An all-nighter in the U.S. Senate fails to break a Republican filibuster preventing a vote on an amendment to a defense authorization bill – an amendment that would set a timetable for reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq. And, Missouri’s two United States Senators have differing views of the Capitol Hill showdown.
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) says that while the all-nighter didn’t change any minds, it was necessary for Democrats to demonstrate their frustration.
This level of frustration being felt now by Democrats is said by Republicans to be similar to the level of frustration they felt a number of years ago when they were trying to end Democratic filibusters of judicial nominees.
McCaskill says this situation is different from the Democratic filibuster because this is a matter of national importance. Two years ago it was Republicans claiming the nomination and confirmation of federal judges was of national importance.
Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) calls the all-nighter "political theater that could make Hollywood look dull."
He agrees with McCaskill that this filibuster was different from the blocking of votes on judicial nominees. But Bond’s reasons are far removed from those suggested by McCaskill. Bond says the Republican filibuster was an effort to deal with what he calls a "constitutional crisis" in which Congress tried to take over the role of the Commander in Chief.
Download/Listen: Senator Claire McCaskill (:30 MP3)
Download/Listen: Senator Kit Bond (:35 MP3)
