Yesterday, I reported on a situation developing on the Senate floor concerning Kent Conrad's amendment funding emergency drought relief for Midwestern farmers. If you are not aware, this is a bill which has previously passed the Senate by a super-majority of 77 votes. It went to the House and has returned to the Senate for final passing. Republicans are trying to stop the amendment.
Yesterday, after threatening a shut-down, the Republicans promised Senator Conrad that the amendment could be included in today's Ag bill proceedings. But today the Republicans reneged on their promise; the Ag bill was not going to be on the schedule.
Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan acted immediately, announcing that until the Republicans honor their agreement, no further Senate business would transpire.
Both Conrad and Dorgan stood up and presented their case several times during the afternoon, with brief respites for quorum calls. There was some other business that took place, though. Senator Conrad allowed a very few unanimous consent motions to go through explaining that he would be reasonable and would not stop critical Senate business. He also allowed Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) to deliver an address honoring three fallen Ohio soldiers. Other than that, the Senate was at a complete standstill.
The bottom line of this is that although the Republicans remain in the majority the Democrats now seem intent on wielding their true minority power. After watching much of the proceedings on C-SPAN-2 this afternoon, one realized that Senators Conrad and Dorgan are not going to be backing down until this is resolved. If these are rumblings of how this lame duck session is going to go for the Republicans I wouldn't put any money on them getting any of their wacky bills through this Senate. The Democrats are standing tall and firm.
Just before adjourning, Senator Conrad announced that the Republican leadership is promising that they will do everything to put the Ag bill on the agenda tomorrow. This begs two questions. First, will the Republicans, for a second day in a row, renege on their promise? I suspect that we won't know the answer until tomorrow. However, there is little doubt on the second question. Will Senator Conrad shut it down a second time if the Republicans again refuse to honor their word? The answer to that was made crystal clear today.