George Allen Steals Durbin Amendment – Calls It His Own (Webb Campaign Accuses Allen of Plagerism)

Webb ^ | 9/8/06

[areafiftyone]

September 5, 2006
George Allen Steals Durbin Amendment – Calls It His Own
(Perhaps He Thought We Wouldn’t Notice the One Word Difference – Nice Work Skippy)

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator George Allen today stole a Department of Defense appropriations amendment written, printed and prepared by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill), and then announced the amendment as his own, moments before Durbin was prepared to introduce the amendment on the Senate floor.

The following is a chronology of what happened earlier this afternoon:

• At 2:30 PM this afternoon the U.S. Senate began debate of the Department of Defense appropriations for FY 2007.
• Already on the docket was Senator Dick Durbin, who was scheduled to introduce an amendment to the bill providing $19 million in additional funding for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center program, which provides treatment care and research for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. That meant that Durbin’s amendment had already been written, printed and prepared for introduction by Durbin.
• Yet, before Durbin could take the floor to introduce his amendment, George Allen entered the Senate Chamber and asked for permission to speak before Durbin. When permission was granted ahead of Durbin, lo and behold, Allen introduced an amendment to the DOD appropriations bill that, how could this be, was identical in language to Durbin’s bill with the exception of one word – the word “will” was changed in Allen’s amendment and replaced with the word “shall.” Other than that, the amendments were identical – Durbin’s amendment had been printed and set to be formally introduced, Allen’s bill had not been written or been placed on the docket to be introduced.

When asked by Senators Stevens and Durbin if his amendment was the same as Senator Durbin’s, George Allen agreed the bills were identical.

So, what are the odds that George Allen had the exact same idea as Durbin, the exact same dollar figure as Durbin, the exact same language as Durbin (save one word)? And why did Allen seek special permission to speak before Durbin unless Allen was seeking to take credit for an amendment to which Durbin had already prepared and written?

“Geez, Senator, has it really come to this? Are you so bankrupt of ideas that you have to steal another Senator’s amendments and call them your own? It is clear you stole Dick Durbin’s language. There are no odds that you could have written an exactly identical amendment to Durbin’s, save one word – I guess you thought this would allow you to call the amendment your own – that it would have the exact dollar figure and that you would have to run down to the Senate floor and cut in front of Durbin (talk about cut and run, Senator) and introduce a virtually identical amendment. Did you think no one would notice?” Jim Webb spokesman Steve Jarding said.

“And, what happened to the Senate working at the pace of a ‘wounded sea slug? Apparently, when you are seeking to score political points, even if it means stealing another Senator’s bill, that ole sea slug heals up right quick. George Allen’s using government for his own personal and political gain is wearing very thin. This whole episode is shameful and not worthy of a sitting U.S. Senator,” Jarding said.

[Coop]

Well, at least Jim "Felix, Skippy" Webb hasn't resorted to name calling. < / sarcasm >

[Gabz]

Anyone who knows anyting about writing legislation knows that the words "will" and "shall" drastically change what a piece of legislation, if it becomes law, accomplishes.

I did it many a time in my years of writing legislation....

The difference is not quite as drastic as between "shall" and "may," but there is a difference.

[P8riot]

Will a pdf do?

[msnimje]

Will a pdf do?

It probably wouldn't hurt but I think somebody else got a screen shot.

[Virginia Queen]

My husband worked for Webb when he was SecNav. He was an arrogant, obnoxious horse's pat-too-tee. He left after 10 mos because he could not have his way. He is a modified version of Clinton - not a woman chaser and lacking personality.

[areafiftyone]

He does act like his SH$#%T doesn't stink!