[smokeman]

Why don't they just change Rule 21 to require a majority vote? They already have the option to to change any Senate rules since they left it open for the nuclear option.

[LisaFab]

I'm assuming the rule exists in case any senator wants to speak about classified information to the entire body.

[marajade]

they are they are working on it

[goldstategop]

The GOP should change the rule. I mean if you don't trust the other party to behave by unwritten Senate customs, then punish it for violating it. That in the future the Democrats will need to get a majority to agree to a closed session. I'd love to see the expression on Sens. Reid's and Durbin's faces when they realize they can't pull the same stunt twice.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")

[Cboldt]

Why don't they just change Rule 21 to require a majority vote? They already have the option to to change any Senate rules since they left it open for the nuclear option.

Rule XXI has some legitimate uses, typically in Declaration of War contexts where time is of the essence.

It's not a bad rule. It's being abused today. See also the cloture rule - it has a good purpose.

Trying to "codify" everything is the liberal way - better to have fewer rules and men and women of good sense and honor be bound to them as they (the rules) are intended to function - which is to provide for SMOOTH government function, not "gotcha politics."