It's Bibipalooza! Live, from Congress! One show only!

[alfred russel]

McConnell did though. Can he keep it from coming to the floor?

47 is more than enough for a filibuster.

Treaties require a 2/3rds vote anyway.

[The Minsky Moment]

Did Charlie Wilson's actions create separation of powers issues?

Not that I know of.

[The Minsky Moment]

Treaties require a 2/3rds vote anyway.

True but an executive agreement - specifically referenced in the Cotton letter - requires no congressional approval at all.

[Admiral Yi]

Not that I know of.

Then help me understand the objectionable part of the Iran letter, if it's not a member of Congress communicating with a foreign government on a policy matter.

[Admiral Yi]

True but an executive agreement - specifically referenced in the Cotton letter - requires no congressional approval at all.

However Congress will have to approve any changes to the sanctions regime, or its repeal.

What is the law on when a treaty is required and when a memorandum of understanding will suffice?

And is it even possible to sign a treaty with a country one doesn't have relations with?

[KRonn]

Treaties require a 2/3rds vote anyway.

True but an executive agreement - specifically referenced in the Cotton letter - requires no congressional approval at all.

Right, and while the agreement can be overturned by the next admin, I think that if the UN also signs off on it then it becomes binding for the US. Something like that from what I heard discussed on news report. That all bypasses Congress which bothers me, as something as big as such an agreement I'd want more political support behind it, if it's a good deal as the admin is trying to say.

[The Brain]

Will the 47 Morans have to perform seppuku?

[The Minsky Moment]

Not that I know of.

Then help me understand the objectionable part of the Iran letter, if it's not a member of Congress communicating with a foreign government on a policy matter.

?
It is a member of Congress communicating with a foreign government on a policy matter.  47 members.

[Admiral Yi]

?
It is a member of Congress communicating with a foreign government on a policy matter.  47 members.

Which is the same thing Charlie Wilson did, but in that case it was not objectionable.  Or am I missing something?

[Valmy]

?
It is a member of Congress communicating with a foreign government on a policy matter.  47 members.

Which is the same thing Charlie Wilson did, but in that case it was not objectionable.  Or am I missing something?

Charlie Wilson wrote to the leader of Afghanistan telling him to not make a deal with the United States because he was actively trying to undermine it?  Man they left that part out of the movie.

[Admiral Yi]

Charlie Wilson wrote to the leader of Afghanistan telling him to not make a deal with the United States because he was actively trying to undermine it?  Man they left that part out of the movie.

We had a deal: you promised you would stop being a spaz once you passed your finals.

[Valmy]

Charlie Wilson wrote to the leader of Afghanistan telling him to not make a deal with the United States because he was actively trying to undermine it?  Man they left that part out of the movie.

We had a deal: you promised you would stop being a spaz once you passed your finals.

How was that spazy?  I honestly do not see the comparison.  Senators have been traveling around and visiting other countries and having a say in foreign policy for years.  That is their job.  But direct intervention like this into a negotiation seems a bit outside.  It is not exactly a group of Senators showing up at Yalta saying 'make no deal with this man Roosevelt!' but it is pretty obnoxious.

[Admiral Yi]

How was that spazy?  I honestly do not see the comparison.  Senators have been traveling around and visiting other countries and having a say in foreign policy for years.  That is their job.  But direct intervention like this into a negotiation seems a bit outside.  It is not exactly a group of Senators showing up at Yalta saying 'make no deal with this man Roosevelt!' but it is pretty obnoxious.

It's spazzy because I have been asking exactly what it is that makes the letter objectionable, so instead of getting all snarky you could have just answered the question.

[Valmy]

It's spazzy because I have been asking exactly what it is that makes the letter objectionable, so instead of getting all snarky you could have just answered the question.

I did answer the question.  Directly.  Ok so I used a little snark, my apologies.

[Admiral Yi]

I did answer the question.  Directly.

In a spazzy way.