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 ...
When you're a Democrat US Senator I guess the place to run would be Canada or Cuba? ...depending on the time of year.
Reid will make Howard Dean look semi sane before the next two years are over.
OK then, let's make it sensible and legal. Loser donates the proceeds to FR in the winners name. I will go up to $100 payout on this. Any takers?
ROFLMAO
Yes, go ahead, make my day, Harry.
The TX RATs came to Oklahoma first and what did it get them -- this past election all of our counties including ones that are 85% or more Dems voted for Pres Bush as he won every County, and Republicans took over the OK House for the first time in 80+ years and we have only been a state for 98 years.
TX Dems are more than welcome to run off to Oklahoma once again if they don't like something -- I would like to oust our RAT Governor given us by an Indy running and take over the Senate.
We may get our wish if the national RATs led by Dean and those nutcases in the House/Senate of Pelosi/Reed keep this up! Hope they do bring the Senate to a standstill!
BRING IT ON
The guy who answered the phone was laughing his head off too.
excellent!
And the downside to this is what?
If only senators had to meet the sort of job performance requirements that the real working world has to face, i.e., no work, no pay. How hard could that be, a requirement to meet deadlines or else? Failure to meet the minimums requiring forfeit of salary. (I live in a dream world.)
Every week I get a few letters or phone calls from various republican groups demanding money. My response since January to one and all is "call me back when they approve the judges".
The only thing republicans fear more than the old media is their reelection money drying up.
Starve the buggers till they do their job.
Does anyone know the quorum requirements for the Senate ?
A true conservative supermajority could theoretically become a possibility if they start running.
Just package a BUNCH of laws and appointments and then ramrod it through in the night.
Does anyone know the quorum requirements for the Senate ?
A true conservative supermajority could theoretically become a possibility if they start running.
Just package a BUNCH of laws and appointments and then ramrod it through in the night.
Does anyone know the quorum requirements for the Senate ?
A true conservative supermajority could theoretically become a possibility if they start running.
Just package a BUNCH of laws and appointments and then ramrod it through in the night.
So, lemme see if I have this straight. Dusty thinks that the way to respond to a charge of obstructionism is to be obstructionist. Brilliant, bloody brilliant. I can see it now, popular bill after popular bill being brought to the floor of the Senate and fillibustered. If Frist is skillful, he will make sure that nothing but bills that the Dems will fillibuster will be brought forth. Can you imagine a string of fifteen or sixteen straight fillibusters.
At any rate, I somehow doubt that Red State Democrats are going to be too eager to obstruct the President's agenda.
Stttuuuttteeerrrr?
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