For all the brave words from the lefty sphere (the spasm of which seems to have abated), HR 3901 seems to be making its way to the Senate exit without being greatly impeded.
According to this piece (from 1837 ET today),
Democrats do not seem inclined to go all-out to block passage of the detainee bill, but they are negotiating with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on offering amendments to the bill.
And from the horse's mouth:
"We can't stop a vote on it this week," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid Tuesday. He said a Senate vote to curtail debate on the detainee bill would take place Wednesday morning and he added, "we can't stop that."
Durbin is quoted as opposed to the retrospective immunity provision in the compromise bill, but
Asked there were enough votes to stop the bill by means of a filibuster, Durbin said he had not done a whip count of Democratic senators.
The latest legislative mechanics are that the meeting of Specter's Judiciary boys yesterday produced a text with its own amendment(s) - a PDF of the bill in the form they discussed (ie without Judiciary amendments) is available here.
Frist meanwhile has taken steps to tack (a version of) S 3901 onto the Mexican fence bill HR 6061.
I can't pretend to understand the precise mechanics of the shenanigan, but, in the Congressional Record dealing with the slew of amendments which were evidently spurious, but presumably a necessary part of the shenanigan, Uncle Harry was not quoted as fuming with outrage.
Quite the opposite.
I'd like to say that I'd leave open the possibility that this is all part of a cunning plan by the Dem honchos to lull the Video Doctor into a false sense of security before they unleash their secret weapon.
But I don't think I can.
|
|
|
Permalink :: 4 Comments :: Post a Comment
|
In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.
If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.