Consilience Productions

« September 11th: Is there another one coming? | Main | Republican Party in the Red »

Why can't the main stream press call a filibuster by its real name?
September 20, 2007 4:00 PM

What is wrong with main stream press? The Republicans are on schedule to filibuster THREE times more bills in this Congressional term than any other Congress - ever! And the press can't seem to cover this story.

Except for McClatchy, of course (from July 20th):


Seven months into the current two-year term, the Senate has held 42 "cloture" votes aimed at shutting off extended debate - filibusters, or sometimes only the threat of one - and moving to up-or-down votes on contested legislation. Under Senate rules that protect a minority's right to debate, these votes require a 60-vote supermajority in the 100-member Senate.

This year Republicans also have blocked votes on immigration legislation, a no-confidence resolution for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and major legislation dealing with energy, labor rights and prescription drugs.

Nearly 1 in 6 roll-call votes in the Senate this year have been cloture votes. If this pace of blocking legislation continues, this 110th Congress will be on track to roughly triple the previous record number of cloture votes - 58 each in the two Congresses from 1999-2002, according to the Senate Historical Office.



Kevin Drum is even more explicit
(from 9/19/07):

I see that Republicans have successfully filibustered two more bills today: one to give a House seat to the District of Columbia (57-42) and one to restore habeas corpus rights to terrorism suspects (56-43). On the DC bill, Democrats and Independents voted 49-1 in favor. Republicans voted 41-8 against. On the habeas bill, Democrats and Independents voted 50-1 in favor. Republicans voted 42-8 against. Would it really be so hard for reporters to make it clear exactly who's responsible for blocking these bills?

Seriously! When the Dems did this before 2006, they were labeled as obstructionists. And the Republicans get a free pass from the press? What's up with that?


Join the discussion: Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Email Link to a Friend
Permalink to post: http://www.cslproductions.org/democracy/talk/archives/000514.shtml
Receive an email whenever this DEMOCRACY blog is updated:   Subscribe Here!
Tags: , , ,

Share | | Subscribe


Add your comment

Name (required)
Email
Website
Remember personal info? Yes   No
Comments

home | music | democracy | earth | money | projects | about | contact

Site design by Matthew Fries | © 2003-23 Consilience Productions. All Rights Reserved.
Consilience Productions, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
All contributions are fully tax deductible.

Support the "dialogue BEYOND music!"

Because broad and informed public participation is the bedrock of a free, democratic, and civil society, your generous donation will help increase participation in the process of social change. 100% tax deductible.
Thank you!


SEARCH OUR SITE:

Co-op America Seal of Approval  Global Voices - The world is talking, are you listening?