The sun sets. Will the Senate remain shut-down?

[longship]

Yesterday, I reported on a situation developing on the Senate floor concerning Kent Conrad's amendment funding emergency drought relief for Midwestern farmers. If you are not aware, this is a bill which has previously passed the Senate by a super-majority of 77 votes. It went to the House and has returned to the Senate for final passing. Republicans are trying to stop the amendment.

Yesterday, after threatening a shut-down, the Republicans promised Senator Conrad that the amendment could be included in today's Ag bill proceedings. But today the Republicans reneged on their promise; the Ag bill was not going to be on the schedule. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan acted immediately, announcing that until the Republicans honor their agreement, no further Senate business would transpire.

Both Conrad and Dorgan stood up and presented their case several times during the afternoon, with brief respites for quorum calls. There was some other business that took place, though. Senator Conrad allowed a very few unanimous consent motions to go through explaining that he would be reasonable and would not stop critical Senate business. He also allowed Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) to deliver an address honoring three fallen Ohio soldiers. Other than that, the Senate was at a complete standstill.

The bottom line of this is that although the Republicans remain in the majority the Democrats now seem intent on wielding their true minority power. After watching much of the proceedings on C-SPAN-2 this afternoon, one realized that Senators Conrad and Dorgan are not going to be backing down until this is resolved. If these are rumblings of how this lame duck session is going to go for the Republicans I wouldn't put any money on them getting any of their wacky bills through this Senate. The Democrats are standing tall and firm.

Just before adjourning, Senator Conrad announced that the Republican leadership is promising that they will do everything to put the Ag bill on the agenda tomorrow. This begs two questions. First, will the Republicans, for a second day in a row, renege on their promise? I suspect that we won't know the answer until tomorrow. However, there is little doubt on the second question. Will Senator Conrad shut it down a second time if the Republicans again refuse to honor their word? The answer to that was made crystal clear today.

[zreosumgame]

1. probably a looooooooong wait

the repukes are to used to rolling over every objection

[louis-t]

2. They're also used to only working

eight hours a week. Snark.

[Tatiana]

3. Dorgan already made the point that no pressing business was pending in the Senate

that would preclude Conrad from bring the amendment up for a vote.

These are Republican stall tactics. They are probably trying to buy more time to talk it over with Frist and Lott.

Senate business better be at a standstill until the Ag bill is brought to the floor for a vote. A lot of farmers are depending upon this assistance.

[longship]

4. We'll know tomorrow AM if the Repukes put it on the schedule.

If not, I'm sure that Conrad and Dorgan will once again stand up for the farmers.

But there is something more important here than farmers. The Democratic Party boldness here is what is important. Their standing up is what makes all the difference. This will change a lot of things in the coming weeks.

[joanski0]

5. Thanks, longship. I was watching this

but then I got a phone call from my sister in CA and missed what Kent Conrad said at the end. Conrad sounds really firm in his decision and said that all he wants is a vote. He probably has enough Republican votes to win. Please, why in hell don't the Republicans want to help the farmers with drought relief?????

[williesgirl]

6. Let's hear it for backbone - what a welcome change! recommended

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. this is great for several reasons, the first being,

every tick of the clock makes it less likely that John Bolton will be back screwing with the UN.

[Canuckistanian]

8. December 18th. Recess appointment.

Who needs a senate when you've got a loophole?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. or a congress, a judiciary, or anything else?

the most criminal administration - a pimple, no, a cyst, on the ass of America's history.

[Q3JR4]

15. Re :Recess Appointments.

I did some digging around and found a memorandum that was requested from the law firm Arnold & Porter in which they considered the Administration's options for extending the tenure of Bolton as U.N. Ambassador:

Click here for the memorandum.

Q3JR4.

[Canuckistanian]

17. Wow, quite a scholarly work on recess appointments

So they're saying that Bolton won't be paid if he's appointed a second time during a recess.

This law was specifically passed in 1863 to prevent presidents from abusing recess appointments.

Smart people.

[jgraz]

9. Is this begin covered anywhere?

I'm only seeing this on DU -- are any news outlets covering the Senate?

[longship]

10. No. But I've phoned into a couple of radio shows.

I called Jon Elliot last night and got right on the air. I was a bit nervous and was driving, so I stumbled and stammered through it.

Today, when the sword fell, I called Randi, but her producer shined me on, like it wasn't anything important. Pshaw! Apparently Randi has her own agenda. Now I know why I don't listen to her.

But nobody in the news media is covering this. Right now, it's Murtha, Murtha, Murtha, and John McCain/Rudy Giuliani, and Hillary/Obama twenty-four hours a day. You'd think that when the Senate gets shut down it might be worth a mention.

Oh, and don't forget Tom Cruise, O.J. Simpson, and Britney Spears. Blah, Blah, Bleaaagh! :puke:

[jgraz]

11. Thanks for trying -- when were you on?

I've got the podcast, I'll listen for your call.

[longship]

13. Just after the 7PM PST news break.

There was a call or two before me.

[here_is_to_hope]

16. Ya know, my SO said

the very same thing earlier, like the only news is '08 and every campaign is in full swing.
Silly.

[Tatiana]

14. Kick

This is so important because these were two conservative Dems basically saying they have had enough with Republican mafia-style tactics.

I hope all the other Dem Senators take the hint and keep the ball rolling!

[mhatrw]

18. Shut the damn thing down.

Seriously.