Feingold briefly blocks Reagan commemoration

Wisconsin Democrat Russell Feingold on Tuesday briefly slowed a bill in the Senate to commemorate the birthday of President Ronald Reagan, infuriating Senate Republicans.

Feingold briefly blocked a bill to set up a commission to plan a series of events commemorating the late president’s 100th birthday, on Feb. 6, 2011, that Republicans had hoped to pass by unanimous consent. The “UC” process is used in the Senate to pass bills that have the unanimous approval of all senators — but if one objects, they can block the process.

{mosads}Feingold objected briefly but lifted his objection. The senator had wanted to attach a non-controversial amendment to the Reagan bill that would have established commissions to examine the mistreatment of German, Italian and other European-Americans during World War II. The idea has been raised several times in the Senate and has attracted bipartisan support.

A senior GOP aide said he was “glad Sen. Feingold came around.”

Feingold released the following statement:

“I have no interest in trying to hold up this bill to honor President Reagan. By trying to offer my amendment to examine the mistreatment of German, Italian and other European Americans during World War II, I had hoped we could pass two non-controversial and important bills. Unfortunately, that didn’t turn out to be the case and with the anniversary of President Reagan’s birth approaching, it is important that we pass this bill commemorating our 40th president.

“But the German, Italian and other Americans who were mistreated during World War II deserve to see this injustice addressed during their lifetime and I will continue to look for ways to pass my legislation which has already passed the Judiciary Committee several times, as well as received wide, bipartisan support in the Senate.”