December 17, 2009 6:33 PM
- Text
McCain Objects to Cutting Off Lieberman in Health Debate
In an unusual move on Thursday, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) cut off Sen. Joe Lieberman's remarks on the Senate floor -- a move that flabbergasted their Republican colleague Sen. John McCain.
Franken was serving as the Senate's presiding officer on Thursday when Lieberman, speaking about the amendments he intended to offer to the Democrats' health care bill, reached his 10-minute speaking limit. Lieberman asked for an "additional moment" to finish his thoughts, a request that is nearly always granted in the Senate.
"In my capacity as senator from Minnesota, I object," Franken said with a slight shrug.
"Really?" Lieberman said, and realizing Franken was serious, added, "Ok, I don't take it personally."
At that, McCain jumped in, commenting that this was the first time he had seen a senator denied an extra minute or two to finish his remarks.
"I must say that I don't know what's happening here in this body, but I think it's wrong,'' McCain said.
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) then commented that the same thing happened earlier in the day -- Franken was not bullying Lieberman, as McCain may have thought. In fact, CBS News Capitol Hill Producer John Nolen reports, Senate leadership asked the presiding officers to deny any requests for extended speaking time in order to maintain order, and so that no senator would have an unfair speaking advantage.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was also denied extra speaking time today when Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) was presiding over the Senate.
Franken was serving as the Senate's presiding officer on Thursday when Lieberman, speaking about the amendments he intended to offer to the Democrats' health care bill, reached his 10-minute speaking limit. Lieberman asked for an "additional moment" to finish his thoughts, a request that is nearly always granted in the Senate.
"In my capacity as senator from Minnesota, I object," Franken said with a slight shrug.
"Really?" Lieberman said, and realizing Franken was serious, added, "Ok, I don't take it personally."
At that, McCain jumped in, commenting that this was the first time he had seen a senator denied an extra minute or two to finish his remarks.
"I must say that I don't know what's happening here in this body, but I think it's wrong,'' McCain said.
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) then commented that the same thing happened earlier in the day -- Franken was not bullying Lieberman, as McCain may have thought. In fact, CBS News Capitol Hill Producer John Nolen reports, Senate leadership asked the presiding officers to deny any requests for extended speaking time in order to maintain order, and so that no senator would have an unfair speaking advantage.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was also denied extra speaking time today when Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) was presiding over the Senate.
-
Stephanie Condon Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »
43 Comments +
Popular Now in Politics
- Romney clinches GOP presidential nomination
- Obama honors Medal of Freedom recipients
- Obama "misspoke" on Nazi death camps in Poland
- In Texas race, it's Tea Party vs. establishment
- Romney to clinch GOP presidential nomination
- In Texas, GOP Senate race heads to a runoff
- Why Wisconsin's recall election matters
- Newark mayor's spokeswoman resigns week after flap
- Obama lays wreath at Arlington for Memorial Day
- Romney: Obama policies have hurt coal mining
- Biden shares personal loss with military families
- What is White House's response to massacre in Syria?
- GOP says Obama "demonizes" domestic energy
- Portman to meet with Netanyahu in Israel
- Debt has increased more under Obama than Bush
- Bob Dylan, Madeleine Albright awarded Medal of Freedom
