May 20, 2009
Posted: May 20th, 2009 09:19 PM ET

From
Democrat Henry Waxman is trying to get his party's massive climate change bill out of his committee by Memorial Day.
Democrat Henry Waxman is trying to get his party's massive climate change bill out of his committee by Memorial Day.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – As Congress prepares for a weeklong recess next week, Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have armed themselves with a special weapon to deal with a possible Republican effort to delay getting a major piece of legislation out of committee by Memorial Day.

Democrats on the committee have hired a speed reader to read the more than 900-page climate change bill if necessary.

A request to have the entire bill read aloud is a prerogative Republicans have a right to invoke which could be used to frustrate Committee Chairman Henry Waxman's deadline of Memorial Day to get the committee's work on the bill done.

Even with the use of the speed reader, reading the entire bill could take the equivalent of more than a full work day of time.

–CNN Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report.

Filed under: Congress • Democrats • Henry Waxman • Popular Posts


96.5 The Buzz » V for Velocity   May 21st, 2009 3:06 pm ET

[...] a fun little contest, no?? Anyhow.... Click here to read the actual story that inspired it... I personally can't believe that ANY part of my paycheck will pay for a speed-reader... Nor [...]

Well, it is a NEW Strategy « Finding Ponies in Piles of Poop   May 21st, 2009 1:19 pm ET

[...] it is a NEW Strategy 2009 May 21 by Steve CNN and the WSJ are reporting that the Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have hired [...]

Waxmen And Dems Hire Speed Reader To Read Climate Change Bill « Infidels Paradise   May 21st, 2009 12:37 pm ET

[...] CNN: [...]

Congress Approves Bill Restricting Credit Card Industry, Allowing Guns in Parks - Volconvo Debate Forums   May 21st, 2009 8:43 am ET

[...] in committee by demanding that the 900 page bill be read aloud. The Democrats have responded by hiring a professional speed reader. Rick "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a [...]

mike,texas   May 21st, 2009 2:18 am ET

Par for the course

Carl from MI   May 21st, 2009 1:54 am ET

Another lame effort by the Republican party towards bi-partisanship...

wattnot   May 21st, 2009 1:45 am ET

Pity there won't be any speed listeners.
The GOP will enjoy being read to so much they'll bring back the town crier.

whysharksmatter   May 21st, 2009 1:43 am ET

Alternatively, Congresspeople could do their jobs and read the bill themselves. I guess this is better than not reading it.

js007   May 21st, 2009 1:05 am ET

Ha ha, this is great! So what exactly is the GOP thinking here? Impede progress wherever possible. They truly do not deserve to have power ever again. It is sad because political systems need competition.

davidcastilloiii   May 21st, 2009 12:53 am ET

Now that's thinking outside the box. Hilarious!

Proud DHS radical   May 21st, 2009 12:41 am ET

Awe that's cheating, just assign Barney Frank to read the bill.

Tracy M.   May 21st, 2009 12:34 am ET

How ironic that our esteemed lawmakers use 900 pages of paper to address climate change. Do they drink out of plastic water bottles while they talk about it? Set the thermostat at 65? Turn on all the lights? You bet they do - because they're so disconnected, they don't even realize how ridiculous that is.

Mike in Montana   May 21st, 2009 12:29 am ET

Reading a bill would be a novelty for this congress. Why bother to waste any more of tax payer's money with a speed reader. The majority has it's privilege. Screw the voters. Onward with our program!

lovable liberal   May 21st, 2009 12:29 am ET

Yep, that's your Republican Party, unified in throwing a hissy fit. Next up: They'll call for bipartisanship.

Alexi   May 20th, 2009 11:59 pm ET

Wow. It must be a real pain for members of congress to have to put in "more than a full day of work time" listening to and discussing their own proposals.

mike   May 20th, 2009 11:57 pm ET

A 900 page bill? Or a 3 page bill and 897 pages of pork.

janelle   May 20th, 2009 11:54 pm ET

This is some kind of joke right? Unless the speed reader has a vote on this bill, what's the point? The rest of Congress won't still won't have enough time to read it! If the Dems want legislation passed quickly, they need to quit putting together bills that are 900 plus pages. If it's so important to be passed right now, then make it simple, quit filling it with a bunch of other items. Get to the point, make it short and sweet and easy to understand.

Alan   May 20th, 2009 11:52 pm ET

Why do we keep voting these idiots into office?

Linguistics   May 20th, 2009 11:50 pm ET

Do they not realize that "speed reading" is an impossibility? Reading Research (psycholinguistic processes) disproved so-called speed reading decades ago.

Tim McNiven   May 20th, 2009 11:50 pm ET

Isn't that the guy who used to do the micro-machine commercials in the 90's. I can't even imagine trying to speed read all of the legal language in a bill like this allowed, It would make for a great recording though.

TCM   May 20th, 2009 11:42 pm ET

simple; Republicans....hire someone to "Delay," the speedreader from arriving on time.....

Jason   May 20th, 2009 11:41 pm ET

Enough with these childish games. I say throw out congress and let's elect a new one...

Hope   May 20th, 2009 11:36 pm ET

The guy who requests for this must also sit alert for the entire 9 hours.

Larry   May 20th, 2009 11:19 pm ET

What a great expenditure of our tax dollars!

Emanuel Wenig   May 20th, 2009 11:16 pm ET

good for you Mr Waxman

Ellen   May 20th, 2009 11:05 pm ET

The GOP has become very predictable....this is too funny. Way to go Dems!

Danka1   May 20th, 2009 11:04 pm ET

Good for them.

Democrats Need Speed Reader to Get Thru Bloated Legislation « A Time to Choose   May 20th, 2009 11:02 pm ET

[...] Get Thru Bloated Legislation House Energy and Commerce Committee leader Democrat Henry Waxman hired a speed reader just in case the the GOP demands that a 900+ page (p.o.s.) "climate change" bill be [...]

David   May 20th, 2009 10:49 pm ET

If the Republicans pull this delaying stunt, it will concrete forever their lack of value as a party to our country. This single stunt could and should help defeat any republican running for any political office of any 'thinking' state.

Kathy   May 20th, 2009 10:46 pm ET

Ah, Republicans behaving like responsible stewards of the planet agin. Reading the bill out loud saves trees – no need to provide copies for everyone. What a good idea! The last time major legislation went through Congress the republicans complained they didn't have time to read the bill. Another good idea! I'm so glad our elected representatives are doing the people's work together, working together to protect our planet.

Richard-Arkansas   May 20th, 2009 10:40 pm ET

If they want it read, cancel their Memorial Day holiday vacation and the summer vacation and arrange for a vote every day during the period.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   May 20th, 2009 10:38 pm ET

A fabulous waste, er, use, of taxpayer money!

But considering that Waxman has the IQ of a carrot, I expect the bill will be completely incomprehensible anyway.

well...   May 20th, 2009 10:31 pm ET

Wow How much does that cost?
Would the republicans like someone to read them the Constitution like a bed time story too?

bj2130   May 20th, 2009 10:28 pm ET

How low can the left wing nutjobs stoop! But, I am not surprised. Neither is anyone else surprised at with this Demcratic Socialist Party.

WIlly Brown   May 20th, 2009 10:20 pm ET

Waxman has a piggys nose.

Maggie   May 20th, 2009 10:20 pm ET

God,this man is ugly!

Kaye -Jacksonville FL   May 20th, 2009 10:07 pm ET

Atta boy Henry! These butt heads need a civics lesson – they are disgusting to say the least. 2010 is coming and they'll find out then they really don't represent a voting majority of Americans -

Rick CT   May 20th, 2009 10:06 pm ET

God forbid this Congress actually read and understand anything they vote on.

Paul from New York   May 20th, 2009 10:02 pm ET

This is a great idea! If the Republicans want to play games with the legislative process, let's see how fun things can really get. Maybe the Republicans could get David Leisure, the guy from the old Isuzu commercials, to give all their speeches for them, since they lie about nearly everything, too. We've all heard about political theater, it would be entertaining to take it all the way.

BOUDIN   May 20th, 2009 10:01 pm ET

OH Yea, global warming.It snowed in New Orleans and Las Vegas this year. Bunch of alarmist bunk.

Tim   May 20th, 2009 9:58 pm ET

Is it the guy from the micro machines commercials??

I Am The Great And Powerful Rush Of Oz   May 20th, 2009 9:55 pm ET

The Party of No staggers onward.

Juge   May 20th, 2009 9:54 pm ET

A full work day – well than get to work and take the wax out of your ears before we all go down with the ship called CLIMATE CHANGE!

The popster   May 20th, 2009 9:51 pm ET

What was the GOP calling the Dems when they had all the power, OBSTUCTIONIST's when they didn't get their way.

My oh, My, how the tables and labels have turned.

JM   May 20th, 2009 9:36 pm ET

Are you kidding me. What's more important, signing the right bill or getting the bill signed a day sooner. This is just ridiculous. Atleast know and understand what you are voting for, unlike the stimulous bill.

skyhawkdriver   May 20th, 2009 9:34 pm ET

With what I've seen from both parties lately,I would think the bunch of whining babies would be looking for someone to read them bedtime stories.."Speed reader"??..we would be lucky if the majority of elected officials can slow read

m smith   May 20th, 2009 9:33 pm ET

Isn't it silly that we have to resort to this because the repos are so unwilling to work to help our country. They should be charged with treason the unpatriotic bunch of wing nuts. They have been spending all their time making up those stupid resolutions. I see ol bimbo Shara has been spouting off again too. Sounds like a pretty clever plan but then the demos seem to have a lot of good ideas lately.

EMMY   May 20th, 2009 9:32 pm ET

It should be read aloud. And not by a speed reader. It should be available to every American before the vote. And each elected representative who votes on it, should be required to read it. We will be burdened by it forever.

We have been read "a bill of goods" on global warming and carbon footprints so we can feed the globalist banks and politicians' and lobbyists' hunger for money and power.

We are being scammed. Are we so arrogant that we think we can change cyclical natural changes?

Go watch The Obama Deception. That'll enlighten you fast.

Smart   May 20th, 2009 9:30 pm ET

I love the way Obama keeps one step ahead of the No sayers. It must be frustrating the h__ out of them. Ha, Ha.

ken   May 20th, 2009 9:29 pm ET

Gotta love both parties.

Diane Dagenais Turbide   May 20th, 2009 9:26 pm ET

Not only is the republican party the party of No but now they are the delay party; but then again we understand how it takes longer for them to accept the election result!

Andrew Clark   May 20th, 2009 9:25 pm ET

For the love of CSPAN, we need some bipartisan support on this delay! Even the most stalwartly apathetic American would pause on their way through the channels to watch an auctioneer blaze through legislation.

ib   May 20th, 2009 9:21 pm ET

Another waste of tax money by Obama and his far left wingnuts.

worriedmom   May 20th, 2009 9:19 pm ET

What is wrong with this picture? why can't the people we elected read the bills that are presented to them. Seems like they are more interested in their vacation recess time than serving the people!

steve   May 20th, 2009 9:18 pm ET

If Harry Reid would pledge to step down as the majority leader, I think the Democrats can re-elect him. Otherwise he need to be voted out.
He makes the party looks bad. He is a wimp.

mark   May 20th, 2009 9:16 pm ET

Again, clear and transparent.!? Let Pelosi read it out loud or maybe Reid or maybe Biden, or maybe Dodd, or maybe Rangle or maybe Emanuel, or maybe, Geitner....at least they would be busy enough so they could not mess up anymore.

susie   May 20th, 2009 9:12 pm ET

Congress can't read the bills themselves? What are we paying them for?

Rob   May 20th, 2009 9:12 pm ET

For shame on the Republican side of the aisle – is this the level of nonsense to which you're now stooping? If you can't stand on the issues then stay out of the fight. Get out of my country, traitors.

Spencer   May 20th, 2009 9:12 pm ET

A more likely scenario is that Democrats just can't read, thus necessitating a reader.

Alex in Wisconsin   May 20th, 2009 9:10 pm ET

A smart idea from congressional democrats...finally
lol

Gary   May 20th, 2009 9:06 pm ET

i don't think you need to read the bill out loud, however there should be ample time for every member of congres to read all 900 pages. The idea that Senators vote for bills that they haven't even read is irresponsible. If reading it aloud is the only way to get it read then lets push back the artificial deadline and read it aloud at a normal pace. If congress actually reads these bills maybe we'll have few laws passed by they will be better.

dreamer   May 20th, 2009 9:05 pm ET

Sounds like change is needed for Congress,I prey that Mr. Oboma keeps his promise and post major bill's online.I think for 72 hours.Thies bill's should be view by all or those who care to read them.We really need to slow down and take a real good look on whats happening in America today.

The divisions in this country are getting deeper and deeper everyday.Time we as a country take a look at ourself's and ask,why so much hate?Maybie the Hippies had it right.Make love and not war.

Proud DHS radical   May 20th, 2009 9:05 pm ET

Wonder how much hiden pork is in this bill?

Glennis   May 20th, 2009 8:59 pm ET

If this isn't a prime example of how screwed up our government is, I don't know what would be! Perhaps they .....Democrats and Republicans alike.....should remember why in the hell they're there and actually READ the bloody nonsense for themselves before they vote on it. Stunts like that are why the electorate is so disillusioned by those who claim to represent us. They don't represent us at all....they're too busy playing the gotcha and the oneupmanship game to care.

No Incumbents 2010   May 20th, 2009 8:57 pm ET

We exhale CO2 if the Liberals really cared they would voluntarily stop breathing, for the good of the country and those less fortunate.

T in NV   May 20th, 2009 8:56 pm ET

Republicans are childish and petty!

ronvan   May 20th, 2009 8:55 pm ET

This is the ultimate stupidy of politics. How much are we paying for this one?

Jenn, Philadelphia   May 20th, 2009 8:55 pm ET

What, no Democrat postings on what a dirty trick it is for Republicans to actually want a bill to be read before voting on it? Maybe if they'd hired a speed reader for the stimulus bill, someone would have caught Chris Dodd's add-on for corporate bonuses.

Jean   May 20th, 2009 8:43 pm ET

Why did NYT kill a story linking ACORN to Obama weeks before the election?

SLM   May 20th, 2009 8:39 pm ET

NO – Just say NO! Enough cramming these expensive, wasteful and not thought out projects down our throats before we have a chance to say NO.

VGal   May 20th, 2009 8:38 pm ET

What a WASTE of taxpayers money, Republicans.

Bob   May 20th, 2009 8:35 pm ET

Of course the Republicans would waste time and tax dollars having an entire bill read aloud. They care more about grandstanding than about making policy to over come our many serious challenges. Our government is just a game to Congressional Republicans.

Sniffit   May 20th, 2009 8:31 pm ET

I bet that guy get paid megabucks. See? Obstructionism costs us money too.

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