Frist Rescinds Recess Threat, Will Allow Senate Full Week Off

Roll Call ^ | 2/13/03 | Paul Kane

[byteback]

Backing down from a threat he issued earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said Thursday the chamber would have its full Presidents Day recess next week.

[WOSG]

right, no recess appointment. Win this in an up or down vote.

[sinkspur]

Frist is not in control of this situation.

The realities of the Senate.

Frist has the same feet of clay as Lott had.

[deport]

But are they in Washingtion?

It still would be 49 -49 wouldn't it? I'm only asking for an explaination so I understand what it is you are saying..... what would he be trying to do other than cloture if and when he can get 60 votes? Anything else is just keeping the senate in session and letting them speak their peace..... or adjourn and go home.

[TLBSHOW]

The Senate would remain in session until a quorum is attained. Those are the rules. GOP Senators could monopolize the time, and irritate the hell out of the Democrats who are forced to stay in town.

Good point sinkspur and with something as important as this it's pathetic that Frist isn't doing just that! Just my opinion.....

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

What point would be made if they came in Saturday, the lone Dem on the floor suggested the absense of a quorum and the Pubbies are unable to get 50 senators to the floor? The Senate would adjourn automatically.

[Miss Marple]

We can't get cloture until we get 60 votes. With less than 51, we are vulnerable to a quorum call. Therefore Frist recesses, in order to keep things going.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think we just saw Frist's first major cave.

I am bitterly disappointed in him. I saw this coming a couple of days ago as Booby Hatch rattled off a half-dozen unanimous consent motions to keep the Senate operating smoothly during the filibuster. Disgusting.

[deport]

2. No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave.

---

I understand the cloture so it has nothing to do with this 51 senators....... What about the above rule. That means if they haven't adjourned or in recess then the Dems can't leave either without permission.... doesn't it?

[Cyber Liberty]

"Frist has the same feet of clay as Lott had."

Bingo. I'll have to polish off my "Neville" nickname for him.

[marajade]

What is going to force them there to stay? They are gone all of the time with their presidential campaigns aren't they?

[marajade]

too I've heard neither party has ever officially filibustered any judge before and the republicans don't want to be the first...

[ez]

If Bush recess appoints Estrada one day before the War starts in Iraq, EVERYONE WILL FORGET ABOUT IT.

[TLBSHOW]

They get paid 428 dollars a day or more and that should be enough to get em in.

[Miss Marple]

I don't havethe answer to your question. I have exhausted my knowledge of Senate rules.

As an aside, it seems to me thatthe rules of our half our Congress should not be so complicated.

[aristeides]

Attorney-client privilege belongs to the client (in this case, the government.) Estrada has no right to waive it.

[NonValueAdded]

Absolutely, SunStar. Here we go snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.

[TLBSHOW]

recess appointments do not last.....

[sinkspur]

I've heard neither party has ever officially filibustered any judge before and the republicans don't want to be the first...

That would be the Democrats who would be the first to filibuster an appeals court judge, and they are already, officially, filibustering Estrada.

[mwl1]

The White House, not Frist, is calling the shots on all strategy. We have to have confidence that the Bush team knows what it is doing. They will play hardball on this nomination; watch for commercials on Hispanic TV and radio; and for Bush to turn up the heat in his speeches around the nation.

We control the bully pulpit, not the RATS.

[Cyber Liberty]

Yeah, that one had me scratching my head, too.