Pay Freeze

Dems Split On Obama Plan To Freeze Federal Pay

Brian Beutler | November 29, 2010, 8:40PM

President Obama, House Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats

Congressional Democrats are divided once again over an olive branch President Obama extended to the GOP. Progressive members are openly questioning his proposal to freeze federal pay through at least 2012, while their conservative counterparts support the plan, aligning themselves with Republican members who are already pressing Obama to move further to the right.

"[I]t would have been far preferable for the White House to have included this as part of a comprehensive proposal, instead of singling out the hard working men and women of the federal workforce," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in a statement to reporters this evening. "By focusing exclusively on federal employees, the Administration runs the risk of reinforcing the myth, pushed by some for politically convenient but cynical reasons, that America suffers from a federal government comprised of unproductive and overpaid civil servants. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Van Hollen's the incoming ranking member of the Budget Committee, but also represents a large number of federal employees. That said, he's not alone.

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Bush Tax Cuts

Dorgan Says Tax Cuts Vote Could Be As Late As December

Christina Bellantoni | September 23, 2010, 1:18PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan seems today like he is in no hurry to pass tax cuts, telling on Fox News it could happen as late as December.

Dorgan (D-ND) said he wants the cuts extended for the first $250,000 in income for at least "a few years" and then reevaluate whether they should be made permanent. As we've reported, Senate Democrats appear poised to go home without taking a vote before the election.

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John Kerry

Kerry: We Don't Have 60 Votes For Climate Bill...Yet

Brian Beutler | June 15, 2010, 3:55PM

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)

With only days to go before Majority Leader Harry Reid unveils his forthcoming energy legislation, the Senate's lead climate change negotiator acknowledged today that he's shy of the 60 votes he'd need to overcome a filibuster if it includes provisions meant to mitigate global warming.

"Are we there? No," said Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) in response to a question from TPMDC this afternoon. "We don't have the 60 votes yet. I know that. But we're close, enough to be able to fight for it, and we'll see where we wind up."

Kerry has never claimed otherwise, and has always suggested that building a 60-plus vote coalition for climate legislation would be a tough climb. But his acknowledgment comes as other key Democratic members and chairmen are trying to prevent any plan to cap and price global warming pollution from coming to the floor without 60 votes in the bag. Just today, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), chair of the Democratic Policy Committee, publicly cast doubt on whether that's possible.

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Byron Dorgan

Despite Reservations, Most Progressives Vote For Wall Street Reform

Brian Beutler | May 20, 2010, 4:07PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Two Democrats--Sens. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)--once again joined the GOP in an attempt to filibuster Wall Street reform, on the grounds that the bill does too little to regulate big financial institutions. But the Democrat who most vocally threatened to block the bill--Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)--ultimately chose not to, and in a way became the deciding vote. Democratic leaders needed 60 votes to break the filibuster, and without Dorgan they would have had only 59.

Why the change of heart? Dorgan cited two things when I asked him: his ability to force a vote on his flagship financial issue--banning naked credit default swaps--and the fact that, ultimately, he didn't want to stand in the way of a bill he thinks makes some, though not sufficient, progress.

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Blanche Lincoln

Down To The Wire: Democratic Leaders Scramble To Keep Financial Reform From Unraveling

Brian Beutler | May 19, 2010, 9:06AM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

What had been a fairly non-contentious debate over Wall Street reform legislation nearly came off the rails on Tuesday after Republicans--tacitly backed (or at least unimpeded) by top Democrats--used Senate rules to block votes on far-reaching, consumer-friendly amendments, portending a potential progressive revolt.

This afternoon at 2 pm, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will attempt to bring debate on the financial reform bill to a close, though it remains unclear whether he has the 60 votes he'll need to prevail.

A big reason for that? A number of Democrats--most vocally, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)--have threatened to vote against ending debate until their flagship amendments get a vote on the floor. But Republicans are standing in the way, saying they'll filibuster those amendments, subjecting each to a 60 vote requirement, and, more importantly, several days' worth of delay. Faced with a choice between picking a fight with Republicans over those amendments and simply moving ahead with the bill, Democratic leadership has, for now, chosen the latter.

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Financial Reform

Dorgan 'Not Interested' In Voting For Too-Weak Financial Reform

Brian Beutler | May 18, 2010, 7:47PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

The Senate just voted 56-38 to table Sen. Byron Dorgan's amendment to the Wall Street reform bill that would have banned trading in naked credit default swaps, essentially eliminating a huge gambling market, wherein speculators bet on the success or failure of entities in which they have no financial interest.

That may complicate matters for Democratic leaders, who quite possibly just lost Dorgan's vote.

"I'm not very interested in moving a bill that doesn't address the central issue that I want to address," Dorgan told me a few minutes before his amendment was tabled. "But we'll see. We'll work tonight and see what happens."

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Financial Reform

Democrats Press Swift End To Fight Over Wall Street Reform

Brian Beutler | May 18, 2010, 10:01AM

Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Harry Reid (D-NV)

Democrats and Republicans may once again be poised for a head-to-head collision over Wall Street reform.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid started the clock yesterday, and it is now ticking down toward a key Wednesday test vote, where Democrats will learn whether or not they have assuaged (or intimidated) enough Republicans to break a filibuster.

Leadership wants every Democrat, and at least one Republican on board, but at this late hour it's not clear they have either. Feeling burned by leadership, and dubious that the legislation reaches far enough to truly rein in excess on Wall Street, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) has threatened to join the filibuster, unless his amendment that would ban trading in naked credit default swaps gets a vote on the floor. Discussions between Dorgan and other leaders continues, but thus they remain at an impasse.

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Financial Reform

Durbin Says Dorgan Financial Reform Threat A Concern For Dems

Christina Bellantoni | May 17, 2010, 4:40PM

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Is Senate leadership worried about Sen. Byron Dorgan's filibuster threat tanking financial reform? "You bet," Sen. Dick Durbin told me today at a briefing with reporters.

"We need 60 votes. I'm going to make sure we get every Democrat on the bill," Durbin (D-IL) said when I asked him about Dorgan's concerns.

Durbin said he doesn't know if Dorgan (D-ND) has reached an agreement with Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) and both of those Senate offices have been tight-lipped today as Senate moves toward final passage of the bill. During the briefing, Durbin and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) discussed an amendment likely to get a vote in the next few days allowing individual state regulation of credit card companies.

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Financial Reform

Reid Sets Up Big Wednesday Vote On Financial Reform

Christina Bellantoni | May 17, 2010, 3:02PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

As two of their colleagues battle for their political careers, Senate Democrats tonight are pushing forward on financial reform in hopes of finishing up a bill this month. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is going to file for cloture tonight, setting up the final stages of the process to begin after a vote on Wednesday.

But Reid is still facing the threat of a filibuster from retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan, who hasn't tipped his hand yet today on whether the Democrats have convinced him to vote for moving ahead with the bill. An aide told me that Dorgan (D-ND) expects to get a vote on his amendment dealing with credit default swaps but would not say if anything has changed since he told leadership he would block the bill from a final vote last week.

Reid (D-NV) said on the Senate floor this afternoon he's aiming for a final vote by the end of the week, perhaps as early as Thursday. "This cannot be delayed any longer," Reid warned Republicans, who are aiming to prolong every floor battle in hopes of gaining traction during this fall's midterm elections.

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Financial Reform

Spurned By Dem Leadership, Dorgan Threatens Filibuster On Wall Street Reform

Brian Beutler | May 13, 2010, 7:54PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

What started as a minor skirmish among Democrats over Wall Street reform could turn into a big problem, if party leaders stand in Byron Dorgan's way. And with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hoping to draw debate to a close by Wednesday next week, they don't have much time to act.

On the Senate floor this evening, the North Dakota Democrat told Harry Reid and Chris Dodd he'd try to block financial reform legislation from coming to a vote unless they give one of his amendments a fair hearing. "I just told the leader and the committee chairman that I wouldn't be voting for cloture--I'd be voting against cloture--unless my amendment is considered," a frustrated Dorgan told me and one other reporter on his way out of the chamber.

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Financial Reform

Progressives Buck Democratic Leaders On Wall Street Reform

Brian Beutler | May 13, 2010, 12:33PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

The Wall Street reform bill has no doubt drifted leftward in the past several days. But that doesn't mean all Senate liberals are happy. Several progressive and populist senators think the bill's broad approach does not call for the fundamental reforms Wall Street needs. They've been pushing far-reaching amendments that would shrink major financial companies, and further limit high-risk trading and though their efforts likely do not have enough votes to pass, they at the very least want to get a fair hearing. And they're banding together to make sure they get one.

"[Democrats] will insist on having the opportunity to have the key amendments offered and debated and voted on," Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) told me this morning.

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Byron Dorgan

Dorgan Criticizes Dems' Financial Reform Bill: 'Shame On Us' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | May 12, 2010, 5:53PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

On the Senate floor today, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) reproached his own party for its financial reform bill, saying that if they don't strengthen "too big to fail" provisions and better regulate credit default swaps, particularly by banning a huge class of them, "then shame on us. We have a responsibility here."

He added that if Democrats don't fix these problems, "we cannot claim ever that we have done something about this system."

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Tea Party

Tea Party's First Birthday Highlights Divisions In Movement

Christina Bellantoni | March 1, 2010, 2:25PM

Dick Armey of FreedomWorks speaks with a tea party enthusiast

The tea party movement officially turned one over the weekend, drawing various celebrations, laudatory statements from Republican leadership and boastful emails about all the group has accomplished since 2009. But even those anniversary milestones highlight deep factions within the movement and how Republicans are bending over backwards to be associated with the tea partiers.

For example, the Tea Party Express organizers cited several odd accomplishments, including a political race that ended up with a Democratic victory and a Senator's retirement that had nothing to do with the tea party at all.

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Jobs

Dorgan: Baucus Will Have Say Over Part Of Jobs Package

Brian Beutler | February 2, 2010, 3:51PM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

Democrats leading the Senate jobs push will likely unveil their initial package of legislation Thursday, but it will not include a key section, which will likely be adopted separately after action by the Senate Finance Committee, headed by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT).

"Senator Durbin and I will be disclosing the jobs bill that we put together...will probably do something to disclose that on Thursday," said Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND).

"Our jobs bill...contains the things that we think represent a consensus in our caucus of what we can do to stimulate the creation of additional jobs," Dorgan added.

But the package will not include a tax credit aimed at stimulating employment.

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ND-SEN

Poll: GOPer Hoeven Has Big Leads Over Ed Schultz, Heidi Heitkamp In ND-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | January 14, 2010, 5:05PM

MSNBC host Ed Schultz and Gov. John Hoeven (R-ND)

The new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of North Dakota finds Republican Gov. John Hoeven way ahead of both possible Democratic candidates in the race to pick up the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan.

Hoeven leads liberal talk show host Ed Schultz by 56%-32%, and he leads former state Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp (whom Hoeven previously defeated in the 2000 gubernatorial race) by 55%-34%.

As Kos notes, this is not because of a weakness of these individual candidates, but is because of the weakness of the Democratic Party itself in this red state: "Yet compared to last week's poll with Dorgan, Dems have only lost a few points against Hoeven, suggesting that it's general distaste for the Democrats that's driving down their numbers. Indeed, we asked favorability numbers for the two parties, and the Democratic Party is viewed favorably by just 25 percent of North Dakotans, and just 17 percent of Independents, versus 61 percent disapproval. Republicans, at 39-53, are not exactly popular, but in the battle of lesser evils, certainly in much better shape."

Byron Dorgan

Democrats Get Down To Brass Tacks On Jobs Bill

Brian Beutler | January 8, 2010, 5:33PM

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

A forthcoming Senate jobs bill will likely focus on four main sources of growth, according to a Senate leadership aide: Small business job creation, infrastructure jobs, green jobs, and public sector jobs.

As I noted earlier this week, Senate Democrats have made, and continue to make progress on a jobs package--likely to be their top legislative priority once health care reform is completely off their plate--and they've begun to winnow down a wide range of options into a package they could potentially expedite through the Senate.

Back in late summer, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tasked his deputy, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Sen. Byron Dorgan with putting together a bill meant to address rising unemployment.

"Reid and Durbin were taking the longview, looking at a number of months of pretty dismal job news," the aide said. "They started taking a look at job numbers, anticipating that job numbers wouldn't be getting a whole lot better."

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ND-SEN

Dorgan Says He Would Have Won Reelection (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | January 6, 2010, 6:13PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan told MSNBC's Ed Schultz tonight his surprise retirement decision was "no reflection" on the Democratic party and insisted he would have won reelection if he'd decided to stay.

Dorgan (D-ND) said he has served 40 years and now wants to do "some other things in life." He said he would prefer people ask, "Why did he leave so soon, rather than why did he stay so long."

"This gives me the opportunity to do that," he said.

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Earl Pomeroy

Democrat Earl Pomeroy Won't Run For North Dakota Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | January 6, 2010, 1:58PM

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND).

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) will not run for the open Senate seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan, RealClearPolitics reports -- a serious blow to Dems in their efforts to keep this seat.

A Democratic source has also confirmed the news to TPMDC.

Third-term Republican Gov. John Hoeven is set to run for the seat, and starts out the race as a heavy favorite. In addition to Pomeroy, who would have been the strongest possible Democratic candidate, the party has also been courting liberal talk show host Ed Schultz, who launched his broadcasting career in North Dakota.

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Retirement

Report: Sens. Johnson, Cantwell To Take Over Dodd And Dorgan Chairmanships

Rachel Slajda | January 6, 2010, 1:03PM

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND).

Sources tell The Hill that Democrats have chosen Sens. Tim Johnson (SD) and Maria Cantwell (WA) to take over the committee chairmanships that retiring Sens. Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan will leave at the end of the year.

Johnson will take over Dodd's post on the Banking Committee. Senate leaders said in September that Johnson would succeed Dodd if Dodd chose to take over Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat on the HELP Committee. (Harkin took that chair instead.)

Cantwell will become chair of the Indian Affairs Committee. Although she is not the next ranking member, the four senators ahead of her already have chairmanships.

John Hoeven

North Dakota GOP Governor Expected To Run For Dorgan's Seat

Eric Kleefeld | January 6, 2010, 11:01AM

Gov. John Hoeven (R-ND)

With Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) retiring, Republicans already have a top-tier candidate lined up to enter the race soon: Gov. John Hoeven, who was elected to a third term in 2008 with 74% of the vote.

State GOP chairman Gary Emineth told Politico: "I expect Gov. Hoeven to get in, and he's going to work through personal issues relating to his family, but I would be shocked if he's not in the Senate race soon."

North Dakota GOP political director Adam Jones explained to me that the family issues referred to here were simply a matter of Hoeven talking to his family about the prospect of a Senate run and a move to Washington. "First and foremost, the governor is a father and husband before he's a public servant," said Jones. "First he has to decide what's good for his family."

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Byron Dorgan

Steele Says Dorgan Retirement Sign Of Vulnerability, Predicts More Dems Quitting

Eric Kleefeld | January 5, 2010, 7:09PM

RNC chairman Michael Steele

Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele issued the following statement on the retirement announcement of Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND):

"Today's announcement by Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota that he will not seek reelection in 2010 highlights just how vulnerable both Senate and House Democrats have become since deciding to walk in lockstep with President Obama's government-run policies. For nearly a year Congressional Democrats have been turning a deaf ear to the concerns of the American people and as the elections of 2010 approach, many of these same Democrats are deciding to simply leave office instead of risking certain defeat. While Senator Dorgan might be the first Democrat to announce his retirement this year, I predict he will not be the last as more and more Americans start moving away from the Democrat Party's liberal agenda and towards the Republican Party's core principles of less government, lower taxes, and greater personal responsibility."

Byron Dorgan

Conrad: Dorgan's Warnings, If Heeded, Could Have Prevented Recession

Brian Beutler | January 5, 2010, 6:58PM

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) has released an official statement regarding the breaking news that his North Dakota colleague Byron Dorgan will retire at the end of 2010.

"Nationally he has been a foremost advocate for fair trade, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth," Conrad says. "If his warnings had been heeded, the economic downturn might well have been averted. Over and over, he has been proven right on economic policy, trade policy and so much more. He is the best colleague a person could ever have and an even better friend."

You can read the entire statement below the fold.

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ND-SEN

Republicans On Dorgan Surprise Retirement: 'Another Excellent Opportunity'

Christina Bellantoni | January 5, 2010, 6:57PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is the first out with a reaction to the news Sen. Byron Dorgan is retiring and won't seek reelection in 2010, calling the surprise announcement a prime opportunity for the GOP to pick up a Democratic seat.

"North Dakota was always going to be a competitive seat for the Democrats to defend, and Senator Dorgan's retirement now provides us with another excellent pick-up opportunity for Republicans in 2010," said NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh.

Walsh said the development "is indicative of the difficult environment and slumping approval ratings that Democrats face as a result of their out of control tax-and-spend agenda in Washington."

"We fully intend to capitalize on this opportunity by continuing to recruit strong candidates who can win these seats in November," he said.

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Byron Dorgan

ND Dem Sen. Byron Dorgan Retiring

Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 5, 2010, 6:20PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) will not seek reelection this year. Dorgan has been trailing Gov. John Hoeven (R) in polls, even though Hoeven has not yet formally decided to run for the seat.

In a statement published on his website this evening, Dorgan said the potential for a tough race was not behind his decision.

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Byron Dorgan

Poll: Dem Sen. Byron Dorgan Vulnerable -- If GOP Gets Gov. John Hoeven To Run

Eric Kleefeld | December 21, 2009, 9:15AM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

A new Rasmussen poll finds that Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) could be seriously vulnerable in 2010 -- but only if the GOP manages to get just the right candidate to oppose him, third-term Republican Gov. John Hoeven.

When Dorgan is tested against Duane Sand, a Navy veteran who has previously run unsuccessfully for the Senate and the House, Dorgan leads by 52%-37%. But if Hoeven were the GOP candidate, Dorgan would trail by a 58%-36% margin.

Hoeven has previously declined a Senate run. The GOP tried to recruit him to run against Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad in the 2006 cycle, but he didn't make the race. Earlier this year, he said he would decide on a Senate run by September -- which has obviously passed already. But if he were to get in, he would start as the frontrunner.

From the pollster's analysis: "Along with Hoeven's popularity in the state, Dorgan has to contend with President Obama's unpopularity. John McCain carried North Dakota over Obama 53% to 45%, and now just 41% approve of how the president is doing his job. Fifty-eight percent (58%) disapprove."

Health Care

Dorgan Reads From Lunesta, Flomax Ad Scripts On Senate Floor

Christina Bellantoni | December 9, 2009, 11:24AM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Watching Senate floor debate isn't always exciting, but sometimes you hear the words "going urgently" and your ears perk up.

That was Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) lighting up the floor by reading the scripts advertising some of the most common prescription drugs and saying they always depict happy scenes of trees and green grass.

"If life is like that when you use the purple pill ... get me some purple pills," Dorgan said.

The fairly reserved senator read aloud from a scripts for Boneva, Ambien and even offered the catchphrase, "Maybe it's time to ask whether Lunesta is right for you."

Dorgan cited the Flomax ad to fight against "going urgently," quoting from the script, "For many men Flomax can make a difference in one week."

He also said he was "especially distressed" by "unbelievably dishonest" TV ads targeting the health care debate.

Watch: