Posted on 01/22/2013 2:41:23 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Reid to Senate Republicans: Filibuster deal in 36 hours or face nuclear option By Alexander Bolton - 01/22/13 03:29 PM ET
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is giving Republican colleagues 36 hours to agree to a deal on filibuster reform or he will move forward with the nuclear option.
“I hope in the next 24, 36 hours we can get something we agree on. If not, we’re going to move forward on what I think needs to be done,” Reid told reporters.
Reid’s trump card in negotiations with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is the threat he will change Senate rules with a simple majority vote, a tactic known as the nuclear option. This maneuver would allow Reid to change the Senate rules with a simple majority vote, something that has never been done, according to parliamentary experts.
Critics call it the nuclear option but proponents, such as Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) say it is more accurate to describe it as the “Constitutional option” because the Constitution empowers each chamber to set its own rules.
Reid predicted the Democratic caucus would support him in reforming the Senate’s filibuster rule unilaterally.
If he did so, he would likely implement a relatively modest change, such as eliminating the filibuster on motions to proceed to new business.
Reid said talks with McConnell are not close to a resolution.
“We’re making progress. Not done yet, we got a long way to go,” he told reporters while walking into the Senate chamber.
A senator briefed on the talks said it appears McConnell will have trouble rounding up enough Republican votes to support any deal he forges with Reid. Changing the rules under regular order requires 67 votes. Reforming Senate procedures through a standing order would need 60 votes.
A Democratic aide said McConnell could have difficulty mustering 12 Republicans to vote to change the standing rules under regular order.
Their gonna nuke DC? Can’t be that lucky.
The full-blown push by the Marxists is now in full swing, on every front. These people are absolutely sickening.
Make Reid do it.
Despite the media’s whitewash the Dems will be permanently scarred.
Doesn’t the House control all spending?
Yeah, I thought so.
Too bad the Republicans don’t control it. Oh, wait!...
It is like holding a gun to a woman’s head and telling that if she doesn’t agree to have sex with you, you are going to rape her.
Tell Hairy Roid to “pull the trigger, boy”.
ex·tor·tion
[ik-stawr-shuhn]
Law. the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.
Nevada should be proud to give an old leftist geezer the opportunity to play “King of the Hill”.
Why is Moderate Mitch even talking to the guy? The GOP should refuse to negotiate one thing with Reid. Anytime he is in the room, they should walk out. He has done much the same to them, yet they come panting back for more.
Show a bit of spine, Mitch!
Anyone besides me remember all the hand-wringing when the Republicans threatened this?
Ingrates, give ‘em a debt extension and they stick another dagger in the back ..
The question is this...even if you throw out the filibuster...would the Democrats even pass a budget deal? I don’t think they can.
I'd take that bet in a New York minute!
McC doesn’t “do” filibusters anyway. So how would the change have much practical impact? Republicans are too timid to filibuster.
McC doesn’t “do” filibusters anyway. So how would the change have much practical impact? Republicans are too timid to filibuster.
Maybe McCain and Graham et al will jump in and save the day again. Just like when the GOPe was going to do the same thing Reid thought was unconstitutional, but is somehow OK with now
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