Rising tensions are testing Reid-McConnell relations

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rising-tensions-are-testing-reid-mcconnell-relations-2007-06-14.html

Rising tensions are testing Reid-McConnell relations
By Manu Raju
June 14, 2007

snip//


Republicans accuse Reid of employing procedural tactics in an unprecedented way to bring legislation to the floor without committee debate, to limit amendments on the floor and to end debate on legislation.

“I don’t know if he understands the difference being a leader and being a dictator,” conservative Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said.

Next week, Reid wants to bring to the Senate floor a bill passed by the House that would make it easier for labor unions to organize workforces, aides say. The bill, long-sought by labor but opposed by business, has not gone through the Senate committee process. Republicans plan to object to the bill’s consideration, forcing Reid to find 60 votes if the measure is to be considered in the narrowly divided Senate.

Even if the Senate reaches that threshold, Republicans may object to a unanimous consent request to waive 30 hours of debate to proceed to the bill. Doing so would mean debate on the bill would dominate much of the week, which Reid, with scarce floor time and a packed agenda before the July 4 recess, wants to avoid.

Jostling over process reflects the parties’ hope of framing political debate in the run-up to the 2008 elections, analysts say.

“I think Reid is ultimately … looking ahead to ’08, to shape the party’s reputation as much as his own reputation,” said Sarah Binder, senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution. “How well the Democrats do in part is going to do depend on what Democrats do in Congress, and he can blame Republicans creating stalemates.”

more...

[Catch22Dem]

1. What happened to "it deserves an up or down vote" you fucks???

Jesus, these people are morAns. As soon as the shoe is on the other foot, they instantly become crybabies. I have two phrases for them, "elections have consequences" so "get over it!"

[ClintonTyree]

2. This, from the party that kept votes open for hours....

while they twisted arms to get the votes they needed for passage. :eyes: Anyone from the RepubliCON party complaining about using procedural tactics as a weapon to get their own way should be made to sit and watch every minute of C-SPAN coverage from the years 2001-2005. Twice. Yet another example of flaming hypocrisy from the "do as I say, not as I do" party. :eyes:

[annabanana]

3. calling for the

WA-A-A-AMBULANCE

[gratuitous]

4. Dictators? From the party of Terri Schiavo?

Laughable.