When doing your job makes other people mad-Senate version

Now here's irony.  And, anyone who thinks our congressmen and senators should know what they are voting for might want to think twice.

From Roll Call the Newspaper of Capitol Hill subscription required: "A handful of conservative GOP Senators have made it their duty to review practically every amendment-major or minor-that passes through the Senate chamber, much to the chagrin of many Senators and staff who feel the self-appointed legislative gatekeepers are overstepping their bounds.  The concerns of Sens. Tom Coburn (Okla.), Jim DeMint (S>C>), and, to a somewhat lesser extent, John McCain (Ariz.) have become so ubiquitous that on Appropriations subcommittee included all three of their offices on the form that committee Republicans use to clear amendments to the bills.  None of the three Senators serves on Appropriations." 

"All three lawmakers said they are trying to do the work that most other Members entrust to committee chairmen and leaders.

"Americans can't believe that most Members never even read the bills or amendments we vote on," DeMint said in a statement.  "But the trillions being wasted is no joke to voters.  Our team is doing exactly what Americans expect, to read, research and scrutinize the way tax dollars are being spent before we vote, not after.  There have to be at least a few of us willing to guard against wasteful earmarks and runaway spending.  If we didn't research theses things, they'd slip through without a second thought."

And, 

"But the formalized way in which the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security staff seemed to treat the level of consultation the three Senators demanded on amendments last week irked many in both parties.  Senators are accustomed to only needing sign-off from committee chairmen with relevant jurisdiction. 

Republicans have elevated these knuckleheads to the same status as committee chairmen," one senior Senate Democratic aide complained." 

Coburn spokesman John Hart defended the Oklahoman's role in the process, saying his boss wishes he had more company in the review of Senate business.

"Dr. Coburn believes it is the responsibility of every Senator to read and understand the bills and amendments that come to the floor," Hart said.  "The American people would be shocked to know how often major-and costly-legislations passes the Senate with little review. 

Hart said Coburn has a staffer on the floor for every single measure-not just appropriations-that moves through the chamber, and that his efforts to review amendments are more often than not joined by DeMint and McCain staffers."

Comments

[Ron]

The problem of not reading proposed legislation before voting is not just a congressional issue. Many local and state elected officials are guilty of not reading legislation, before voting.
The public puts up with it. Why, especially at the local level.

[Rand]

Very few voters actually know this, and others are like the officials themselves: willing to let party leaders and committee chairs to do the work.

[nugget]

Blaa! Blaa! Blaa! Nor! Blaa!