Posted on 11/28/2012 8:44:28 AM PST by raptor22
Congress: Changing the filibuster rule come January has suddenly become a top priority for Senate Democrats who want to help their re-elected president complete his fundamental transformation of America.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday blasted Democratic-led efforts to reform the filibuster, something the Democrats once vehemently opposed but which Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised to bring up in the next Congress, fearing the Republicans will dig in to block President Obama's agenda.
What Reid and the Democrats will come up with is unknown at this point. Among the options is to ban filibusters that block the start of floor debates and House-Senate conference committees from convening.
One proposal would force senators to actually get up and talk endlessly in order to filibuster legislation, which senators were required to do until 1975, as depicted in the classic Jimmy Stewart film, "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington."
Then there's the so-called "nuclear option," which would call for just a simple majority, or 51 votes, to change Senate rules. Changing the rules usually requires two-thirds of the chamber, or 67 votes. It's something Reid vehemently opposed in 2005, when Senate Republicans ruled the roost.
Some GOP senators in 2005 considered the nuclear option to push President Bush's judicial nominees that were being held up, but only for judicial nominations. Sen. Reid was a valiant defender of the filibuster then, saying: "Some in this chamber want to throw out 214 years of Senate history in the quest for absolute power ... . They think they're wiser than our Founding Fathers. I doubt that's true."
(Excerpt) Read more at tcotblog.ning.com ...
Let's see - 28 senators over 70 years of age - 18 or so of them Democrats - 30 Republican governors in red states - Governors get to replace dead senators - maybe the Lord has a better plan than Dingy Harry Reid?
Fix'd
So what? If the situation arises, the Democrats will demand that a Democratic senator be replaced with another Democrat, and the Republican Governors will graciously submit to that demand.
The gun ban has nothing to do with this topic. A treaty will need the same number of votes regardless what rules Reid changes.
obama can’t get 67 votes for that treaty. It’ll never happen. Even some dems wouldn’t vote for it.
Right! And Hitler would never try to exterminate the Jews.
Probably would guarantee our o_lord and o_savior 3rd and 4th terms...
Treaties require two-thirds of the Senators present which is not necessarily 67 votes.
Anything which gives demonrats in the Senate more power is pertinent.
maybe the Lord has a better plan than Dingy Harry Reid?
Lets hope soon!!!
DEMOCRATS = Party of double-standards and lies
blasted Democratic-led efforts to reform the filibuster, something the Democrats once vehemently opposed but which Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised to bring up in the next Congress
The Americans did nothing of consequence to stop it...In fact, more than 50% of the serfs are delighted by the crushing tyranny being welded permanently around our collective necks.
From the vaunted "class of 94" to the 2010 class of so-called conservatives, the usual fetal position and lots of thumb-sucking are the only results...Pravda has it right this time...Communism has triumphed after all...
Hmmm...Time for change with the "other" box???
Reid is counting on the fact that the Republicans will continue to play by the remaining rules.
But ... the Senate functions by “unanimus consent”. If only a few Republicans had the balls, they could shut down the Senate permanently.
For example: Require every bill to be read completely before every vote. Put a hold on every bill, every nomination. Require the minutes of the previous day to be read completely. Submit multiple amendments to the minutes of the previous day. Raise points of order for everything under the sun. Make a motion to adjourn every 5 minutes - a motion to adjourn is always in order.
If Reid wants to go nuclear, go nuclear.
A nice dream. With a few exceptions, Republicans are weeping cowards. They will never oppose Obama and Reid in any meaningful way. I hope this extinguishes them before 2016.
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