Senate Republicans Threaten to Block Crime Bill, Bypass House-Passed Legislation

Strategic Insights -

The bipartisan collaboration that had emerged when House Republicans joined Democrats to pass the crime bill on Sunday appears to have been short-lived, as Senate Republicans now threaten to block the bill in the upper chamber. Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole has collected signatures from 40 Republicans who have committed to vote against the House-approved bill, which would allow the Senate to revisit an earlier version of the legislation without a ban on assault weapons. This move would deny a legislative victory to President Clinton and prevent members of Congress up for re-election this year from boasting about their efforts to address crime, a top concern for most Americans.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate Republican threat to block the crime bill could deny President Clinton a legislative victory, affecting members of Congress up for re-election this year.
  • The gun lobby, with friends on the Republican side of the Senate, is still working to defeat the bill.
  • Several Republicans object to the $30.2 billion measure, citing concerns it's too bloated with money for prevention programs and not tough enough on criminals.
  • The bruised egos of Republican Senators, who were ignored during House negotiations, also contribute to the impasse.
  • President Clinton has been telephoning numerous Senate Republicans to head off the procedural move and force both chambers to revisit the contentious ban on assault weapons.
  • The proposed Republican maneuver, a point of order, challenges the bill's financing mechanism, requiring a 60-vote waiver to proceed with the House-passed bill.
  • Senator Dole claims to have the necessary votes, but some supporters have expressed uncertainty about their commitment.
  • The Budget Act of 1974 requires 60 votes to waive Senate rules on the financing mechanism, which is crucial for the bill's passage.

Statistics:

  • 40: The number of Republican Senators who have committed to vote against the House-approved bill.
  • 30.2 billion: The total cost of the crime bill proposed by the Senate.
  • $2 billion: The amount of money trimmed for prevention programs during House negotiations.
  • $3 billion: The amount Senator Orrin G. Hatch proposes to cut from prevention programs, leaving around $2.5 billion.
  • 56-44: The current partisan edge in the Senate, with Democrats holding a slim majority.
  • 60: The number of votes needed to waive Senate rules on the financing mechanism and block the procedural action.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, "Senate Republicans Threaten to Block Crime Bill," no date.