. Mr. Boehner's position exists to serve every American.
So he brought a bill with bi-partisan support to the floor for a vote. That is is job.
Isn't bi-partisanship something we want? Or does bi-partisanship only count when the GOP is caving to a Democratic initiative?
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