Thune told POLITICO that he “appreciated” Franken’s apology. He said the raw tempers and sharp elbows are “indicative of the time and intensity of the debate and probably a natural thing, given what happens when you put 100 people in close quarters like this for an extended period of time.” Typically, senators spend three days each week on furious legislating — Tuesday through Thursday — reserving the rest of the days of the week for travel and time back home with constituents. But with the health care debate in full throttle, the Senate has been in session every day since Nov. 30 — including Saturday, when senators braved a blizzard to cast a 7 a.m. vote…
“This is about as polarized as I can remember” the Senate being, said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who started serving in 1996 — amid the battles of the Clinton years…
Asked about the atmosphere in the chamber, Coburn said: “People are tired.” But Coburn added that there are more fireworks to come.
“It’s not edgy yet,” he said. “I think it will get that way.”
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