Monday, May 16, 2005

Bill Frist Admits to Distorting the Constitution

REWRITING THE CONSTITUTION

In his most recent statement regarding the nuclear option, Frist again attempted to rewrite the Constitution to his own advantage; once again, he claimed a "Constitutional responsibility … to advise and consent with fair, up or down votes." In fact, the responsibility stipulated by the Constitution is simply to "advise and consent" with absolutely no language – and thus no mention of "up or down votes" – on how the Senate is supposed to exercise this duty. Frist knows this to be a fact. Last week on the Senate floor, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) asked Frist the simple question: "Does the Constitution accord to each nominee an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor?" Frist had no choice but to admit: "No, the language is not there."

From the Center for American Progress

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