Democrats blocking House-Senate negotiations

[sandnsea]

They are trying. Good article that explains what the Senate Democrats are doing to try to either least stall legislation or get concessions.

"Senate Democrats, shut out of congressional negotiations on Medicare and other important bills last year, are blocking House-Senate negotiations on other bills unless they are guaranteed a voice in writing the final legislation.

The tactic has infuriated Republicans and contributed to election-year paralysis as the House and Senate struggle to work out compromises needed to make law. The conflict intensified late last week and almost caused a partial shutdown of the Transportation Department."


http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/05/03/a1.impasse.0503.html

[NMDemDist2]

1. yup they are trying for all they're worth

and still can't get behind the closed doors when the bills are being "hammered out"

[DAGDA56]

2. When you don't have a majority...

...you use whatever weapon you have at your disposal. The only drawback is that the Repubs may start reviving the cry of "Obstructionist Democrats!"

[SharonAnn]

3. What negotiations! They're trying to steam-roll things through.

Not much of a negotiation, between the R-W house and the R-W Senate passing bills that our R-W president wants.

[sandnsea]

4. Conference Committees

That take place after a bill passes both the House and the Senate. Democrats are blocking everything, trying to fight back.