Hastert delays 06 Session of House to Help Delay Return to Leadership

[kpete]

Delay/Hastert Strikes Again (w/Poll!)
by ksh01
Wed Dec 07, 2005 at 09:54:18 AM PDT
Let's see: New Orleans is in ruins, Iraq is in disarray, Republicans being indicted and investigated, Mother Earth is exacting revenge for our horrible environmental policy.....sounds like we need our representatives hard at work to fix the various messes we find ourselves in.

Right?

Nope. The Boston Globe is reporting that House Speaker Dennis Hastert will delay convening the 2006 session of the House of Representatives until January 31 in order to give Tom Delay more time to fight the charges against him and return to leadership.

Extended vacation on the flip....
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/12/7/115418/388

I think the Dems need to make hay of this one. According to the Boston Globe, House Speaker Dennis Hastert will delay convening the 2006 session of the House in order to allow Tom Delay to dispose of the charges against him and regain the leadership. This is being reported at Think Progress as well as the Daily Delay.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/12/07/house_republicans_quietly_pushing_for_new_leadership/

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Yes

the Dems need to ask the public if they want their representatives not to work, especially after that large pay raise they voted themselves.

[MallRat]

2. So, lemme get this straight...

...the House of Representatives is going to postpone convening for 2006 to accomodate the needs of one member?

Well, it's not as if the other 434 representatives have anything important to do.

:eyes:

[Todd B]

4. Meh, like they're doing anything for us anyways?

Still, it's shameful for them to hold up Congress just so a Representative whose UNDER INDICTMENT can rejoin the rest of them.

I always knew most CongressCritters were criminals, but at least they're up front about it.

[Kolesar]

6. The less time they meet, the less damage they can do

Congress is generally slow moving in an election year. The longer they wait, the better for us.

[FreedomAngel82]

23. And on the Majority Report I believe

told how at least fifty something percent of the people in DeLay's district aren't voting for him.

[tavalon]

57. They don't as far as I can tell

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

3. This sounds like it could backfire horribly.

Good lord these people are addicted to their money machine.

[Walt Starr]

5. This tactic could backfire big time

if the Abramoff indictments come down in the meantime.

[BOSSHOG]

7. Ole tom must have some godawful pictures

Imagine hastert and santorum in a threesome with a german shepherd. If delay needs the month of February so be it. And don't forget to heap scorn and disdain on those who enable the republican party to do what it does. Meanwhile our kids continue to die in Iraq and many of our fellow citizens are living in tents on the gulf coast. It really is a grand old party.

[Horse with no Name]

8. It makes me sick

That people are still living in tents when there are hundreds of homes sitting in a parking lot in Florida. Not to mention that the motel vouchers ran out on November 30, so how many are living in cars...or worse?
I know we are getting snow tonight--I pray that those in tents can keep their children warm.:cry:

[PurpleChez]

38. There are some things a German Shepherd just won't do!!!!

I'd have more respect for the German Shepherd than for all the rethugs put together.

Hey W: Be the person your dog thinks you are.

[KamaAina]

45. I'm thinking box turtle myself

Imagine hastert and santorum in a threesome with a german shepherd.

Wouldn't it just be easier for them to call up Enron John and ask if they could borrow one (or more) of his box turtles? :spank:

[snippy]

9. So republicans now find it necessary to schedule around indictments?

As the investigation into the Bush-Abramoff-DeLay crime family progresses, republicans will find it more and more difficult to fit their criminal activity into the upcoming indictment schedule.

The republican party has become a criminal enterprise.

[FreedomAngel82]

25. I think they're worse than the mafia

Because at least with the mafia they don't put up a fake front on who they are.

[ladjf]

27. The Republicans make the mafia look like petty shop lifters.

[ladjf]

26. You are not exaggerating in the least.

[Fovea]

52. Exactly

This could be a very long wait for Tom to get out of Leavenworth.

[eppur_se_muova]

62. LOL! But all too true.

"Wait a minute, let me check my Indictment-at-a-Glance®...how about Thursday? But not this Thursday, my secretary is on the witness stand then, and it could be kinda rough. Wednesday my campaign manager is up for sentencing...No, Friday's too late, I'm facing conviction...No, I haven't entered a plea yet, but trust me on this..."

[Inland]

71. And if it seems that the 2006 elections are at an awkward moment,

those may be put off, too.

[farmbo]

10. GOP Congress gives itself a pay raise then extends its vacation 30 days...

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/12715

Nice work if you can get it!

:grr:

[ComerPerro]

22. Following the leader...

[deminks]

11. Taxation without Representation!

Let them take a month off of our taxes, then, directly out of their salaries. Asswipes.

[CabalPowered]

12. Oh for the love of god... Most depts are still waiting for budgets

that were supposed to be done prior to Oct 1. We have two grants that were approved last week but DoEd won't release funding for them b/c they don't have a budget yet. :banghead:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

72. Thank you CabalPowered...

There's just so much to keep track of. I'd forgotten about the budgets.

[PegDAC]

75. DoD

is getting its funding piecemealed to us on a monthly basis.

:eyes: :argh: :banghead:

[Orsino]

13. If the Dems want to make hay from the Rs putting off the real work...

...of the House, they would do well to nudge Sentor Hillary away from her participation in the ridiculous War on Flag Burners.

[WI_DEM]

14. Hasert is just as bad and just as corrupt

[lebkuchen]

15. Truly, Hastert is traitorous, but I won't go so far as to say he should be

hung.

I'm against the death penalty.

[Loonman]

16. Republicans approve of and reward each other for criminal activity

Pretty much.

[TahitiNut]

17. It'd be nice if their pay was docked for the time they don't show up.

Strangely, however, our 'representatives' don't live in the same world we do. :eyes:

[mermaid]

21. Hmmmm

Interestingly enough...when Texas Democrats went to Oklahoma and New Mexico to break the quorum to try to defeat a rigged Redistricting...the Republicans fined them for every day they were absent...FROM A SPECIAL SESSION!! A special session whose sole purpose was to shaft Democrats!

And now they want to "DeLay" the start of the 2006 legistlative session, while long-term unemployed people could use emergency extended benefits, homeless people from New Orleans have nowhere to go, and their hotel/motel vouchers are running out...hundreds are dying every month in Iraq (and that's just OUR boys and girls)...ah, there's no IMPORTANT BUSINESS for Congress to do, anyway, is there??

We oughta dock their salaries for every day they were supposed to be there and weren't.

i'd like to see all the Democrats come back to Washington as scheduled, and then make hay about all the Repukes who weren't there!! That would really backfire in the faces of the Repukes, if the Dems were there and working, while the Repukes weren't!!

[Tactical Progressive]

37. That's a good idea

Dems showing up while Republicans take time off for bad behavior.

"We sympathize with Republicans and their need for indictment days. Our own children have snow days so we understand how the outside world can intrude on one's plans. But there is an awful lot of work to do here, especially after such a long recess."

[snippy]

47. The GOP "need for indictment days" is excellent.

Democrats need to start using that.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

73. it would be Priceless. imho. nt

[Bolo Boffin]

41. Fantastic way to kick off an election year

The Democratic Party Congresspeople standing on the Capitol steps - "We're here ready to work, and where are the Republicans? Waiting on Tom Delay's day in court!"

"Speaker Hastert - open these doors and let's get to work!"

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

60. And one more

month to NOT VOTE on the spectrum requirement for Police/Fire to communicate during a Homeland Security emergency situation. :grr:

[Elbee]

18. Tears were rolling

down my cheeks by the time I'd read all the posts on this thread. Haven't had such a freewheeling laugh that would bring tears to my eyes in ages. What a refreshing break from the gloom that is the world's political reality.

Thanks all of you who posted.

[newyawker99]

58. Hi Elbee!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

74. Welcome to DU!

[NVMojo]

19. I am sick of all of these pompous self-serving assholes ...

out with them all! They forget whom they serve ...the people! Not the fecking corporations and campaign groups!

[FreedomAngel82]

20. How can they get away with this?!

[ladjf]

29. Right now, they have control of all of the power buttons.

However, there is a chance their reign of corruption could end in 2006. (That outcome may well depend on whether the voting machines can be effectively monitored for legitimacy.)

[PurpleChez]

44. Easy. They stand up, with a straight face, and they say

"We're redneck Christians, just like you," and 95% of the south, along with a goodly measure of the rest of the country, will go along with anything they want to do.

[The Backlash Cometh]

24. Damn. The concerns of an entire nation are being put on hold for the

special interest of one man. Holy 'Shita.

[ladjf]

30. Amazing and disgraceful.

[mermaid]

36. Wouldn't Be The First Time

Hell, stop me if I'm wrong, but didn't they put the concerns of the entire nation on hold for the special interest of Terri Sciavo...almost exactly a year ago to the day?

[wryter2000]

28. Republican limbo

How low can they go?

IMHO, this will backfire big time. Every single Dem running should rub their noses in this. Buh-bye Repugs. Hello, real investigations.

[Not Sure]

31. You have got to be kidding....

This takes the cake. I can't wait for that f**k Delay to be locked up.

[Cugel the Clever]

32. Disgusting and Stupid

If Hastert thinks that January will see the end of DeLay's legal difficulties, he is either very dim or privy to information that has not been publicly divulged, ie, the fix is in. Either case is credible.

The Dems can do some justified bitching- this is another blaring example of the Republicans' corrupt mismanagement. But how many millions of such examples do we need?

It comes down to election$, not day-to-day bad governance. 2006 is crucial to Repugs. DeLay is key to their steely grasp of the House. If he is neutralized, a lot of unseen power structures are going to be fatally weakened.

I'm afraid Hastert knows something we don't if he thinks DeLay will stand for Leader again. Or he is very very dumb.

[Justice Is Comin]

33. I hope they remember how this works

because we've got a little payback for em come November. I want them bastards to be locked out of every meeting, every committee, every closed session, every mark up, even out of the bathrooms.

Your time is coming. Remember how it works, write it down, make a recording. Because payback is coming. :mad:

[eridani]

66. If you want payback--

--work on transparent elections, NOW! Otherwise, fuggedaboudit.

[OregonBlue]

34. I just emailed the quote from the Boston Globe to Lou, Keith, Tweety, etc.

The Republicans play politics while our boys die in Iraq. They seem to think that the political future of The Hammer is more important than the war, education, etc. This is outrageous.

Hey everybody - send it to all of the MSM. Make these guys explain why they think we should postpone the countries business simply because Delay is a crook.

[mermaid]

35. My LTTE On This Subject

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=178020&mesg_id=178020

[hraka]

39. You're f*ing kidding!!

I can't believe it. Well, I can. But I can't.

[Norquist Nemesis]

40. They must have some REALLY close votes on their agenda

Why else would one person make that big of difference? :shrug:

[stepnw1f]

42. More Ammo to Nail Them With

My God the Hubris these people suffer is incredible.

[depakid]

43. Good!

The longer that pack of jackals is away from Congress the better.

[DeepModem Mom]

46. Oh, my dear God. nt

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lerkfish]

49. self-delete

thanks mods

[CabalPowered]

50. Does anyone know when the Senate is supposed to reconvene?

TIA..

[KamaAina]

51. Remember something called the Constitution?

It's not a roll of toilet paper, assholes! :grr:

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html#20

AMENDMENT XX
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.

Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3.

Section 1.
The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day....

In plain English, Lardass has absolutely no authority to do this unilaterally and in the dark (where, like any other cockraoch, he prefers to operate). He'd have to try to ram the, um, DeLay through on yet another party-line vote. I'm thinking the moderates aren't gonna go for that.

[progressoid]

55. If Our side gets is shit together, that piece of paper

will help us make them regret this little ploy.

[chicagiana]

67. Is there any way to REMOVE a speaker???

Is their any method of REMOVING a speaker from office and remove him with another??? Hastert may be worried about his own position as he is really just Tom Delay's todie.

Speaking of which, I wonder if the Democrats could convene on January 3rd WITHOUT the Republicans and oust Hastert as speaker. If there is a discrepency in House rules and constitutional requirements (Jan 3), who wins???? I would suspect that the Constitution wins. I don't know how the Democrats could pursue this, but it would make excellent news if the Democrats elected their own speaker in a constitutional session and started conducting hearings while the Republicans sat on their asses.

The debate would be uprorious and the Democrats would be armed with great charges of even more lawlessness by the Republican House leadership.

[bpeale]

78. dems agenda

that would be a good time to pass some of the dems agenda items. let em go. remove them. get rid of them. and pass a real agenda that does something for the american people.

[truebrit71]

53. Is there NOTHING these filthy toads won't do?

This is so blatant that it HAS to be noticed MSM.

[SSX]

54. As a Mississippian, I sent this ltte

Our Governor appeared before a House panel on Wed. Dec. 7 and admonished Congress for the lack of Federal help in getting our state back into shape after Katrina.``We are at a point where our recovery and renewal efforts are stalled because of inaction in Washington, D.C., and the delay has created uncertainty that is having very negative effects on our recovery and rebuilding,'' Haley stated.
Gene Taylor backed him up with this statement,``I applaud you for scolding the House leadership. I didn't vote to elect Dennis Hastert, governor - you helped get him there. I'd hope you'd use that influence to get him off his duff.''
And what was Hastert's reply to this?
He decided to shut down the House's return from it's winter break until Jan. 31, 2006.
The reasoning behind this move to keep the House closed for an extra 2 weeks? It does not look like Tom Delay will get his money laundering trial finished until the end of January. If the House was to reconvene at their normal time they would be required to vote on a new House Majority Leader.
As Mississippians on the coast huddle in tents and burn what is left of their homes to keep warm over the Holiday Retail Season, we should have comfort in the knowledge that our needs will be on the back burner while the House figures out what to do about it's leadership( or lack of it).
We have a Republican Governor,and in D.C. we have a Republican House, a Republican Senate and a Republican President. And a state that voted Republican is getting shafted over Republican politics.
Some will say Mississippi has reaped that which it has sown.
No citizen of the United States deserves this. No matter their political affiliation.

[chicagiana]

68. The most conservative state ...

The most conservative state in the union is the poorest, the least educated and high in most of the statistics that you wouldn't like.

Like Republicans pointing to Massachussetts (a prosperous well educated state), Democrats should do the same and point to the most conservative state of the union and warn the country that THIS is the vision that conservatives have for America.

[McCamy Taylor]

56. Are they all gonna vacation in Crawford? Get real. Lazy SOBs.

[The Whiskey Priest]

59. What? Does he think Delie is only going to get 1 year on the county farm

I'm betting he is going to do 4 to 5 in Huntsville...working on the road. Oh, the thought of that does my soul good.

[PegDAC]

76. Better yet,

10 - 20 in the charm school at Fort Leavenworth!

:D :thumbsup: :hi:

[Marleyb]

61. But they just scheduled a hearing on college football playoffs

BCS needs help: not by Congress
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/opinions/ci_3285673
"GIVEN the other problems with which our country should be grappling - health care, Katrina rebuilding, ballooning debt, a rust-belt industrial sector in crisis, to name a few - it's hard to credit Congress scheduling a hearing on college football playoffs."

Dennis Kucinich just called for a hearing on Iraq and Cheney's lies, but obviously they have more important things to do. These guys just got two weeks off for Thanksgiving too. Did anyone else get two weeks off for thanksgiving?

[hippywife]

63. I just emailed Kucinich

and encouraged him to show what real leaders look like. I asked him to round up as many Dems as possible to return to work during this hiatus and hold session with floor speeches regarding the war, the economy, the folks in the path of Katrina who still need help.

They could have the floor to themselves to say whatever they want and no one can stop them. Can't exactly lock them outta the building, can they?

Please email him at www.kucinich.us and do the same. He's just the man to do such a thing!

Thanx! :hi:

[SpiralHawk]

64. Sick

the Republicans are sick.

[noamnety]

65. Are they filibustering themselves?

That's basically the plan, right? A silent in absentia sort of filibuster to prevent any work from being done?

[goclark]

69. They are afraid to come back because

they are catching so much hell.

This is shameful, just shameful!

[Idioteque]

70. Does he have the power to do that?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it require a concurrent resolution approved by both houses to adjourn for more than 3 days? Couldn't the Democrats in the Senate filibuster the resolution?

[desertrain55]

77. Hastert delays 06 session of House

Oh hell..., but one way of looking at it is that the Rethugs have that number of vacations days LESS to give themselves and their cronies more tax breaks and do LESS damage to the environment, etc etc.