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.

[deport]

Liberal basher... are you?

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So First is a Liberal? Yep a lot of credibility you have....

Pay per week.... You can look it up if'n you're interested.... not my mos

[The Wizard]

I must conceede that so far Dr. Frist has been outstanding, and maybe I, too, should give him his lead....he may well have something planned we don't know about

It's like the President...he was obviously going in the first week in march since last year, we didn't know it, no one knew it, but Feb 26 through the 3rd is prime time......

[michigander]

Actually the timing is great.

Yes considering... It's possibly incredible.

Continuity of Government

US "Terror Level" bumped up to "Orange" - BREAKING

[Ima Lurker]

I hope you are right. It sure will be disappointing to find out we have another Trent Lott on our hands.

[TLBSHOW]

Don't worry I will find it!

[deport]

Worried?..........

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Not hardly......

[TLBSHOW]

Iraq war will be over in less than 15 days! The soldiers can't wait to surrender.

As long as Russia does not send us a surprise attack from the north!

[TLBSHOW]

Don't worry I will find it!


no twisting what I said...LOL

[chiller]

Dittos, All. Nobody has caved. Nor will they.

In fact, I see some advantage to dragging this out for a while...during a war, for example.

[Diddle E. Squat]

LOL. Good idea.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

So, if Frist knows that not enough Senators could be in town during recess to force them to continue, it doesn't pay to just go through the motions.

However, it is clear that they are not giving up on Miguel.

[marajade]

Post 58 is why... Remember McConnell just had open heart surgery and another senator's wife is in critical condition... they had to recess...

[Bahbah]

Thank you for this interesting perspective.

[cksharks]

HeHeHe it didnt take long for the wimp, spinless, no balls, limp wristed rotten liberal Frist to get everyone upset. I posted on a Lott thread that it would take about four months for everybody to get pissed at Frist. And they will get worse. Everyone needs to learn the Senate rules. Until then no one will pplaease this bunch. I love a good told you so. :-}}

[marajade]

see post 58... Frist had no choice but to recess... Backing down had nothing to do with it...

[Miss Marple]

You are apparently unaware that with McConnell recovering from open heart surgery, and another Senator's wife undergoing serious major surgery, WE DON'T HAVE THE VOTES.

This is a delaying tactic until we can get a full team on the floor.

I am SO happy to tell you that not only do you NOT get an "I told you so," but you are WRONG.

[Puddleglum]

I have noticed mainstream news is not paying much attention to the fillibuster

But if it were Pubbies filibustering a Dem Hispanic judge, it would be wall-towall coverage. Dems know they can get away with this because with no coverage it's like committing a crime when the lights are out.

[chiller]

It strikes me that when in session they work a lot of hours.Not that I like defending politicians.

It also strikes me that the proposal that 'Congress declare war' (and run a war) could not be done while on 'break'. Only the Exec. Branch is equipped to handle such matters.

[TLBSHOW]

This is the closest I can come up with which means Close to $3000.00 dollars a week! If I read it right! Plus whatever perks they get. Hmmmmmmmmm.....Not bad pay for doing nothing!

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 5, 2001

Groups Ask Senators to Block Congressional Pay Raise

Opponents of the proposed $4,900 congressional pay raise sent letters today to all U.S. Senators urging them to support an amendment by Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) to stop the pay raise. The letter follows.

Dear Senator:

Without any public hearings or a single vote in the House or Senate, Members of Congress have contrived to grant themselves a proposed $4,900 pay raise, boosting the base congressional salary to a very generous $150,000 per year, plus health insurance, pension, perks and other benefits.

We urge you to stop this raise; there is no need for it.

At present, Members of Congress are lavishly compensated with a princely salary and emoluments that are multiples more than the median individual income. In recent years, Members of Congress have kept their salaries well ahead of inflation. In 1989, the base congressional salary was $89,500. Since then, senators have given themselves eight pay raises. The current base congressional salary is more than $13,000 above 1989 levels, adjusted for inflation. There is no lack of top-quality candidates willing to serve in Congress for the current salary.

Members of Congress are wrong to hike their salaries while our nation's economy is deteriorating. Our country is now in recession, unemployment is rising, and our federal government's fiscal status has dramatically worsened. The federal budget deficit may rise to $50 billion next year, on top of the $5.8 trillion federal debt. Last week, the White House Budget Director predicted that the federal government would be mired in deficits until at least fiscal year 2005.

This proposed pay raise offends against the plain meaning of the 27th Amendment, which states that "No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."

Our country may yet face more hardships and tragedies like those of September 11. During this time of trial, our country needs its Members of Congress to preserve and strengthen their moral authority to govern -- not squander it on an effort most taxpayers would find objectionable even in ordinary times.

This week, Sen. Russ Feingold will likely offer an amendment to block the proposed $4,900 congressional pay grab. This amendment is a test of Congress's willingness to lead by example. We ask you to ensure that this amendment receives a vote, and to support it.

Sincerely,

Ralph Nader
Gary Ruskin, Director, Congressional Accountability Project
Pete Sepp, Vice President for Communications, National Taxpayers Union
Paul M. Weyrich, CEO and Founder, Free Congress Foundation
Joe Theissen, Executive Director, Taxpayers for Common Sense
Thomas A. Schatz, President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
Stacie Rumenap, Executive Director, U.S. Term Limits
Gerald Moan, Chairman, Reform Party of the USA
Steve Dasbach, Executive Director, Libertarian Party
David Repko, Chair, pro tem, National Committee of The American Reform Party

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PS
I said I am a liberal basher and that means where ever the chips may fall! This is not about me it's about taking time off from the job we pay them to do and it's not to listen to their wives and husbands its to listen to me and you!

[deport]

Who's the Senator that his wife is having problems? Do you know. I knew that Senators McConnell, Graham, and Kerry were out due to surgery...... Lautenberg is back.