Reid considering keeping Senate in session during the holidays

[babylonsister]

What's to think about? Just do it, Harry!

Instead of Plum Appointments, Maybe a Lump of Coal

By Al Kamen
Friday, December 14, 2007; Page A37

Christmas is usually a time when controversial nominees for top federal jobs wait for Santa, in the form of the president of the United States, to come down the chimney with their recess appointments.

Maybe not this year. Word is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), in order to prevent President Bush from handing out those goodies, is now thinking about keeping the Senate in session during the Christmas-New Year's break, which starts at the end of next week and continues until the Senate returns in mid- to late January.

The unusual maneuver, which Reid first used during the recent Thanksgiving vacation, would block Bush from using his constitutional power -- derived from the days when the Senate could be out of session for months -- to fill vacancies. Such appointments made now would be valid through the end of Bush's presidency.

As a practical matter, if Reid decides to keep the Senate in session, such folks as Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), who came in from across the river to wield the gavel during the Thanksgiving break, would once again briefly open and close the Senate twice a week, in what are called pro forma sessions.

Senate Democrats have been particularly upset over several of Bush's recess appointees, including Charles Pickering to an appeals court seat and, more recently, Republican donor and Swift Boat ad-campaign contributor Sam Fox as ambassador to Belgium.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/13/AR2007121302017.html?hpid=sec-politics

[spanone]

1. fat chance

[babylonsister]

2. Why? He did it over Thanksgiving. All they need is one senator to

be there to open and close 'sessions'.

[Lasher]

6. That's right. The show of backbone was refreshing.

Should be a no-brainer. This president has shown he will do whatever he can to get his way.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. I dunno. Webb may be more than happy to do this 2 times a week.

He's as sick of these thugs as we are.

[annabanana]

4. He damn well better... even just "pro-forma" to forestall

more disastrous recess appointments..

[meegbear]

5. And this is what will come of that ...

[babylonsister]

7. I see 'toons like this and really, really hope Reid reads them, too.

He's got to know how disgusted we are.

[SoFlaJet]

9. Yea Sis

whatever happened to Give "em Hell Harry? It's more like give em whatever the hell they want Harry-I'm very disappointed in my democrats. It seems they were better at being the minority party-who knows maybe this time it'll be different

[havocmom]

16. How do we get permission from Tom Tomorrow to use it

in faxes to Reid? :evilgrin:

[babylonsister]

17. I don't know, but that's an excellent idea! nt

[ThomWV]

8. Its a dam shame you can't "recommend" a reply within a thread.

Great cartoon!

[MuseRider]

10. Well of course!

It is much more fun to actually be able to vote them in. :eyes:

[gratuitous]

11. It's a no-risk, no-brainer

Which means that Reid will probably need lots and lots of support for his nascent spine to do it. The pain it will save the nation is incalculable, and the political risk is negligible. What's Bush going to do? Whine that the Senate is defeating his nefarious recess appointment plans? Tough titty. Nobody will care. Since Senators get the same pay whether they show up for work or not, getting someone to open and close a session won't cost anything. Make it a ceremonial plum thing, like ringing the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange. Encourage folks to wear festive hats or Groucho nose and glasses.

Piss off W. and have fun doing it; what's the downside?

[KharmaTrain]

12. Anything To Piss Off Booshie Is Good For The Country

The fuktard threw a hissy fit when Reid kept the Senate in session during Thanksgiving...here's hoping we go for the full tantrum this time around.

There's no compromising with this regime, no negotiation...and surely no giving them any benefit of the doubt. For the remainder of this regime's tenure, they must be kept bottled up and on the defensive. The days of pushing things through the backdoor is over.

[asjr]

13. I am just about ready to

give up. I don't like to criticize our congresspeople, but sometimes I can't help it. They speak loudly and carry small sticks. I do not believe a word from this administration and it is coming to the point I can't believe anything Democrats say. There probably will not be an election next year because some "intelligence" says we are going to be invaded so Shrub will rely on martial law. Holding hearings on everything doesn't cut it. We can have hearings until Jan. 2009 and it will not matter.

[zalinda]

14. Okay, what can we do to convince them to do it?

What if we all (or as many that can afford it) send gas money to Webb, for his trips over the river. Would that get the message across?

zalinda

[IndyOp]

15. K&R - I can't believe this is even a "maybe." (n/t)