Harry Reid blocks Republican amendments from UI bill; Whines about GOP 'obstruction'

“Blame Republicans” is Harry Reid’s middle name.

As debate over a bill to extend unemployment benefits goes on, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is blocking any and all GOP amendments:

#UI talks collapse. Reid and Republicans in open battle on Senate floor over new Dem plan, no GOP amendments allowed. #lvrj

— Steve Tetreault (@STetreaultDC) January 9, 2014

Sen. Reid just announced that he will not allow ANY Republican amendments to the UI bill #obstruction

— STEW ??? ⚾️ ? (@StewSays) January 9, 2014

Reid seems to be saying he won't allow votes on GOP amendments, but instead wants a single counter-proposal to the Dem's clean UI bill.

— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) January 9, 2014

Reid: "Every amendment offered with rare exception is a gotcha amendment"

— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) January 9, 2014

Obviously this isn’t sitting well with the other side of the aisle:

Cornyn complains Reid has blocked 24 #GOP amendments 2 #unemployment extender. #Senate

— Alan K. Ota (@Alankota) January 9, 2014

"the answer is no" — Reid to McConnell on whether there will be votes on GOP amendments to this UI bill

— Sam Stein (@samstein) January 9, 2014

Senator Reid: "We get nowhere with doing amendments." I respectfully believe my constituents disagree. #unbelievable

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) January 9, 2014

Coats asked why Reid alone gets to decide what's "reasonable." Reid, strikingly, said we get "nowhere" w/amendments. GOP only want "gotcha."

— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) January 9, 2014

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I told the Majority Leader that I represent the people of Indiana and their voice is being shut down http://t.co/xEZMSfjwl4

— Senator Dan Coats (@SenDanCoats) January 9, 2014

After all that denying of amendments, Reid still wanted everybody to know who the real obstructionists are:

Reid: If you would go to the dictionary and look up "obstruction" it would point right over here (gestures to GOP side of the aisle).

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 9, 2014

Is this any surprise?

Senate Dem UI plan is paid for via extending sequester cuts to mandatory spending by another year. $17 billion.

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 9, 2014

Oops. #CBO reviewed the new Dem UI amendment. Bad news: it increases the #deficit by $17.149 billion in the budget window. #Ouch

— STEW ??? ⚾️ ? (@StewSays) January 9, 2014