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... and I'm ready to use it. I want us to do anything and everything that we can to highlight the importance of this fight.
Just in case the Democrats are looking for a bit of leverage on the issue, might I suggest taking note of this:
Bush invited the bipartisan congressional leadership to discuss an emergency rescue package centered on tax rebates and business tax cuts but also likely to include increases in unemployment benefits and food stamps. "I've got reasonable expectations about how fast something can happen," he said. "But I'm also optimistic something will happen."
Speaking in the Cabinet Room packed with lawmakers and advisers, Bush said both the administration and Congress want to find a solution quickly, but that's he knows that can be difficult with the sometimes tedious legislative process.
"Everybody wants to get something done quickly, but we want to make sure it gets done right," the president said. "And make sure that everybody's realistic about the timetable. Legislative bodies don't move necessarily in an orderly, quick way, and therefore these leaders are committed, and they want to get something done."
Emphasis added. http://tinyurl.com/22uxhx
Why can't the Democrats suggest that by bringing the SJC version of the bill to the Senate floor while agreeing not to add retroactive immunity back into the bill (and of course, "good behavior" in the conference process to reconcile with the House version), the stimulus package will have smooth sailing and won't be crowded out of the Senate calendar by a protracted filibuster of the SIC bill?
Oh, that's right. That would require courage.
