Frank Taking Questions, ‘Persuading’ Fellow Democrats to Vote Yes

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has turned to a classic congressional tactic as he manages the floor debate over the bailout bill.

He’s had Democratic colleagues bring up their concerns about the bill in their floor speeches. The skeptical members then yield to Frank, who addresses their concerns before yielding back. At that point, the members have said they support the bill.

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), who opposed the bill Monday, asked whether the measure would give the Treasury Department the power to deal directly with homeowners facing foreclosure.

Frank answered: “Absolutely.”

Edwards then said she’d vote for the bill.

When Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) asked Frank whether it would help carmakers, Frank again answered in the affirmative.

Frank’s approach is reminiscent of one used by another Democratic leader during an important debate. Lyndon Johnson, as Senate Majority Leader in 1957, staged a similar question-and-answer session during a floor debate over a civil rights bill. It served as a way to help persuade senators watching the floor debate to back the controversial measure. Johnson’s ploy was famously recounted by Robert Caro in his book, “Master of the Senate.”

Tags 110th United States Congress Barney Frank Barney Frank Emergency Economic Stabilization Act Government John Dingell Massachusetts Ohio General Assembly Politics Quotation State governments of the United States United States Senate

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed..

Main Area Top ↴

ovp - video bin

Kelly Rizzo shares details about launching Comfort Club

Kelly Rizzo shares details about launching Comfort ...
Debbie Allen talks 'Grey's Anatony' and her new ...
Fiona Rene shares the unique way she gets into ...
Taylor Krause says her 'brain geunuinely ...
Bethany Joy Lenz opens up about surviving a cult
Dafne Keen shares what it was like on the set of ...
More Videos
Main Area Middle ↴
Main Area Bottom ↴

Most Popular

Load more

Video

See all Video