Democrats Move Some Bills to Senate Floor

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20050425/ap_on_go_co/filibuster_fight

Democrats have quietly pushed several of their bills to the Senate floor to give lawmakers something to vote on if the fight over judicial filibusters gums up the works.


"I've always said that we'd make sure the Senate went forward, but we're going to do it on our agenda, not their agenda," said Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Reid has threatened to block the Republicans' legislative agenda if Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., succeeds in banning judicial filibusters.

Democrats stopped 10 of Bush's first-term appeals court nominations through filibuster threats and allowed confirmation of 34. But Republicans want to change that procedure to ensure that Democrats can't stop the seven of the 10 blocked nominees that Bush renominated, or any Supreme Court nominees if a vacancy occurs.

I love Sen. Reid. Someone is really thinking ahead on this one. I hope all goes as planned!

Nuclear Option: What happens?

As a matter of comity, the Minority in the Senate traditionally defers to the Majority in the setting of the agenda. If Bill Frist pulls the nuclear trigger, Democrats will show deference no longer.

Invoking a little-known Senate procedure called Rule XIV, last week Democrats put nine bills on the Senate calendar that seek to help America fulfill its promise.

If Republicans break the rules Democrats will use the rule to bring to the Senate floor an agenda that meets the needs of average Americans, such as lowering gas prices, reducing the cost of health care and helping veterans.

"Across the country, people are worried about things that matter to their families ­ the health of their loved ones, their child's performance in schools, and those sky high gas prices," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. "But what is the number one priority for Senate Republicans? Doing away with the last check on one-party rule in Washington to allow President Bush, Senator Frist and Tom Delay to stack the courts with radical judges. If Republicans proceed to pull the trigger on the nuclear option, Democrats will respond by employing existing Senate rules to push forward our agenda for America."

Democrats have introduced bills that address America's real challenges. (Details attached)

1. Women's Health Care (S. 844). "The Prevention First Act of 2005" will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions by increasing funding for family planning and ending health insurance discrimination against women.

2. Veterans' Benefits (S. 845). "The Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005" will assist disabled veterans who, under current law, must choose to either receive their retirement pay or disability compensation.

3. Fiscal Responsibility (S. 851). Democrats will move to restore fiscal discipline to government spending and extend the
pay-as-you-go requirement.

4. Relief at the Pump (S. 847). Democrats plan to halt the diversion of oil from the markets to the strategic petroleum reserve. By releasing oil from the reserve through a swap program, the plan will bring down prices at the pump.

5. Education (S. 848). Democrats have a bill that will: strengthen head start and child care programs, improve elementary and secondary education, provide a roadmap for first generation and low-income college students, provide college tuition relief for students and their families, address the need for math, science and special education teachers, and make college affordable for all students.

6. Jobs (S. 846). Democrats will work in support of legislation that guarantees overtime pay for workers and sets a fair minimum wage.

7. Energy Markets (S. 870). Democrats work to prevent Enron-style market manipulation of electricity.

8. Corporate Taxation (S. 872). Democrats make sure companies pay their fair share of taxes to the U.S. government instead of keeping profits overseas.

9. Standing with our troops (S. 11). Democrats believe that putting America's security first means standing up for our troops and their families

"Abusing power is not what the American people sent us to Washington to do. We need to address real priorities instead -- fight for relief at the gas pump, stronger schools and lower health care costs for America's families," said Senator Reid.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1743344

Every one of those sanctimonious turds that voted FOR the bankruptcy bill should be frogmarched out of their districts/states. I'm really glad to see Dems taking the bull by the horns against the republiCON agenda, but look how many dems voted to send bankrupt Americans down the river without a paddle. Those Dems don't have a self-righteous leg to stand on, when it comes to what the American people sent them to Washington to do.



:kick::kick::kick:

is not the point of introducing these bills. These are the heart issues for the majority of people in America. If the Dems have to "filibuster" the nuclear option these are the issues that they will talk about. The repugs will have to think twice about shutting them down when they are talking about real issues important to most Americans. This is brilliant. Good going Dems.

as simply political and Americans will laugh it off.

In another time this might have been a brilliant stroke.

In the current environment, it's simply more evidence of "Democratic irrelevance."

:kick:

More attempts to paint abortion as shameful. Sigh.

This is not only an insult to women. It's a transparent play on words that will hand ammo to the religious right.

Stop trying to court right wingers, Dean.