Is the problem in the House of Representatives right now, according to many, and high-ranking sources. He made it clear to senators yesterday that he would not accept the Martinez private relief bill that passed yesterday. His reasons being that it would break precedent and that it would encourage people to petition Congress more often (like death-row inmates). (My answer? So. Don’t jump at them.)

For what it is worth, FYI,

All f these bills went through House Judiciary under Chairman Sensenbrenner and became law.
H.R.867
Title: Private Bill; For the relief of Durreshahwar Durreshahwar, Nida Hasan, Asna Hasan, Anum Hasan, and Iqra Hasan.
Sponsor: Rep Holt, Rush D. [D-NJ-12] (introduced 2/13/2003)
Committees: House Judiciary; Senate Judiciary
House Reports: 108-531
Latest Major Action: 10/30/2004 Became Private Law No: 108-4.
H.R.530
Title: Private Bill; For the relief of Tanya Andrea Goudeau.
Sponsor: Rep Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6] (introduced 2/4/2003)
Committees: House Judiciary; Senate Judiciary
House Reports: 108-529
Latest Major Action: 12/23/2004 Became Private Law No: 108-6.
S.560
Title: Private Bill; A bill for the relief of Rita Mirembe Revell (a.k.a. Margaret Rita Mirembe).
Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] (introduced 3/19/2001)
Committees: Senate Judiciary; House Judiciary
House Reports: 107-129
Latest Major Action: 7/17/2001 Became Private Law No: 107-1.
S.1834
Title: Private Bill; A bill for the relief of retired Sergeant First Class James D. Benoit and Wan Sook Benoit.
Sponsor: Sen Levin, Carl [D-MI] (introduced 12/14/2001) Cosponsors: (none)
Committees: Senate Judiciary; House Judiciary
House Reports: 107-578
Latest Major Action: 10/1/2002 Became Private Law No: 107-2.
H.R.486
Title: Private Bill; For the relief of Barbara Makuch.
Sponsor: Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [R-NY-27] (introduced 2/6/2001) Cosponsors: (none)
Committees: House Judiciary; Senate Judiciary
House Reports: 107-445
Latest Major Action: 10/4/2002 Became Private Law No: 107-3.
H.R.487
Title: Private Bill; For the relief of Eugene Makuch.
Sponsor: Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [R-NY-27] (introduced 2/6/2001) Cosponsors: (none)
Committees: House Judiciary; Senate Judiciary
House Reports: 107-446
Latest Major Action: 10/4/2002 Became Private Law No: 107-4.
H.R.2245
Title: Private Bill; For the relief of Anisha Goveas Foti.
Sponsor: Rep Lantos, Tom [D-CA-12] (introduced 6/19/2001)
Committees: House Judiciary; Senate Judiciary
House Reports: 107-579
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2002 Became Private Law No: 107-5.
H.R.3758 Major Actions: Help
Title: Private Bill; For the relief of So Hyun Jun.
Sponsor: Rep McCrery, Jim [R-LA-4] (introduced 2/13/2002)
Committees: House Judiciary
House Reports: 107-729
Latest Major Action: 12/2/2002 Became Private Law No: 107-6.

We’ve been on Sensenbrenner’s side on some other issues, but I don’t see the point he’s making by refusing this private relief bill that passsed in the Senate which is limited to the Schiavo case.