Posted on 01/22/2013 2:41:23 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Reid to Senate Republicans: Filibuster deal in 36 hours or face nuclear option By Alexander Bolton - 01/22/13 03:29 PM ET
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is giving Republican colleagues 36 hours to agree to a deal on filibuster reform or he will move forward with the nuclear option.
“I hope in the next 24, 36 hours we can get something we agree on. If not, we’re going to move forward on what I think needs to be done,” Reid told reporters.
Reid’s trump card in negotiations with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is the threat he will change Senate rules with a simple majority vote, a tactic known as the nuclear option. This maneuver would allow Reid to change the Senate rules with a simple majority vote, something that has never been done, according to parliamentary experts.
Critics call it the nuclear option but proponents, such as Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) say it is more accurate to describe it as the “Constitutional option” because the Constitution empowers each chamber to set its own rules.
Reid predicted the Democratic caucus would support him in reforming the Senate’s filibuster rule unilaterally.
If he did so, he would likely implement a relatively modest change, such as eliminating the filibuster on motions to proceed to new business.
Reid said talks with McConnell are not close to a resolution.
“We’re making progress. Not done yet, we got a long way to go,” he told reporters while walking into the Senate chamber.
A senator briefed on the talks said it appears McConnell will have trouble rounding up enough Republican votes to support any deal he forges with Reid. Changing the rules under regular order requires 67 votes. Reforming Senate procedures through a standing order would need 60 votes.
A Democratic aide said McConnell could have difficulty mustering 12 Republicans to vote to change the standing rules under regular order.
The Senate rules have been changed by a simple majority, but that was early in the history of Congress; like about 10-15 years in. The "unlimited debate" paradigm came about when the motion to call the question was eliminated in, IIRC, 1804. That rule change was adopted by a simple majority.
The Senate is a truly dysfunctional body. Congress has run the country into the ground. There isn't enough shame and opprobrium in the universe to give Congress the legacy it has earned itself.
I quit watching the Senate close, about 4 years ago. I suspect you are correct that he doesn't have a simple majority to go along with his plan to toxify the body.
FUHR to der Fuhrer
“his plan to toxify the body” or ‘de-toxify’?
The Senate’s problem is that it’s a ‘federalist’ body in a centralized media world. The national media can change a Senate race by ten points.
The Senators’ special privileges are those of representatives of the parts of the republic- the states- in a world where states no longer matter. What matters is only what the national networks say matters.
If he makes a radical change in the operating parameters, he will create hard feelings.
Although, on reading the article, it appears he has his sight set pretty low, just to eliminate the right to object to bringing a bill up for debate. Objectors retain the right to object to voting on the bill (or amendment), so can still stall implementation.
and then filibuster it.
Tell that old goofball to shut up!
Reid...You’ve got a deal..just DO YOUR JOB AND CREATE A BUDGET!
HA! HA! HA!
They can get away with all this stuff, because the media has become completely, openly, a propaganda arm of the liberal democrats. Unless the Repubs figure out how to defeat the liberal media, they are going to lose.
THEY get a debt increase IF IF IF the Dems do a budget...very different game the Reps are now playing...ha. ha.
You are missing the NEW game the Reps are playing.They said”ok on increase, but Reid you have to do a Budget.” which puts it all on the Dems. now.
Yeah, if he can get a little something he can save his hotheads from themselves.
And McConnell should use this to drive a wedge between the liberal and the crazy-liberal factions of Reid’s caucus by offering only a pittance. But he’s McConnell (I started to write “McClellan” LOL!
they ARE refusing to negotiate...they are saying “YOU do the budget and we will talk.”
The collapse of the United States will happen sooner than later.
Why do not the Senate republicans just walk in mass every time there is a vote. Nothing can be passed as there needs to be 60 votes. The 51 votes may not be enough so the Democrats cut their own throats.
perhaps some kind soul could summarize what
Reid would have for the Senate.
for example, (Reid wants) would filibusters be changed to
old-fashion, standing, reading the phone book?
or would filibusters be eliminated?
or something else?
..................
if Republicans don’t like what Reid does,
they should stop cooperating on routine matters,
ask for quorum calls at 4 in the morning, etc
But not as they go, and not when it suits them.
Don't they vote on a rules package at the start of the Congress, and then operate under those rules for the whole session?
How can anyone plan a strategy when the rules change whenever the ball-owner decides?
What are they playing over there, Fizzbin? Cups?
-PJ
It would be stupid to shelve the filibuster when you don’t hold the House. You might as well wait and see who wins in 2014. If you take the House THEN you deep six the filibuster.
I don't remember that. Do you have any links?
Look this is simple. There are 2 choices and only 2.
1. Make Reid do it and hope there is a backlash. With congressional approval where it is I would not count on it. As far as sending people out on media tours the Dems have a larger megaphone at the moment.
2. Negotiate a watered down version and get what you can. Obviously in the end this sucks but might beat the alternative.
That's my thought too - given that the GOP holds the House, this only matters on issues where the Senate votes alone, i.e. judicial nominations. That's important of course (that's why the GOP tried to change the rules a few years ago), but it's an interesting precedent.
If the Dems nuke the filibuster, with the only real legislative advantage being a few judicial nominees, then they lose all leverage to complain in 2015 if the GOP takes the Senate and keeps the Dem rules.
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