Posted on 02/13/2009 4:40:39 PM PST by bimboeruption
The White House is providing a government plane for Sen. Sherrod Brown to return to the Capitol for the vote tonight and then get back to Mansfield for his mother's funeral in the morning.
Today's visitation ends at 8 p.m. There were no commercial flights available that could accommodate the Senate's schedule and Brown's obligations to be with his family and honor his mother, officials said. The trip is considered official business.
Assuming that Republicans will vote no differently from last time, it will take every available Democratic senator tonight to win final passage of the $789 billion economic stimulus package. But two things complicate the calculus -- leaving Ohio's Sherrod Brown in a spot that is getting attention.
His mother, Emily Campbell Brown, died recently. The funeral is tomorrow, and calling hours are today, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In Mansfield.
The Senate vote on the stimulus bill is scheduled around 7 p.m.
So Brown has to leave Mansfield as soon as he can, catch a plane to Washington and be at the Capitol to vote. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will hold it open as long as necessary for Brown to return.
Brown's vote appears to be essential, because it will take 60 votes to cut off debate and conclude the matter. Remember the earlier Senate bill, before reconciliation with the House version, and how it passed with 61 votes?
That's because Ted Kennedy, a Democrat who has a malignant brain tumor, returned, and three Republicans joined the Democrats' support. But Kennedy is not expected to return tonight because of his health. So unless at least one other Republican joins in, the only way for the historic bill to pass is with Brown's vote.
Brown, who left for Ohio this morning, will make yet another round trip tonight. As soon as he can, he needs to get out of Washington again. His mother's funeral is tomorrow morning.
Me too. Mark Levin mentioned that this is a private military flight. What an abuse of the system. Not to mention what an abuse of our Military.
Unfortunately he is my Senator, too. The Buckeye State has joined the United Socialist States of Obamastan.
Like they couldn't put her on ice for a day or two?
Of course it’s Ohio.
Ohio went for Bush in 2004.
Payback.
They are reporting that he skipped the 2nd. set of calling hours and skedaddled to DC.
Here's the story:
Sen. Brown Needed in Washington
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown was not able to attend both sets of calling hours for his mother Emily Brown's memorial service Friday. Brown, Ohio's junior senator and a Democrat, flew back to Washington D.C. courtesy of a plane arranged by the White House, to vote on final passage of President Barack Obama's $789 billion economic stimulus package. Brown's vote was expected to be essential to obtain the 60 votes needed to stop further debate of the legislation and send it on for the President's signature.
Here's the link: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990213029
So if everybody's there, why hasn't the Senate voted?
What is the weather like right now between Ohio and Washington?
I'm about 20 miles from the airport and it's 29 degrees with no wind and no snow yet.
Mansfield Ohio where Brown’s mother lives says snow late tonight. I would imagine he has left Ohio.
The mourning service was scheduled to go until 8pm in Ohio.
Guess that is why they are saying he should arrive at 10:30
Notice how C-Span says “Awaiting Expected “YES” vote From Sen Brown.
If only this were a Tom Clancy novel.....
You can bet the White House WILL NOT let the MSM show the arrival of this 60th vote. They don’t want us to see the jet and who actually had to drag him back.
This guy will be lauded by Hussein for sacrificing, on the eve of his mother's funeral, his time and effort to "put America first." Watch.
Brown's as much of a left wing nut as you could imagine. I wanted to puke when he beat DeWine, and I really disliked Mike for the RINO he is.
Really sad thing is that with Voinovich saying he's not going to run again, that will make Brown the senior Senator from Ohio ... GAG.
I’m sure looney sherri made all you “conservative” buckeyes who “just couldn’t vote Republican” very proud.
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