Anybody watching cspan 2 right now?

[jillan]

The dems are up to something.
Even the announcer of cspan 2 said they were in a meeting.
It's been going on for hours.
A group of dems are in a group.

The suspense is killing me!

[Mass]

1. Landrieu said she would block the bill as long as she does not get

what she wants for LA (not sure what) in relation with Katrina.

[Mass]

3. Well Landrieu is talking with Levin right now.

[jillan]

2. The group has now broken up into smaller groups.

Levin has been in that group the whole time.

This could be good.
I'm ready:popcorn:

Too bad I'm not a lover of classical music.

[TayTay]

4. This went on earlier

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=44236&mesg_id=44379

Did you see this. It was amazing. War has been declared.

Is Kerry visiable anywhere?

[jillan]

5. I haven't seen him

But they are still waiting.
The announcer comes on about every 15 minutes and says they are still waiting.

I wonder what's up.
I have never seen anything like this.

[TayTay]

6. Landreiu is filibustering, sort of

She wants her bill to get LA up and running. Certain Rethugs, including her co-Senator from LA, that dimwit Vitter, want the money to go to only the ones the REthugs think are worthy. Landreiu is threatening to hold the Senate open until 4:30 am, which is the technical time that the Cloture vote takes effect and they have to vote on the Defense Appropriations Act. Landreiu and the Dems want an ironclad promise that LA gets a relief bill that actually helps real people right after that or they are not recessing and not stopping.

[Mass]

7. The announcer just said that Landrieu was blocking the vote

Because of the cloture last night, they need 30 hours of debate before they can vote on the bill except if there is unanimous consent. It could last until tomorrow morning if she does not agree to an earlier vote.

Go Landrieu. Dont stop until you get what you want.

[jillan]

8. Good for her!

Nobody paid any attention to her before NOLA.
Now they better.

[jillan]

9. ugh! i've been out-voted!

The kids have had enuf with the quorum call!

It's now Nick at Nite. :(

If anyone's watching, please post when they come back on.

[jillan]

10. Now on the screen it says

Thirty hours of debate on Fy 2006
end at 4:30 am

So, if the dems don't come back out on the floor until 4:30 am,
what happens?

I am proud of them!

[jillan]

11. Just announced that it's been 4 hours.

This is huge -
I feel like a proud momma!
They just showed Landrieu from earlier today ranting and raving.

You go girl!

[sandnsea]

12. I'm seeing an army corps guy

And quorum call. I don't understand what's going on.

[jillan]

13. The dems have filibustered!

The floor is empty, except for the poor people that have to work there.
They did it. The vote is over at 4:30 am.
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
I posted in gdp, there's alot of excitement about this.

[sandnsea]

14. wonk info please

I understand the purpose, I don't understand the procedure. This is about the Defense Bill, right? They voted cloture earlier, right? So what I don't get is the 4:30 deadline. Why is that a magic time?

[jillan]

15. I'm not sure of the details. All I know is the bits and pieces of it.

The 4:30 deadline was what they posted on CSpan 2.

Landrieu is upset about funds for NOLA.
The dems were gathered around Reid and Levin for a long time talking.
Then they just walked out.
Of course there is nothing in the msm. I just went on the senate web site, and found really nothing that would give me any info.
All I do know is that about 4 hours ago, they were in a quorum call and they never came back.

I'm just amazed. Happily amazed.

[Mass]

16. Landrieu back on the floor speaking about NOLA

"this is not a compromise, this is an agreement between the right wing and the far right wing".

She will speak until 9:15, when they will vote on the Defense Appropriation Bill. She is really impressive talking about her state and how they need help NOW.

[Mass]

17. She is really going after the Republican leadership strongly.

going against the notion that the help should come from private institutions and faith-based organization.

Calls her bill to a vote - Let see what happens.

Objection of course. Incredible.

[TayTay]

18. Unbelievable! Go Mary

I love this woman. She has a spine of steel on this. She is really calling these bastards out. The REthugs want to approve the Vitter bill to both deny Landreiu a victory in her name and to proceed with business as usual in the Gul.

[whometense]

19. I can't stand people who come

into a conversation late and then ask everyone to explain what's going on, but...

What was the point of the filibuster? Was it just for dramatic effect, or was there a practical reason behind it?

[TayTay]

20. I don't know if it's a filibuster but

Here is what I understand (and a lot of this happened after my bedtime, so I could be wrong here.) Mary Landreiu wants the Senate to direct FEMA to release 1 billion dollars to the relief of cities and town in LA so that they can meet payroll and keep their employees and services running for three months. This would not be repaid.

The White House hates this idea. They do not want the Denate telling them (FEMA) where to direct their money or whether or not loans need to be repaid. The imperial President will dedide that, thank you very much. There is another bill that has passed the House and has a WH blessing that would make loans avaialble to NOLA, but under very strict Rethug circumstances. The loathsome David Vitter from LA has his name on this bill, the sellout.

Ms. Landreiu has vowed to keep the Senate in session until she gets some relief for her people. Se, after this defense vote, we just might have a standoff.

[Mass]

21. It was not a filibuster per se

As they voted cloture for the Defense Bill, they have to have 30 hours of debate except if they have a unanimous consent to vote earlier.

Landrieu is trying to get specific loans for her state for an immediate help, and the Republicans are refusing or rather offering unacceptable conditions. So she decided to refuse the UC.

They had to wait for the 30 hours to pass and are voting right now.

The sad thing is that she did not get anything despite negotiating thru the night.

[whometense]

22. Thanks.

Sorry to hear that. I was out last night, and when I flipped by c-span2 I was amazed to see the Senate was still live. I'm sorry she got nothing for her valiant effort.

P.S. These people will all burn in hell.