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 ...
They're going to lose more in '06 and '08 regardless. They're too stupid to read the writing on the wall that is plainly written in bold letters.
AMERICANS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE CRAPWEASLE LEFTIST DEMOCRATS!
So, no matter what they do their party and their ideology is heading for the dustbin of history. And the sooner the better.
I'd say "Let's do it" - let them walk off the job - without pay, bar their return, and replace them ASAP.
No person is irreplacable in any job.
They just don't get that we won all the cookies this time around. They should realize that their obstructionism on private accounts is gonna earne'm a second helping whoop***
for the midterm elections. But then that's why they call'em dims.
Dog...Great ODDS!! Sadly no one will take you on, the GOP will cave.
not so, remember the side issue with Kerry missing so many days? Supposedly the rules provide that a senator who misses days does not get paid.
There were weak demands tha Kerry return his unpaid money.
I say we demand that these Democrats who refuse to do their jobs either don't take the pay or contribute their non working pay to the Social Security Trust fund. (its for the children...)
hee hee....!
What self serving propaganda. Being required to proceed to a vote is not a guarantee of confirmation. The Dems want a clause to protect them from their own impotence. If the Dems don't have the votes, then so be it. All that's required is the ability to make an effective case against confirmation.
They seem to have already stopped the business of the Senate. Filibusters tend to do that, you know.
I hope the Repubs don't cave on this. The Dems need to be SMACKED DOWN on this!! This last election showed us the the majority of voters who cared want the President to have his picks for the Judiciary.
To heck with tradition, Senator Frist, just say that you're going to follow the CONSTITUTION and nothing else!!
What is it with those who have little or no power warning those who do?
Yeah that worked real well for Newt Gingrich.
AMERICANS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE CRAPWEASLE LEFTIST DEMOCRATS!
So, no matter what they do their party and their ideology is heading for the dustbin of history. And the sooner the better.
I hope Republicans gain more seats in the House and the Senate, just in case Hillary does win in 08. That way we can keep her from using that office to bring more harm to America, like that traitor husband of hers did.
Great, shut it down! no new laws,taxes,or regulations.
Ahhhh,
when the traitorous DIMRAT idiots do it, then
"it's for the children."
When patriotic representatives of the people do it to overcome traitorous obstructionism, then it's . . . what?
an unprecedented abuse of power?
Ahhhhh, because their abuses of power are so many times WORSE it's an unprecedentedly weak use of power. I C.
translation: If nothing else gets done they will vote for their own raises
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