Closing the Senate, what's the big deal?

[The_Hamster_King]

@World Eater

Are the doors physically closed as in locked? Does it affect just the people who are in the room at the time, or do senators have to drop what they’re doing and head towards the chambers? Lastly, who decides when the doors are “unlocked”?

I’m venturing into territory where my knowledge is more hazy, so perhaps someone with more detailed information will fill in the gaps.

It’s not like armored gates slam down. It’s my understanding that the doors aren’t physically locked. However they are guarded.

In addition to clearing the Senate of non-essential staffers and spectators I believe they round up Senators who are not in the chamber and tell them that a special session has been called and they’re expected to join their colleagues. Cell phones and other means of external communication are switched off.

They end the closed session when, simply enough, the business that prompted closing the doors is complete. Pretty fuzzy I know. I believe that once everyone was assembled the session yesterday could have been ended with a quick vote, but if the Republicans had tried to shut Reid down without a debate he could simply have invoked the rule again today … and tomorrow … and the next day … until finally they were forced to deal with him.

The only way the Senate can get through its daily business is to cooperate. The majority gets to run things, but if they try to run roughshod over the minority it’s very easy for the minority to monkey-wrench the parliamentary machinery.

[saoirse]

@World Eater

Again, what power? The power to kick out cameramen?

The Senate requires unanaimity in order to waive certain functions (I believe one of them is the reading of the previous days business, as well as any correspondence addressed to the Senate). If Harry Reid decides to get the Democrats to refuse to waive these functions, that will prettyt much be the workday. I’m not sure, but I think that If HArry Reid all on his own decides not to waive them, then the Senate can’t move forward.

[kaylasdad99]

@saoirse

The Senate requires unanaimity in order to waive certain functions (I believe one of them is the reading of the previous days business, as well as any correspondence addressed to the Senate). If Harry Reid decides to get the Democrats to refuse to waive these functions, that will prettyt much be the workday. I’m not sure, but I think that If HArry Reid all on his own decides not to waive them, then the Senate can’t move forward.

Dang. They should have done that every time a Bush appointee came up for a vote.

[SteveG1]

I think it’s great. It’s funny as hell that Frist is whining about those mean boys not playing nice. I imagine next will be cartoony images of the Democratic Bulldozer crushing all the poor righty patriots. People are just pissed that they got a little bit of their own attitude right back. Momma momma! That meany hit me back! Waaaaaahhhh!

[Steve_MB]

@Pochacco

Basically Reid shut down the Senate for several hours and forced it to debate the Bush Administration’s failures. According to the Senate rules he could do so every day if he thought it was appropriate. The only thing stopping him is the gentleman’s agreement between the two parties to play nice.

Butch Cassidy: No, no, not yet. Not until me and Harvey get the rules straightened out.
Harvey Logan: Rules? In a knife fight? No rules.
(Butch immediately kicks Harvey in the groin)
Butch Cassidy: Well, if there aint’ going to be any rules, let’s get the fight started.