Senate faces Chamber and resumes mixed committees of MPs – 03/23/2023 – Politics

The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), decided to install the mixed committees for MPs (provisional measures) and give up the attempt in agreement with the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL).

Pacheco was being pressured by the leaders of the House to resolve the impasse, in spite of Lira’s will, and resume the rite that is provided for in the Constitution – and which weakens the mayor.

With no prospect of an agreement after weeks of tension, senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL) presented a point of order in this Wednesday’s (22nd) session and demanded a definitive position from the president of the Senate.

The installation of the joint commissions was decided unanimously at this Thursday’s meeting of leaders (23) and had the support of government leaders in the Senate and Congress – who are also under pressure with 29 MPs blocked in parliament for 50 days.

“I have always expressed my point of view [a Lira]. With no more pandemic, there is no longer any reason for exceptionality. The Constitution determines that there be appreciation by joint committees,” said the president of the Senate after the meeting.

Lira criticized Pacheco’s decision, stating that it is a “counter gesture” of loosening relations and that it is a “unilateral decision on a matter of provincial order”.

He said that this question of order “will not move a millimeter” in the Chamber and that the “damage will be for the current government”. Lira stated that he received an express request from government leaders to maintain the current rite of analysis of the texts.

“If the Senate insists on a draconian decision to unilaterally make the installation and unilaterally make the appointments, because the President of the Senate can only appoint leaders and deputy leaders of the House. Since the leaders of the House are against it, what will come out of it? Install, does not deliberate, it can overturn all the government’s provisional measures.”

The president of the Chamber also affirmed that it is not “in truculence and force” that this problem will be solved. Despite this, he stated that he is willing to sit down with Pacheco to find a solution.

“I remain here, President Pacheco, with all the good will to sit you and me down so that we can reach a consensus. This question of order will not move a millimeter in the Chamber of Deputies. And the damage will be for the current government “, he told reporters.

Lira also stated that he received “an express request” from government leaders to maintain the current rite of MPs.

The leader of the government in the Senate, Jaques Wagner (PT-BA), stated that the Chamber’s decision to reject the alternatives that were being discussed “ended up practically putting an end to this negotiation process”.

“We have published MPs that are fundamental for the functioning of the Brazilian State. Practically 60 days have passed and they are not being processed. The background of this meeting [do Senado] is to say: if there is no agreement, the constitutional rite is resumed”, he said.

Wagner also stated that he would not do “futurology” exercises, when he was questioned about the possibility of the leaders of the Chamber not nominating federal deputies to participate in the joint commissions.

Senate leaders also decided to look for their correspondents in the Chamber to address the issue. The leader of the PDT, Senator Cid Gomes (CE), believes that the grassroots parties should nominate federal deputies.

“I, honestly, think it is very unlikely that the PT will not appoint the members of a joint commission to deal with a provisional measure in which the government is the main interested party. I do not believe that there will be collective sabotage, not least because the appointment is not from mayor, is one of the leaders,” he said.