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Friday, November 20, 2009
Coburn threatens health bill reading
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By Joseph Curl <http://www.washingtontimes.com/staff/joseph-curl/>
Pity the poor Senate clerks.
The 2,074-page Senate health care bill released this week by Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid would take at least 34 hours to read cover to
cover - and that's just what Sen. Tom Coburn wants done on the Senate
floor.
The Oklahoma Republican has threatened to force the Senate clerk (or
more likely, a team of clerks), to read the massive bill before the full
Senate moves to consider the legislation as expected on Saturday.
The move is strictly according to Senate rules, which say any senator
can demand a bill be read in its entirety before debate begins. Although
Democrats could, if they wish, repeatedly make motions to end the Senate
soliloquy, Republicans on the floor could object, and the reading would
continue.
What's even more interesting is that Senate Rule XIV, Paragraph 2,
states that every bill and joint resolution "shall receive three
readings prior to its passage."
"Upon demand of a senator, these readings shall be on three different
legislative days," the rules says.
At a minute a page - a reasonable pace because the pages are
double-spaced and in a rather large typeface - it would take 34.5 hours
to read straight through the measure.
But that's averaging a page a minute. Republican leadership and gallery
staff say the reading - with occasional slowdowns for legalistic jargon
and sips of water for parched throats - could take more like 48 to 54
hours.
The bill-reading would eclipse the longest filibuster in the Senate,
conducted by Sen. Strom Thurmond. On Aug. 29, 1957, the South Carolina
Republican wrapped up a 24-hour, 18-minute-long tirade meant to stall
voting on the Civil Rights Act of 1957. It didn't work.
Despite hours of calling Mr. Coburn's office to see whether he'll really
force a reading - or three - no one called back. Perhaps his aides are
preparing to read the bill themselves and are saving their voices.
/Joseph Curl can be reached at jcurl/@/washingtontimes.com.
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/Subscribe to this story's comments
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/rss/comments/79/401540/>
persianprof
Let's hear it for Oklahoma! Coburn and the rest of the Congressional
delegation aren't impressed by Obama. They know he's a jerk. They know
he and his henchmen are selling this country to China! I hope Coburn
asks for it to be read THREE times!
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207690/>
munchkin
I think every single word should be read to the Senate and on C-Span so
that every American could hear what's in it. As Beck pointed out, it's
chock full of new tax increases and new reports are out that bill covers
LESS than 2% of the population, while collapsing the economy.
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207781/>
TexRancher
READ THE BILL!! That's the only way we can have assurance those idiots
voting for this mess know what they're voting on. No excuses later that
"we didn't know"! No bill should be passed without all those voting on
it have read it or some Democrats, read to them!
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207809/>
ssn042
Question: Why do we have a "reform" bill, in both houses of the congress
that are about 2000 pages long? Answer: so it can be packed with little
control and taxing features that no one gets a chance to read before
they vote on it. Everyone ought to write their senators right now and
ask them "If this bill is so damn good for America and the American
people why have both houses of congress SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED THEMSELVES
from being covered by this bill? Simple question. I'd love to see the
answers posted somewhere.
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207882/>
CherryBomb
CLAP CLAP CLAP Thank you so much Mr. Coburn !!!!! I hope you stick to
your guns.
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207888/>
singer23
What! Read a bill? How old fashoned, why would you read a bill? There
might be something that the American public wouldn't like in it! Just
pass it! We won't know the difference, we're just a bunch of sheep,
BAA-BAA BAA! Thanks Mr. Coburn, I'd vote for you! I think most of the
American people are ready to move out of: "Obamaland!"
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207937/>
fddbooks
Great idea. And read slowly, please.
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207947/>
jwmeritt
On what planet is "read something before you vote on it" and "comply
with the rules" a threat?
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207958/>
bigjohnmiska
I say to Mr. Coburn...GO FOR IT!!!!!
Mark as offensive
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/admin/offensivecontent/manage/add/10/207963/>
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