I like the vigor, but anyone would be left wondering where this was when McConnell actually had the power to force these votes as Senate Majority Leader? Why, only when the GOP has lost power, does the party finally decide to project a backbone?

Thus is the issue that has plagued Republicans for a very long time. They love being in the minority. They are never more enthused and focused than when they no longer hold the power to actually exact any real change. The protest votes and putting Democrats in uncomfortable positions are nice, but they are hardly the pinnacle of governance for voters that put these people in Washington to actually accomplish things.