Posted on 01/18/2007 6:22:18 AM PST by beyond the sea
The Senate yesterday cooled down a partisan conflagration over the breadth of earmark reform in its lobbying and ethics bill, voting unanimously to adopt an amendment strengthening earmark disclosure rules offered by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) with modifications from Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
DeMint’s amendment would require members to attach their names to earmarks appearing in report language as well as bill text, would expand the definition of a targeted tax benefit, and would ensure earmarks sent through federal entities are covered by the disclosure standard. Democratic leaders initially sought to quash DeMint’s bid after 10 majority members crossed over to vote against tabling the amendment last Thursday, but DeMint ultimately struck an agreement to pass Durbin’s modifications.
The Senate is set to vote today to invoke cloture on a substitute amendment strengthening the ethics bill’s gift and travel curbs offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who aims to vote on the underlying legislation by Friday.
What exactly are Durbin's 'modifications'?
I'm not sure, but Harry Reid is really pissed about this. I heard him on TV and he is bent out of shape because many Dems. walked away from his scrawny *ss on this matter.
ping
Actually Kerry voted against Reid.
Was that....before he voted FOR Reid?
___
"Actually Kerry voted against Reid"
ROFL
ROFL ......... again.
What exactly are Durbin's 'modifications'?
and What was the "deal" that was struck.
Well if Reid is pissed then it couldn't have been much.
What exactly are Durbin's 'modifications'?
and What was the "deal" that was struck."
You don't have a need to know.
How can one tell if Reid is truly pissed? He always looks pissed!
~snip~
In the meantime, bloggers sent e-mails to Jon Henke, the newly hired new-media director for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. It’s Henke’s job to deal with bloggers, and if there was ever an occasion, this was it. Despite McConnell’s support for DeMint’s amendment, an Associated Press story reported otherwise, and Reid implied as much on the Senate floor.
McConnell’s staff got the message. Thursday evening, Henke e-mailed bloggers, “Sen. McConnell is supporting Sen. DeMint and doing everything we can to make sure that the Democrats don’t destroy earmark reform.” By the next day, Henke was keeping bloggers appraised of the latest developments.
More amazing was Democrats' new enthusiasm for oversight. Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin -- who started off trying to tank Mr. DeMint's reform -- finished by passing an amendment (also 98-0) that requires lawmakers to post their earmark requests on the Internet 48 hours before a vote. (The House version of the bill simply requires a public disclosure form.)
I found this on WSJ.com, Durbin's admendment requires earmark requests to be posted on the Internet. It's a good thing.
danke
I disagree. He usually looks pissy not pissed.
Harry Reid was once a boxer? Have always wondered why he looked punch drunk all the time.
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