Reply #9: To set things straight with you... [View All]

[TheVirginian]

There is no constitutional basis for the Gang of 14. There is also no constitutional basis for the Republican or Democratic parties, for the Congressional Black Caucus, or for the commitee process.

Caucuses in Congress, like the Black Caucus, like the variety of single-issue caucuses (e.g., the "Taiwan Caucus"), are simply a natural extension of politics of any sort. If you have a group of people who vote on matters, then it would serve your interests best to coordinate your actions with like-minded individuals. These caucuses are free to meet amongst themselves and talk about the issues, just as a Congressman is free to meet with his staff, his advisors, his family, his constituents, or whomever he wants, to talk about the issues.

Think of the Gang of 14 the same way. Its an extension of politics, and it is technically a bi-partisan caucus, aimed at preserving the status quo in the Senate. The only reason they hold power is because of the numbers of the Senate. It takes a majority to invoke the nuclear option. It takes 3/5ths vote to sustain a filibuster. With 7 Republicans and 7 Democrats, they have the power to shift numbers away from each party. There's nothing illegal with it. The 14 like-minded Senators got together and decided on a course of action.

Senators can make, and do make, agreements all the time when it comes to voting. I'll vote this way or that way so you'll vote this way or that way in the future. I'll support this if you support that. I'll vote this way if you give me credit for voting this way. I'll support your legislation if you convince your friends to drop this attack against me. Its the nature of politics, and the nature of a group of 100 people voting on a massive range of issues. There is simply no unoppressive or democratic alternative.

And the Intelligence Committee IS part of the committee structure (which, itself has no constitutional basis). It was designed for this very reason: to handle sensative matters. The dispute between Roberts and Rockafeller could've happened on any committee, and in fact happens frequently on every committee.

To suggest that all "backroom dealing" as you call it, or caucus meetings, are illegal and underhanded is a very uninformed opinion of how the Senate works, and how politics in general works. You get any group of 100 people together to vote on issues, and this is what happens. If you disapprove, the two ways to have accountability is to vote for someone else, and to lobby to change our system of government.