Franken Amendment Becomes Law

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In October, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) proposed a key amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. Yesterday, it was signed into law. Motivated by the harrowing violence Jamie Leigh Jones suffered in 2005 while working for Halliburton/KBR in Iraq, Franken pushed a measure to withhold defense contracts from companies that "restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court." Franken's measure passed, 68 to 30. The 30 opponents -- representing 75% of the entire GOP Senate caucus -- were Republican men.

There were some implantation questions from the Pentagon, but after some additional efforts, and overcoming a Republican filibuster, Franken's measure became law after President Obama signed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act over the weekend.

Digby had a good take on this.

The reason I think it's good news isn't just on the substance (which it certainly is) but on the politics. Franken's amendment is driving the Republicans crazy because they basically voted

to protect rapists

and are now paying a political price for that. And now they are whining that Franken was somehow "uncollegial" because the amendment put them in an embarrassing position (which makes me wonder how many other things issues are swept under the rug because it would make members of the opposition uncomfortable.)

That's the kind of thing the Democrats should do more of. Expose the Republicans' hypocrisy and cruelty by forcing these issues on to the agenda.

Remember, Republicans can barely contain their outrage over this -- Franken proposed a common-sense measure; it passed easily; and opponents of the amendment have faced some severe criticicism as a result. "The nerve of that guy," conservative senators keep saying.

For his part, this is Franken's first key legislative success. Here's to many more like it.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

So pro-rape Republicans lost. Shame.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Of course Republicans will vote to protect their patron saints at Halliburton

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So pro-rape Republicans lost. Shame.

Yet another mid-term election winner for the GOP. They can run around promising to once and for all end the shady practice of criminalizing rape. This is America and people should be free to commit rape.

[NickD 203]

I can't keep track of all this stuff, does that bill also protect the US taxpayer from getting raped by Halliburton?

[The_Dude 1,142]

I can't keep track of all this stuff, does that bill also protect the US taxpayer from getting raped by Halliburton?

Nope, as the latest audits of halliburton have shown that they are still overbilling.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Nope, as the latest audits of halliburton have shown that they are still overbilling.

That puts a smile on this cold hearted #######

[The_Dude 1,142]

Well, lets put this into perspective. How many companies are able to put in a comprehensive bid to support our troops and the war effort as a whole?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Well, lets put this into perspective. How many companies are able to put in a comprehensive bid to support our troops and the war effort as a whole?

I know that's been their argument. To that, I'd ask how many private companies gave the same kind of troop support as Haliburton back in WWII? Korean War? Vietnam?

[zqt3344 21]

If this is the best Franken can do and the Democrats can offer, you all are screwed next fall in the elections!

In October, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) proposed a key amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. Yesterday, it was signed into law. Motivated by the harrowing violence Jamie Leigh Jones suffered in 2005 while working for Halliburton/KBR in Iraq, Franken pushed a measure to withhold defense contracts from companies that "restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court." Franken's measure passed, 68 to 30. The 30 opponents -- representing 75% of the entire GOP Senate caucus -- were Republican men.

There were some implantation questions from the Pentagon, but after some additional efforts, and overcoming a Republican filibuster, Franken's measure became law after President Obama signed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act over the weekend.

Digby had a good take on this.

The reason I think it's good news isn't just on the substance (which it certainly is) but on the politics. Franken's amendment is driving the Republicans crazy because they basically voted

to protect rapists

and are now paying a political price for that. And now they are whining that Franken was somehow "uncollegial" because the amendment put them in an embarrassing position (which makes me wonder how many other things issues are swept under the rug because it would make members of the opposition uncomfortable.)

That's the kind of thing the Democrats should do more of. Expose the Republicans' hypocrisy and cruelty by forcing these issues on to the agenda.

Remember, Republicans can barely contain their outrage over this -- Franken proposed a common-sense measure; it passed easily; and opponents of the amendment have faced some severe criticicism as a result. "The nerve of that guy," conservative senators keep saying.

For his part, this is Franken's first key legislative success. Here's to many more like it.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[DEDixon 39]

I know that's been their argument. To that, I'd ask how many private companies gave the same kind of troop support as Haliburton back in WWII? Korean War? Vietnam?

come on steven, you are smarter than this.

the draft was alive back then.

it should be brought back again. not only so rich kids serve, but this country depends so much on immigration for growth, we should require more of their kids. come knowing your kids will serve! i heard that one of the reasons the roman empire fell was because only a few held any allegiance to the empire. i also think dual citizenship should be outlawed.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I can't keep track of all this stuff, does that bill also protect the US taxpayer from getting raped by Halliburton?

Nope, Democrats are all in favour (as GOP) of raping taxpayers. Edited December 23, 2009 by Saddle Bronc

[scandal 951]

i also think dual citizenship should be outlawed.

Why?

In particular, would you distinguish between people born with claim to two or more citizenships, versus those who obtain US citizenship through naturalization?

And again - why?