Politics

Senate Rules Committee Blocks Tea Party Debt Commission From Presenting Budget Proposal

Senate Rules Committee Blocks Tea Party Debt Commission From Presenting Budget Proposal

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) addressed Tea Party activists who came to hear the debt commission's findings after the informal hearing was shuttered at the Capitol Thursday. (Image source: YouTube)

The Senate Rules Committee reportedly blocked the Tea Party Debt Commission from unveiling its budget proposal at the Capitol Thursday, with staff members removing microphones and locking doors to the room where the group was set to present its findings.

FreedomWorks, the organization that organized the “months-long, crowd-sourced effort” among Tea Party members to develop a budget proposal, said in a release that the scheduled, pre-approved informal hearing was suddenly canceled. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) chairs the committee. Participants relocated to Hillsdale College’s Kirby Center, a few blocks from the Capitol.

“The Senate hasn’t been able to pass a budget resolution three years running. They have been unable to do their job, and now the Rules Committee is trying to prevent the American people from doing it for them,” Matt Kibbe, president of FreedomWorks, said in a release.

Senate Rules Committee Blocks Tea Party Debt Commission From Presenting Budget Proposal

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) posted this photo on his Twitter account, with the comment: "The Tea Part Debt Commission before we were kicked out of the Russell bldg. by Senate Rules." (Image source: Twitter)

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) had sponsored the hearing so the debt commission’s findings could be publicly unveiled. He expressed his anger and frustration over the Rules Committee’s move on his Twitter page, referring to how the committee “tried to shut us down“ and how ”we were kicked out.”

Slate provided this explanation of what happened, including whether calling the event a “hearing” may have been the cause of the problem:

The press release had called the event a “hearing.” Sen. Mike Lee, who had participated in some hearings in Utah, was all set to kick the proceedings off. But he was told that calling the event a “hearing” put it outside the rules. That, plus a (totally unrelated) scare over a suspicious package at Jeff Sessions’s office in Russell, meant that people showing up for the event saw a bunch of Capitol police securing the hallway, and taking placards off the tables in the room.

According to FreedomWorks, the “Tea Party Budget” was compiled by a commission of 12 volunteer Tea Party activists based on the results of an online poll completed by nearly 50,000 Americans and events held around the country.

“We’ve come to Washington with the real solutions developed by the American people, and the Rules Committee won’t let their voices be heard in an open forum,” Kibbe said. “It’s outrageous. They’re kicking us out of our own building because they’re afraid we are going to do something crazy like balance the budget.”

Freedom Works posted this video of Thursday’s events:

The congressional supercommittee is tasked with reaching a deficit deal by Nov. 23 or risk triggering a series of automatic cuts totaling $1.2 trillion.

Comments (93)

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  • ALPHA18BRAVO
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:53pm

    How pathetic. The house has passed a budget, and offered numerous proposals since the election of 2010. Now a group of citizens offers a budget. The democrats answer is too block the proposal.

    President Obama hopes to run against a “do nothing” republican congress. The problem is, so many Americans know the truth. Republicans have done things, the democrats in the senate keep stalling. The only thing that the democrats have done recently is pass legislation that nobody wants.

    Report Post »  
    • Twinspeedr
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:07pm

      Chuck Schumer is a traitor to the Republic. He should be removed from office. Anyone living in his district up in NY should send this story to all their friends and neighbors. I hope to see him defeated.

      Report Post » Twinspeedr  
    • JohnnyMidknight
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:09pm

      They are stalling because they want the system to collapse. The OWS Movement wants the system to collapse. The corrupt businessmen want the system to collapse (they have their money in safer investments and will make more if it happens). The cards are stacked against us unless we raise our voices against this.

      Report Post » JohnnyMidknight  
    • IDConservative55
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:28pm

      Sad thing is most Americans watch the news on CBS/NBC/ABC so they are cluless as to what the Democrats are REALLY doing! We know the main-stream media is no longer in the business of reporting fact, just liberal commentary.

      Report Post »  
    • Shiroi Raion
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:53pm

      The Democrats are sitting on at least 16 bills… now who was the party of no? Hmm… the party of “hypocrites and liars” may be a more fitting title… the Liberal media are The Three Monkeys. I mean The Three Monkeys in the American sense as feigning ignorance of evil, not in the original Japanese “Sanzuru” which means to do no evil.

      Report Post » Shiroi Raion  
    • YoungBloodNews
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:17pm

      Budget, BUDGET?! We don‘t NEED NO STINKIN’ BUDGET!

      Report Post » YoungBloodNews  
    • YoungBloodNews
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:18pm

      And why didn’t the tea partiers just occupy the room, set up tents and start the drums?

      Report Post » YoungBloodNews  
    • AOL_REFUGEE
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:16pm

      I‘ve always thought that Schumer was a piece of ’schit’, and not worth his weight in it.

      Report Post » AOL_REFUGEE  
  • lambchop60
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:51pm

    the dems might have a repeat of 2010 if obama doesn’t create a situation and cancell the election, you wait and see ,if they think they are going to lost watch what happens

    Report Post »  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:59pm

      This is what democracy looks like! Funny, the occupiers seem o k with this. Think it is time for a tea party resurgence.

      Report Post »  
  • Van Damage
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:50pm

    Everyone sounds shocked. Why? You thought you still had a republic? To late for votes to be effective. The tyrants have already legislated the fall of the nation. It is just like the Roman Empire during their last decade or so. It ran on momentum not substance. So here we are. Hope you are all ready..or not, here it comes.

    Report Post » Van Damage  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:49pm

    Congress can hide from reality only so long. The budget will either be brought in line by the reasoned decisions of our representatives or by the cruel laws of mathematics. The overspending will not continue much longer before the day of reckoning arrives.

    Report Post »  
  • CCTXCN
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:44pm

    This is just the beginning! More facetious ideology will appear on the budget issue culminating in the next Presidential election! If Obama wins get set for a Dictator that “SIDE STEPS” Congress!

    Report Post »  
    • TexasHunter
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:51pm

      Senate- What ever happened to listening to the people? Did you forget that we are the ones that elected you in the first place! Just because we are affiliated with a party doesn’t mean that we do not have better ideas than the POTUS ! Listen to the people or we will show you the door!

      TEA

      Report Post » TexasHunter  
    • TXVET48
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:54pm

      He already is. Executive orders are his MOS.

      Report Post » TXVET48  
  • Comeandtakeit
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:37pm

    “Occupy” a park without permission and hold the “hearing” anyway. Dress up like a bunch of filthy hippies and get the liberal press to all come, then rip off the rags and show yourselves for the responsible people you really are and present your plan! It will be too late to turn off the cameras and ignore you then!

    Report Post »  
  • Depressed_American
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:34pm

    I think the Democrats are going to have a repeat of November 2010!!! No matter how the President and the Democrats try to spin the lies!!! IT IS THE DEMOCRATS AND THE PRESIDENT WHO ARE CREATING THIS MESS!!! The House has done its job numerous times, and has passed bill after bill. It is the SENATE that is refusing to do its job, which is controlled by the DEMOCRATS and HARRY REID!!!!

    Report Post » Depressed_American  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:31pm

    Most politicians are in office for life and that’s a big problem,their lust for power and money is sickening they don’t care about the people or fidelity to the constitution most have never read it or could comprehend it if they did read it.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Mtroom
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:22pm

      Oh, they have read it and they know it well…They use that knowledge to navigate their agenda …Don’t become one of the fooled…There’s a bunch of those already.

      Report Post » Mtroom  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:20pm

      When they create unconstitutional programs that lead to the debt we see today that’s not following the constitution,I‘m not one of the fooled I know what they’re doing to the republic,they‘ve assaulted the constitution for over a century and we’re seeing the fruits of their labor.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • fishstx777
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:29pm

    They dont need the senate to show their initiative,call a press conference all the news stations say the democrats are blocking us from presenting not enforcing our ideas and we are here to present to you our solution to this crisis that is falling on deaf ears.And present the plan to them and then let the democrats defend themselves for their political posturing.Rules what rules congress is a failure to the people that wrote the rules and intended them to be the law of the land.We have become our founding fathers worst nightmare.

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:27pm

    If God wasn’t a merciful God, people in congress would be dropping like flies, as a matter of fact many people everywhere would be dropping like flies!

    Report Post »  
  • Jomil48
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:26pm

    does it supprise anyone that chuck schumer and his band of misfits block freedom works from presenting anything? God forbid if the american people hear anything but the democrates on the budget or any other resolution. this is how their domocracy works.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:21pm

    Do a meeting without these obstructionists. Have GBTV host the meeting. If the plan is viable, put it out into the airwaves.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:24pm

      I agree … go around the Congress (works for Obama) take it to the PEOPLE!

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:32pm

      I‘m not so sure we shouldn’t take it all to the people, politicians are not capable of intelligent decisions. Everything has another agenda and it “aint your agenda”.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • Uncurable wound
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:33pm

      Enough!
      Let loose the dogs of war…

      Report Post »  
    • Jomil48
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:44pm

      you have a good idea, but the only ones that will hear it is the people that watch or listen to Glen Beck. the main stream media will never broadcast it.

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:45pm

      @uncureable wound

      I like adding the last stanza:

      Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war,
      That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
      With carrion men, groaning for burial.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:12pm

      Ronaldus Magnas brought his ideas directly to the people, and we responded. Which one of our candidates will be the RR of this hour. Rush is right again. How about the Blaze go thru this plan ?

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • reconmarine
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:21pm

    The absolute last thing that Obama and the democrats want is anybody with a sensible budget plan. It will destroy their agenda.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:32pm

      Yes … and they are going to try to blame the Republicans .. the only ones who have been working on REAL plans! Take it to the people .. without Congress … stand up … grow a pair!

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:21pm

    Down with the Democrats!

    TEA!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • boston-rightwinger
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:20pm

    I guess the Senate only wants to pass socialist budgets that will eventually bankrupt the country. We need to fire every Democrat and if a Republican thinks about raising taxes, fire them too.

    Report Post »  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:32pm

      The Senate hasn‘t passed a Budget since Obama’s emaculation. They couldn’t even do it when they controlled all of congress.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
  • reconmarine
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:20pm

    It will be the Senate that will be locked out come 2013.

    Report Post »  
    • beebacksoon
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:27pm

      I pray this is true. Bill Nelson (D-FL) MUST GO!! He always votes party line. He is a career politician. I doubt he’s read a bill in years, before he votes on it. He probably just tells his assistant, “Just push the button the left wants, I’ll be in Orlando.”
      He continues to think because he is an ex-astronaut, he has the support of all (Ex) NASA personnel; and/or military, since FL has many military bases. NOT! He is going to have to work for his re-election this time.

      Report Post »  
  • beebacksoon
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:20pm

    We know Obama has his boot on most of teh media outlets (ignorant) Americans tune into.
    However, Congress (republicans/conservatives) need to get this type of information out there, any way they can. Put up billboards! Do mass mailings (god knows USPS can use the help!). DO SOMETHING and NOW!!!
    The truth about each and every lie coming out of the mouth of Obama and the left, needs to be brought out into the open and challenged, every single time!!! I’m sick of the right, seemingly, cowering in the corner instead of speaking out louder than the left. Grow some!

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:18pm

    I posted a commentary on the TIME article of this, and the utter levels of vitreolic hate response has been to say the least impressive; the most decent responses have been people saying I am a traitor, delusional, and a race hater and such.

    Someone comes up with a truly workable and achieveable answer to the major core problems and it gets scorned due to it not coming from DC. The typical government response to the “Not invented here” mentality.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:38pm

      I canceled my subscription to Time a ways back… still get from time to time a; we would like you back letter. Think next time I will send it back with a big; HA,HA. you funny, note.

      Report Post »  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Of course they would block it. They do not want to allow the Tea Party to have any credibility. It would show the extreme contrast between the OWS movement and The Tea Party.They (Progressives) want to continue to brainwash the American people and the Tea Party could stand in their way especially if they actually proposed a budget that had could in anyway solve the problems that have impacted on the economy. Progressives will refuse any attempt that would expose their tactics or halt their agenda.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:47pm

      The Senate inadvertently gives the Tea Party credibility by doing the exact thing they are doing.

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:16pm

      Sorry, but Freedoworks (proof that the Tea Party is a front group) is nothng more than a lobby group for the 1%.

      Report Post »  
    • Chutz
      Posted on November 19, 2011 at 1:13am

      @Encinom
      The Tea Party came first…explain that.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Don’t want to hear any solutions from the tea party eh? well you heard in the mid terms and you’ll hear in 2012 as well.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:17pm

    The Democrat controlled Senate doesn’t want solutions… they want talking points for the election.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:16pm

    this is indicative of what a dictatorship does. this is what happened in 1930s Germany. just wait until obama begins to sign even more of his own laws and declares himself fuhrer.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • beebacksoon
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:29pm

      That’s what scares the heck outta me! Even if he is not re-elected, he and his czars will have 2 months to do more damage to America before new president sworn in!

      Report Post »  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:16pm

    If they were smart, they’d invade the meeting, set up tents, screaming racist and anti-semitic slurs, start crapping on the carpet and threaten to firebomb the area. Those things are peachy keen after all. It’s all of this “civilized gathering” stuff that’s causing the issue here.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:19pm

      Yes thats foreign to the dems,being civilized.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:35pm

      If they were smart, they’d do that.

      But instead they’ll sit there and allow themselves to be made wholly irrelevant while this constitutional crisis of a “supercommittee” unfolds, while maintaining total poise and etiquette.

      They may as well break out the damn violins.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:15pm

    Yea, America, take that!

    They said Eff You!

    Now are you mad enough to march on the Federal Reserve and the White House or the Capitol and get rowdy-rowdy and bout it- bout it?

    Or are you just gonna sit there and point fingers at the OWS some more…?

    RESISTANCE TO TYRANNY IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD!!!

    EXTREMISM IN DEFENSE OF LIBERTY IS NO VICE!!!!

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • RBSWORLD
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:58pm

      I WILL DEFEND LIBERTY TO THE DEATH OF ME. BUT IT WILL HAVE TO COME PRETTY SOON! My COPD seems to be taking a toll on me. That is why I don’t care if the Lord cleanses the earth of the “WICKED” any time..

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on November 19, 2011 at 12:14am

      You need to do “Om” meditation, Yogic breathing techniques, and aromatherapy. Clear that right up.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • TSUNAMI-22
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:15pm

    …..and they call us the “party of NO”.

    Report Post »  
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