FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
That didn't take very long, did it? Republicans have officially been in control of the House of Representatives for a day now, and they're already backpedaling on some of the promises of transparency they made during the campaign.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/01/06/art.swear.in.jpg caption="Members of the 112th Congress are sworn into office on January 5, 2011 in Washington, DC."]
For starters, Republicans promised all bills would go through a regular committee process. Not exactly.
Wouldn't you know that the bill to repeal the health care law won't go through a single committee?
Republicans say it's because the committees haven't been fully formed yet and they want to move quickly. They also insist the repeal bill will be "a very straightforward document," whatever that means.
When Democrats were in charge, Republicans complained they didn't allow unlimited amendments and debate on a single bill. So they promised a more open amendment process for bills. Not exactly. With the bill to repeal health care reform, there will be practically no amendments.
You have to give the Republicans credit. It's not easy to break this many promises in a single day. House Republicans said they wanted to publish committee attendance lists - you know, so the people who elect them could see who was actually showing up for work.
That one never had a chance. They claim it wouldn't work since multiple committee hearings can happen at the same time.
Lastly, the Republicans had said they would include a constitutional justification with every bill. Not happening either.
All this comes after we learned that the estimate for how much the GOP would shave off the budget is now about half what it was in their "Pledge with America." So apparently that was a lie, too.
The more things change in Washington, the more they stay the same.
Here’s my question to you: What does it mean if House Republicans are breaking promises after only one day?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jay writes:
It means they are not even trying anymore to hide their agenda. This is real transparency: "Hey voters, we'll sell you whatever bag of lies we think you'll buy around election time, and then get right to work doing what we feel like, regardless of what we promised." At least you have to admire their fortitude.
Lance in California writes:
Jack, Give me a break! So how many amendments germane to the repeal of Obamacare do you think are needed? The repeal is 2 pages long, has been on the web since Tuesday, the vote is next Thursday. Open debate and amendments, and the bill will languish in the House until hell freezes. Let's get this vote done so the public can see who says yes and who says no.
Richard in Kansas writes:
It means, to quote former Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green, "They are who we thought they were."
James in San Diego writes:
It means that the Tea Party voters are shown to be the fools, dupes or idiots that we on the "professional" left knew they were. Business as usual for the GOP.
Ralph in Texas writes:
It means our House is not in order and no matter how big the gavel, promises unravel.
Jeff in Santa Barbara, California writes:
Most Americans do not seem to have very long attention spans, so promises are pretty meaningless anyway.
Ben in Maryland writes:
Shocking! Jack, I suppose you also believe everything your used car salesman told you before you bought that Edsel?
Dick writes:
I think this means that the Cafferty File should have enough ammunition to go back to three questions a day.