As the filibuster fight roiled the Senate for the second day, Republicans lashed out at Democrats on Thursday for disrupting the Senate's legislative business in what both sides acknowledged was a preview of the hostile Senate atmosphere that could follow the looming showdown on judicial nominees.
"Our friends on the other side of the aisle are shutting down the business of the Senate by making it impossible for committees to do the work of the American people on everything from intelligence matters to passing an energy bill when gas prices are at record highs," said Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the No. 2 Republican.
Democrats argued that the magnitude of the filibuster debate merited the full attention of lawmakers. They refused to agree to what is usually a routine request to extend committee work beyond the two hours allotted daily under the rules, contending that work would still get done.
"Because of the importance of the debate that is to take place on the Senate floor today, the Senate's attention ought to be turned to this and not committee meetings," Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat of Iowa, said.
There is significant legislation at stake. Besides energy and asbestos measures whose legislative reviews were cut short on Thursday, Congress is trying to pass a major transportation bill and an air quality bill, as well as all of its spending measures. Democrats have said they will not block spending bills, to avoid a full-blown government shutdown.
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