Political Games Continue in DC

by: Gypsy Chief

Sat Jan 29, 2011 at 20:31:34 PM MST

Amazing Press Release from Senator Tom Udall [D-NM] today. I couldn't make up anything half as good so I will quote for you. Please understand I generally support Senators Udall, Tom and his cousin Mark. Still spin is spin no matter where it comes from.

This week, the latest round of the filibuster fight came to a close. While we achieved steps in the right direction, the Senate lacked the will to enact the truly substantive reforms that we desired.

But as my Uncle Mo used to say, reform is not for the short-winded, and my commitment to making the Senate a more transparent and efficient body to better serve the American people is stronger than ever.

Your activism has successfully shaken up the institution in a way that hasn't happened in more than 35 years. We HAVE put the Senate on notice that when our country calls out obstruction, it's time we take a hard look at the way we do business here

This press release goes on to describe some important baby steps toward real Senate reform.

• We've finally put an end to "secret holds" so now senators must be on the record opposing bills and nominees. This will help restore some accountability to the chamber so that senators are no longer able to block bills and nominees without facing the consequences of doing so.
• We're reducing the number of Executive branch nominees that require confirmation so the President can appoint the best and brightest to government and fill empty posts without unnecessary delay in the Senate;
• We neutralized an important obstructionist tactic - forcing bills and amendments to be read in their entirety on the Senate floor;
• And finally, we sent a clear message that unprecedented gridlock is
  unacceptable, culminating in an agreement between leadership to make the Senate
  more deliberative than obstructive.

Let's not kid ourselves folks. Baby steps are just that … baby steps. We cannot count on Washington to provide real leadership. But maybe just maybe next time a critical nomination may not be held up because a senator was afraid   that south Georgia pigs and chickens would sue their owners