Harry Reid: "We demand an up-or-down vote...."

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: Democratic Leader Gambles That Weekend Detention Could End Senate’s Squabbling on Iraq
By JEFF ZELENY and ROBIN TONER
Published: February 16, 2007

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 — As the House prepared to pass a symbolic resolution denouncing President Bush’s war policy, Senate Democratic leaders on Thursday abruptly scheduled a weekend debate on Iraq in an effort to break a stalemate and avoid impressions that partisan bickering was weighing down deliberations over the war.

A steady line of Republicans and Democrats made their way to the House floor for a third straight day of debating Mr. Bush’s troop buildup plan before the matter comes to a vote Friday. The Senate, stung by its own failure so far to act, spent much of Thursday locked in a debate about debating until Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, called the rare Saturday session.

“We demand an up-or-down vote on the resolution the House is debating as we speak,” said Mr. Reid, a Nevada Democrat. “We’re determined to give our troops and the American people the debate they deserve.”...

***

In the Senate, Mr. Reid’s announcement essentially called the bluff of Republicans who were increasingly unhappy with the stalemate and had threatened to vote against a motion to adjourn for the Presidents’ Day recess. After a closed caucus with his fellow Democrats, Mr. Reid announced his decision for a Saturday vote.

Many Americans, of course, often have to work weekends. But the threat of a Saturday roll-call vote — attendance is taken, absences are noted — sent alarms across the Senate, particularly among those who hastily rearranged their presidential campaign schedules.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/16/washington/16cong.html

[rodeodance]

1. those Kids should NOT have a Recess till they do their work!