Reply #2: Here it is. [View All]

[longship]

I was watching with one eye and listening with one ear, but this is the gist of it.

Senate debating the Feingold-Collins bill which reauthorized oversight of Iraqi reconstruction. Senators Akaka and Kent Conrad sent up an amendment for emergency drought relief for farmers. The Republicans, specifically Senator Gregg, tried a power play, threatening to invoke Rule 16 (which governs appropriations bills--not certain what the specifics are in this context).

Kent Conrad turned near beet red, got into high dudgeon, and threatened to bring Senate proceedings to a crawl by withdrawing all unanimous assent cooperation.

The horror-struck Kay Bailey Hutchison (controlling the floor at the time) went limp and speechless, then called for a quorum.

At the beginning of the quorum call Conrad was visibly getting into Kay Bailey's face, poking his finger at her. He was *pissed*.

Nothing yet has happened since then on this matter.

The Senate is now voting to instruct the Sergeant At Arms to compel attendence.
It's passing 100%.