Just hours ago, the Senate approved a measure establishing military tribunals for terror suspects. The bill also granted the president wide latitude in defining acceptable methods of interrogation.
By all accounts, this vote was historic, and so was the action on the Senate floor today.
First, the chamber debated an amendment introduced by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) that would have restored habeas corpus rights absent from the original legislation. The Senate rejected the Spector amendment on a mostly party-line vote, 51-48. Then, by the same margin, the Republican majority voted to strip Sen. Spector naked and douse him with freezing cold water.
Later, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) offered another amendment. This one would've established Congressional oversight over CIA detention programs. It failed 53-46. Afterwards, senators voted 50-49 to cover Sen. Rockefeller with a hood and chain him to his desk for the remainder of the session.
After a recess, the body debated an amendment from Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) that would've forced Congress to reconsider the legislation at the end of five years. Once again, the amendment failed. But a resolution to lead large rabid dogs into Mr. Byrd's cubbyhole during the Senator's appointed naptime was passed 52-47.
Finally, liberal stalwart Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) introduced an amendment designed to protect Americans captured abroad from extreme questioning techniques, such as waterboarding. It too was voted down, 53-46. Shortly thereafter, Kennedy exited the Capitol and made a quick dash across the Potomac River. But he returned in time for the evening vote.
What a day! I've always heard that seeing the legislative process up-close was like "watching sausage being made" but I never knew it could really be such a meat-grind!
1 comment:
If you were trying to give me the feeling I was watching sausage being made, you've got a winner. :P
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