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, were going to move forward on what I think needs to be done, Reid told reporters.
Reids 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 Senates 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.
Were 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.
Their gonna nuke DC? Can’t be that lucky.
The full-blown push by the Marxists is now in full swing, on every front. These people are absolutely sickening.
Make Reid do it.
Despite the media’s whitewash the Dems will be permanently scarred.
Doesn’t the House control all spending?
Yeah, I thought so.
Too bad the Republicans don’t control it. Oh, wait!...
It is like holding a gun to a woman’s head and telling that if she doesn’t agree to have sex with you, you are going to rape her.
Tell Hairy Roid to “pull the trigger, boy”.
ex·tor·tion
[ik-stawr-shuhn]
Law. the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.
Nevada should be proud to give an old leftist geezer the opportunity to play “King of the Hill”.
Why is Moderate Mitch even talking to the guy? The GOP should refuse to negotiate one thing with Reid. Anytime he is in the room, they should walk out. He has done much the same to them, yet they come panting back for more.
Show a bit of spine, Mitch!
Anyone besides me remember all the hand-wringing when the Republicans threatened this?
Ingrates, give ‘em a debt extension and they stick another dagger in the back ..
The question is this...even if you throw out the filibuster...would the Democrats even pass a budget deal? I don’t think they can.
I'd take that bet in a New York minute!
McC doesn’t “do” filibusters anyway. So how would the change have much practical impact? Republicans are too timid to filibuster.
McC doesn’t “do” filibusters anyway. So how would the change have much practical impact? Republicans are too timid to filibuster.
Maybe McCain and Graham et al will jump in and save the day again. Just like when the GOPe was going to do the same thing Reid thought was unconstitutional, but is somehow OK with now
The Left is certainly creative in coining buzz words and phrases guaranteed to scare the bejeebus out of the moronic low-information members of the public.
Our side should be so adept.
Leni
Who gives a ****? the House GOP leadership is so strong that only bills that pass with the “pre nukyalur” option voting thresholds would be considered? Oh, wait....boehner is still there.....
A) Make him do it, and B) Send Rubio, Lee, Johnson, Scott, and Cruz out on the media circuit right afterwards. Enough with the Sunday morning geezer club (McConnell, McCain, etc). Get strong, likable young leadership out front.
Ichabod McConnell should tell Reid to go eff himself. Let them do it; they’ll cheat anyway when it serves them. Grow some balls.
Personally I think it’s better to be polite, honest, and be a really good shot.
Then in 2014 we take the senate majority with Reid's new rule and Obama would be F'd!
Am I right on this?
Fascists
Wow that’s gonna backfire on Bobo when the Democrats lose the Senate in 2014 ... if a Supreme needs replacement 2014-2016, the furthest Left the GOP will give Bobo is Larry Tribe, a fairly conventional Liberal douchebag Harvard insider, instead of some 9th Panel Maoist ...
Dems are always portrayed as the ‘bipartisan’ ‘moderates’ versus the Republican ‘extremists’.
I can’t see the media successfully using that meme after this.
Sure, the dumbest sluts will continue to believe, but the merely-slightly-below-average-IQ voters won’t.
The GOP doesn’t need any help. They can do it themselves.
Good. Let's have the House shut down the free money spigot.
Let's play hardball. The republicans should understand by now that you can't have gentleman's agreements with marxists.
You are correct. The Reps must take the Senate. Obama has about 18 months to push his agenda through. The House will be the only place where he can be blocked.
Spineless ninnies.
For once, bring on street fighters.
Let Ted Cruz and Mike Lee speak.
The House can checkmate Reid’s commie senate by cutting off all funding for senate operations.
The neuclear cliff option..sounds really scary don’t it.
Im almost convinced they’re all in on it but they have to make it look like a big fight.
Kabuki theater.
I read that the GOP’s problem is that they want to be LIKED by Democrats and the press. They’re fools.
Reid must think the Democrats will be in the majority forever. I say let him have his way.
Unfortunately, America’s got a very short attention span and memory.
With this loser bunch in the GOP? Highly doubtful. They stand for absolutely nothing at this point.
“Make Reid do it.”
‘Might as well. He’ll be using this threat for the next 4 years. Better to get it out on the table now.
“It is like holding a gun to a womans head and telling (her) that if she doesnt agree to have sex with you, you are going to rape her.”
The BEST comment in the whole thread!
“The Republican Party has collapsed.. “
Try not to engage in hyperbole. Try taking off your myopic glasses that can only focus on DC and realize that Republicans, conservatives and patriots control 30 states.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander...there is no such thing as a permanent party rule.
I vote that the pubbies make him go nuclear.
Do it!
Would be nice to see the hack media remind us - that way back in 2005,
...when the Republicans had the majority in Congress,
....a Gang of 14 Senators stood up to “preserve” the institution of the Senate and
...kept the Republicans from exercising the nuclear option in an attempt to overcome the Jack *ss party’s successful dirty abusive filibusters to prevent votes (Rep had 55 seats back then) on GW’s conservative judicial appointees.
Where are former “gang members” McCain and Graham on this issue? Are they avoiding the media, or is it the other way around? Do they care?
Something is very wrong in this country and I am afraid it is getting worse.
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