He Was ‘Dr. No’ To The End, Coburn Casts Last Vote In Senate
Dr. No to the end: Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn blocks bills in last day in Senate
by Chris Casteel
WASHINGTON — Sen. Tom Coburn left the Senate with his reputation as “Dr. No” intact.
On Tuesday, the last day of the 2014 session, the departing Oklahoma Republican prevented the Senate from passing at least two bills that had been approved in the House and had broad support.
One was legislation to renew a government-backed terrorism insurance program for private businesses. The U.S. Chamber and lawmakers from both parties were pushing the bill. Another was aimed at addressing the high rate of suicides among the nation’s military veterans.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, of California, blasted Coburn on Wednesday for blocking the bills before the Senate adjourned for the year. She said the failure to renew the terrorism insurance program “jeopardizes the economic security of our nation.”
“Without insurance, American entrepreneurs eager to set up shop in San Francisco and across the country may not build, may not expand, and may not create the jobs that spur economic growth.”