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Byrd Warns Frist Against 'Nuclear Option' NewsMax.com Wires WASHINGTON -- Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia said Monday he doesn't expect Democrats to filibuster the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, but he still chastised Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for threatening to stop any such effort through a drastic parliamentary effort that has been dubbed the "nuclear option." "If he ever tries to exercise that, he's going to see a real filibuster if I'm living and able to stand on my feet or sit in my seat," Byrd said in a Senate debate with Frist, R-Tenn. "If the senator wants a fight, let him try it," said Byrd, the Senate's senior Democrat. "I'm 88 years old, but I can still fight, and fight I will for freedom of speech. I haven't been here for 47 years to see that freedom of speech whittled away and undermined. " The animated exchange, springing from the majority leader's threat on Sunday to block judicial filibusters, featured Frist waving his hands and wiping his brow in exasperation. Byrd insisted that Democrats have not threatened to filibuster Alito, who was chosen by President Bush as the replacement for retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. In response, Frist read from a half-dozen news stories that quoted Democrats mentioning the option, looking back at Byrd after each item. Story Continues Below
"I will do everything I possibly can if your side chooses, if the Democrat side chooses to filibuster," Frist said. Senate Democrats have questioned whether Alito, a federal appeals court judge, has the proper judicial temperament and ideology to replace O'Connor. Some have said Alito's views on issues such as voting rights and abortion could provoke a filibuster unless he allays their concerns about his commitment to civil rights at his confirmation hearings, beginning Jan. 9. The filibuster is a parliamentary tactic whereby senators use their right to virtually unlimited debate to block measures, legislation or nominations. It takes 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to stop a filibuster. Under Frist's scenario, the GOP would seek a parliamentary ruling that declares filibusters are not permitted against judicial nominees. That ruling ultimately would go before the full Senate for a vote, with a simple majority required to prevail. Republicans hold 55 seats. Democrats like Byrd have threatened to retaliate with a fight that could snarl Senate business for months. With the Senate back in town, Progress for America, a conservative advocacy group, launched a new television ad supporting Alito in Washington, D.C., Maine, Rhode Island and Nebraska. It will run for four days on cable stations, costs $150,000 and features two former Alito clerks praising the judge. The Fraternal Order of Police announced Monday that it will support Alito's nomination. "We believe that he will be an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court," said FOP President Chuck Canterbury. And the National Association of Manufacturers was expected to endorse Alito on Tuesday. Several gay and lesbian rights groups announced their opposition to Alito's confirmation Monday. They include the Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Disability rights groups planned to announce their opposition to Alito on Wednesday. They include ADA Watch/National Coalition for Disability Rights, Alliance of Disability Advocates, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, National Council on Independent Living and World Association of People with Disabilities. © 2005 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Editor's note: Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
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