Democrats Threaten to Stall Vote on Bolton Nomination (Update2)

[truthpusher]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=akmMFaATjylk

Democrats Threaten to Stall Vote on Bolton Nomination (Update2)
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May 25 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Senate Democrats will use procedural tactics to try to delay a vote on the nomination of John Bolton to become ambassador to the United Nations if the Bush administration doesn't hand over requested information on Bolton, Senator Christopher Dodd said.

Democrats would use the stalling tactic ``with reluctance,'' Dodd said. ``The opportunity to avoid this altogether is in the hands of the administration.'' Dodd and Joseph Biden spoke with reporters at the Capitol in Washington. Both are on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Biden is the ranking Democrat.

Debate on Bolton's nomination opened today, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said a vote would be held by 6:30 p.m. tomorrow. Dodd said he would challenge the move to end debate. Overriding that challenge would require support from 60 of the chamber's 100 senators. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the chamber, 55-44, with one independent.

(snip)

``There will be no filibuster,'' said Kurz. ``But a majority of Democrats insist that the administration provide the Senate with all materials required to make a sound judgment.''

complete story: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=akmMFaATjylk

[CottonBear]

1. Good.

:popcorn:

[whistle]

2. I hope the dems stick it out

[Pirate Smile]

3. Info from Steve Clemems at The Washington Note.

"A Non-Filibuster Filibuster on Bolton? Tomorrow will be Intense. Get Access to C-Span.
This is the latest from a Senate source on what is expected tomorrow (Thursday) in the Battle over Bolton:

following is the expected procedure for the bolton votes tomorrow:
debate will continue until 6 pm tomorrow. final arguments will focus on the fact that the administration continues to stiff-arm the senate with respect to legitimate requests for documents relevant to the foreign relations committee's review of john bolton's fitness to serve as u.s. ambassador to the u.n.

for several weeks the administration has refused to comply with the committee's request for materials pertaining to syria policy and for the names on the nsa intercepts.

at 6pm tomorrow there will be a cloture vote. if there are 60 votes in favor of cloture, the senate will move without any further debate to an up or down vote on john bolton's confirmation. if there are not 60 votes in favor of cloture, the question of john bolton's confirmation will be carried over until after next week's recess.

there will be no filibuster, but a majority of democrats insist that the administration provide the senate with all materials required to make a sound judgment about whether john bolton should or should not be confirmed.

the 6pm vote will reveal whether a majority of the senate believes the legislative branch is equal to or subservient to the executive branch.


Ignore the absence of caps. This is a great preview of what lies ahead.

This is now being framed in one of the ways it should: Are the Executive and Legislative branches equal and have mutual obligations and duties to fulfill rowards each other?

Or is the legislative branch subservient to the White House?

There is great tumult and angst on the Senate floor today, this evening, and will be tomorrow."
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/

[movonne]

4. Yeah, yeah, I have heard that song before...fool me once, etc.