Proud 15 minutes to be an American

[JimBob2232]

Sorry for not being clearer. What I meant was that the compromise may not be lasting very long because on Friday, Frist plans on calling for an end to debate and an immediate vote (which is referred to as cloture) on one of the two nominees (William Myers) whose name was supposed to be withdrawn by the GOP (the other is Henry Saad).

 

Not true. This is a good case for reading the source documents and not relying on what the media or politicans or anyone else says. They agreed not to make a commitment to vote for or against cloture for Myers and Saad.

 

This does not mean they cannot put them up for a cloture vote.

 

The interesting thing will be to see what these 14 do. They are within the bounds of the agreement to filibuster these judges. Though doing so may not be considered an "extraordinary circumstance". I expect these 2 to be filibustered. Though I wouldnt be suprised if 2 or 3 of the democratic signees vote for cloture due to the agreement. They probably wouldnt be confirmed even if they went up for a vote.

 

Here is the full text of the agreement.

 

We respect the diligent, conscientious efforts, to date, rendered to the Senate by Majority Leader Frist and Democratic Leader Reid. This memorandum confirms an understanding among the signatories, based upon mutual trust and confidence, related to pending and future judicial nominations in the 109th Congress.

 

This memorandum is in two parts. Part I relates to the currently pending judicial nominees; Part II relates to subsequent individual nominations to be made by the President and to be acted upon by the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.

 

We have agreed to the following:

 

Part I: Commitments on Pending Judicial Nominations

 

A. Votes for Certain Nominees. We will vote to invoke cloture on the following judicial nominees: Janice Rogers Brown (D.C. Circuit), William Pryor (11th Circuit), and Priscilla Owen (5th Circuit).

 

B. Status of Other Nominees. Signatories make no commitment to vote for or against cloture on the following judicial nominees: William Myers (9th Circuit) and Henry Saad (6th Circuit).

 

Part II: Commitments for Future Nominations

 

A. Future Nominations. Signatories will exercise their responsibilities under the Advice and Consent Clause of the United States Constitution in good faith. Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist.

 

B. Rules Changes. In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress, which we understand to be any amendment to or interpretation of the Rules of the Senate that would force a vote on a judicial nomination by means other than unanimous consent or Rule XXII.

 

We believe that, under Article II, Section 2, of the United States Constitution, the word “Advice” speaks to consultation between the Senate and the President with regard to the use of the President’s power to make nominations. We encourage the Executive branch of government to consult with members of the Senate, both Democratic and Republican, prior to submitting a judicial nomination to the Senate for consideration.

 

Such a return to the early practices of our government may well serve to reduce the rancor that unfortunately accompanies the advice and consent process in the Senate.

 

We firmly believe this agreement is consistent with the traditions of the United States Senate that we as Senators seek to uphold.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

I see the Senate is back to filibustering in the case of Bolton. Way to get things done, you arseholes!