Senators Reid and Frist sparred on the Senate floor shortly ago — with Frist asking for “unanimous consent” that Senate Committees meet while the Senate was in Session.
Senator Reid objected to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting. . .and all hell broke loose, for just a bit.
At that point, Frist said he would take the entire Senate into recess, preempting all Senate business — and that he would call for a Senate vote on that motion at 2:15 p.m.
That has now been withdrawn, and the Senate Democrats have now withdrawn objection the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting as scheduled.
So, the recess has been stopped — but so too has the objection.
What does this mean?
It means that as things stand now, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting is BACK ON for 2:15 p.m.
However and importantly, ANY U.S. SENATOR MAY NOW GO TO THE FLOOR AND OBJECT TO THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE DOING BUSINESS.
This was what I had suggested earlier — and what the Republicans tried to preempt.
That option is now back on the table.
— Steve Clemons
