The Omnibus bill was defeated because of you and millions of others like you who let their voices be heard on the internet, radio airwaves, through emails and phone calls, and most of all, at the voting booth in November. Your efforts not only influenced Republicans in the Senate, but also Democrats who are up for reelection in 2012.
I had Reid wrong. I thought that he was using the Omnibus bill as a bargaining chip, because it seemed so insane to try to push through such a monstrosity at the last minute in light of November.
But no, Reid actually wanted Omnibus to pass. As with Obamacare, the personal empowerment of shoving another massive bill down the throats of the American people was more important to Reid than the contents of the bill or the survival of his own party.
But you prevailed over Reid, and though Reid still has some priorities before they turn out the lights on the 111th Congress, the defeat of the Omnibus bill was monumental.
The 112th Congress now will decide such important matters as the start-up funding of Obamacare, and whether we can stem the tide of earmarks. Earmarks are the currency with which congressional votes are purchased, and the elimination of earmarks will be a first step in getting congressmen to vote on the merits of legislation as opposed to jockeying for a new arts center or monument in their home districts.
There is much work to be done. But for what happened last night, give yourself a pat on the back.
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