Supergenius:

In Jones’ Road Runner cartoons, starting with “Fast and Furry-ous” (1948), nothing happens to Wile E. that Wile E. does not initiate. The Road Runner can only harm him after the chase has already begun by suddenly beep-beeping (the Road Runner’s one characteristic sound) and startling Wile E. into falling off of a cliff, jumping upward and hitting his head on a rock formation, etc..”

It is an apt analogy. Particularly for Reid and Pelosi.