Getting Some Traction for an Up or Down Vote
No, not the Supreme Court nomination of John Roberts: Specter's stem cell research bill.
Apparently Mr. Specter is tired of the Senate Majority Leader's intransigence on bringing his bill up for a vote. Today's Washington Post describes Specter's next move:
With prospects dimming for a simple Senate vote on a bill to loosen President Bush's restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) threatened yesterday to circumvent the political logjam by attaching the wording to the appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services.
I was fascinated by the use of the words "political logjam" by the writer. That's exactly what the problem is. Those conservatives who are obviously conscious of President Bush glaring over their shoulder have set out competing bills (allowing for only adult stem cell research) designed to 'peel away' Republican support for the Specter bill.
Frist has been trying to get an agreement from Specter that no bill will come to the floor for a vote unless there are at least 60 supporters for the bill. Is Mr. Frist insisting on a veto-proof bill? No, not hardly. He wants a filibuster-proof bill. Yes, that's right. The Republicans are apparently capable of (gasp) filibustering, bringing proceedings to a halt. Apparently filibustering is acceptable when the GOP does it, but not when Democrats do it.
Normally I find the passage of controversial bills by tacking them on as amendments to must-pass budget bills disgusting. This time, I am willing to hold my nose, since it appears to be the only way to get a vote on the record.
And again (said the nag), call your senators and urge them to vote for the Specter-Harkin bill. Now.
Apparently Mr. Specter is tired of the Senate Majority Leader's intransigence on bringing his bill up for a vote. Today's Washington Post describes Specter's next move:
With prospects dimming for a simple Senate vote on a bill to loosen President Bush's restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) threatened yesterday to circumvent the political logjam by attaching the wording to the appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services.
I was fascinated by the use of the words "political logjam" by the writer. That's exactly what the problem is. Those conservatives who are obviously conscious of President Bush glaring over their shoulder have set out competing bills (allowing for only adult stem cell research) designed to 'peel away' Republican support for the Specter bill.
Frist has been trying to get an agreement from Specter that no bill will come to the floor for a vote unless there are at least 60 supporters for the bill. Is Mr. Frist insisting on a veto-proof bill? No, not hardly. He wants a filibuster-proof bill. Yes, that's right. The Republicans are apparently capable of (gasp) filibustering, bringing proceedings to a halt. Apparently filibustering is acceptable when the GOP does it, but not when Democrats do it.
Normally I find the passage of controversial bills by tacking them on as amendments to must-pass budget bills disgusting. This time, I am willing to hold my nose, since it appears to be the only way to get a vote on the record.
And again (said the nag), call your senators and urge them to vote for the Specter-Harkin bill. Now.
posted by Diane at 6:35 AM
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