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I'm not a Republican but as a practical matter I don't really have a problem with Shelby doing this. Other senators have had blanket hold policies for various reasons over the years (one famously automatically put holds on all tax legislation).What I object to is Senate leadership actually allowing a hold to slow down business.
Holds do not have to be observed. All a hold is, is a claim that if brought to the floor a senator will not vote for a unanimous consent agreement to move the bill along. Essentially a promised attempt to filibuster. So go ahead and call the potential bluff instead of saying "oh noes, we can't go ahead." Force a vote on the consent agreement and see if other Republican senators are willing to help out and if not, then onward with debate.
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