Obenshain, Martin & Colgan Protest Howell’s Disregard of Senate Rules
By E M Barner | Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 | PolicyIn the Virginia Senate, subcommittees make recommendations to the full committee, which votes on whether to send the legislation to the full Senate.
But Senator Janet Howell doesn’t want her fellow Democrats to face a politically risky vote on Speaker Bill Howell’s Repeal Amendment or a Right to Work Constitutional Amendment. So, she just ignored Senator Obenshain’s motion to put the legislation on the committee’s agenda, citing her prerogative as the chair.
Obenshain writes on Facebook:
“Rules in a legislative process serve an important purpose — to operate as a check on the actions of a majority and to protect the minority from the arbitrary exercise of power. While those in the majority always have the force of numbers, with which they can control the outcome of any issue; it is rules and procedures that are often the only protection for those in the minority.”
Watch it here:
Republicans Obenshain and Martin were joined by Democratic Senator Colan in protesting Howell’s action.
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About the author
E M Barner, the blogger formerly known as DCH / De Civitate Hominis (“concerning the city of man”), writes from a Northern Virginia perspective. Barner has been active in Republican politics and policy since 1994 – as a grassroots volunteer, party leader, and professional.
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5 Responses to "Obenshain, Martin & Colgan Protest Howell’s Disregard of Senate Rules"
Since when do Dems worry about rules? Didn’t one of them in Congress brag that they made up the rules as they went along? Howell got a call from Rahm Emanuel who said “Don’t worry, we’ve put enough cronies on the bench that you are covered when this is litigated. Remember NJ, Mass and best of all IL.”
May I make a suggestion? Repubs exert yourselves to win the Senate.
[...] x3: The ever eloquent DCH over at Bearing Drift adds: Senator Janet Howell doesn’t want her fellow Democrats to face a politically risky vote on [...]
Senator Howell needs to resign as P&E chair. It’s the right thing to do.
[...] Bearing Drift: Obenshain, Martin & Colgan Protest Howell’s Disregard of Senate Rules [...]
Shaun: Really? She’s just adopted the same rules the Republican House has been using for years.
The GOP has as little standing to protest on this issue as Democrats had in complaining about the 2001 gerrymander — you’re criticizing someone for engaging in practices you pioneered.
House Republicans began the practice of killing bills in subcommittee.
Prior to that, subcommittees made recommendations and suggested amendments, but bills were heard in full committee.
At least the Senate is recording the subcommittee votes.
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