My understanding is , "No, we cannot". But even if that is wrong, it took the Rep leadership 2 effing years of threatening to get to this point. They'll delay it again becuase they are gutless wonders. They lack the testicular fortitude and this agreement is proof positive of that. They agreed to it. They put these RINOs in charge of the negotiations knowing they'd make a deal, and knowing they'd sell out the party in the process.
I find it even more interesting that even Sen. Frist has stated that he was not part of this deal with the RINOs.....
Can anyone think of a time when the Democrats had the votes to do what they wanted, yet compromised anyway?
Does anyone have any doubt that had the parties been reversed here, that the Democrats would have killed the filibuster 2 years ago?
The Republicans are spineless and gutless, and regardless of the numbers, are a minority party.
theDentist: "My understanding is , "No, we cannot". "
I'm with theDentist. The 7 RINOs have declared they would not vote to end the filibuster for judicial nominees PERIOD. In return, the 7 Dem hustlers agreed not to filibuster UNLESS... Here from the text of the "DEAL", is how the 7 RINOs committed to the sell out of the President (italics added):
Part II: Commitments for Future Nominations
A. Future Nominations. Signatories will exercise their responsibilities under the Advice and Consent Clause of the United States Constitution in good faith. Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist.
B. Rules Changes. In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress, which we understand to be any amendment to or interpretation of the Rules of the Senate that would force a vote on a judicial nomination by means other than unanimous consent or Rule XXII.
Note that this commitment is for the duration of the 109th.