Byrd, Frist Spar Over Filibuster Changes

By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Irritated by Democratic chiding, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on Thursday defended the "fairness and principle" of pressing a confrontation over judicial filibusters.

During an hourlong exchange, Senate dean Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., told Frist, "Don't leave this as your legacy." That was a reference to a Republican plan to eliminate minority Democrats' ability to block President Bush's judicial choices with just 41 votes in the 100-member Senate.

"You have a shirttail full of nominees, and you're going to wreck Senate tradition," Byrd said.

Annoyed, Frist pointed out that Byrd had promised to support holding confirmation votes.

"Didn't you also say as the other part of that statement to the president of the United States, being critical of the potential legacy I might have to leave in order to stand up for fairness and principle, didn't you also say you would give all of these nominees up-or-down votes?" asked Frist, who is expected to leave the Senate in 2006.

"I don't remember what I said," Byrd replied, "a few or all or three or four, I don't remember."

Semper Fi