Day 2: Senate Dems Shut It Down

Republican National Committee ^ | May 19, 2005

[RWR8189]

DAY 2: SENATE DEMS SHUT IT DOWN Senate Democrats Obstruct People's Agenda By Shutting Down Senate Committees Over Up-Or-Down Judicial Votes _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

"It's remarkable that Democrats have gone to such great lengths to put partisan bickering above the business of the American people. By following through on their promise to shut down Senate committees Democrats are choosing political showmanship over addressing the War on Terror, gas prices, the challenges of higher education, and other critical priorities. Americans elected their Senators to vote, not play games with the United States government. 'The Party of No' should be ashamed of these petty tactics."

- Tracey Schmitt, RNC Press Secretary

 

"The Party Of No" Follows Through On Promise To Shut Down Senate Committees:

 

Yesterday "[Senate] Democrats Retaliated, As They Had Promised, By Shutting Down Committee Hearings." (Carolyn Lochhead, "Senate Hearings Halted In Hint Of Battle To Come," San Francisco Chronicle, 5/19/05)

 

·        "Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid ... Announc[ed] Wednesday That Democrats Would Invoke A Rarely Used Rule To Block Most Committee Meetings During The Filibuster Debate." (Jim Puzzanghera, "Senate Opens Debate On Controversial Bush Nominee," San Jose Mercury News, 5/19/05)

 

"Democrats Vowed To Enforce Every Senate Rule To Gum Up The Chamber And Prevent Republicans From Legislating." (Carolyn Lochhead, "Senate Hearings Halted In Hint Of Battle To Come," San Francisco Chronicle, 5/19/05)

 

"How Long [Democrats] Can Slow The Senate Is Open To Question. Blocking Popular Spending Bills For Transportation Or Homeland Security May Prove Difficult." (Carolyn Lochhead, "Senate Hearings Halted In Hint Of Battle To Come," San Francisco Chronicle, 5/19/05)

 

A Sampling Of Key Issues/Legislation Not Fully Considered Today Due To Senate Committee Shutdown:

 

The Senate Energy And Natural Resources Committee Was To Meet On Energy Policy Legislation. (Congressional Quarterly Website, "CQ Schedules," http://www.cq.com/displayschedules.do, Accessed 5/19/05)

 

The Senate Judiciary Committee Was To Mark Up The Asbestos Bill And To Vote On The Nominations Of Brett Kavanaugh And Terrence Boyle. (Congressional Quarterly Website, "CQ Schedules," http://www.cq.com/displayschedules.do, Accessed 5/19/05)

 

The Senate Health, Education, Labor And Pensions Committee Was To Hold A Roundtable On Higher Education And Workforce Development. (Congressional Quarterly Website, "CQ Schedules," http://www.cq.com/displayschedules.do, Accessed 5/19/05)

 

Yesterday, The Senate Select Intelligence Committee Was To Have A Closed Briefing On Pending Intelligence Matters.  (Congressional Quarterly Website, "CQ Schedules," http://www.cq.com/displayschedules.do, Accessed 5/18/05)

[Publius Valerius]

dynamite. Do they ever have to come back?

[raivyn]

"'The Party of No' should be ashamed of these petty tactics."

Umm... Is the word shame actually found in the RAT dictionary?!?!?

[golfisnr1]

Absolutely wonderful. They lost their collective mind.

[NRA1995]

Gee, the Senate shut down? And just think....the sky did not fall, no one had to run and tell the king.....

[Arrowhead1952]

[silverleaf]

We may all be better off without the Senate! Looking forward to trying....

[clee1]

No, they've lost their individual minds... their collective mind is still intact.

[paul51]

Cut off the pay checks and send them all home. They are all worthless anyhow.

[econ_grad]

We survived without the Senate for one whole day. I am thankul to the Democrats for shutting it down. This filibuster thing is working for conservatives so far.

[brooklyn dave]

Now that the Dems have acted as desperately as this, I wonder if those weak kneed Rep. Senators such as Chafee and Snow will be as wishy washy and vote with the Dems?

[OpusatFR]

Now, all they have to do is have some high profile issues come up like, say, immigration reform. I see from the polling data that 80% of the citizens (US) want the borders closed or controlled.

[JoeSixPack1]

Gee, Everybody wins! Except the majority.

Rat minority accomplished their goal for today and it's drinks all around! Jubilation!

Rat voters have watercooler zinger ammunition. Yeah, we'll show 'em!!

Pubbie voters are always happy when the gov't takes a day off from pickpocketing.

The incumbant pubbie majority is still trying to decide how to deal with being the majority.



I think I'll send Frist my left nut. At least then he'd have one.

[Kenny Bunkport]

We go nuclear, AND the Dems shut down the Senate. A two-fer!

[Jim W N]

So were paying them to not do anything as opposed to paying them for passing more stupid laws and increasing taxes and spending. I'm sure they'll be looking forward to their automatic pay raises while on leave/vacation.

[Jim W N]

"If it stays shut down they can't keep increasing spending"

The libs are very creative - they'll find a way.

[South40]

[bubman]

Courtesy NYSlime

[cardinal4]

The Dems shutting down is a good thing, it saves Frist from having to cave to the Dems..