Published: 05-15-08
Senate Republicans triggered a legislative meltdown Wednesday when they surprised Majority Leader Harry Reid with a veterans’ benefit amendment co-authored by presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain of Arizona.
The fracas began when South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham a close ally of McCain’s offered an amendment to unrelated collective bargaining legislation that would expand GI Bill educational benefits for veterans.
Democrats objected saying they had not seen a copy of the amendment which mirrors a bill Graham introduced in competition to a major GI Bill expansion proposed by Sen. Jim Webb D-Va.
But Minority Leader Mitch McConnell R-Ky. immediately filed cloture on the proposal setting up a Friday vote.
Reid D-Nev. was livid at the GOP move accusing Republicans of resorting to an “untoward” parliamentary maneuver to give a boost to McCain’s White House bid.
Edward M. Kennedy D-Mass. called on McCain to convince Republican leaders to withdraw Graham’s amendment and finish work on the collective bargaining bill in exchange for votes on both the Graham and Webb proposals next as part of the war spending bill.
“That seems to be a reasonable way of proceeding “ Kennedy said.
Graham on Tuesday had asked Webb to discuss ways to reconcile the competing versions of the veterans’ benefit expansion.
His overture came one day after Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill. the leading Democratic presidential contender admonished McCain for opposing the Webb bill which is more generous to veterans especially those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Webb did not immediately embrace Graham’s offer so the South Carolina senator launched his ambush Wednesday.
The Senate ground to a halt and it was unclear whether the impasse will thwart action on the underlying bill which would extending collective bargaining rights to firefighters police officers and other public safety employees nationwide.
