Posted on 05/04/2015 5:09:31 AM PDT by Dave346
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may be forced to end debate on the Iran bill early this week, marking the first time he has shut down the open amendment process that was a central promise of his bid for control of the chamber.
Sen. Tom Cotton's surprise move on Thursday to force votes on his own amendment and one from Sen. Marco Rubio highlights the perils of McConnell's commitment to an open amendment process. When Sen. Harry Reid was leader, he often "filled the tree" in Hill-speak, essentially preventing members from filing amendments without his express written permission. McConnell's stated preference for a free-wheeling debate allows members to follow in Cotton's footsteps and force votes on their amendments.
McConnell now has an unpleasant choice: allow the Senate to move to votes on the Cotton and Rubio amendments, or shut down debate and cancel votes on all of the remaining 67 amendments to the Iran bill.
Sources said that Corker and Cardin, who are leading the floor debate under the watchful eye of their leaders, were nearing a deal to offer votes on at least some of those amendments, including some difficult votes for Democrats. But the two leaders had not yet announced which amendments would receive votes, and both Cotton's and Rubio's were seen as unlikely to earn any floor time.
That led Cotton, on Thursday, 48 hours after the Senate began voting on Iran amendments, to try to bypass the floor leaders and his own leadership without warning leaders. Cotton served as an emissary for Rubio, who was presiding over the Senate at the time.
"I, the senator from Florida, and many, many other senators have submitted multiple amendments to ask for votes on these points. We have been consistently blocked from bringing up these amendments," Cotton said Thursday.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...
This was never in question. Nothing Obama wants to do will not be stopped by the Republicans.
Can someone explain this in simpler terms so I can be angry.
Breaking it down to the lowest common denominator McConnell is acting like Harry Reids twin brother on steroids.
The more I hear about Tom Cotton, the more I like him. He might make a fine replacement for McConnell.
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