Senate Committee -- Without Democrats -- Votes to Limit Filibusters

Associated Press/Fox News ^ | 6/24 | AP

[NYC Republican]

WASHINGTON — A Senate committee with all its Democratic members absent voted to limit filibusters (search) of President Bush's judicial nominees (search) Tuesday, a move Republicans hope will usher future federal judges through the Senate faster, even if Democrats want to stop them.

Democrats oppose changing Senate filibuster rules for judicial nominees, but Republicans have a one-vote majority on the Senate Rules Committee (search) and expected to win Tuesday's committee vote in any case. Democrats are expected to fight the measure on the Senate floor.

The Rules Committee officially voted 10-0 for the measure, which would reduce the number of senators needed to force a vote on a judicial nominee with each successive vote until only a 51-member majority is needed.

Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota had another commitment he had to attend to, and Democrats did not organize a boycott of the vote, spokeswoman Ranit Schmelzer said.

Senate Rules Committee Chairman Trent Lott, R-Miss., noted that all 10 GOP members showed up for the morning vote.

"It's hard to get people to a meeting between 9:30 and 10," Lott said. "We got ours here. The others were going to come but didn't get here by the time we finished our work."

All nine Senate Democrats -- Daschle, ranking Rules Committee Democrat Chris Dodd of Connecticut, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Dianne Feinstein of California, Charles Schumer of New York, John Breaux of Louisiana, Mark Dayton of Minnesota and Richard Durbin of Illinois -- missed the meeting.

"There's no mystery in what will happen with today's vote," said Schumer in a written statement. "But when it comes to the floor, I hope and believe that at least a few of my friends from across the aisle will see the light."

[Leatherneck_MT]

I have watched the Republicans snatch defeat from the jaws of victory so often that I'm taking the wait and see approach.

I won't even dare to hope anymore.

[hattend]

You've GOT to love this. Finally, they're starting to play hardball!

One fastball down the middle doesn't make a game.

The GOP does this a lot. Do something they know they should do, thus energizing their base, and then they cave when the media starts harping about them not playing fair (while giving the Democrats a pass).

I'll wait for the bottom of the ninth (Estrada is confirmed) before getting excited.

[jackbill]

3.5ths (60) is 3/5ths (60)

[deport]

Thanks and Lott did good by getting the bill out of committee. Now lets see if the democrats will let it go the normal route or will they filibuster it. If so then it takes 67 votes to bring cloture if all are present and voting....

This was suggested by some of the democrats a few years back. It will be interesting to see their take today.....

[b4its2late]

Democrats are expected to fight the measure on the Senate floor.

With a 24/7 filibuster, no doubt.

[You Dirty Rats]

Recess appointments are a bad idea. Anyone appointed in this fashion loses their seat at the end of the current Congress, unless they are confirmed in the meantime.

What's the point of having all of these nominees out of office in eighteeen months? We need them to be lifetime appointments, not short-timers.

[Carolinamom]

I'm heartened at least by there being some movement on the stalled filibustering. Now, the ball is in Frist's court to move it onto the floor.

[Petronski]

THE NUCLEAR OPTION HAS BEEN SELECTED!!!!

Not quite, Laz. As near as I can tell, all they've done is open the silo doors. When they actually launch we will have something to celebrate. I won't celebrate until then.

Senator Frist, TURN THE LAUNCH KEYS!

[Republican Red]

Don't get it. It wasn't some sneeky ploy the Republicans used. They scheduled a vote and NO democrats show up to vote. I could understand a few of them missing the vote but all of them. Dem's seemed to be winning the fight.

[churchillbuff]

God pity the Republican that joins the Dems in continuing to block judicial nominees.

I hope McCain stays on the reservation on this one. And Chaffee, Snowe and Collins? These are not reliable GOP votes when Daschle turns up the heat.

[Dog Gone]

This is such excellent news.

[nyconse]

Lott has something in mind. What would be the point
of passing a bill to change rules-if there was no chance?
It is said that Lott is an expert manipulater of Senate rules.Let's hope!

[rs79bm]

Good job Lott! Finally, some resolve in this matter.

[OXENinFLA]

All nine Senate Democrats -- Daschle, ranking Rules Committee Democrat Chris Dodd of Connecticut, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Dianne Feinstein of California, Charles Schumer of New York, John Breaux of Louisiana, Mark Dayton of Minnesota and Richard Durbin of Illinois -- missed the meeting.

HaHa!

[Xenalyte]

Does this mean that someone finally grew a pair?

[nyconse]

I hope so too! However, surely even fake Republicans would not want this filibuster to continue

[kellynla]

Correct me if I am wrong but there are only two appointments in filibuster. And if Bush appoints them then the next election will prove to be another reason to vote Republican locally. If you like the appointments and you want them to stay like you want Bush to stay then vote for a Republican congressman and Senator. :-)

[autoresponder]

Only is simple majority is required to change the rules.

Your source is in error.

[Bluegrass Federalist]

This is just to get the Dems on record as being unwilling to compromise. The GOP will let this get filibustered. The nuclear option is being saved for the SCOTUS nominee. Then they can say "Look, it's our Consitutional duty to advise and consent. The Dems obstructed. We tried to change the rules so that they could still filubuster and yet an up-or-down vote as required by the Constitution could be had. They left us no choice but to appeal to the Chair to rule that filibusters of judicial nominees are not recognized. BTW, we vote on the SCOTUS nominee in 15 minutes. Estrada, Owen, Pickering and the others after lunch."

That's my take on it. Don't go nuclear until it's time. That way the NY Times doesn't have time to mount their big campaign until the fight's over.