Max Baucus and Mark Begich are getting a workout today

[Muttocracy]

:patriot:

[ComtesseDeSpair]

1. As a Senate novice, can you explain something to me...

Why is Begich - a new Senator - leading the proceedings? I would have thought that someone more experienced would be in that role?

[Muttocracy]

2. more senior senators chair committees, lead major bills, etc. so the newbies

get chair duty. Usually mostly repetitive - I think the bill leaders (forget the term for them - Baucus as finance chair in this case) steer who's going to speak when ahead of time.

Though Sheldon Whitehouse was chairing for a while yesterday (not a newbie) but it was a good thing because he moves stuff fast and gets people to shut up when needed.

that's my understanding from my DU-induced crash course in Senatorial procedures!

[ComtesseDeSpair]

3. Oh, okay...

Thanks for the info. I would think it would be kinda intimidating to be put in that role as a newbie, but Begich handles it well.

[MiniMe]

4. It's a learning process. They most likely aren't going to introduce amendments

since they are so new. The parlimentarian is there to help them.