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As Tax Hikes Loom, Dems Discuss Filibuster Rules, FDA Reorganization, Immigration, And Judges
AP: “Democrats, On Borrowed Time As The Majority Party In Congress After A Shellacking At The Polls, Are Using Their Last Weeks In Power To Stroke Important Voting Blocs: Hispanics, Gay-Rights Groups And Liberal Activists.” (“Lame-Duck Agenda Features Political Votes,” AP, 12/1/10)
With Tax Hikes Less Than One Month Away…
Dems Focus On Filibuster Rules
“Merkley Is Distributing A Memo Making This Case To Colleages, Which Was Sent My Way, And I'm Told Merkley Will Bring The Idea Up At A Senate Caucus Meeting Today. Merkley notes that it's a myth that there's currently a way to force senators to filibuster on the floor, and proposes: The public believes that filibustering senators have to hold the floor. Indeed, the public perceives the filibuster as an act of principled public courage and sacrifice. Let's make it so.” (“One Senator's Modest Proposal: Force Senators To Actually Filibuster,” The Washington Post’s “The Plum Line” Blog, 12/1/10)
They Spent Over A Week On An FDA Bill That “Appears Headed Back To The Chamber Because Democrats Violated A Constitutional Provision”
“A Food Safety Bill That Has Burned Up Precious Days Of The Senate’s Lame-Duck Session Appears Headed Back To The Chamber Because Democrats Violated A Constitutional Provision Requiring That Tax Provisions Originate In The House.” (“House May Block Food Safety Bill Over Senate Error,” Roll Call, 12/1/10)
• “The Debacle Could Prove To Be A Major Embarrassment For Senate Democrats, Who Sought Tuesday To Make The Relatively Unknown Bill A Major Political Issue By Sending Out Numerous News Releases Trumpeting Its Passage.” (“House May Block Food Safety Bill Over Senate Error,” Roll Call, 12/1/10)
“Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) Is Pushing To Get The Bill Passed Before The Lame-Duck Session Ends In December.” (“Senate Expected To Vote On Food Safety Bill,” The Washington Post, 11/30/10)
Sen. Harry Reid: “Matters Of Importance” Include “Judges”
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “Mr. President, We Must Move Forward On Matters Of Importance – We Have Numerous Judges That Need To Be Taken Care Of…” (Sen. Reid, Floor Remarks, 12/1/10)
President Obama “Willing To ‘Spend Political Capital’” On DREAM Act
“Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Said He Would File A Motion Tuesday So The Senate Could Take Up The DREAM Act, Setting Up A Showdown Over The Bill That Would Provide Some Young, Undocumented Immigrants A Path To Citizenship.” (“Reid Moves Forward On DREAM Act,” Politico, 11/30/10)
“Education Secretary Arne Duncan Said Monday That Congress Can’t Afford To Wait To Pass The DREAM Act, Even As Immigration Allies Acknowledge There’s Little Hope Of Getting The Bill Done In The Lame-Duck Session.” (“W.H. Makes Last Appeal For DREAM Act,” Politico, 11/29/10)
• “Duncan Said Obama’s Support For The Bill Has Been ‘Unequivocal,’ Echoing Comments He Made To Reporters Nov. 18 That His Boss Was Willing To ‘Spend Political Capital’ On The Effort.” (“W.H. Makes Last Appeal For DREAM Act,” Politico, 11/29/10)
President Obama's “Fight” For “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” In “Political Endgame This Week”
“President Obama's Fight To Let Openly Gay Men And Women Serve In The U.S. Military Enters Its Political Endgame This Week.” (“‘Don’t Ask’ Showdown Looms In Senate This Week,” Time’s Swampland, 11/28/10)
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