Senate meets for 9 seconds to block Bush appointment

Associated Press ^ | Dec. 26, 2007 | LAURIE KELLMAN

[torchthemummy]

I for one approve. The less time these rascals are in session the less damage they cause, generally speaking.

I must strongly disagree. The "rascals" are not supposed to be in session. These shenanigans mean their are perpetually in session purposely to cause damage - in this case to prevent the President from his Constitutional right to perform recess appointments.

[wildandcrazyrussian]

Since VP Cheney is the President of the Senate, why isn’t he the one handling the gavel? Does he need to be invited? This article leaves much to be desired about explaining anything.

[torchthemummy]

So that's why Webb is trying to keep his Senate session brief (9 seconds!). This little trick of the Dems to keep the Senate in "session" while the rest are off on holiday vacations could backfire on them if the GOP unified and played sneaky hardball.

Thanks for the rundown on what would be necessary to counter the Dem perpetual session.

My question is whether the funds paying for the travel of each Senator is being covered by the taxpayer at an extra cost. Obviously they are covered to travel to their respective states during a recess but absent an emergency are they allowed to essentially "charge" their travel costs to and from DC to the taxpayer just to gavel in a session for political obstruction of their choice? Or is the cost supposed to covered by the individual Senator from their own salary or pocket?

[B4Ranch]

If the GOP unified and played sneaky hardball they would lose their reputation as castrated, spineless politicians, a name they must really love.

[patch789]

how about somebody asking for a quorum call?

[cherry]

why didn’t our Pub congress block Clinton?....the stupid party is just that....or maybe they are just more devious in their deceit to the voters ....then again, maybe just b*all-less...

[Tai_Chung]

I agree. It’s an abuse of power by the Senate.

[cherry]

chickensheets is right...you called it...

[FreedomCalls]

One Republican Senator should show up and ask for a quorum call.

[Stegall Tx]

It’s a shame we’re not paying them on a piecework basis, however. They’d all starve.

I'd do one of two things:

1. Put them on a reverse commission ... they get paid only out of the money they DON'T spend

or

2. have their salaries and office budget come out of the treasury last if and only if there was actual money in the treasury.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

I wanna know how much this stunt cost the taxpayers for those 11 days. Staff salaries, lights/heat, the whole shooting match.

This is unconstitutional, not to mention just another use of weasel words. The GOP should have been in that session in full force just to highlight the whole farce. Course the GOP ain't that brave.

[FrdmLvr]

Leave it to a child pornographer like Webb.

[ApplegateRanch]

A quorum of Pubbies need to show up, refuse to adjourn, then vote to recess.

[unspun]

Who is more of a budding creep in the Congress than Webb?

Wimp-bloc types that voted for him should be ashamed.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Unfortunately, Webb could object to any action. In order to overcome the objection, they would have to file a cloture motion. That requires time to pass, and still would fail because they would need 60 votes.

The only thing the republicans could do would be to take over the senate and talk.

Of course, if Webb disappeared for a second, they could do something, but Webb certainly is prepared to stand their long enough for the Maryland senators to come and relieve him, which would be long enough to fly in some other senators.

[stylin19a]

great explanation...thanks

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

This little trick of the Dems to keep the Senate in "session" while the rest are off on holiday vacations could backfire on them if the GOP unified and played sneaky hardball.

I'd say it's time to turn up the heat in the bullpen, so's we can hold some feet to the fire....regrettably no doubt some are home in their State offices so a call campaign on this issue would likely be ineffective.

[VeniVidiVici]

Someone on the GOP side needs to get smart enough to block Webb’s car.

Why would they do that? Webb carries a *gun* into the Senate building.

Oh, I'm sorry. I mean Webb's staff gets to carry Webb's gun into the Senate building.

Wonder how that's working out for Webb's fall guy?

[DGHoodini]

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying Webb could object to a quorum call? I thought that any senator could call for a quorum any time they wanted. And that if a quorum cannot be established, that the Senate must be adjourned by pro forma procedure.

[nyyankeefan]

Senate meets for 9 seconds to block Bush appointment...

No cajones republicans.....have more than 9 meet for a special session and call for a quarom..if the lib/dems refuse....after a roll call.....seek a ruling by the SCOTUS!!!