From Netscape News:
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Republican-led House bowed to a White House veto threat Thursday and stood by the USA Patriot Act, defeating an effort to block the part of the anti-terrorism law that helps the government investigate people’s reading habits.
The effort to defy Bush and bridle the law’s powers lost by 210-210, with a majority needed to prevail. The amendment appeared on its way to victory as the roll call’s normal 15-minute time limit expired, but GOP leaders kept the vote open for about 20 more minutes as they persuaded about 10 Republicans who initially supported the provision to change their votes.
“Shame, shame, shame,” Democrats chanted as the minutes passed and votes were switched. The tactic was reminiscent of last year’s House passage of the Medicare overhaul measure, when GOP leaders held the vote open for an extra three hours until they got the votes they needed.
The effort to curb the Patriot Act was pushed by a coalition of Democrats and conservative Republicans. But they fell short in a showdown that came just four months before an election in which the conduct of the fight against terrorism will be on the political agenda.
unfair?
It just doesn’t seem right that the Republicans could keep the vote open for this and the Medicare issue until they got all the votes they needed for their side to win. But I’m sure someone will point out how the Democrats have done the same thing at some point in the past. . .
Re:unfair?
It’s called filibustering, and I think it goes on all the time.
Re:unfair?
Nope, you can’t filibuster in the House, only in the Senate. And that doesn’t have anything to do with extending vote times. (thank you, poli sci BA degree! you came in handy after all!) It’s the whole “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” thing.
Although I am sure that whatever they did, it probably does go on all the time. Hmph.
Re:unfair?
Hey, I stand corrected, thanks.
process or not
“The effort to curb the Patriot Act was pushed by a coalition of Democrats and conservative Republicans. But they fell short in a showdown that came just four months before an election in which the conduct of the fight against terrorism will be on the political agenda.”
Whether we like the tactics or not, the only real test on any of this will be in November.