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)

[sarasotarepublican]

Bob Dole, former Senate Minority/Majority Leader
Trent Lott, former Senate Majority Leader
Frist, current Senate Majority Leader

Why does the Senate keep appointing these worthless leaders?

[Czar]

"Why does the Senate keep appointing these worthless leaders?"

Because each of them is a confirmed, tried & true, do-nothing who can be relied on to always avoid doing something...

[threeleftsmakearight]

Don't you know how it works?
The most milquetoast GOP senator gets to be leader.

[cardinal4]

It really bothers me to turn on the people I worked hard to elect. I have been attacked on this forum by some of the elites because I blame Frist for the current state of the Senate, and refuse to accept a compromise. Allowing dingy Harry to keep the filibuster would be the ultimate appeasement..

[johnb838]

As Reagan would say, A Good Start!

[Big Digger]

Now Senator Kopechne (D.-Chivas)can get to happy hour even earlier and smother what's left of his brain.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

They. Are. Evil.

[VeniVidiVici]

Now we'll see if the MSM crucifies the Dimwits for shutting down government.

[ARCADIA]

It should seem like Democratic obstructionism, instead it looks more like Republican waffling; what a difference leadership makes. Don't you wish we had some?

[CyberAnt]

IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD:

The repubs called a committee meeting re Iran and nuclear stuff - and the DEMOCRATS CAVED - and attended the meeting.

So .. lets all back off a little and allow the repubs to work this .. I really think they are doing things right. Reid said the dems would not attend committee meetings - and the next move by the repubs is to call for a meeting on Iran and nuclear - a committee meeting the dems cannot igore .. and so they had to cave.

And .. one of the people in the "compromise" meetings said that when they got down to dissecting what was meant by "exceptional" reasons for filibustering judges (which is what Reid said) it turned out to be nothing but political. Which, of course, we already knew.

Rush said today .. Frist is well aware that if he compromises with the dems - he can kiss his presidential campaign goodbye.

[CyberAnt]

IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD:

The repubs called a committee meeting re Iran and nuclear stuff - and the DEMOCRATS CAVED - and attended the meeting.

So .. lets all back off a little and allow the repubs to work this .. I really think they are doing things right. Reid said the dems would not attend committee meetings - and the next move by the repubs is to call for a meeting on Iran and nuclear - a committee meeting the dems cannot igore .. and so they had to cave.

And .. one of the people in the "compromise" meetings said that when they got down to dissecting what was meant by "exceptional" reasons for filibustering judges (which is what Reid said) it turned out to be nothing but political. Which, of course, we already knew.

Rush said today .. Frist is well aware that if he compromises with the dems - he can kiss his presidential campaign goodbye.

[OrioleFan]

So now Kerry and Edwards aren't the only ones who don't show up for work.

[Jim W N]

Not sure what RINO stands for - Republican something, either liberal republicans (not on our side) or big-govenrment neo-cons (ultimately hurts our cause). How many true constitutional conservatives are there?

[537cant be wrong]

rino

republican in name only.

[UM_mac]

Wouldn't this more likely anger fence sitting chairmen (Warner, Specter) rather than intimidate them? Especially Warner.

[Jim W N]

I'd be nice to see an objective and valid list that categorizes congressmen/women as:
- Constitutional Conservatives (Reagan conservatives)
- The Rest
*(Neo-Conservatives - love big government, big spending)
*(Liberal Republicans)
*(Whatever)

based on their voting records (and comments where applicable).

[Terpfen]

*(Neo-Conservatives - love big government, big spending)

Can't classify something that doesn't exist.

[BooBoo1000]

Now the entire world can see that our Senate is worthless. The sky will not fall, the Sun will still rise in the East, and no one will miss them. Let them go home, and we will send their stuff to them..

[econ_grad]

Here is a thought. The Dems have said they will confirm all but three if Frist doesn't change the rules. If Frist actually invokes the nuclear option but then loses, then he won't be able to confirm any. BTW, the filibuster is the best thing that has happened to conservatives since Gingrich and Co. shut down Congress. Thanks to Democrats this time.