Senate Breaks Own Rules in Rush to Vote on Syria War

[Purveyor]

Senate Democratic leadership tossed aside the rules for moving legislation with regard to the resolution authorizing the use of military force against Syria, angering some Republicans and creating confusion on Capitol Hill in the runup to the war vote.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly approved a modified war resolution Wednesday afternoon by vote of 10-7 with one member, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), voting present. The committee's action allows Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to bring the measure to the floor as early as Monday, following a break for the Jewish holidays. That would allow a vote by the full Senate as soon as Wednesday, giving the Senate a chance to pass a war resolution before the House has a chance to craft and pass a resolution of its own.

But some GOP Senate offices are upset with what they see as a rush by Democratic leadership to pass the war authorization outside the rules that govern how legislation goes through the committee process.

“This is a rush to war behind closed doors,” one senior GOP Senate aide said. “We were told there was a need to have a thoughtful and public debate about how this nation goes to war, but this seems to be about simply getting a resolution done to cover the president.”

According to Senate rules, hearings should be notified seven days in advance, business meetings should be notified at least three days in advance, and members should have 24 hours to consider legislative text before having to vote on it. A spokesman for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) pointed out that the chairman and ranking member of the committee have the discretion to call a business meeting earlier if they both agree.

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http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/04/senate-breaks-own-rules-in-rush-to-vote-on-syria-war.html

[arcane1]

1. Republicans demanding "a thoughtful and public debate"

We're in bizarro world now.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

2. "Quick! Before they realize what we're doing!"

[FarCenter]

3. Conquest, War, Famine, and Death

[alc]

4. "war" is a good reason to break rules

Not rules that eliminate authorization and bypass checks and balances. But rules that allow senators to sit on their asses while the President is preparing for war and our target is protecting themselves seem like good rules to bypass.

Senators better consider this very carefully. And if 24 hours or 3 days or 7 days is needed, tell us why. If they really can't get answers or make a decision after careful consideration over that time then the vote needs to be delayed. If consideration will interfere with NFL week 1 then they need to find a different job (maybe they need to be reminded that this is their job while campaigning or seeking donations or going to the football game is something they choose to do).

[Harmony Blue]

5. This is just sad

there is no sense of urgency for Meals on Wheels but for the vote on Syria was fast tracked.

[Tx4obama]

6. According to the OP article the rule was NOT broken

-snip-

According to Senate rules, hearings should be notified seven days in advance, business meetings should be notified at least three days in advance, and members should have 24 hours to consider legislative text before having to vote on it. A spokesman for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) pointed out that the chairman and ranking member of the committee have the discretion to call a business meeting earlier if they both agree.

-snip-