Byrd Admits, Then Lifts Hold on Obama-Coburn Bill
Up next, "Is the Pope Catholic?"
By krempasky Posted in Congress — Comments (14) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
In news as unexpected as Terrell Owens having problems in Dallas, Senator Robert Byrd (D-Smithfield) announced admitted that he had placed a hold on the earmark reform bill (and now has released this hold).
"“Senator Byrd wanted time to read the legislation, understand its implications, and see whether the proposal could be improved,” Gavin said.Byrd has released his hold, now that there “has been time to better understand the legislation,” Gavin said."
Uh huh. And by "be improved" I'm sure Mr. Byrd meant to ensure stronger protections for taxpayers' wallet.
I should add - this is very good news, and not just because two lousy Senators met the business end of the blogosphere - but because it shows that Senator Coburn is one savvy fellow, making good tactical moves throughout this story. And just as good, it shows that when Bill Frist is motivated, he can be a helpful and effective partner.
Hat tip - Instapundit.
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Byrd Admits, Then Lifts Hold on Obama-Coburn Bill 14 Comments (0 topical, 14 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
But I was erally getting at Coburn's management of the secret hold - which, frankly, Obama was largely absent from - even though Byrd was involved as well.
I get that - Coburn's the one doing all the work, this is his pet issue. He should get first credit. I'm just saying we should give Obama a "good Democrat for a day" pat on the back at some point. At least if the thing eventually passes.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
I'm going to call Byrd's actions a wash. He should have lifted this hold before now, and it shouldn't have taken a public investigation by the blogs to flush him out. Okay, maybe I give him a few negatives.
But his initial reason for placing the hold, if honest, is exactly the reason the practice exists. It is designed to prevent things from happening so fast that Senators are asked to vote before they know what they're voting on. If the PA Legislature had something like this, I'm guessing that the midnight pay raise may have gotten a hold in order to shine some light on it. We shouldn't have to rush Senators into passing legislation (regardless of how good the legislation is) when their staffers haven't even had time to read it. That's how we wind up with things like a bloated Katrina recovery package loaded with pet projects (who had time to find them in the rush to "Do Something!").
This is probably why nobody is trying to cause the "hold" system to totally implode. Sometimes it does have a positive function. Hell, even here it has a function. Now, when Congress returns, there's a very high profile for this bill, and I'm sure that it will be hard indeed for any Senator go home having voted against it - especially the ones that have to face the voters in November. The attention this campaign drew will almost guarantee that this bill passes.
Emphasis mine...
"But his initial reason for placing the hold, if honest, is exactly the reason the practice exists."
There's the rub.
Heck I don't know. Maybe there's nothing left in WVa that can be paved over to create the Robert C. Byrd Whatchamacallit Highway / Building / Institute / Whatever, so he's tiring of earmarks.
But I doubt it.
As the other poster states, I bet on sheets was just trying to figure a way out of the disclosure of all his pork and wasted taxpayer money. Paved WV, you got that right.
We need to keep a sharp eye out for further derailments of this long over due bill. The taxpayer needs to be able to find out once and for all where the money really is going.
regarding slowing this legislation down because our 'busy' legislators and their staffs needed more time to read it.
Four months to read 740 or so words..
Congress just doesn't like the light of day shined on how they spend the taxpayers money. Cutting/eliminating earmarks is a healthy begining to frugality.
I like my federal government lightly funded - heck maybe some
of the career spenders will get frustrated and leave office.
Si vis Pacem, Para Bellum
I keep looking for the defenders of PORK to rise to the defense of Senators Byrd and Stephens. They have been telling us that PORK and spending does not matter, why are they not rising to the defense of their heroes? PORK Masters seem to be from both parties, tells you something doesnt it.
Keep it secret, keep it hidden, that's the ticket. The rubes don't need to know how or what we Elected Class are up to.
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If you're seeing shades of gray, it's because you're not looking close enough to see the black and white dots.
From a person who asserts "Pork Who Cares", I would expect less.
http://www.redstate.com/blogs/neil_stevens/2006/aug/27/pork_who_cares
But I knew you were trying to call me out, heh.
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If you're seeing shades of gray, it's because you're not looking close enough to see the black and white dots.
Bacon for breakfest is good. A good ham sandwich is always delicious, and a roasted pig at a barbeque hits the spot as well.
Oh wait . . .
I guess you don't mean that kind of pork.
will bring Dallas down, just like he brought Philadelphia down.
At a 110 years of age every moment should be precious.
I wonder how much time he needed to transfer more money from
New York and California for the soon to be constructed
Robert Byrd mausoleum, said to be bigger than Yankee Stadium
but with less seating. The view isn't so hot either.
"a man's admiration for absolute government is proportinate to the contempt he feels for those around him". Tocqueville
Color me skeptical that Barack Obama will ever be a careful guardian of the public fisc, but lending his name as a co-sponsor of this legislation should merit him two cheers, at least. We should encourage Dems when they make these kinds of gestures towards placing responsible governance ahead of pure partisan malice.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill