Posted on 06/18/2007 4:06:55 PM PDT by Baladas
WASHINGTON -- Only in the arcane world of the U.S. Senate could a quirky gambit known as a "clay pigeon" make the difference between passage of an important immigration measure and its death at the hands of opponents.
Democratic leaders hope the complex maneuver _ which makes use of the Senate's labyrinthine rules to insist on votes on amendments _ will frustrate conservatives' attempts to derail the embattled immigration bill, instead putting it on a fast track to passage next week.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he would revive the bill to legalize as many as 12 million unlawful immigrants late this week. To do so, though, he needs backing from 60 senators, and a way to guarantee votes on a tentative list of 22 Republican and Democratic amendments whose consideration is seen as vital to satisfying key waverers.
The tactic gets its name from the target used in skeet shooting, which explodes into bits as it is hit. In the Senate, an amendment is the target, and any one senator can demand that it be divided into separate fragments to be voted on piecemeal.
Under the tentative plan, Reid as early as Friday would launch his target _ an amendment encompassing all 22 proposals _ and shoot it into its component pieces. The Senate would then vote on ending debate on the immigration measure, which would take 60 votes and limit discussion of the bill to 30 more hours. After that interval, all 22 amendments would have to be voted on, with little opportunity for foes to interfere.
Ironically, the move is usually used by mavericks _ not leaders _ to slow down legislation, not free it from a procedural thicket.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Ping
“legalize as many as 12 million unlawful immigrants”
Try 20 million.
Like he gives a rip!
It is always
“Immigrant” instead of illegal
12 million instead of at least 20 million.
My contempt for him and those Senators trying to do this immense.
bump
This is a repulsive tactic. They’ve already done this without any hearings. Wrap your mind around that. No cost estimates, no testimony, no investigation, no staff work . . . just boom, here’s a bill, let’s pass it, only your nation is at stake.
Write all the casinos in Nevada and tell them you won’t set foot in them as long as the state of Nevada has a traitor representing them and a sleaze bag senator who is attempting to destroy our nation.
Who really knows, could be 30 - 40 million! Everyone of them is a law-breaker and knows it. What type of citizens will they become?
Ironically, the move is usually used by mavericks _ not leaders _
***Well, the US Senate has become a bunch of “mavericks _not leaders_ “ so why should we expect any different?
This is why the cloture vote is the key one.
Had wanted to go to Las Vegas for most of my adult life, but after hearing about the surge in gange violence(covered up by the local media), and the big population of Illegals, I am going to spend my money elsewhere.
Jim DeMint BUMP!
Well, it will be interesting to see how this is countered. Sounds like we need to really pick up the pace on calling/faxing/emailing. I understand some of the wimps have turned off their fax machines and turned on voice mail. And I doubt they're checking email.
Aren't you glad our legislators, who work for US, are bending over backwards and really going the extra mile to get our input on this legislation?
And waive the budget act to be able to vote on it! That's what they had to do last week.
888-534-6226 capital switchboard. not turned off. ever. :0)
Government stats?
Double, triple!
Bush is a traitor. I don’t give a “hoot” what
his father said about, “beautiful, brown skin.”
Bush is Connecticut traitor with a Texas accent.
He’s trash. So is his pinhead father.
Bad bushes produce bad fruit.
I don’t understand how this tactic gives any advantage.
Try 30 million.
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