Right Side of the Rainbow

Senate majority leader Bill First, R-TN, grows a set:

WASHINGTON — Until lawmakers vote on a top-priority gun rights bill, nothing else happens in the Senate. And that includes Congress’ prized monthlong vacation.

That’s the way Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has toughened up his style in the final days before the August break was to begin, learning from last year to leave no room for gun control advocates to derail legislation limiting lawsuits against the gun industry.

Frist, R-Tenn., used Senate parliamentary procedures Wednesday to keep Democrats from dooming the measure with an amendment that would offend the National Rifle Association.

[…]

… emboldened by a four-seat GOP gain in last November’s elections, Frist this week cleared the floor of the $491 billion defense bill and replaced it with the gun liability bill sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho.

The bill would prohibit lawsuits against firearms manufacturers, dealers and importers for damages resulting from the unlawful use of a firearm or ammunition. It provides for some exceptions.

[…]

Frist’s maneuver put Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in the unusual position of supporting both Craig’s bill and his fellow Democrats’ right to change it with amendments. Not even during the Senate’s debate on judicial filibusters did Frist play such hardball, Reid said.

“It’s not in keeping with how he’s done business here,” Reid said. “I’m surprised.”

Me too. Pleasantly.