BrianGarst.com

McClatchy is reporting on a new “wrench” being tossed into the legislative process by Senator Jim DeMint. Is he taking a band of supporters and fleeing the Capitol, like Wisconsin Democrats? Is he abusing power as leader of the Senate by constantly filling the amendment tree and denying votes to legislation, like Harry Reid? No, he’s not doing any of those things:

A bloc of Senate conservatives, led by South Carolina’s Jim DeMint, flexed their muscles Thursday, pledging to block any bill they alone deem wasteful or unconstitutional.

Seven other GOP senators joined DeMint’s effort, including three freshman he helped elect in November, and veteran Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.

“I’m proud to stand with my fellow conservative Senate colleagues to require thorough review of bills to prevent secret passage of wasteful spending and unconstitutional legislation,” DeMint said.

McClatchy goes on to describe it as an “obstruction pledge.” How sad a commentary it is on the current state of affairs that avoiding waste and unconstitutional legislation is a big monkey wrench of obstruction in the normal business of Washington DC.

constitution Jim DeMint