Budget time -
JEFF KOSSEFF
The Oregonian
Sen. Gordon Smith had hoped to block the must-pass federal budget bill to protest the expiration of a federal program that directs hundreds of millions of dollars a year to rural counties. The Oregon Republican hoped the stunt would persuade Senate leaders to attach a one-year extension of the program to the federal budget.
In the weird rules of the Senate, a senator may stall a vote on a bill by speaking indefinitely -- a procedural trick known as a filibuster -- but debate can be cut off by a vote of at least 60 senators. Because senators are adamant about passing a federal budget this week, that vote was a foregone conclusion.
His filibuster busted, Smith was restricted to speaking for however long the Senate leadership allowed.
So rather than talk all night Monday, Smith resorted to a very polite two hours on the Senate floor, which he shared with his Democratic colleague, Sen. Ron Wyden. Wyden also spoke adamantly about the need to reauthorize the county payments program.
The speeches were largely formalities, spoken to a largely empty chamber.
Smith entered the Senate chamber shortly after 2:30 p.m., and after speaking with some Senate staffers, exited a side door to negotiate for time with Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of
Slightly after 3 p.m., Smith re-entered and began his first 20-minute speech. Smith noted his fondness for the Frank Capra classic "Mr. Smith Goes to
"Apparently, I'm going to be denied that opportunity today," Smith admitted.
Shortly after Smith began speaking, Wyden entered the chamber, scribbling notes.
Wyden then spoke of the dire need counties have for this program. Wyden said there is a "serious question" as to whether
"We've got pink slips going out now," Wyden said.
For most of the first 40 minutes they spoke, Wyden and Smith were the only senators on the floor, other than newly elected Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., left in the newcomer's job of presiding over the Senate when nothing is going on.
Smith read part of the 55-page, single-spaced speech he had prepared. He read about
He explained that his amendment would save the counties by adding $365 million onto a $1.7 trillion budget resolution.
"It's a rounding error," Smith said.
Toward the end of Smith's first allotted 20-minute speech, Tester banged the gavel as Smith was reading from a book about
"Am I done, Mr. President?" Smith asked. "I'm just getting to the good part."
Wyden then spoke for 20 minutes. After that, Wyden and Smith gathered in the back of the Senate chamber and had an animated discussion with Reid. During his speech, Wyden said that he has been working with Reid and that Reid understands the importance of the program to
Smith and Wyden yielded for more than an hour of speeches from other senators. About 5:45 p.m., Smith began talking again. About 20 minutes later, Smith was reciting a Johnny Cash song about Roseburg -- "Ride this train to Roseburg, Oregon, now there's a town for you" -- when Wyden re-emerged.
The two held the floor, discussing the dire need for extending the county payments program. But it was just the Ron and Gordon show.
Other than the three senators who took turns presiding and a stray Sen. Joe Lieberman, Smith and Wyden were the only senators in the chamber. The gallery overlooking the chamber was nearly empty.
Then Wyden left.
For the last hour, until 7:30 p.m., Smith spoke alone.
Later, he said he still plans to make a motion to block the budget today.
About 9 p.m., over on the House side of the Capitol, Democratic Reps. Peter DeFazio and
They, too, spoke to a mostly empty chamber.
Jeff Kosseff: 503-294-7605;