|
|
|
I just noticed a weird property of the US governing: The ability mix completely different and irrelevant subjects in one bill or proposal – I’m not sure if it’s called “Filibuster” (I think not, since that means to block a vote with extremely long talks as far I know).
It came to me when I was reading some news from the congress. They were debating about the military budget, which is approved by both parties. But then, another section was added to the bill, which wanted to open a protected area in Alaska for oil drilling. As you can see, this is a completely different subject, which has nothing to do with the military budget discussion.
This process might have advantages as well as well as disadvantages. Because I couldn’t find an answer so far (it’s a difficult question) I wanted to bring it here for discussion… |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
, |
 |
|
|
|
It's indifferent like any political process. If someone can get a measure through that they wouldn't be able to otherwise by piggybacking it onto another bill, it's good for those who support that measure and bad for those who oppose it.
The senator who wanted the oil drilling measure in there was trying to force Democrats into the awkward position of having to vote either for an oil drilling measure they didn't want or vote against a defence appropriations and disaster relief provision they do want, but he couldn't get that done.
A filibuster is the process of essentially talking a bill to death by continuing debate on it. The only way a filibuster can be bypassed is in a vote of cloture, which requires 60 Senators to break the filibuster. That's why majority parties desperately want to have more than 60 Senators in office; they can then essentially force a vote if votes go along party lines.
That's why the so-called nuclear option is so controversial; Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) wants to eliminate filibusters on judicial nominees. He's an idiot though because that would eliminate his party's chance to filibuster a judicial nominee should the Democrats win the White House or should Bush nominate a liberal judge. |
 |
 |
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
 |
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
Track this topic
Receive email notification when a reply has been made to this topic and you are not active on the board.
Subscribe to this forum
Receive email notification when a new topic is posted in this forum and you are not active on the board.
Download / Print this Topic
Download this topic in different formats or view a printer friendly version.
[ Script Execution time: 0.0137 ] [ 14 queries used ] [ GZIP Enabled ]
|
Close Topic Options
