Wednesday
Mar242010
Senate Republicans Prevent Committees From Meeting After 2 PM
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 6:05PM
To protest the passage of health care reform, Senate Republicans have invoked a rarely used Senate rule to prevent committees from meeting after 2 pm.
Jim Manley, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), chided the Republican's decision.
"Republicans are using tricks to shut down several key Senate committees," said Manley in a written statement. "These political games and obstruction have to stop – the American people expect and deserve better.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) vowed on the Senate floor Wednesday that his party will continue their opposition to a set of amendments to the health care bill signed by Barack Obama Tuesday.
"We’ll continue to fight until this bill is repealed and replaced," McConnell said.
According to Senate guidelines, committees can only meet two hours after the session begins with unanimous consent, or if the requirement is suspended, which it typically is.
Hearings postponed for Wednesday include an Armed Services hearing on U.S. forces in Korea and a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on contracts for the training of the Afghan National Police.
An Appropriations committee hearing with the Office of Personnel and Management director John Berry was allowed to proceed. According to a staffer for the committee, Appropriations is exempt from the unanimous consent requirement under Senate rules.
Jim Manley, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), chided the Republican's decision.
"Republicans are using tricks to shut down several key Senate committees," said Manley in a written statement. "These political games and obstruction have to stop – the American people expect and deserve better.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) vowed on the Senate floor Wednesday that his party will continue their opposition to a set of amendments to the health care bill signed by Barack Obama Tuesday.
"We’ll continue to fight until this bill is repealed and replaced," McConnell said.
According to Senate guidelines, committees can only meet two hours after the session begins with unanimous consent, or if the requirement is suspended, which it typically is.
Hearings postponed for Wednesday include an Armed Services hearing on U.S. forces in Korea and a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on contracts for the training of the Afghan National Police.
An Appropriations committee hearing with the Office of Personnel and Management director John Berry was allowed to proceed. According to a staffer for the committee, Appropriations is exempt from the unanimous consent requirement under Senate rules.
Reader Comments (3)
This is disgusting!!! The Republicans have absolutely lost their minds. The teabaggers are rats following the tunes of the pied pipers of Fox. Can't you people think for yourselves? Where is the Armagoeddon they said was going to happen today? How can you defend and back these terrible people (Republicans). They are the lowest of the low, slimy, evil and hate mongers!!! Is this honestly what you elected them to do? Any kindergartner could act the way they are acting. Someone needs to check all of them for opposing thumbs! They are animals!!!!
The Democrat’s have expanded government to about 27% of GDP. Any attempt to limiting further expansion is necessary.
Once again the Republicans are holding up the work of government! Is this what we have come to? Either they are in control of everything or they stop all progress! Shame, shame, shame. And all of those of you who do not see that they are acting as agents for the corporations in this country better wake up or "we the people" will not have ANY voice in our own government. It's pure ignorance of what government is in this country and the foundational roles that only government can play. The Republican party has been hijacked, entirely. They all speak with one voice, the corporate voice. There is no individual thinking there, they all march in lock step. WAKE UP!