Another question is, are these rule changes permanent? Probably not. So, it seems the next nuclear option would be to pass a rule change removing the 60 vote hurdle for SCOTUS nominees if the Dims try to block Trump nominees.
Then, later rule changes could presumably reinstate the requirement for 60 votes to end debate for cabinet nominees and any level of federal judges.
I think the rules could be changed back and forth whenever the Senate voted to do so. But that leaves me wondering why the Dims did not change the rule back on cabinet nominees and judges other than SCOTUS. Maybe they were too confident and did not imagine they would lose the Senate, so left the rules in place for 2014.
Is anyone certain how those rule changes work? Can they be changed back and forth as Senate majorities might decide?
I think there has also been a tradition that the 60 vote rule is not used to block SCOTUS nominees. But only a tradition.
And that the dems left the nuclear option in place because they are blind to the fact that they cannot keep stealing elections.
So they think they are always going to win the WH and the Congress.
I think the Senate can make any rules they want, they just have to be passed by 51 members.
Dems have always been bold in making rules that they don't have to go by, but the eGOP is usually so weak they go along believing that the dems will be fail.
That's a big LOL, they NEVER are fair!
I always am gobsmacked when the dems are in power and nominate an anti-American/Constitution and almost ALL of the GOP vote for them.
Trying to be not partisan, and going along with the majority party.
The dems NEVER do that, and the GOP always ends up with Lucy pulling the football away EVERY time.
Promises by leftists are not worth the www they are posted on.
Finally we have a President in Trump that will not swerve to the dems agenda.
And will bring the left leaning gop’ers in line.
McCain and Graham, Snow and a couple of others, will be tricky to rein them in with their foolish leftist agendas.
The dems are NOT like that.
Here's an important point:
In 2 years the dems have a lot more (30 vs 10 or so) Senate races then the gops do.
In order to keep their jobs, I think a significant number of them will vote correctly in order to be reelected.
Hopefully republicans will win those seats, but a lot can happen in 2 years. Jan 21 will be quite interesting...