Party of No run amok

Just when you thought the machinations over the payroll tax and emergency unemployment insurance extensions couldn't get any more ridiculous, House Republicans gave the whole dysfunctional saga a new twist, by using a procedural maneuver to block a vote on the Senate's compromise package.

Republicans on the House rules committee have voted to prevent a direct vote Tuesday on a Senate plan favored by Democrats and Senate Republicans to extend the payroll tax cut for two months.

By an 8-4 vote Monday night, the GOP-led panel rejected a Democratic amendment that would have held a vote on whether to approve the Senate plan, which is opposed by House Republican leaders.

This marks the second time that Republicans have stopped votes on Republican-supported versions of the tax cut and UI extension.

Recall that last week, Republicans in the Senate used a procedural maneuver to block a direct vote on legislation that had been passed in the Republican House (showing that they are equal-opportunity obstructionists, Senate Republicans also blocked votes on legislation submitted by Democrats).

Now it seems that House Republicans are returning the favor, while at the same time showing that the Party of No is incapable of negotiating in good faith.