Posted on 03/15/2005 12:22:27 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Democrats Threaten to Stop Senate Business if GOP Changes Rules on Judge Confirmations By David Espo The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats served notice Tuesday that they will slow or stop most Senate business if Republicans unilaterally change the rules to assure confirmation of President Bush's controversial court appointments.
Any such change would mark "an unprecedented abuse of power," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., wrote Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Reid, the Democratic leader, exempted military and national security legislation from the threat, and said Democrats would not block passage of measures needed to assure continuation of critical government services.
"To shut down the Senate would be irresponsible and partisan," Frist said in swift rebuttal. "The solution is simple: return to 200 years of tradition and allow up or down votes on judges."
The exchange marked the latest development in a long-simmering struggle over Bush's court appointments. Democrats blocked votes on 10 nominees during the last Congress, attacking them as too conservative to warrant lifetime appointments.
Accusing Democrats of obstruction, Republicans sought to make an issue of it in the elections last fall, in which they gained four seats.
Bush has already renominated some of the judges, and Reid has said previously the Democrats' position has not changed.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.tbo.com ...
roger that
I wonder how many senators are minimally needed?
Seems to me the democrats are not required or wanted.
Perhaps this would be the time to start passing all that legislation that died when sent over from the house...
YeeeeeHaaaaaaa!!!!!
This WILL be fun. Here kittykittykitty .. .
Reid knows about abuse of power, he and the democrats have been abusing it with this filibuster bullsheit for 4 years now.
You mean McCain has not already gone on the MSM outlets and pre-emptivly surrendered?
Does this mean the senators will not be paid for the days they are absent?
Down side is it won't last forever
A 'quorum' is only 51 votes.
We have that.
I was pretty sure you were, but I think maybe it best we do not repeat what the pundits and talking heads have called it.
How can they stop "business" if we have the majority?
They think this is a threat? LOL
Every day there is gridlock in Congress is another day longer the Republic survives the slow plunge to hell (and handbaskets).
My thoughts exactly!
What happens when stuff is attached to military bills? Will democrats rush in to vote if Republicans push in a bill for parental notification of a minor about to have an abortion?
Will democrats rush in if Republicans push a bill to require all abortion clinics notify police of every minor having an abortion for criminal investigation of who got the girl pregnant? (not age of consent, all who are under 18)
Will democrats rush in if Republican put a bill to exempt all border fences from ANY environmental restrictions or impact studies?
This is just SOOoOOooooooooo tempting.
Said I heard he was threatening to shut down the senate.
Asked if the senator was hoping for a fat girl in a thong to bring him pizza while the senate was shut down.
The poor guy on the phone just burst out laughing....said he didn't think so. I said, why not, it worked for clinton.
This time, I will take that bet.
I think the Republicans have been made to realize that we're not going to sit still and take their inaction lying down. They all remember how often their phones rang during l'affaire Specter.
Anyone want in on this?
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