Democrats threaten shutdown

The Washington Times ^ | March 16, 2005 | Charles Hurt

[neverdem]

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The Washington Timeswww.washingtontimes.com

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Democrats threaten shutdown

By Charles Hurt
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published March 16, 2005

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Democrats yesterday said they will halt all Senate business except essential operations and national defense if Republicans use the "nuclear option" to unclog President Bush's judicial nominees.

    Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada made the threat in a letter yesterday to Majority Leader Bill Frist, who has said he has the 51 votes needed for a parliamentary procedure that would force the nominees through the Senate on a simple majority vote.

    "Of course, Democrats would never block legislation vital to our troops or other national security interests, and we will help ensure that critical government services continue to function for the American people," Mr. Reid wrote.

    "Beyond that very limited scope, however, we will be reluctant to enter into any consent agreement that facilitates Senate activities, even on routine matters," he said.

     "Just this year, we passed the class action and bankruptcy bills under procedures negotiated in good faith between the majority and the minority," wrote Mr. Reid, who announced his letter on the marble steps of the Capitol with 35 colleagues behind him. "We would decline to provide such cooperation in the future if you implement the nuclear option."

    Absent from Mr. Reid's side yesterday were nine Democrats, several of whom have expressed reservations about Democratic strategies on judicial nominees. One missing Democrat was Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who has never supported a filibuster and faces re-election next year in a very conservative state.

    "Senator Nelson does not support the use of filibusters to block judicial nominees, but he also doesn't...

[Darkwolf377]

"Of course, Democrats would never block legislation vital to our troops or other national security interests, and we will help ensure that critical government services continue to function for the American people," Mr. Reid wrote.

Oh PLEASE don't throw me into the briar patch!

[NormsRevenge]

Oh Yes Please! Shut government down...

FRom Maine to Mauna Loa, Please do it dems, Please!!!!

[jpl]

How exactly are they going to shut down all business, are they going to flee D.C. and hide out in hotel rooms like the Texas Democrats did, or are they going to go back to doing the old-fashioned kind of true filibuster?

[yellowdoghunter]

Call their bluff. I dare ya.

[rocksblues]

So they refuse to vote! Wouldn't the vote then read 51 to 0?

[2banana]

Two words - YOUR MOMMA! I mean "Make my day!" No wait, that is three words...

[Semper Paratus]

Are the 'rats going to have a "Newt Gringich" moment?

[shezza]

"Of course, Democrats would never block legislation vital to our troops or other national security interests."

Riiiiiiiggghhhht. Democrats would never do anything (ever!) that might harm our national interests, our troops, our economy, our security, our sovereignty or our best interests. Never.

[hillary's_fat_a**]

Atoms are our friends! GO NUCLEAR!

[Jerry Attrick]

I love it. Let it happen! Then take every piece of legislation affecting local appropriations for the constituents of these "Senators" and run massive ads in their districts, outlining how these actions are hurting the local people. Put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the local Senator.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Newt is gonna be laughing his ass off over this one!

BRING IT ON, JACKASSES!

[thoughtomator]

I could swear they've already tried to halt national defense... and confirming judges is an essential operation for the Senate.

[NRA1995]

Is that a promise?

[Burlem]

If they spent just half the time trying to do what is best for the country and offering solutins that they do whining we would be better off.

[Zivasmate]

That's pretty much what Clinton did to Gingrich, and it fatally wounded him, politically.

[ClancyJ]

One of these days, people will realize that they are paying the salaries for people to shut down the government. Then they will ask "Why am I paying for a bunch of creeps to do nothing and get paid for it?"

Then we will see a change in who gets elected.

I frankly do not feel legislators should be entitled to lifetime benefits paid for by Americans - especially when they do not work, do not honor the constitution, do not represent me.

[Who dat?]

Leader Bill Frist, who has said he has the 51 votes needed for a parliamentary procedure that would force the nominees through the Senate on a simple majority vote.

I don’t know a lot about senate workings. I’m probably jumbling a bunch of unconnected things together, but I thought you needed a plurality of people present to vote on something.

So, if you have 100 senators and 51 show up, does that not constitute a plurality? Even in cases where 2/3 vote is required?

That you don’t necessarily need 2/3 of votes of senators that exist, but 2/3 of those that show up to vote (assuming 51 show up)?

Like I said, I’m probably confusing myself with state senate or “student government” or something…

[kempo]

Go for it DEMOs. Please, Please, Please go for it. I can't believe they are that stupid. Oh, I know, Carl Rove has to be behind this. HE,HE.