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[John Galt]

Senators Avert Showdown Over Filibusters

[John Galt]

Senators Avert Showdown Over Filibusters

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a dramatic reach across party lines, Senate centrists agreed Monday night on a compromise that clears the way for confirmation of many of President Bush's stalled judicial nominees, leaves others in limbo and preserves venerable filibuster rules.

"In a Senate that is increasingly polarized, the bipartisan center held," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., one of 14 senators _seven from each party - to sign the agreement that pledged lawmakers to "mutual trust and confidence."

"The Senate is back in business," echoed Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C..

Under the terms, Democrats agreed to allow final confirmation votes for Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor, named to appeals court seats. There is "no commitment to vote for or against" the filibuster against two other conservatives named to the appeals court, Henry Saad and William Myers.

The agreement said future nominees to the appeals court and Supreme Court should "only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances," with each Democrat senator holding the discretion to decide when those conditions had been met.

"In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement," Republicans said they would oppose any attempt to make changes in the application of filibuster rules.

Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., swiftly noted he had not been a party to the deal, which fell short of his stated goal of winning yes-or-no votes on each of Bush's nominees. "It has some good news and it has some disappointing news and it will require careful monitoring," he said,

Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada seemed more receptive - although he hastened to say he remains opposed to some of the nominees who will now likely take seats on federal appeals courts.

"We have sent President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and the radical right of the Republican party an undeniable message ... the abuse of power will not be tolerated."

The White House said the agreement was a positive development.

"Many of these nominees have waited for quite some time to have an up-or-down vote and now they are going to get one. That's progress," said press secretary Scott McClellan said. "We will continue working to push for up or down votes for all the nominees."

The deal was struck around the table in Sen. John McCain's office, across the street from the Capitol where senators had expected an all-night session of speech-making, prelude to an anticipated showdown on Tuesday.

Nominally, the issue at hand was Bush's selection of Owen, a member of the Texas Supreme Court, to a seat on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

In fact, as the rhetoric suggested, the stakes were far broader, with Republicans maneuvering to strip Democrats of their right to filibuster and thus block current and future nominees to the appeals court and Supreme Court.

There currently is no vacancy on the high court, although one or more is widely expected in Bush's term. Chief Justice William Rehnquist's coincidental presence in the Capitol during the day was a reminder of that. At age 80 and battling thyroid cancer, he entered the building in a wheelchair on his way to a medical office.

[psholtz]

This is good? :?

Gosh, I wish the government would shut down more often! :lol:

[Lord Hargreaves]

Could someone please inform the Republicans that they're in the majority - it seems they forget from time to time. So a deal has been reached... for now. Then Rehnquist pops his clogs and the whole thing flares up again :roll:

[Warmonger]

It amazes me, the idiots that we employ from all parties that hold office. The government was about to grind to a screeching halt, people! And all over some political pissing contest! It makes me mad that we pay these jokers salaries.....

[dmitri]

At least they're making deals and trying to work things out. I think this is a good thing.

[Gaea]

I am glad the Senators compromised. But I will miss this topic. I learned a lot about the Senate. But soon there will be an opening on the Supreme Court and then it should get even MORE intriging. So I don't think this topic is over. Not by a long shot. In fact I think this may have just been a precursor for what will come.

I keep thinkning about Renquist. I wonder how he must feel knowing the entire country is waiting for him to die? There is some speculation Renquist may be "Deep Throat". A few months ago, John Dean, who is the only one who supposedly knows who Deep Throat is, said Deep Throat was dying and he would only reveal who Deep Throat was after he passed away. That was months ago and Renquist is still here and still dying.

[Hobbie]

This hasn't gone away people. When Brown and Pryor get confirmed (Owen was confirmed this morning), then we'll be right back where we started with the other 7 nominees. And when a vacancy opens in the Supreme Court...

The nuclear option will go in to effect in the future because you can mark my words, the Dems will renege on their promise only to use the filibuster in "extraordinary cases."

[Warmonger]

Say it ain't so, Hobbie!

I actually think you're right.... and the knowledge of that makes me ill.