Some Democrats Want To Modify Filibuster Rules [Translation: Dems Want One-Party Rule]

LATimes ^ | January 09th 2010 | Janet Hook

[Steelfish]

Some Democrats Want To Modify Filibuster Rules With Republicans using endless speeches to block all manner of legislation, and the prospect of fewer Democrats after midterm elections, some say it's time for a change so the majority can govern.

By Janet Hook January 9, 2010

Reporting from Washington - The Senate filibuster has emerged as the bane of President Obama's legislative agenda, igniting anger among liberals over a tactic that is now hogtying Congress even on uncontroversial bills.

The threat of filibusters has become so common that congressional leaders take it for granted that any bill of consequence will not pass the 100-member Senate with a simple majority of 51. Instead, 60 votes -- the number needed to cut off the interminable speeches of a filibuster -- has become the minimum required.

Frustration has intensified in the wake of Senate Republicans' no-holds-barred effort to block the healthcare bill, which forced Democrats to scrounge for 60 votes at every legislative turn to prevent a filibuster.

Now, facing the prospect of losing seats in this fall's midterm elections, some Democrats are seeking to change the rules.

While Democrats have large majorities in the House and Senate, the 60-vote threshold for action in the Senate has become a powerful curb on the scope of the Obama agenda. To prevail over united Republicans, all 58 Democrats, including a small but influential faction of conservatives, have to stick together, along with the Senate's two independents.

The Democrats' vulnerability will be even greater given the announcements of Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) and Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) that they will not run for reelection this year.

[IamConservative]

Funny, every time you see a liberal lament about the filibuster, they fail to acknowledge that it is Democrats holding up Obama’s agenda. Most outright blame it on Republicans.

[Aroostook25]

Secede and start over a new. Stacking the deck makes no difference.

You're right. There are too many leftist socialist liberals dragging this nation down.

I'm afraid that even once-solid conservative states, such as Texas, are going to eventually be pulled down from within.