News
WE have a sneaking suspicion Sen. Tom Coburn's office won't exactly be overrun with Christmas cards from his colleagues. And, that the senator doesn't really give a hoot one way or the other.
Coburn, R-Muskogee, is playing Grinch this holiday season by doing what he's done since joining the Senate three years ago — demanding a little accountability and responsibility from fellow members.
In his latest move, Coburn is threatening to block action on legislation that's brought to the floor — and usually is routinely approved — in a late rush to finish business before senators head home for the holiday. If bills arrive that cost money, and those costs aren't offset by cuts somewhere else, then Coburn said he plans to get in the way.
Coburn said in a Senate speech last week that during the annual rush, "what happens is we do a poor job of legislating because we don't look at it, we don't amend it, we don't have a debate so the American people can know about it. We just pass it.” To make sure members who missed his speech aren't surprised later on, Coburn sent each one a letter spelling out his intentions.
No one should be surprised. Coburn ran for office promising to do what he felt was best for the country. Fiscal restraint and transparency have been at the top of his list. His fight to reduce the spending earmarks that are stuffed into bills has won him few friends.
But if that has hacked them off, Coburn figures, that's too bad. He wasn't elected by the other 99 members of the Senate. He was sent to Washington by Oklahomans who, so far, have approved of his willingness to buck the spend now, worry about it later status quo.
Coburn, R-Muskogee, is playing Grinch this holiday season by doing what he's done since joining the Senate three years ago — demanding a little accountability and responsibility from fellow members.
In his latest move, Coburn is threatening to block action on legislation that's brought to the floor — and usually is routinely approved — in a late rush to finish business before senators head home for the holiday. If bills arrive that cost money, and those costs aren't offset by cuts somewhere else, then Coburn said he plans to get in the way.
Coburn said in a Senate speech last week that during the annual rush, "what happens is we do a poor job of legislating because we don't look at it, we don't amend it, we don't have a debate so the American people can know about it. We just pass it.” To make sure members who missed his speech aren't surprised later on, Coburn sent each one a letter spelling out his intentions.
No one should be surprised. Coburn ran for office promising to do what he felt was best for the country. Fiscal restraint and transparency have been at the top of his list. His fight to reduce the spending earmarks that are stuffed into bills has won him few friends.
But if that has hacked them off, Coburn figures, that's too bad. He wasn't elected by the other 99 members of the Senate. He was sent to Washington by Oklahomans who, so far, have approved of his willingness to buck the spend now, worry about it later status quo.
