Posted on 03/22/2005 9:11:25 AM PST by MisterRepublican
The alarm came just in time for the usual round of fund raising during Easter recess: Republicans want to change the rules to confirm judges, but Democrats stand ready to stop them by shutting down the Senate.
But last week's shutdown threat wasn't just a money raiser. Democrats really are ready for a Senate shutdown, and Republicans really are just about ready to change the rules.
Senate rules require 60 votes to end debate on most issues. That means the minority party can kill a nomination with just 41 votes. All the minority needs is enough senators to filibuster, saying they won't vote for cloture.
The filibuster has been a fact of life in the Senate for more than 200 years. But with federal courts deciding more and more issues, judicial nominations have become more and more political.
The Supreme Court's recent decision banning execution of underage murderers only added to Republican impatience with judicial filibusters.
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
Bush has no power to remove judges from the bench. What constitution did you see THAT in?
Tell me by what power did that Unusually good Liar remove
judges from the bench. Seems Clintoon and his AG Gas 'em and
burn 'em Reno did some powerful readjustments in the judicial system. Maybe I confuse removal of attorneys But
I don't think so.
Yes you are confused. Clinton, contrary to normal practice, removes all sitting federal attorneys when he took office. Read the constitution -federal judges are lifetime appointments subject to remove ONLY by Congressional impeachment.
When is the last time you seen a newscast of a filibuster taking place, if ever? I can't remember seeing one since the sixties
They changed the rules to where they didn't have to get off their lazy butts and actually preform the physical act.
If the opposition can show they have X number of senators that are against a bill then that bill will be considered filibuster unless they can get a super majority to vote to break it.
They should have left it the way it was.
Thank You -me fuzzy brain do get that way too often
general associations is usually ok but specifics get blurred--did recall it was legal and I stand corrected.
Thank You.
I thought Democrats were ready to start talking about values?
This is interesting because the other night I got a fund raising call from the GOP and I told him that I would not send another dime until the Republicans in the Senate do whatever it takes to get judges confirmed including the"Nuclear Option". The caller told me he had never heard of this but that he would pass it on.
For so much whining about being "disenfranchised", the Dems sure are doing the same to those judges by denying them a vote.
The filibuster rules were changed into one of process instead of talk. Since both use the same name, yet are different things, we have this communication problem.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.