Associated Press - November 3, 2009 6:25 AM ET
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns is taking issue with Democratic leaders' use of a tactic called "filling the tree," in which all available slots for amendments on legislation are taken in order to block competing amendments.
The Nebraska Republican held a telephone news conference Monday on the issue. He says Republicans aren't getting the opportunity to offer amendments to a bill that would give people running out of unemployment insurance benefits up to 20 more weeks of federal aid.
Democrats have, in turn, criticized Republicans for blocking Senate consideration of the bill.
But Johanns says the Senate could have already been done with the legislation if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada had not blocked Republican amendments.
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