Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters

The Hill ^ | October 6, 2011 | Alexander Bolton

[jazusamo]

In a shock development Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered a rarely-used procedural option informally called the “nuclear option” to change the Senate rules.

The surprise move stunned Republicans, who did not expect Reid to bring heavy artillery to what had appeared to have been a hum-drum legislative knife fight.

Reid appealed a ruling from the chair that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) does not need consent to force a vote on a motion to suspend the rules to consider an amendment after cloture has already been approved.

The maneuver is highly arcane but momentous. If a simple majority of the Senate votes to uphold Reid’s appeal, the Senate’s rules will have been changed by the unilateral action of one party.

Republicans had considered using this maneuver, dubbed the “nuclear option” in 2005, to change Senate rules to prohibit the filibuster of judicial nominees. Democrats decried the plan and the crisis was resolved by a bipartisan agreement forged by 14 rank-and-file senators known as the Gang of 14.

[preamble]

Obama forced them to do this with his ill-advised press conference today.

Bamster’s jobs act was getting deep sixed by DEMOCRATS. it would have
never got 60 votes. Even with Scott Brown, and the two Maine Senators.

Now they only need 50. Plus Biden.

So all the Dems who are on the hook to lose: McCaskill, Ben Nelson,
Bill Nelson, plus Mary Landrieu, Lieberman, can vote no.

It’s still an uphill fight for 50 by my math.

[JRandomFreeper]

When has The Stupid Party EVER acted like it had a collective set of balls?

Oh, they have 'em. And a complete set of brains, along with a spine. But they can't remember which member's locker they are in.

/johnny

[Don Corleone]

And yet, McConnell will still try to reach across the aisle the next time, and the time after that, and the time after that.

They are ALL part of the same Good Old Boys Club,hanging on to power and looting the treasury in the process. It is in the history of all nations sooner or later. Our job...STOP THEM! If not..The Dark Ages return.

[scooby321]

Hey Dingy, Can you change the rules that the house Doesn't also have to pass the bill.

The GOP Senate is more liberal than the house.

[Tea Party Terrorist]

The GOP senators did not cave, Reid acted unilaterally

[jazusamo]

If this doesn't start a surge of testosterone nothing will, perhaps this is what they needed.

[JRandomFreeper]

The GOP senators did not cave,

Give 'em some time. They are more predictable than sunrise.

/johnny

[grumpygresh]

So we will only need 51 votes to kill obamacare in 2013?

[Political Junkie Too]

Because Reid knows the Republicans will cave eventually.

-PJ

[CedarDave]

Levin now covering with Senator DeMint explaining that this will prevent minority from offering amendments, calling for votes, etc. Some RINO's went with the Rats to pass this.

[The Bishop]

You have spoken the truth friend

[blasater1960]

RINOS...frickin RINOs voted with socialist puke dems to make this happen! Demint is speaking to Levin about it now!

[melancholy]

Nuke Ping................

Reid triggers nuclear option to change rules, prohibit filibusters<

Piling on the Communist "revolution" in the streets!!!

[CedarDave]

Levin is holding DeMint over to the start of the next hour to discuss it further.

[jch10]

Which RINOs voted for this???

[napscoordinator]

I can’t stand democrats but they sure now how to be in politics. They are dirty....but get things done. I am serious that Republicans are WEAK!!!!! This is a brilliant move. Republicans would never do this.

[broken_arrow1]

What’s the difference, America is gone anyway. The coming insurrection will take care of the rest.

[Razzz42]

I wonder if the House of Representatives can defund the Senate.

[Red Badger]

He will roo the day he did this........

[MindBender26]

Is this for a specific bill or the entire session?