 |
GOP to push 72-hour cooling off period before Senate votes
By: Susan Ferrechio
Chief Congressional Correspondent
10/07/09 6:36 AM EDT
Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., on Wednesday will introduce a resolution that would institute a 72 hour waiting period before the Senate can vote on a bill.
This is similar to a bipartisan effort in the House, but Bunning's resolution would require not only that the bill be posted online and be accessible to the public for three days prior to a vote, but that the legislation include a pricetag from the Congressional Budget Office.
Bunning last week attempted to get the Senate Finance Committee to approve an amendment to the health care bill that would require it to be posted online with a cost assessment three days prior to a committee vote. But Democrats voted down the motion (Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., voted with the Republicans).
Democratic leaders are even less eager embrace a Senate-wide rule change. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told me last week that he supports making sure there is enough time for lawmakers to read and understand legislation, but he questioned the motive of Bunning and other Republicans.
"They dream up new ways to slow things down every week," Durbin said.
Bunning plans to announce his resolution at a press conference with Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), David Vitter (R-LA), Mike Johanns (R-NE), and Jim Risch (R-ID).
Follow The Examiner
