Posted on 02/06/2006 3:12:48 PM PST by SmithL
WASHINGTON -- The subject was a sober one, and new to the Senate floor: Should the Senate vote on a bill that would set up a $140 billion fund for people sickened by asbestos exposure?
Within minutes, the exchange spiraled into familiar election-year territory with Democrats calling the legislation Republican payback to corporate lobbyists and GOP senators accusing the Democrats of obstructionism.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., objected to allowing a vote on the bill. He spoke only a few moments before uttering the name of disgraced influence peddler Jack Abramoff.
"Washington has been run by the lobbyists. The Jack Abramoff scandal is no surprise," Reid said in his opening remarks.
Corporations that without the bill might be required to pay billions in legal awards to victims should be "jumping with joy," Reid added. "They were able to buy their way into the Senate paying for a bunch of lobbyists."
"Slander!" responded Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the bill's sponsor, whose stewardship of the bill for more than two years helped it survive the committee process to become the first new legislation considered by the Senate this year.
"To accuse us of being the pawns of the lobbyists is — is — is beyond slander, beyond insult," Specter stammered. "It's beyond outrage."
The fireworks picked up the election-year session where Congress left it in December: with a hangover of partisanship, unfinished legislative business and bitter accusations of undue influence.
Hurricane Katrina and two Supreme Court nominations left Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., little time last year for the technical asbestos matter, so he promised it would be the first new bill considered by the Senate in 2006.
But the bill is off to a troubled start,
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Very sorry, I didn't mean to offend, blah blah blah, whine wimper.
Wonder how many lawyers are sailing on yachts named "The Johns-Manville"?
I didn't see it....but what Specter did to Reid needs to be done EVERY time one of those idiot DEMS get up and lie and smear Bush or other Senators...
All the rest are named "Dewy, Cheatum and Howe"
I hate to break it to the Democrat stratagists that evidently haven't two brain cells to rub together, but no one gives a damn about asbestos legislation. Launching a political attack on this springboard makes you look ridiculously obstructionist. It's ridiculous to be obstructionist issues on matters the public supports as well, namely Patriot Act and Judges, but at least it'll hype up your own wacky base.
Asbestos???? Somehow I don't think the hard left really cares either.
If anything, not passing a bill is fine by me. less Spending. Less Government. Fine by me.
Then to make matters worse, besides obstructing something no one gives a damn about, you tick off Specter? They are such idiots.
Reid looked and sounded about two feet tall.
Reid "apologized" to the White House for his calling the President a "loser" in front of a group of schoolkids before his comment even hit the media. His apology and a fistful of leaves will allow you to wipe your butt.
Until the bloviating had hit the fan I doubt anyone had a clue that this bill was about to hit the floor of the Senate.
Nice to see Reid disagreeing with Leaky! LOL......sometimes the comedy show in the Capitol is just too delicious.
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