Republicans blocking nominees, as usual

At the 2003 Harvard reunion, uber-Republican strategist and fundraiser Grover Norquist told the crowd that he intended to create a permanent Republican majority. If, by some accident a Democrat were elected, “We will make it so that a Democrat cannot govern as a Democrat.”

In the latest case, Senate Republicans seem determined to stall the confirmation of FCC chair nominee Tom Wheeler, despite the fact that Republicans could find no significant fault with the former telecom executive and lobbyist. Republicans are refusing to allow the nomination to proceed unless they’re given carte blanche on one of the other open seats on the commission. According to Politico, “That may deprive the FCC of a permanent leader for an extended period as it prepares to tackle a litany of big-ticket policy items, including the upcoming spectrum auctions, merger reviews and net neutrality challenges.” So what if the country suffers.

But this is nothing new. Take a look at other high-profile Obama nominations:

Gina McCarthy, picked to head the EPA, was bombarded with “...1,000 written questions Republican senators asked her after her confirmation hearing – what Democrats say is a new record for the number of written questions asked of a nominee.” No movement.

Richard Cordray, named to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: “Nearly all Senate Republicans have pledged to block the confirmation of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ...”

Thomas Perez chosen as Secretary of Labor: “GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a member of the Judiciary Committee, unequivocally called Perez ‘the wrong man for this job’ and cited the nominee’s views on immigration...”

And Republicans refuse to move on any of the current NLRB nominees. Said The Hill, “The real victims of the GOP’s obstructionism will not be the NLRB or ‘Big Labor,’ as Republicans like to state, but tens of millions of private-sector workers across the nation.” Well, that’s exactly what congressional Republican are attempting to do by simply stonewalling and blocking large numbers of Obama administration appointees.

The electorate chose a government, but the ideological minority is refusing to allow the people their choice.

How Grover Norquist hypnotized the GOP (Washington Post, Jun. 30, 2011)

Vacancies on FCC an ongoing problem (Politico, Jun. 24, 2013)

Obama's EPA nominee stalled as Republicans boycott vote (Reuters, May 9, 2013)

Senate Republicans vow to block consumer bureau chief's nomination (LA Times, Feb. 4, 2013)

Vitter Vows to Block Perez Nomination for Labor Secretary (Roll Call, Mar. 18, 2013)

Democrats must overcome GOP’s 'complete obstructionism' on NLRB (The Hill, May 23, 2013)