NYT | 11th-Hour Bills Irk Lawmakers Left in the Dark

[goobergunch]

By DAVID FIRESTONE
Published: November 22, 2003

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 — For weeks, hundreds of impatient Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill have steamed as Congressional leaders confined them to the anteroom while writing gigantic bills reshaping Medicare and energy policy.

On Friday, many of those shut out of the inner sanctum got a morsel of revenge when 40 members of the Senate succeeded in blocking the energy bill, a long-sought prize of Republican leaders and the Bush administration. By introducing the two big bills at the last minute and thus limiting debate just before the winter adjournment, those leaders had hoped to push the measures through a weary Congress, but many lawmakers suggested on Friday that the tactic might be backfiring.

"They thought that we're in such a hurry to go home that they could stack the decks to achieve their goals and no one would know what was going on," said Representative John D. Dingell, Democrat of Michigan and the longest-serving member of the House. He added, "You can't grossly abuse the traditions and proper practices of Congress and not expect members to be resentful."

The energy bill may yet be revised and revived, said Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader. And throughout the day the administration was visibly struggling for enough House votes to pass its Medicare drug plan.

more...http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/22/politics/22MEMO.html

[RichV]

1. Did Gephardt and DK vote?

Just wondering. Looks like the Dems managed to snag defeat from the jaws of victory yet again. Gotta love those dirty tactics by the GOPers last night. Ugh.

[MaineDem]

2. Yes they did

Both voted no.