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.
I read that the GOP’s problem is that they want to be LIKED by Democrats and the press. They’re fools.
Reid must think the Democrats will be in the majority forever. I say let him have his way.
Unfortunately, America’s got a very short attention span and memory.
With this loser bunch in the GOP? Highly doubtful. They stand for absolutely nothing at this point.
“Make Reid do it.”
‘Might as well. He’ll be using this threat for the next 4 years. Better to get it out on the table now.
“It is like holding a gun to a woman’s head and telling (her) that if she doesn’t agree to have sex with you, you are going to rape her.”
The BEST comment in the whole thread!
“The Republican Party has collapsed.. “
Try not to engage in hyperbole. Try taking off your myopic glasses that can only focus on DC and realize that Republicans, conservatives and patriots control 30 states.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander...there is no such thing as a permanent party rule.
I vote that the pubbies make him go nuclear.
Do it!
Would be nice to see the hack media remind us - that way back in 2005,
...when the Republicans had the majority in Congress,
....a Gang of 14 Senators stood up to “preserve” the institution of the Senate and
...kept the Republicans from exercising the nuclear option in an attempt to overcome the Jack *ss party’s successful dirty abusive filibusters to prevent votes (Rep had 55 seats back then) on GW’s conservative judicial appointees.
Where are former “gang members” McCain and Graham on this issue? Are they avoiding the media, or is it the other way around? Do they care?
Something is very wrong in this country and I am afraid it is getting worse.
“Am I right on this?”
Except for the fact that they would need 67 votes to override a veto.
“I read that the GOP’s problem is that they want to be LIKED by Democrats and the press. They’re fools.”
More like a one legged man in a ass kicking contest.
What a *blankety-blank-blank-blank*
Boehner to Reid: Anything that comes to the House as a result of your nuclear option is DOA and will never make it to the floor.
My thoughts too. he nailed it!
I guess being liked is more important than being honorable and honest.
To the DC critters it is.
Give the Democrats the exact opposite of everything they want.
Disgusting is too polite of a word for these monsters.
A) Make him do it, and B) Send Rubio, Lee, Johnson, Scott, and Cruz out on the media circuit right afterwards. Enough with the Sunday morning geezer club (McConnell, McCain, etc). Get strong, likable young leadership out front.
Great plan but I think this is a bluff. I don’t see the dems going bat crap crazy before the midterms. Note the kenyan did back down a tad on gun control after all the hysterical rhetoric.
Now after 2014 it will be Katy, bar the door and the dems will try to cram down everything on their marxist agenda.
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