Harry Reid is Considering Rule Change to Block Filibuster

Townhall.com ^ | May 18, 2013 | Heather Ginsberg

[jazusamo]

Well, Harry Reid is resorting to desperate measures in order to try and regain some power in the Senate. Reports say that he is getting ready to use the so-called “nuclear option” to change the senate rules so that 60 votes are no longer needed to block a filibuster.

And it looks like President Obama will support Reid’s efforts if the Republicans try to block upcoming nominations.

“If Senator Reid decides to do something on nominations, the president has said he’ll be there to support him,” a Democratic aide told the Post. "This would take away the right to filibuster on nominations... All executive branch and judicial nominations would be subject to majority votes. He would not do it on legislative items.”

Reid had considered using the nuclear option last year, but the old school Democrats would not allow it. This year, many Democrats have expressed that if Reid attempts to use the nuclear option it will kill any chance at immigration reform.

In the past Harry Reid has said he would consider going to a simple majority in order to block filibusters, and he said he would use it, “if necessary”. So what ever happened to checks and balances? If Harry Reid can use this option, we have no way of knowing what he will resort to next. The Democrats seem like they are willing to do anything in order to try and run over the Republicans.

[jazusamo]

Dingy Harry sounds like a broken record on the nuclear option.

[a fool in paradise]

“Most ethical Congress ever,” eh Nancy???

[rarestia]

The UN gun treaty is up for review and ratification. This is likely to shut down any attempts to filibuster that treaty and make the UN registration the law of the land.

[Conserev1]

This would take away the right to filibuster.

The Dem Senate’s main concern for Americans as well!

[KwHorn77]

Dingy Harry should be thrown out for being an absolute idiot!

[onyx]

Tyranny!

[RoosterRedux]

“Most ethical Congress ever,” eh Nancy???

In a world in which there is no sin...and everything is relative...there are no ethics.

This kind of thinking is pre-Judea/Christian.

Take what you want and have sex with whomever, indeed, whatever you want. There is no right or wrong...how can there be ethics.

This is the world of the Left...welcome to ancient history.

[jazusamo]

Could have something to do with it but I believe the treaty ratification requires a 2/3 vote of those present. Of course Dingy Harry may have a way around that too.

[Ouderkirk]

They are desperate...they cannot afford another election before they have completely destroyed the country.

[Daffynition]

And then there are the FRdoubters

[jazusamo]

BUMP!

[SatinDoll]

BHO2 is pushing really hard for a civil war, isn’t he?

[HenpeckedCon]

“The UN gun treaty is up for review and ratification.”

The UN treaty needs 2/3’s of the the Senators present to pass. A filibuster will not apply.

[bigheadfred]

BHO2 is pushing really hard for a civil war, isn’t he?

Barry Obama Before Obama Barries You

[BobL]

I LOVE IT!!!

The Senate made a mess of Bush-43’s court appointments and many, many, other things - even though the Dems only had 43 votes. They simply filibustered EVERYTHING.

Now they think it’s unfair - FINE!!! We will get power back, at least for a short time (until Amnesty ends it all for us). During that time, it sure would be nice to get people on to the courts with a majority vote.

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

[xzins]

Obviously, Harry is trying to change the discussion from Benghazi, IRS, AP Snooping.

How do you do that? Start a fight.

[narses]

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[Cyber Liberty]

The UN gun treaty is up for review and ratification. This is likely to shut down any attempts to filibuster that treaty and make the UN registration the law of the land.

Filibuster makes no sense in the case of a Treaty because it takes 67 votes to pass, which is a higher threshold than the 60 votes to stop a filibuster.

[chris37]

If the GOP retakes the senate, it’s first action will be to revert to the former rules on filibuster and allow the democrats to block them at every turn.