Sea Treaty all but dead, 34 GOP senators oppose

SFGate.com ^ | 7/16/12 | Donna Cassata - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A treaty governing the high seas is all but dead in the Senate as two Republican senators announced their opposition Monday, giving conservative foes the necessary votes to scuttle the pact.

Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire — both mentioned as possible running mates for likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney — said they had serious concerns about the breadth and ambiguity of the Law of the Sea treaty and would oppose it if called up for a vote. The Constitution requires two-thirds of the Senate — 67 votes — to ratify a treaty; Portman and Ayotte bring the number of opponents to 34 along with Sens. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.

The development was a blow to the Obama administration, military leaders and the business community led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who had argued that the treaty would improve national security and enhance U.S. standing in the world. They had pressed for ratification of the treaty, which was concluded in 1982 and has been in force since 1994. The United States is the only major nation that has refused to sign the pact.

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and other conservatives have led the campaign against the treaty, contending that it would undermine U.S. sovereignty. DeMint heralded the latest development on Twitter, saying, "34 Senators now oppose LOST, sinking the misguided treaty."

[rwfromkansas]

Probably there are more, but it doesn’t really matter once it’s 34.

[P-Marlowe]

You mean Harry Reid can’t “deem” it ratified?

He can bring it up to a vote when several of the 34 opposing attorneys are not "present". It is not 2/3 of the entire Senate that are required, but merely 2/3 of the Senators "present".

Technically he could call a session when there are nothing but democrats "present" and then vote to ratify.

Our liberties are in danger every minute that Congress is in session.

[Mister Anderson]

A treasonous treaty supported by those who want to de-sovereignize The United States of America. Can anyone post the names of the traitorous senators who support this? Thank God it is dead..... for now.

[saganite]

Not that the vote will stop Obama from implementing it via executive order or having the appropriate agency draft regulations complying with the treaty. Still, it’s good to see the Senate won’t ratify it.

[RedMDer]

The President can begin to enforce the treaty ratification or no, pursuant to a treaty that was never ratified but by which the USA has abided for forty years: The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. That is why Bush rescinded the signature on the International Criminal Court treaty.

Exactly why we need to keep a very close watch on the arms treaty that the Marxist Clinton is about to sign. Obama and the rest of the Marxists will start to impose all sorts of gun control regulations. Stinky Harry will never bring this up before the Senate and allow it to be voted down.

[Carry_Okie]

Still, it’s good to see the Senate won’t ratify it.

Yes, they can. Please re-read Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution: A treaty can be ratified with as few as 34 "Senators PRESENT." Don't think for a minute Harry Reid wouldn't try it with a minimal quorum.

[Indy Pendance]

That was an awesome series. America is Lost, no better a fitting comparison.

[RedMDer]

Click the link. The Republic you save may be your own.

[saganite]

We’ve had this discussion before on a thread that was disappeared for some reason. Do you have any idea what happened to get it deleted?

[lentulusgracchus]

Thanks for posting, and getting the mendacious Henry the K's advocacy out on the table.

Hey, Henry -- where are our other 700 MIA/POW's who were never repatriated by your buddy Le Duc Tho and his DRV goonsquad friends?

[lentulusgracchus]

You may recall that in 2010 it didn't look like START would be ratified but when they got into the lame duck session and voted it did pass with a few votes to spare.

If there's a lame duck session this year, the GOP Senate caucus will have to remain lashed to their desks every minute until Dec. 31st midnight.

Harry Reid will have his 51 'Rats in the door at a sprint, the lights on, the roll call read, and the damn thing gaveled through in 25 minutes flat.

[xzins]

Doesn’t the Senate have a “notification of intent” type procedure in which a senator can file his intent to vote on a particular bill so that it can’t be held without his/her vote being included?

If so, then each 34 of these senators needs to make such a filing.

[xzins]

All of these leaders can say whtat they want about security, etc., but this LOST treaty gives up the right of discovery on open sea mining. In its place there is an understanding that proceeds go to the UN, landlocked nations, etc.

IOW, it gives the UN ownership of the open seas as far as I’m concerned.

[Jane Long]

I appreciate how the Tea Party and primary season has transformed several moderates into conservatives - like my Senator Cornball (Rino-TX).

Thank God for the Tea Party!!

[Jane Long]

So, how do Bo and Billary get to plow right trough and sign the ATT Treaty on July 27th? Is there any way for these same fine senators to stop that gun grabbing cr@pola??

[P-Marlowe]

Doesn’t the Senate have a “notification of intent” type procedure

Rules are for Republicans. Democrats cheat, lie, steal and do whatever is necessary to give themselves the power to rule over us peons.

The Senate Rules are not in the Constitution. The "present" clause is.

[chessplayer]

obama don’t need no stinkin Senate approval. He will sign it and enforce it by executive fiat.

[ncalburt]

And that disaster Corker is running for Reelection this year !

[ncalburt]

Sen Corker who has NOT signed the NO promise is Up.
That CLOWN NEEDS TO BE REMOVED .
HE SOLD US OUT OT THE RUSSIANS VIA THAT AWFUL TREATY.

[ncalburt]

Sen Corker has not said NO !
He is a Rat !