Can Democrats use the State of the Union against *?

[Idioteque]

The Constitution states that the president must inform the Congress on the state of the union every year. In the past, this was done by sending a letter that would be read to the Congress but more recently the president has addressed the Congress in a join session. In order to initiate the joint session, the House passes a concurrent resolution which is then sent to the Senate and usually passed by unanimous consent.

What would happen if the Democrats in the Senate refused to invoke cloture on the resolution unless an amendment is added pressuring the president to answer questions from members following his speech? There is nothing that says the Congress has to allow the president to give his speech.

He should not be allowed to give a campaign speech without being asked to give real answers to the tough questions.

[johnfunk]

1. That I'd like to see!

Someone should drop a line to Harry Reid. This could be lotsa fun...

[Anita Garcia]

2. and interesting

[gordianot]

3. I would like to see them get up and walk out when he is announced.

[yodermon]

4. Kicking and recommending

for the sheer ingeniousness of the idea.
:toast:

[aKinderGentlerDUer]

5. Wha?

How is the State Of the Union Address a campaign speech?

[Idioteque]

6. It's not literally a campaign speech...

...the point I was making was that he can spew whatever kind of BS he wants without being questioned.

[msongs]

7. he does that now by not really giving an answer - like alito nt

[Catherine Vincent]

10. Welcome to DU!

Well maybe. If you felt the need to name yourself "akindergentlerDUer", what the heck do you see the rest of us as?

[yellowdogmi]

8. That would be interesting but

I don't know enough about the senate rules. It would be fantastic. In fact I say they push him off his schedule if that is allowed. Delay him until the middle of the protests planned in dc the following weekend. That would be sweet.

[swhisper1]

9. They should just laugh out loud every time Bush lies, the nation

would drown out every word, 'cause laughter is contagious. Just picture Americans everywhere on the floor laughing too hard to breathe. He is just a clown anyways. I am going to do it at a local restaurant that runs their tv's all day