Posted on 11/24/2014 2:19:11 AM PST by smoothsailing
NATIONAL REVIEW ONLINE NOVEMBER 24, 2014 4:00 AM
One of the best advocates Republicans and conservatives have had on Capitol Hill for years has been Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, now the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee. It’s unfortunate that there’s a chance he will not become chairman of the Budget Committee next year.
Sessions might get bumped from the chairmanship by Senator Mike Enzi. The two entered the Senate the same year, 1997, but Enzi technically holds seniority over Sessions with regard to committees, having gotten the upper hand in the drawing of lots when they entered the body.
Far be it from us to question seniority, but Senator Sessions has had a great deal of practical experience and success on the Budget Committee. Senator Enzi has gotten his votes right, but Sessions has distinguished himself with his passion for key conservative priorities and has proven himself capable of communicating public arguments in their behalf.
He has a track record of real success, as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee and now the Budget Committee. In 2007 and 2013, his relentless opposition — including floor speeches, reports, and other acts of public and private advocacy — played a central role in defeating so-called comprehensive immigration reform. On the Judiciary Committee, he mustered substantial opposition to President Obama’s Supreme Court nominees, something predecessors had not managed to do in similar circumstances.
He has done an exceptional job on budget issues, explaining complicated fiscal matters to voters and colleagues. In particular, Sessions unremittingly attacked his Democratic counterparts on the Budget Committee for not writing or releasing a budget on their own, as the law required. After more than 1,000 days of lassitude, Senator Patty Murray finally relented: Sessions forced the party of tax increases and debt accumulation to go on record as such by passing a budget resolution. The senator has also made a priority of welfare reform, applying research and rhetoric to push for conservative, work-focused approaches to social spending.
At times, Sessions may have rankled feathers on K Street and in some chambers of power. His tone is unabashedly populist, and he is a dogged defender of the American worker. It certainly seems, however, that the Republican party and Congress could use a good deal more of this, not any less.
The Budget Committee is about to become a great deal more important when Republicans take control of the upper chamber in the 114th Congress. Both bodies will have to write budgets and likely agree to a government-funding plan with President Obama. Senator Jeff Sessions should have the chance to lead that effort.
Call Enzi’s office!!
Is this action by Mcconnell done because Sen Sessions is a frequent guest on Mark Levin’s radio show???
Sen Sessions should be an iconic figure for Senate Republicans. Dems tried to Bork him when Pres Reagan nominated him to the federal judiciary. Its a disgrace what Mcconnell is doing to Sen Sessions.
The drawing of lots...where have I heard that before?
Keep Sessions! He needs to lead the the Senate Budget Committee! Call McConnell and your critters and demand that they keep this man on the job.
+1
McConnell declared war on Constitutionalists, aka TEA party and their supporters including Sessions.
McC is a despicable traitor!
McConnell has probably already put one knife in Sessions’s back. More to come.
I hope Sessions can prevail. We need him.
The fact that THIS is even contemplated shows us how far the RINOes have sunk.
Party? WHAT Party?
Without a doudubt Sessions should be the chairman, this has to be skullduggery by McConnell.
Hell, make him Majority Leader.
That would be perfect!!!
He would make a great majority leader, but he sure needs to be the budget chairman.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.