Specter prepping bill to sue Bush

[cynatnite]

WASHINGTON - A powerful Republican committee chairman who has led the fight against President Bush's signing statements said Monday he would have a bill ready by the end of the week allowing Congress to sue him in federal court.

"We will submit legislation to the United States Senate which will...authorize the Congress to undertake judicial review of those signing statements with the view to having the president's acts declared unconstitutional," Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said on the Senate floor.

Specter's announcement came the same day that an American Bar Association task force concluded that by attaching conditions to legislation, the president has sidestepped his constitutional duty to either sign a bill, veto it, or take no action.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060724/ap_on_go_co/signing_statements

[usregimechange]

1. kick

[hang a left]

2. Why does he need his own suit??

Why doesn't he just join Conyers???

[cynatnite]

3. Might have to do with the fact Conyers is a congressman...

and Specter is a senator.

Just a guess on my part.

[hang a left]

6. More likely he is

paving the way to disallow the legislative branch to sue the executive.

on edit: Remember whose tool box he's in

[annabanana]

12. Well... his "solution" to the NSA spying program, and the FISA

courts is NOT a solution. I don't think that's a bash, I think it's a fact.

[Grateful for Hope]

4. Maybe some hopeful news?

I hadn't heard this:

Specter's announcement came the same day that an American Bar Association task force concluded that by attaching conditions to legislation, the president has sidestepped his constitutional duty to either sign a bill, veto it, or take no action.

I am hoping this is a positive sign, and, perhaps this time, Specter will really do something that will help bring Bush and his admin to justice.

But, I am afraid this might be wishful thinking.

[madokie]

5. I cautiously await the outcome, but will he cave like on the nsa spying

legislation. with each waking morning I hope maybe today will be the day they start to put an end to this evil cabal, we can't wait much longer.

[Justice Is Comin]

7. The Specter bashers

ought to be along any minute :popcorn:

[hang a left]

8. I got here before you did n/t

[Justice Is Comin]

13. Yup, couldn't even sound the alert fast enough.

[Doctor_J]

14. That'd be moe

This fucking poseur has had 6 years to try to do something about the fascist takeover of this country. Now that we're like Stalin's USSR, and the whole world hates us, he's going to sue???

:eyes:

[Justice Is Comin]

16. Right, let's make Sessions or Cornyn or Frist

chairman of the Judiciary. They would have to walk facing each other because you couldn't get bush's dick out of their mouth.

[Doctor_J]

26. And exactly how much LESS resistance would Smirk have had

from those tools you mentioned. Or, in other words, what exactly has Snarlin' Arlen done to keep * from continuing to break the law for 6 years?

[MercutioATC]

17. I'm not bashing, but Specter IS a Republican.

Because of this (and based on past performance) we can only expect so much from him.

It's a positive thing, but I'd advise keeping expectations low.

[cynatnite]

19. I do like Specter...

but I'm careful of him because sometimes he'll throw in for bush when you least expect it.

And yes, he is a republican...something I keep in mind at all times.

[Kahuna]

24. Present!!! This a rethuglican RUSE, as usual. It's all for show..

It's just to provide distance for some repukes who want to distance themselves from the chimperor for November. Of course, miraculously, there won't be enough votes for it to go forth. But at least those repukes needing distance from bushie will be able to claim, 'I supported the bill, blah blah blah.' :puke:

[Jensen]

33. On the money Kahuna!

:headbang:

[shadowknows69]

9. JUST IMPEACH THE MUTHER FUCKER ALREADY

n/t

[TwentyFive]

10. I second your motion to impeach the chimp.

Do I hear any more colleagues who want to tell Spector to start the impeachment proceedings?

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. He can't

It is up to the House to start the process and don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen anytime soon.

One more reason why we need to make sure the DEMS win both houses in Nov.

[midnight]

18. If they keep stealing the elections, does it matter?

I hate to steal your enthusiasm, but that little thought keeps popping up in my mind. And since Robert Kennedy Jr. is not able to get his battle into court quick enough to stop these predators, I just don't know that the elections are the solutions to ending these crimes.

[madokie]

15. I stand in solidarity

[jody]

20. * would veto the bill and IMO his veto would not be overridden. n/t

[kestrel91316]

21. Why the hell sue him, you BABIES?? Just impeach him. And turn him over

to the Hague.

[tbyg52]

35. Exactly!

What is the heck is impeachment *for* anyway???!!!!!

[DanCa]

22. Wow - I don't know what to say. (nt)

[AlphaCentauri]

23. Looks like congress do a lot and accomplish nothing n/t

[Reckon]

25. Poseur is right.. says one thing, does another

It's a familiar repub theme -- public lip service -- scheme behind closed doors.

[madeline_con]

27. Pinch me, I'm dreaming. n/t

[MzNov]

28. Sure... until Cheney visits his office and talks him out of it as usual nt

[Kadie]

29. .

:kick:

[Vidar]

30. Sounds more like the pre-coverup bluster to me.

[Theduckno2]

31. Warily optimistic. One misstep away from the pit of oxymoran.

Given Bush's low poll numbers, I find it hard to believe that Repugs would brazenly attack his executive actions.

Then again given the plethora of mostly bad news from the Middle East maybe it is a way for the Repugs to distance themselves from Bush without raising too much attention.

Maybe Repugs are seeing a shift to the left and a Democratic unitary executive is not a risk they are willing to take.

[Justice Is Comin]

32. In case this may not have occurred to you,

the ABA is the renowned source the congress always looks to when they are voting on judge appointments. Especially to the Supreme Court.

If the ABA gives them a bad rating, the nomination is almost guaranteed to be voted down.

How they are going to say on one hand the ABA is their bible for recommendations and then say we don't think your recommendations of the audacity of the signing statements to nullify laws passed by the congress after THROROUGH examination by bipartisan experts is not one they MUST support?

And they better realize what they're getting themselves into if they don't support Specter's bill because if the congress doesn't do it, the ABA will !

[npincus]

34. Whoa...

hot damn!

[Coexist]

36. Just FYI - this is front page MSN

Nice.

[texpatriot2004]

37. This is good news. Thank you Sen. Specter. nm