Republicans Pledge To Block All Legislation Beyond Tax Cuts, Funding Gov

Senate Republicans have promised to filibuster all legislative items until the upper chamber votes to extend the Bush era tax cuts and fund the government.

“A little while ago, I delivered a letter to [Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.] signed by all 42 Senate Republicans,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Wednesday on the Senate floor. “It says that every Republican will vote against proceeding to any legislative matter until we’ve funded the government and protected every taxpayer from a tax hike. Basically, first things first.”

With the lame duck session entering its final days, key Democratic initiatives could be stalled if the GOP’s pledge holds, including legislation to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the DREAM Act.

Following McConnell’s remarks, Reid issued a statement dismissing the move as “nothing new.”

“Republicans have simply put in writing the political strategy they have pursued over the last two years: obstruct and delay critical help for struggling Americans, and then blame others for the problems they refuse to solve,” Reid said. “The recent election gave Republicans more responsibility to participate in solving the problems we face, but so far they have just continued to stand on the sidelines rooting for failure.”