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Wicker said the Congressional Research Center had identified at least 40 instances where Reid had taken all the opportunities for amendments, essentially stomping out any chances for the minority (Republicans) to be heard.
Wicker's Thursday frustrations happened after Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) was allowed to offer an amendment. It was later called "dilatory" by Majority Leader Reid, meaning Reid labeled it as a move by Coburn to cause a delay. Wicker said Reid then had Democrats vote against having the amendment heard or debated, quashing any opportunity for it to be heard on the Senate floor.
“Because the distinguished Majority Leader has chosen to fill the amendment tree and offer only his select amendments, I am deprived from the ability that I think a representative of several states should have and that is to bring forth an idea and have it heard.…We deserve to be heard," he said. "This has been the greatest deliberative body in the world. That is what I have heard before I came over here from the House of Representatives, but it has not turned out that way. The Majority Leader time and time again fills the amendment trees thereby preventing any of the other 99 Senators from offering amendments.”
Wicker said he is saddened by the move and because some issues will not be allowed on the floor for a debate.
