Harry Reid is Considering Rule Change to Block Filibuster

Townhall.com ^ | May 18, 2013 | Heather Ginsberg

[diverteach]

Someone please explain to me how a UN treaty trumps the US constitution no matterr how many senators vote for it and the president signs it. Changing the constitution requiires a 2/3 vote of the states AND a 2/3 vote of congress.

[BobL]

That depends on whether Cruz is Majority Leader...

[Cheerio]

And how is Dingy Harry proposing to change a Senate rule when it requires 67 votes? Same way they jammed Obamacare down our throats - CHEAT.

How Many Votes to Change the Senate’s Rules

Senate rules require 67 votes to change the rules of the Senate. However, it’s actually quite possible for 50 Senators—if backed by the Vice President—to have elements of existing procedural deemed unconstitutional. The US court system neither will nor should rule on things like the constitutionality of a de facto supermajority rule. But this is precisely why you have a President of the Senate (i.e., a Vice President) and I think it would be perfectly plausible for Joe Biden to say that by specifying supermajority voting for certain purposes (treaties, veto overrides, constitutional amendments) the constitution is clearly assuming majority rule for other purposes. Then it would take a majority of Senators to back up Biden’s ruling. And low and behold, a return to majority rule.

[Carry_Okie]

I'm sorry. Did I insult you in some way?

You insulted the forum by arguing that there was nothing to worry about because of a threshold of 67 Senators.

Why 34 Senators?

Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution does specify "two thirds of the Senators present" for ratification of a treaty.

Two thirds of a minimum quorum is 34.

If 0bama’s Gestapo keep all of the Republicans away from the Senate, it would only take 2 of 3 democrats “present” to ratify the treaty.

Or if Dirty Harry holds the Senate in session and then secretly convenes 50 members of the Slave Party to show up at 3AM. He's not above that sort of thing you know.

[Daffynition]

No one else I'd rather have on my *rag-tag-team.*

[chris37]

Well now that would be quite something, but I expect they GOP would stick with McConnell for some reason that I cannot possibly understand.

Cruz is an extremely impressive individual. As much as I like to hate on the GOP, I have nothing negative to say of him thus far.

[Cheerio]

I LOVE IT!!! The Senate made a mess of Bush-43’s court appointments and many, many, other things - even though the Dems only had 43 votes. They simply filibustered EVERYTHING. Now they think it’s unfair - FINE!!! We will get power back, at least for a short time (until Amnesty ends it all for us). During that time, it sure would be nice to get people on to the courts with a majority vote.

Remember this? I have a long memory when it comes to the commie left and their takedown of America.

Editorial: Hypocrisy abounds on filibuster issue

May 18, 2005 Reid: THE RIGHT to extended debate is never more important than when one party controls Congress and the White House, and in these cases the filibuster serves as a check on power and preserves our limited government."

"Change in the Senate rules — that really, I think, would change the character of the Senate forever (and would be) simply majoritarian absolute power on either side (of Congress), and that's not what the Founders intended."

[BobL]

I had the pleasure of voting for Cruz twice. The first time, I was told by the Republican Party to vote for someone else. But I was told by another party, whose first letter is “T” to vote for Cruz. Obviously I voted for Cruz...then again in November.

I cannot remember EVER seeing a newbie in either house of Congress shake things up to the extent that he has. He has the old farts screaming at him, because he “know his place”. He’s been there less than 5 months and he’s making them look like monkeys.

[bigheadfred]

Pig Headed but ultimately loyal...

dont try to sty me...

i have a plan...

reid...bama...all of them...wont stand a chance...

[VRWCmember]

a Democratic aide told the Post. "This would take away the right to filibuster on nominations... All executive branch and judicial nominations would be subject to majority votes. He would not do it on legislative items.”

Yeah, tell that to Miguel Estrada. They sang a much different tune about judicial nominees when W was President. But then again, if it weren't for double standards Liberals would have no standards at all.

[P-Marlowe]

Do it Harry!

It will be a lot easier to undo Obamacare and other Obamations in 2015 after the Republicans take back the Senate.

[ducttape45]

Too bad a recall vote can’t be mounted in Nevada to recall him.

[stevie_d_64]

I have a nuke option for them...

[taildragger]

Is he desperate here? Follow me on this...

* We have an election in Massachuetts, could this quasi-Rino Seal Republican Win?
* Tangent to this, The Menedez story IMHO hasn't gone away, when does he get asked to leave for doing the nasty with 15 yr old Domincan Hookers.
* Tangent to that Lautenberg also from NJ is not that well, and could assume room temperature at any moment.

So is Dingy Harry looking at a swing of 3 not in his favor ( assuming Crispy Creme would appoint Republicans ) if we were to get lucky and run the table?

[lodi90]

This is probably about amnesty. They want to ram amnesty through and dump it on the House. Hairy can let a few Dems off the plantation on that vote if he only needs 50 votes.

If Reid needs 60 votes for amnesty I believe he needs the gang GOP plus one more and all the Dems. Some of the Dems up for reelection won’t want to vote for amnesty right now.

[combat_boots]

He wants gun confiscation, LOST, and total abdication of the US Constitution. Doing so by Congressional action probably gives the old made guy a hardon.

[jazusamo]

So is Dingy Harry looking at a swing of 3 not in his favor

Could be and if the truth keeps coming out about the Rats it could be more than 3.

[Daffynition]

I have a feeling your *plan* includes an ax.

[MHGinTN]

Three? ... If I could do it, I would be very tempted to call down 3 million volts on fithy Harry Reid, enemy of America.

[bigheadfred]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YyOw6bWy8X8