Senators
Barak Obama and
John McCain make nice for the cameras, but remain divided on the issue.
Full story at
Roll Call.By
Erin P. Billings Roll Call Staff
February 9, 2006
From the leadership to the rank- and-file, Senators have approached the second session of the 109th Congress with knives drawn, and many foresee a year marked more by partisan infighting rather than legislative accomplishment.
Republicans and Democrats alike acknowledge that politics, and not policy, quickly set the tone for the chamber, and predict both privately and publicly that it could be one of the more acrimonious sessions in recent years. In large part, both sides blame the specter of the November elections — which are already shaping up to be costly and contentious — for immediately tainting the atmosphere.
Republicans are hoping to hold or strengthen their 55-seat majority this fall, but polling and fundraising data suggests Democrats have a solid shot at closing that gap.
“There’s a lot at stake,” remarked one high-level Senate Democratic staffer. “In any other year, there would be some outside chance of getting things done. This year could be the year of the meltdown.”
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) laughed when asked about the growing level of partisanship, saying, “Well, it is an election year. And we’re closer to the election today than we were a month ago.”
Coleman suggested that the Democrats see an opening to attack the GOP given President Bush’s lagging poll numbers, but he warned that the party bickering doesn’t do anyone much good.
“I would hope they realize the American public wants us to get things done,” Coleman said, adding that he’s optimistic that can happen. “It doesn’t behoove either side to get into partisan fights this early on.”
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats also insist that they want to work together, and like the Republicans, remain optimistic. But they are quick to add their belief that the GOP is making it difficult by pushing legislation such as asbestos reform and a budget proposal that hurt “average Americans.”
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) acknowledged the session “is not off to a good start,” since the Republicans are pushing the wrong priorities. Instead he suggested — in hopes — the GOP rethink its agenda and focus on critical legislation such as lobbying and prescription drug reform.
“Maybe it’s crazy, but I’m optimistic,” Durbin said. “I think as the Republicans reflect on the president’s low approval [ratings], they will be more open to working with the Democrats.”
Added Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.): “Amid all the partisanship, there are many people trying to work together.”
Even so, the barbs have been flying, beginning shortly after Senators returned to business on Jan. 18, with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) trying to one-up each other on lobby reform. The rancor quickly moved into Judge Samuel Alito’s Supreme Court nomination, the budget, asbestos legislation and oversight of the White House domestic spying program.
And just this week two men who have prided themselves in staying above the partisan fray, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), sparred in an exchange of letters over whether each was truly genuine about pursuing bipartisan lobby reform in the Senate. And Reid and Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) went toe to toe on the floor over asbestos legislation after Reid alleged that the legislation was being moved at the behest of corporations and Specter responded by accusing Reid of violating Senate conduct rules.
Several Senate sources said the first true test of whether bipartisanship is even possible this year came in last week’s confirmation of Alito to the Supreme Court, which cleared mostly along party lines 58-42. Expect a lot of close party-line votes this session, sources on both sides said.
“We’ll get some stuff done, but everything will pass with 51 to 55 Republican votes,” said a Senate GOP staffer. “We’re not getting anything done in a bipartisan fashion. Democrats have no reason to participate. It’s an election year.”
A Senate Republican leadership aide argued that Democrats set the tone of hostility so early on, saying that in the face of Democratic attacks, the GOP Conference “realizes the collegial days are gone and we need to take care of our own, because they are only taking care of their own.” Expect Republicans to unite and to put up legislation that could put Democrats in a difficult position, this aide said, including tax reform proposals focusing on changes to the alternative minimum tax, estate tax and marriage penalty.
This source said the first shot across the bow came earlier this year when Reid’s office issued a 27-page document alleging ethical wrongdoing by many of his Republican colleagues. Reid quickly apologized, saying he hadn’t been made aware of the content of the document before it was released.
“That will be seen as a major, major shift,” the GOP leadership aide said.
Democrats, however, suggest that Republicans are feeling the heat because the minority has effectively put them on the defensive on ethics and corruption, and had gained ground politically by questioning GOP priorities. Republicans are taking things personally, they say, because Democrats are being effective in beating back their flawed proposals.
A Senate Democratic leadership aide noted in 2005 the minority was able to fight the Republicans on Social Security reform, shut down the Senate over pre-war intelligence and stop Frist from imposing the ”nuclear option” on judicial nominations.
“I think Republicans’ anger toward us shows that,” said the staffer. “It shows that we are getting closer. There’s so much on the line.”
