home

Reid Battles Obstructionism

Remember when the mighty Republican party was accusing Democrats of being obstructionists for using the filibuster and other tools to block the Republican agenda, particularly the confirmation of extremist judges? It's entertaining to see Harry Reid using Republican rhetoric against the opposition party.

Reid has found a way to overcome objections of the chief Senate obstructionist, Tom Coburn, who has blocked scores of popular bills that deserve to be passed. [more ...]

Senate procedure allows individual senators to place "holds" on bills. The majority leader -- Reid -- does not have to recognize holds, but by custom they are usually honored. Sixty votes are needed to pass a bill over a senator's objection.

Coburn's aide says he is apt to have 70 to 80 holds at one time.

Reid has repackaged 35 bills into a single bill, saving the Senate the trouble of engaging in 35 separate debates and votes.

While some Republicans grumble about "destroying the traditions of the Senate," you have to wonder where they were when the Republican party was threatening to do away with the filibuster for judicial nominees. Anyway, there's no tradition against combining bills that were once separate. To the extent that the tactic results in less debate over each individual item in the omnibus package, that harm is offset by the opportunity to enact worthy legislation that would easily pass if not for Coburn's holds.

The alternative -- trying to reason with Coburn -- isn't realistic. The Senate has wasted enough time over the years. By getting something done over the objections of a lone obstructionist, Reid is doing the right thing.

< Be Careful What You Wish For: McCain Cancels Press Conference | Bob Novak Hits Pedestrian, Drives Away >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    Maybe I'm just being dense (5.00 / 5) (#7)
    by Nadai on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:41:34 PM EST
    but wouldn't it be a lot easier to just stop recognizing Coburn's holds?  Reid did that with Dodd's hold on the FISA bill, if I recall correctly.  At the very least, set a limit as to how many bills any one Senator can hold and make all holds public.

    well if coburn were holding up the FISA (5.00 / 3) (#24)
    by sancho on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:25:15 PM EST
    bill, then reid likely would have ignored him.

    Parent
    Why not limit holds? (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by dianem on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:54:09 PM EST
    Having that many holds seems irresponsible. Give each Senator 10 holds to use as he or she pleases, then make it clear that you will not recognize holds above and beyond this limit. One man should not be allowed to hold up the business of the entire Senate. This "hold" procedure is like a filibuster, but without the Constitutional authority or accountability.

    Well, a hold is informal. (none / 0) (#20)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:25:40 PM EST
    It's a threat to filibuster. Believe me, when you have unpopular objections, it's a useful tool.

    Parent
    Hard to be too impressed with Reid... (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by Jeff in Texas on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:45:20 PM EST
    After the way Reid has handled the Senate for the last year and a half-- honoring Republican holds while ignoring holds of Democrats, manipulating the presentation of bills so as to ensure anti-Constitutional measures come to the floor and pass, presenting and passing one unquestioning war-funding bill after another, and on and on-- who can possibly give a crap at this point that he found a pair and stood up for blind kids and the otherwise handicapped?  Reid's tenure has been the complete opposite of a profile in courage, and it doesn't take much in the way of stones to hold the line in support of Superman and in opposition to children being exposed to illegal drugs.  

    Just wanna say (none / 0) (#1)
    by rottenart on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 12:46:37 PM EST
    how proud I am of Tom Coburn for being such a productive, responsible representative of my fair home state, OK. We are so lucky to have him and so wise to keep re-electing him.

    </almost unutterable snark>

    Ahh... (none / 0) (#21)
    by Thanin on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:42:06 PM EST
    fellow Oklahoman eh?  Isnt it embarrassing that we have two of the worst senators to ever grace the senate floor?  Makes me wonder if Deliverance was actually filmed in OK.  

    Parent
    There is nothing against (none / 0) (#2)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 12:50:03 PM EST
    the traditions of the Senate in this. Omnibus bills are always complained about, but usually pass.

    What's amazing is that one Senator has been so effective in blocking so many non-controversial bills.

    Question... (none / 0) (#3)
    by oldpro on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 12:59:48 PM EST
    Can Coburn not put a hold on an omnibus bill?

    Yes he can (none / 0) (#4)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:03:04 PM EST
    But Reid can also move to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed.

    The Republican caucus might back up his hold, but I wouldn't count on it.

    Parent

    Hmmm...no evidence (none / 0) (#5)
    by oldpro on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:32:34 PM EST
    that I know of to reinforce that notion..."in for a dime, in for a dollar."

    Yes...call the bluff but I can't imagine what the tickler/threat would be that could break R caucus unity.

    Reid is right to try it...I'd be surprised if it worked.  Why would it?  You can't shame these people.

    Parent

    Would you want to run for reelection (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:34:50 PM EST
    having voted to block the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act?

    Parent
    Wow (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by hitchhiker on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:21:10 PM EST
    I'm part of a small band of warriors that has been fighting to get that bill passed for YEARS.  I've been to DC 3 times to meet with my own representatives.  I've written and called and organized and --Tom Coburn.

    Tom Coburn.

    Tom Coburn.

    He's had his hold on this bill since it was written, and he does not care one whit about how non-controversial and popular it is. It passed the house, for the love of God, unanimously. In fact, we were told by our lobbyists not to provoke him in any way, because he's the sort of man who digs in his heels when pushed.  He likes being seen as having such strong principles that he can't be moved.

    My paralyzed friends who happen to live Oklahoma are some of the angriest people I know.

    Parent

    If Reid does what he says he's going to do (none / 0) (#19)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:23:58 PM EST
    I predict that he will break through. You're going to get your bill this year.

    Parent
    Your lips to God's ears (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by hitchhiker on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:47:38 PM EST
    You know, when the government ceases to be even minimally responsive -- when citizens are told not to contact an elected representative because it will just piss him off -- that's when you know that your democracy is one in name only.

    Parent
    It speaks to the insanity of the Senate (none / 0) (#23)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:49:02 PM EST
    I think it's unlikely that you'll find an unfairer body in any other real democracy in the world.

    Parent
    I repeat... (none / 0) (#11)
    by oldpro on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:51:12 PM EST
    you cannot shame these people.

    For most Rs, this would not be a problem in their districts...only in a challenged seat...so then, maybe they'd break.

    We'll see.  R discipline is beyond beyond...depends on whether their leadership gives them permission or not.

    Parent

    In a year like this, I think you'd be surprised (none / 0) (#13)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:54:51 PM EST
    A year like this? (5.00 / 4) (#15)
    by oldpro on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:25:12 PM EST
    I've already BEEN surprised.

    Mostly by people who continue, for some unknown reason, to call themselves Democrats, liberals, progressives even.

    Go figure.

    Parent

    apparently so. (none / 0) (#8)
    by cpinva on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:41:47 PM EST
    Would you want to run for reelection
    having voted to block the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act?

    sen. coburn's constituents don't seem to have a problem with it.

    A more accurate statement (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by rottenart on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:45:09 PM EST
    would be that Sen. Coburn's constituents have absolutely NO CLUE about what it is that he does all day. they just know he's a good Christian Doctor cuz the TeeVee done told em so.

    Parent
    Exactly (none / 0) (#10)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:47:24 PM EST
    You think the DSCC wouldn't use this against Norm Coleman or even Saxby Chambliss?

    Parent
    And high time (none / 0) (#12)
    by oldpro on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:52:38 PM EST
    I'd say...

    Parent
    Whenever (none / 0) (#14)
    by rottenart on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:55:28 PM EST
    you guys get the DSCC to commit some resources to OK, be sure to let me know... My boy Andrew Rice could always use some more help.

    Parent