Reid voted against the Levin Amendment?

[OzarkDem]

Did he really just stage this overnight session to put pressure on the GOP so he could vote with them? Is there another Dem senator from NV named Reid that I'm confusing him with?

Can someone explain this?

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00252

[saltpoint]

1. Yes, wisely so, and on procedural grounds.

He doesn't want the debate to end and this keeps it down in the bullpen, ready for the next pitch.

[OzarkDem]

2. He wanted the amendment to fail?

If so, why didn't he vote Yes, knowing that there weren't enough votes for passage?

This makes no sense to me.

[xultar]

6. No he didn't but since it did he wanted to bring it up again. sheesh

[OzarkDem]

24. I understand his strategy

I'm just not sure I agree with it completely.

[xultar]

32. Would you rather he not bring it up again?

[saltpoint]

7. In floor management, his 'no' vote ensures that the bill can be

revived and brought again to the floor for another go.

[OzarkDem]

15. Thanks for the explanation

I understand the rationale, but I'm not sure I agree with the strategy.

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. First, the vote was not on the Amendment. It was on Cloture

The Amendment could be adopted by a simple majority vote. Unfortunately, it takes a super majority (60 votes) to even get the chance for a simple majority on passage.

[OzarkDem]

14. Of course, I misspoke

I phrased it improperly, I realize it was to end debate.

[blondeatlast]

10. He, as the Senate Majority Leader, can reintroduce it as many times as it takes now.

He's also holding up the Defense Funding Reauthorization Act until R/L passes.

It was a brilliant move.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Procedural to keep it in the works for bringing up again for vote

The one I can't figure out is Byrd. :shrug:

[Ian David]

12. Byrd and Reid have to BOTH vote against it...

So that if one of them dies of old age, they can still bring it back to the floor.

[blondeatlast]

17. Morbid, but sensible. Glad you pointed that out! nt

[OzarkDem]

18. I sense a lack of commitment

in some members of our Dem caucus. Given how unpopular this war has become with the general public and the harm it has on the budget and appropriations for projects at home, one has to wonder why any Dem would think they were putting themselves at risk voting with the GOP.

[Norquist Nemesis]

Ian's explanation (above) makes sense though

Two No's just to be safe. Hope Byrd and Reid don't take a trip together on a small plane.

[xultar]

4. Oh come on. This is explained in about 10 threads so far.

[cui bono]

8. links?

;)

[xultar]

11. tee hee hee.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. I think we need a FAQ on procedural tactics

And perhaps another one on civics.

[blondeatlast]

19. How very true, but it's a big undertaking.

And a lot of DUers wouldn't bother anyway.

I agree wholeheartedly, though.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. It would be a huge project

And I doubt it could ever be brought to fruition, but it would be helpful for many.

Sadly, a lack of understanding of how politics are run in this country is something that the Republicans rely on.

[OzarkDem]

20. I understand the workings of the Senate

I'm not up to date on the minutae of Reid's latest strategy.

Pardon, I work full time and can't read every thread.

My legislative focus is on health care reform and research related appropriations, all of which are now being held up. I'll be glad when this gets finished. Would have been helpful if they'd started this strategy a lot earlier.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

22. I didn't mean to be insulting to you

I've just noticed that there are some very common procedures that are not know by most people. And I've also noticed that many here, and all across the US, have a poor understanding of how our government actually works. Thus my suggestion, which was not directed to you.

I did not say you don't know the workings of the Senate. I did not say anything about you personally at all. My post wasn't even snarky like many of the replies to your OP. And I also work full time, but I fail to understand what that has to do with my post at all.

Again, I was not attempting to insult you. I apologize if you feel that I was.


Peace

[OzarkDem]

23. No problem

I feel guilty sometimes having to jump in and ask, but there's just no time to follow everything anymore.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

28. I respect a person willing to ask a question more than one willing to live in ignorance

I have no problem with people asking the same question that's been asked before. I'm sure I've done the same thing before.

[blondeatlast]

26. It's very understandable and I didn't mean to insult. My apologies.

I'm a wonk and I understood it was a brilliant move, but I can also understand that for those who aren't familiar with the procedural minutaie, it was a truly :wtf: moment.

[OzarkDem]

33. Thanks for understanding

I'm currently tracking 3 bills in Congress and two in the State house, so its hard to keep up on everyone's strategy.

[Raven]

5. I think you have to be on the losing side to move for reconsideration. nt

[rainy]

13. Don't you all remember? This happens all the time. I thought you guys

were paying attention. I remember this happening last year with a Frist amendment.

[MrMickeysMom]

21. Some of us are newer to DU. I know I am. Question...

Is there a digest by "issue" or FAQ that I just haven't gotten around to finding here?

I know I have a lot of processes to understand.

Oh, yes, when I'm able, believe me, the next move is to donate and earn a *star* by my username.

:D

[blondeatlast]

27. I'm thinking of setting up something like that and another mentions it upthread.

I think it would be a great idea, but it would be pretty labor intensive.

I've enjoyed your posts so far, keep 'em coming!

[MrMickeysMom]

36. Thanks, yes, Civics FAQ!

Were I a highschool social studies teacher (do they even HAVE civics anymore?) I think the FAQ on civics would be a great project. Of course, highschoolers couldn't possibly be exposed to the adult language used here (no, it would be the first time they heard that).

But, as I think about how much our LEGISLATORS IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS DON'T KNOW, according to Bruce Fein who is there every day, it's easy to see we need remedial education for the great masses... and that- DU could well serve.

[rainy]

29. Welcome to DU. Sorry to assume that we are all long-timers.

[blogslut]

30. No

He did not vote against the amendment. He voted against cloture, effectively tabling the bill to which it was to be attached.

[OzarkDem]

34. Read my earlier post

I said I misspoke, I already knew the amendment was regarding cloture, not the amendment itself.

Thanks for reading all the posts.

[blogslut]

35. forgive me

Just trying to inform. Sorry for that.

[CreekDog]

31. I can understand asking the question

What I didn't like was how quickly they were ready to jump to conclusions based on improper understanding of the procedure. The most ridiculous part was regarding Senator Byrd, who was the most impassioned opponent of the war before it even started.

To suggest that his voting against cloture was part of a larger problem of Dems being weak is ridiculous. Does the poster know ANYTHING about Robert Byrd that suggests the man is weak?

Like I said, when the facts don't compute, ask the question, but WAIT to jump to conclusions or cast aspersions UNTIL you get the answers.