Yesterday, Senators unanimously passed the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act (H.R. 131). The commission is to be composed of 11 members whose primary task is to “plan, develop, and carry out such activities as the Commission considers fitting and proper to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth.”
Although not controversial, there was a bit of an issue in getting the bill passed today. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) briefly objected to the bill’s unanimous consent adoption because he “wanted to attach a non-controversial amendment” that would “have established commissions to examine the mistreatment of German, Italian and other European-Americans during World War II,” according to The Hill.
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.”
Mr. Feingold released this 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.”
Update (6/2): President Obama has signed this bill into law.
Congress in Your Pocket
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