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Sour Senate Aides Wish 'Merry Fristmas'
What Christmas cheer? Capitol Hill may be decked out with festive lights and an impressive tree. But under the big dome, a sour mood has settled over a Senate stuck in session with nothing but legislative stalemates standing between lawmakers and their holiday recess. "Merry Fristmas," congressional aides muttered as they passed each other in the chilly halls, taking a sullen dig at Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). For his part, Frist blamed the Democrats and their "childish antics" for the delay - three times in one press conference. For a while Wednesday, his spokesman sported a tie bearing an image of the Grinch (who stole Christmas).
Story Continues Below Weighty policy matters hang in limbo on the eve of a midterm election year. A spending bill containing money for the military also included a provision to allow arctic oil drilling - an addition by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) that has infuriated senators of both parties. The move would force lawmakers to vote for the package or be accused of withholding support for U.S. troops and storm victims. "I hope the good lord will help me keep my temper," Stevens, the one wearing the Incredible Hulk necktie, said just before Democrats and two Republicans blocked a vote on the package. Tossing a glance across the aisle at Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who had denounced the drilling measure, Stevens grumbled, "I asked for his apology once; I wouldn't accept it now."
© 2005 Associated Press.
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