Post by Tim Collins on Dec 19, 2009 7:19:34 GMT -7
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo33eQz5aTg
McCain: Senate comity eroded
By: Manu Raju
December 18, 2009 08:09 AM EST
Sen. John McCain on Friday denounced the decision of Democrats to cut off Sen. Joe Lieberman in the middle of a floor speech, saying that the good will in the usually clubby Senate seems to have evaporated.
“I’ve been around here for more than 20 years, yesterday on the floor of the Senate, the senator from Connecticut was finishing up his remarks … and was objected to by the newest member of the United States Senate – and in the most brusque way.
“That’s how the comity in this body has deteriorated,” the Arizona Republican told reporters. “We got to stop – we got to stop this kind of behavior. I’ve never seen anything like it. And I hope that I don’t see it again.”
But Democrats say that it’s the GOP that has killed the comity in the Senate, arguing that GOP leaders pressured three Republican senators to withhold their support for ending debate on a defense bill until the ailing 92-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd arrived for the 1 a.m. vote Friday to lend the decisive vote for the Democrats.
McCain was responding to an episode Thursday in which Lieberman asked for unanimous consent for “ just an additional moment" to finish his speech about health care.
Sen. Al Franken said no.
"In my capacity as the senator from Minnesota, I object," said Franken, who shrugged his shoulders as he was presiding over the Senate.
"Really?" Lieberman asked, flashing a grin. "I don't take it personally."
Democratic leadership aides and Franken’s office say nothing personal was meant. Both said that the leadership is strictly enforcing a 10-minute speaking rule, an unusual move that is irking long-winded senators.
Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said the objection was not directed at Lieberman, who is the source of liberal ire for his position on the health care bill.
"We did that to maintain order and that no senator had an unfair advantage over another in terms of speaking," Manley said. "It was a simple request of the leader and Sen. Franken was adhering to the request of his leadership."
Oh really? A US Senator is accountable to his party leadership? I thought they were accountable to the US people.
Earlier on the floor, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), presiding over the Senate, objected to Sen. John Cornyn's (R-Texas) request for additional time to speak — clearly annoying Cornyn.
Begich later withdrew his objection and allowed Cornyn to finish speaking.
McCain: Senate comity eroded
By: Manu Raju
December 18, 2009 08:09 AM EST
Sen. John McCain on Friday denounced the decision of Democrats to cut off Sen. Joe Lieberman in the middle of a floor speech, saying that the good will in the usually clubby Senate seems to have evaporated.
“I’ve been around here for more than 20 years, yesterday on the floor of the Senate, the senator from Connecticut was finishing up his remarks … and was objected to by the newest member of the United States Senate – and in the most brusque way.
“That’s how the comity in this body has deteriorated,” the Arizona Republican told reporters. “We got to stop – we got to stop this kind of behavior. I’ve never seen anything like it. And I hope that I don’t see it again.”
But Democrats say that it’s the GOP that has killed the comity in the Senate, arguing that GOP leaders pressured three Republican senators to withhold their support for ending debate on a defense bill until the ailing 92-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd arrived for the 1 a.m. vote Friday to lend the decisive vote for the Democrats.
McCain was responding to an episode Thursday in which Lieberman asked for unanimous consent for “ just an additional moment" to finish his speech about health care.
Sen. Al Franken said no.
"In my capacity as the senator from Minnesota, I object," said Franken, who shrugged his shoulders as he was presiding over the Senate.
"Really?" Lieberman asked, flashing a grin. "I don't take it personally."
Democratic leadership aides and Franken’s office say nothing personal was meant. Both said that the leadership is strictly enforcing a 10-minute speaking rule, an unusual move that is irking long-winded senators.
Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said the objection was not directed at Lieberman, who is the source of liberal ire for his position on the health care bill.
"We did that to maintain order and that no senator had an unfair advantage over another in terms of speaking," Manley said. "It was a simple request of the leader and Sen. Franken was adhering to the request of his leadership."
Oh really? A US Senator is accountable to his party leadership? I thought they were accountable to the US people.
Earlier on the floor, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), presiding over the Senate, objected to Sen. John Cornyn's (R-Texas) request for additional time to speak — clearly annoying Cornyn.
Begich later withdrew his objection and allowed Cornyn to finish speaking.