Congressional Democrats and the White House launched a verbal broadside at Republicans on Wednesday over a partial shutdown at the FAA, accusing the GOP of using "hostage taking" tactics to win a legislative victory.
"Well, here we are," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, "another made up crisis by Republicans."
At a Senate news conference, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid demanded that House Republicans return to work and approve an FAA bill without any extras, in order to put 4,000 FAA employees and thousands of construction workers back on the job.
"I again say, Speaker Boehner, stop this nonsense," said Reid.
Democrats again tried to use their appeals for action to focus on a labor dispute that's been brewing for months on a long term FAA bill - even though that issue is not on a short term bill approved on July 20 by the House.
"The issue here is not Essential Air Service," said Reid, referring to provisions in the House bill that would take away subsidies for airports in Nevada, West Virginia and Montana.
As reporters pressed Reid and others, Democrats repeatedly turned back to the labor issue, arguing the airport subsidy cuts are a political ruse, all part of Republican efforts to demand unacceptable changes in government.
Reid and other Senators lectured reporters for not calling out Republicans on what the Senate Majority Leader argues is "outrageous conduct" related to the FAA and debt limit debates.
"What they have done is outrageous," Reid told Jon Karl of ABC News. "What you have done is say 'well, he said, she said,'" as Reid urged reporters to declare that the GOP is wrong on the FAA issue.
"This issue behind this is the labor issue," Reid declared.
"That's not part of the short term extension," said Karl.
"Of course it's part of the short term issue," Reid shot back immediately. "The issue is the labor issue."
"The sooner you folks focus on it, the better off you are," Reid said later to reporters.
But, as I showed earlier today on this blog, the labor language is not part of the House-passed FAA bill, though it is certainly a goal for Republicans in the longer term FAA debate.
Sen. Boxer also jabbed at Karl and other reporters, saying there was "a certain naivete that comes with your question," as Democrats said if they give in now on the Essential Air Service, then Republicans will be back later this year with more legislative demands.
That's a refrain I've heard many times over the years from both parties, that if they compromise on one thing, then the other side will demand even more the next time.
Democrats say first the GOP made demands on a government shutdown, the the debt ceiling and now the FAA authorization.
"This is what happens when you reward political extortion," said Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT).
Down at the White House, a similar exchange was taking place between reporters and Press Secretary Jay Carney.
"The party that created this problem is out of town," said Carney, referring to House Republicans, "and reporters are blaming the party that wants the problem fixed."
As for Republicans, they showed no sign of backing down.
"All it will take to end this crisis is for the Senate to pass the House-approved FAA extension," said Speaker John Boehner in a written statement.
"The only reason so many jobs are at stake is Senate Democratic Leaders chose to play politics," Boehner added.
Which side is "right" really isn't the point. Sometimes in the Congress, one party or one body is in a position to "jam" the other, and force the other to swallow some legislative provision that would otherwise draw opposition.
In this case, it's Senate Democrats who are up against a wall on the Essential Air Service provisions added by Republicans in the House. If the Democrats don't accept the House GOP bill on the FAA, then the furloughs continue into September.
If they do accept the House bill, Democrats are worried there will be more "hostage taking" when the extension expires in mid-September, that the GOP will demand even more unacceptable policy changes.
All the while, the feds are losing an estimated $30 million per day in airline ticket taxes which aren't being funded right now, what could be an over $1 billion windfall for that industry - money that won't have to be paid back.
