November 01, 2005

The Senate Explodes

There are two leads to this story.

One is: Democrats today decided to confront the White House and Republicans on pre-war intelligence, wrestling back media attention from President Bush and precipitating legislative armageddon.

Another is: For the first time in two decades, the Senate adjourned to a closed door session today on the behest of Democratic Senators, who threatened to delay all legislative action until Republicans agree to a new probe of intelligence failures before the Iraq war.

Today's actions could have major consequences on Senate business through the end of the year, and possibly even on the 2006 midterm elections.[MARC AMBINDER]

Democrats complained that Republicans deliberately stalled on the second phase of a Congressional probe into pre-war intelligence. Reid and others, including the ranking member on the Senate intelligence committee, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) were upset by a report last on the National Journal's website that suggested White House officials, including Lewis "Scooter" Libby, withheld crucial documents from the Senate intelligence committee.

"Our troops have sacrified too much," said Reid. "I demand on behalf of the American people that we understand why these investigations aren't happening."

Reid then invoked Senate Rule 21, which permits the minority leader to call for a closed session. It was seconded by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). The timing was precise and deliberate. If Sen. Bill Frist, the majority leader, had been on the floor, he could have objected, but since he was not in the chambers, the presiding officer of the Senate had to agree to Reid's invocation.

Moments later, C-SPAN II cameras went black, replaced by a slate of text that said "The Senate is meeting in closed session." Capitol Hill police officers moved to secure the room. All electronic devices were removed. Staffers could not enter.

The move shocked and angered Republicans.

A visible agitated Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist called the move a "stunt. A political stunt. A scare tactic." He said it was a "slap in the face" to him and to Republicans.

"It means, for now on, for the next year and a half, I can't trust Sen. Reid," he said.

More later.

Posted at 02:49 PM

Comments

Perhaps my reading and understanding is flawed, but I thought that Rule 21 provides for "any Senator" to move for a closed session which requires only a second before the Chamber is cleared.

While the timing may have been deliberate and precise (at least, I'd hope there is some strategy involved within the Minority Leader's office), my reading of the rule does not permit an objection to a properly moved and seconded demand for a closed session -- so even if the Majority Leader was on the floor, he wouldn't be able to stop the closed session.

If anyone has more info and can clear this up, please post.

Jason | 11.01.05 04:31 PM

Post a comment