NewsWhore
01-28-2009, 05:10 PM
The Chamber of Deputies has passed, after a first reading, the bill that proposes the launch of discussions on the constitutional reform bill presented by President Leonel Fernandez. Of the 126 Deputies present 97 voted in favor while 22 abstained. The PRD block voted against the bill after the six-hour session. Spokesman for PRD Deputies Rudy Gonzalez asked for the bill to be sent to a special commission, but his request was denied. PRSC spokesman Ramon Rogelio Genao said that PRSC Deputies had been instructed to vote in favor of the bill. A second reading now needs to take place. The Senate gave it the go ahead earlier this month. The PLD holds the majority in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, and has formed alliances with the PRSC and other minority parties to make up the votes needed to pass the reform.
El Caribe newspaper columnist Miguel Guerrero points out today that 18 leading business organizations, with the notable absence of the National Business Council, have publicly asked the Executive Branch and the National Congress to postpone Congressional discussions about the constitutional reform bill until the country's priorities are defined during the summit.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
El Caribe newspaper columnist Miguel Guerrero points out today that 18 leading business organizations, with the notable absence of the National Business Council, have publicly asked the Executive Branch and the National Congress to postpone Congressional discussions about the constitutional reform bill until the country's priorities are defined during the summit.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)