Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is telling members that he plans to grind the already lethargic Senate to a complete halt at the end of the day.
DeMint’s staff informed all Senate offices yesterday that he plans to hold all legislation that hasn’t been “hot lined” by the end of business on Tuesday, forcing each piece of legislation the Democrats hope to address before the election to overcome days’ worth of procedural obstacles.
“The Executive Committee of the Senate Steering Committee has asked the Steering Committee staff to hold all bills that have not been hotlined by close of business Tuesday,” his chief of staff wrote. “If there are any bills you would like cleared before we go out, please get them to the Steering Committee staff along with a CBO score, if applicable, by close-of-business on Tuesday.”
It’s from the email unclear whether he’ll roll this blanket hold over into the lame-duck session, but this effectively puts the kibosh on everything except the most pressing business for the rest of the week. A hold is an explicit threat to filibuster legislation. Moreover, it’s already ticked off legislators in both parties, many of whom would at least like the option of fast tracking legislation before the coming recess.
The hold is yet the latest example of the GOP’s record breaking pattern of obstruction this Congress.
More when we know it.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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