Senate plans to consider a U.N. treaty espousing equal rights for the disabled is drawing opposition from some Republicans wary of the treaty and asserting that the lawmakers should not be taking up international treaties during a lame-duck session.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, has said he would ask the Senate to consider legislation to ratify the U.N.’s Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities.
The chances of success are not good. It takes 60 votes to move a bill to the floor and a two-thirds majority to ratify a treaty. In September, 36 Senate Republicans wrote a letter saying they would oppose any treaty brought up during the lame-duck session.
Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, who leads the opposition, says the treaty threatens U.S. sovereignty.
HOUSE
Former lawmaker seeks Jackson’s Illinois seat
Former Democratic Rep. Debbie Halvorson will run to replace former Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. in the upcoming special election for his Illinois seat, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.
Mr. Jackson, a Democrat and son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson, resigned from Congress on Wednesday after a long struggle with medical and legal problems.
Ms. Halvorson served one term in the House but lost her re-election bid in 2010 to Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger. Mr. Jackson easily defeated her in this year’s Democratic primary in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District.
Ms. Halvorson served 12 years in the Illinois state Senate, including a stint as the chamber’s Democratic majority leader.
Under Illinois law, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has until Monday to schedule an election to fill Mr. Jackson’s seat. The election must be held within 115 days.
WEST VIRGINIA
Capito planning Senate bid for Rockefeller seat
CHARLESTON — Rep. Shelley Moore Capito is vowing to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by John D. Rockefeller IV in 2014.
The 2nd District Republican announced her campaign plans Monday at the state Capitol.
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