Oh yeah.
Democrats Warn on GOP Judge Rule Change
8 minutes ago
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON - Democrats bluntly served notice Tuesday that they intend to slow or stop most Senate business if Republicans unilaterally change the rules to assure confirmation of President Bush's controversial court appointments.
Any such change would mark "an unprecedented abuse of power," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., wrote Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. "The Senate should not become like the House of Representatives, where the majority manipulates the rules to accommodate its momentary needs."
Reid, the Democratic leader, exempted military and national security legislation from the threat, and said Democrats would not block passage of measures needed to assure continuation of critical government services.
"Beyond that very limited scope, however, we will be reluctant to enter into any consent agreement that facilitates Senate activities, even on routine matters," Reid said.
Reid's letter marked the latest development in a long-simmering struggle over Bush's court appointments. Democrats blocked a vote on 10 nominations during the last Congress, attacking them as too conservative to warrant lifetime appointments.
Accusing Democrats of obstruction, Republicans sought to make an issue of it in the elections last fall in which they gained four seats.
Bush has already renominated some of the judges, and Reid has said previously the Democrats' position has not changed.
Republicans have floated the possibility they will change the rules that have been interpreted in the past to allow opponents of a court appointment to mount a delay that can only be overcome with a 60-vote majority.