Pennsylvania senator accuses Democratic leader of slander in lobbying asbe

[sabra]

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Pennsylvania_senator_accuses_Democratic_leader_of_0207.html

Pennsylvania senator accuses Democratic leader of slander in lobbying asbestos fight


An uneventful day in the Senate quickly turned unruly Monday afternoon when Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) lashed out at Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), accusing Reid of violating Senate conduct rules and slander, following Reid’s assertion that corporate dollars had bought asbestos legislation access to the chamber floor, ROLL CALL reports Tuesday. Excerpts:


#
During a floor speech Monday afternoon, Reid vowed to defeat the asbestos legislation and, in an effort to tie it to the current lobbying and ethics scandals, argued that the Senate was considering the bill only because 13 “companies spent $144.5 million in two years lobbying to get it here.”

Privately, Republicans said the sudden outburst of partisanship — which occurred as many Senators were attending a funeral service for Coretta Scott King — shows Frist’s increasing willingness to quickly engage Reid, who used quick unexpected attacks on Frist and the GOP last year to stymie much of the Republican agenda.

A clearly agitated Specter came to the floor to confront Reid, accusing the Minority Leader of slandering himself and Leahy in violation of Senate Rule 19 which bars personal attacks against fellow Senators.

[mtnester]

1. BUT, it is just FINE if the VP (who is the tiebreaker in the Senate)

comes out on that same floor and says "Eff U" to a DEMOCRATIC Senator...

You did not see Arlen rush to call the VP a slandering disrespecter. No siree

[Lerkfish]

2. truth is not slander.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. I'd like to see that one go to jury trial.

Isn't a jury in the U.S.A. that would disagree with Reid's assessment.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Yeah, and about that Senate Rule 19? Fuck you!

Maybe the british are much more civilized as a people because they vent it all out on the Parliamentary floor.

[zbdent]

5. Well, Specter, should be easy to refute

Just show that you didn't get a dime from any of the asbestos-related companies . . .

[President Kerry]

6. Arlen, keep it together will ya.

You've already shown your temper going batshit on Sen. Kennedy during the Alito confirmation hearings. Not too dignified of the Chairman of the Judiciary committee.