Why Harry Reid say Al would'nt be seated on the HELP committee until AFTER mark-up on their bill??

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

markup - The process by which congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation. (Definition from Senate.gov)

Is this normal? Why not seat him right away? Are they afraid he might upset the applecart? Don't they trust his judgment or opinion? I'm sure Al has been following the debate closely and also has the wisdom to be quiet unless he has something meaningful to add. For some reason this did not sit well with me. I almost took it as a public dis of Al by Harry Reid.

What is your take?

[Autumn]

1. Well it's Harry Reid

he really has no interest in passing a Democratic agenda and certainly not real health care reform.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. I don't know if "normal" is the right word, but there's nothing really normal about this whole thing

Truth be told, they're already so far along in the process that it probably is, for better or worse, a better idea to keep Franken out until the end of the markup. Any new member to the process would likely muck things up by having to rehash and revisit previously deliberated negotiations, which could take months, frankly. That doesn't mean he'll be shut out of the process entirely - he'll be involved in the debate and any pre-conference committee activities that take place regarding the bill.

That said, I understand completely how it would sit poorly with you, as I'm sure it did with Senator Franken as well.

[MNDemNY]

3. His frickin' "garment" is too tight.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. Perhaps another Democratic Senator is giving up his seat for Franken, but

doesn't want to do so until after the markup.