Someone Please Explain What Is Going On In the Senate?

[ThomWV]

I am completely confused ....

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. so are they. For at least 6 yrs.

[longship]

2. Here it is.

I was watching with one eye and listening with one ear, but this is the gist of it.

Senate debating the Feingold-Collins bill which reauthorized oversight of Iraqi reconstruction. Senators Akaka and Kent Conrad sent up an amendment for emergency drought relief for farmers. The Republicans, specifically Senator Gregg, tried a power play, threatening to invoke Rule 16 (which governs appropriations bills--not certain what the specifics are in this context).

Kent Conrad turned near beet red, got into high dudgeon, and threatened to bring Senate proceedings to a crawl by withdrawing all unanimous assent cooperation.

The horror-struck Kay Bailey Hutchison (controlling the floor at the time) went limp and speechless, then called for a quorum.

At the beginning of the quorum call Conrad was visibly getting into Kay Bailey's face, poking his finger at her. He was *pissed*.

Nothing yet has happened since then on this matter.

The Senate is now voting to instruct the Sergeant At Arms to compel attendence.
It's passing 100%.

[partylessinOhio]

3. "Compel attendance" Is this something new?

One thing would help - if they were all forced to sit in their seats. All this cocktail hour standing and shooting the breeze is not productive.

Sit down and attend to the business of the country!

[Ioo]

4. It said something else

they changed it