Dems warn Baucus with gavel threat

[kpete]

Source: The Hill

Dems warn Baucus with gavel threat
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 07/29/09 08:26 PM

In an apparent warning to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), some liberal Democrats have suggested a secret-ballot vote every two years on whether or not to strip committee chairmen of their gavels.

Baucus, who is more conservative than most of the Democratic Conference, has frustrated many of his liberal colleagues by negotiating for weeks with Republicans over healthcare reform without producing a bill or even much detail about the policies he is considering.

“Every two years the caucus could have a secret ballot on whether a chairman should continue, yes or no,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “If the ‘no’s win, (the chairman’s) out.

..............

Liberals have stifled their gripes for the past several weeks, but it appears their patience is nearing its end.



Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dems-warn-baucus-with-gavel-threat-2009-07-29.html