Posted on 03/03/2011 10:57:49 AM PST by bigbob
A resolution passed by all 19 Republicans authorizes that Senate Dems be taken into custody for being in contempt of the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said the GOP majority has been "overly reasonable" with the missing 14 Dems to this point, but "they have pushed us to the edge of a constitutional crisis."
The resolution passed without any remarks from the other 18 Republicans.
Fitzgerald said the Democrats have insulted their constituents and "the very fabric of our representative democracy" with their actions.
"This is not something we have taken lightly, and it is not something any member of the majority party takes pleasure in," Fitzgerald said. "We simply can not have democracy taken hostage."
The resolution orders the Dems to appear in the Senate chambers no later than 4 p.m. today and remain there until the body is called to order.
If they fail to appear, the member will be guilty of contempt and disorderly behavior by the Senate, and the majority will order the sergeant at arms to "take any and all necessary steps, with or without force, and with or without the assistance of law enforcement officers, by warrant or other legal process, as he may deem necessary in order to bring that senator to the Senate chambers so that the Senate may convene with a quorum of no less than 20 senators."
"Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said today that the resolution calling for the arrest of the 14 absent Senate Democrats will hopefully bring them back to the floor.
"I'm hopeful by 4 o'clock a Democrat senator or all 14 Democrat senators will be in the chamber and we'll be allowed to move forward," Fitzgerald said."
We shall see....
Contempt. Is there is a statutory penalty for that? Will the Fleedom Fighters be going to Jail?
“Fleedom isn’t free. It’ll cost you 0 to 5.”
Why not just cut off their pay and benefits.
Lots of folks are hoping Dog the Bounty Hunter will be engaged, in which case there may be violations before they’re even arrested ;-)
It would be more beneficial to hold their earnings, for however long their term is, in escrow to defray costs incurred.
We shall see....
Walker and the GOP seem unable or unwilling to enforce law and order inside the WI capital. Yes, we shall see how this “threat” pans out.
Dog isn’t in a union, so it might actually get done on time and under budget.
Perhaps this was the deal worked out to bring them back. The Dems needed some cover and by forcing them through threat of arrest, they will return. Maybe the Rep. Senate leader got them to agree to this so the Dems could save face.
My two cents. If they come back in chains protesting, then I think I am right.
At 4:01 PM Central time TODAY, declare the 14 seats VACANT.
At 6 PM TODAY, appoint 14 REPUBOLICAN replacements for the remainder of the terms of the 14 missing.
At 7 PM TONIGHT, swear in the replacements.
At 7 PM tonight, clear the Capitol Building of all the intruders. Arrest those who balk. Charge them & FINE them serious money- at least $5000 each. That MIGHT help to pay for the cleaning costs of their encampment there.
Friday, convene the Wisconsin State Senate at 9 AM & continue to conduct business.
Convene the Senate outside the Capitol building if necessary.
Get Wisconsin back on track doing the business of the state.
Declare all 14 Senators who fled NOT ELIGIBLE for state office EVER in the future.
They abrogated their duties & did so deliberately, along with colluding with the Madison Mayor to get a 10 day delay in printing the bill so he could sign NEW UNION contracts.
There has to be a law somewhere on the books that covers such atrocious behavior. Punishment must be swift & final.
That is an interesting idea.
Already been done. they're living off mommy and daddy.
If they were citizen legislators with real jobs/businesses who served part time for a few years they could not afford to play these games. Being a representative should not be a lifetime career I think. They are out of touch.
What was Elvis' last word?
"Corn?"
I bet my now Jon Erpenbach’s mommy and daddy are about ready to call the bounty hunter themselves
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