Byrd to Block Omnibus Funding Bill

[Khephra]

Byrd to Block Omnibus Funding Bill
Senator Says He'll Oppose GOP Bid for Passage With No Roll Call
By Helen Dewar
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 4, 2003; Page A15


The already dim prospects for final congressional action next week on a huge catchall funding bill for the government faded further yesterday when Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) signaled that he will block a Republican move to pass the measure without a roll-call vote.

Byrd's move makes it even more likely that the $328 billion package will not be approved before Congress opens its 2004 session in late January.

Under Senate rules, it would take unanimous consent -- the approval of all 100 senators -- to bring the contentious "omnibus" spending bill up for a vote. Byrd said in a statement issued by his office that he will withhold his consent.

Under the Republican plan, the bill would be passed without a roll-call vote, which is customary but not required for major legislation. Only last month, the Senate approved legislation providing $87.5 billion for military and rebuilding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan without a roll call.

more..............

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33088-2003Dec3.html

[dfong63]

1. Byrd rocks

[Voltaire99]

2. Hear, hear. One of the last Democrats. (n/t)

[dusty64]

7. Yup, bet he

will be stabbed in the back again by the party.

[nolabels]

3. Byrd is the Real Deal, a leader, my Idea of what a Senator should be.

Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster, Filibuster,

Do they need 40 or 41

[DeathvadeR]

4. The byrdman is soaring!!!!

Fly Brydman Fly!!!!

[LeftCoast]

5. Woohoo!

thank you Sen. Byrd!

[davidinalameda]

6. good for Byrd

makes me proud to be from West Virginia

[mbperrin]

8. Byrd is great! Can't someone

find us poor Texans someone like him? Puh-leaze!!!!!!!!!!!???????

[0007]

9. Fly byrd fly - perhaps other dems will follow?

Naw!