Lieberman-proof Senate?

[Kefka]

The Congressional Record for January 12 2007, contains a discussion of an agreement between Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on committee budgets for the committees during the 110th Congress (10% in aditional funds is to be allocated to the chair of each committee for administrative expenses). Following the insertion of this item into the record, the Senate immediately approved two resolutions on January 12, 2007.

The first one (S.Res 27) designates various Democrats by name to chair each of the Senate's standing committees. It also lists by name the Democratic members of each standing committee. If you total up the number of Democrats on each committee and then do the same for the Republican members, it turns out that the Democrats have been granted numerical control of each standing committee by this resolution.

The second one (S.Res. 28) designates various Republicans by name to serve as the ranking minority member for each of the standing committees. It also lists by name the Republican members of each standing committee, basically fixing the status of the Republican Party as the minority party by giving them one less member than the Democrats on each committee.


http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2007_record&page=S501&position=all

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:sr27ats.txt

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:sr28ats.txt


Am I reading this right? Are all committees locked in for the entire 110th congress despite majority status?

[Gan]

I read it as standing until there is a change in the majority.

Which also coincides with the news story today that Lieberman is making noise about shifting to the GOP, but he's using the excuse of not agreeing with the Dems on the vote for funding/troops to Iraq.

[sst]

More power to him, and fuck all the democrats that are playing this game with the money we need to operate and stay alive.

[Parkbandit]

I read it as standing until there is a change in the majority.

Which also coincides with the news story today that Lieberman is making noise about shifting to the GOP, but he's using the excuse of not agreeing with the Dems on the vote for funding/troops to Iraq.

I'll be real surprised if Lieberman is actually considering switching parties. I think this has more to the effect of having 98 other Senators kissing your ass.

[Back]

I'll be real surprised if Lieberman is actually considering switching parties. I think this has more to the effect of having 98 other Senators kissing your ass.

^ What PB said. The reports about Lieberman going GOP are hyperinflated over a question he was asked about “what if could be maybe someday if this happened“ etc.

How I interpret the first post is that yes the balance is tenuous but the Dems control everything now. Not only both houses but all the committees. Strategic move on their part I’m guessing because I don’t know the in’s and out’s of Congressional rules.

As much as they have accomplished thus far and on their current track I see baby-steps towards accomplishing some major goals the voters put them in for. Namely, stopping the war.

[Parkbandit]

^ What PB said. The reports about Lieberman going GOP are hyperinflated over a question he was asked about “what if could be maybe someday if this happened“ etc.

How I interpret the first post is that yes the balance is tenuous but the Dems control everything now. Not only both houses but all the committees. Strategic move on their part I’m guessing because I don’t know the in’s and out’s of Congressional rules.

As much as they have accomplished thus far and on their current track I see baby-steps towards accomplishing some major goals the voters put them in for. Namely, stopping the war.

And by control everything, you mean the House... since they do not have enough members in the Senate and the last time I checked, Bush was a Republican.

But hey.. you are one third right.. which is about one third more than normal. There might be hope!

[Back]

But hey.. you are one third right.. which is about one third more than normal. There might be hope!

Hope being the key word. But clearly the majority of voters changed things.

Then again, PB saying that little ol‘ BL may be right is astounding.

[Kefka]

The last time there was a 50-50 senate, there was a provision in place that caused committees to change hands when Jeffords switched parties. Are these provisions in place with this new congress? I'm reading no on some sites, but they're slightly unreliable sources.

[Sean of the Thread]

but the Dems control everything now.

Except uhm the executive office.



accomplishing some major goals the voters put them in for.

Speaking for everyone else again comrade?