Archive for the ‘Democrats’ Category

Rand Paul admits he considered using a catheter during filibuster

Thursday, March 7, 2013 by:alison.sullivan@chron.com (Alison Sullivan)
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When nature calls, even a United States senator can’t talk his way out of it.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul concluded his filibuster to halt the nomination of  John Brennan as CIA director just under the 13 hour mark early Thursday morning to use the restroom.

“There are some limits to filibustering and I’m going to have to go take care of one in a few minutes here,” he joked on the Senate floor.

However just hours after the filibuster’s conclusion, Paul appeared in an interview with radio host Glenn Beck and admitted he had contemplated using a catheter to help ease the body’s natural limitations.

“I did think about it,” Paul laughed. “I put them in before and I really decided against it.”

Using a catheter might seem far-fetched, but Texas state senators have a history of using “bladder bags” under their suits during filibusters in Austin.

Throughout the filibuster, Paul was joined by other Republican senators, and a Democrat, demanding President Obama define the legality of using drone strikes to kill Americans on U.S. soil and abroad.  Later on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder responded to Paul’s question in a letter saying, “the answer is no.”

In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Paul said there were no plans beforehand to filibuster on Wednesday, leaving him standing for hours on end in improper shoes for the marathon filibuster. He said because the rules state you can’t sit down or leave the floor, he was unable to step out and use the restroom.

“Twelve hours is a long time not to go to the restroom. So, yes, it does limit you,” he told Bash.

Though Paul said he tried to limit the amount of water he consumed, he did fuel up with a few candy bars throughout the filibuster.

Diversity in action: Straight white men are a minority among House Democrats

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by:kyle.campbell@chron.com (Kyle Campbell)
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Though they weren’t able to pick up the 25 seats necessary for a majority in the House, Democratic leaders are touting the incoming class of freshman Congressman, particularly for its diversity.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.., and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Steve Israel, D-N.Y., introduced the newly elected lawmakers this week on Capitol Hill.

“These new members reflect the priorities and diversity and the values of the districts that elected them,” Israel said. “The Republican Caucus, if you look at it, it looks like a re-run of the show ‘Mad Men.’ Our caucus looks like America.”

The DCCC estimates there will be 200 members in the Democratic caucus at the beginning of the 113th Congress, that number includes five Democratic candidates that are leading in races that are yet to be called.

Among those 200 members, Pelosi said there will be 61 women, 43 blacks, 11 Asians/Pacific Islanders and six gay members, marking the first time straight white males will make up a minority of either party’s caucus.

The diversity is highlighted by a Democratic freshman class that is comprised of one-third women and boasts eight Latinos, four blacks, three Asian Americans, one Indian American and the first Hindu ever elected to Congress. It also has the first gay person of color to serve in Congress.

The Republican caucus has a 36 confirmed freshmen with three more candidates in races  they deem too close to call.  All 36 are white and just three are women.

According to an email from the National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOP still considers the Arizona District 9 race to be in contention, which leaves them one chance of adding a minority representative: Vernon Parker, a black councilman and former mayor of Paradise Valley, Ariz.

Most news sources tracking the elections have called the Arizona District 9 race for Parker’s opponent, Krysten Sinema. Republicans trail by a few hundred votes in the other two tight races.

Texas reflects the diversity disparity between the two parties.

Among the eight first-time congressmen headed to Washington via the Lone Star State, the five Democrats consist of one white, one black and three Latinos while the three Republicans are all white. All eight are men.

Pelosi said the Democratic House caucus was a “picture of America” and she expects the incoming members to accurately reflect the diverse ideologies of their constituents.

Israel said the diverse members of his party represent the beginning of the end of far-right Republicans dominating the House.

“With these new members the Tea Party starts to roll back and the progress starts to move forward,” he said.

The women senators in the U.S Congress: