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Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: BlueStateSaint on October 06, 2011, 07:17:44 PM

Title: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: BlueStateSaint on October 06, 2011, 07:17:44 PM
Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters

By Alexander Bolton - 10/06/11 07:01 PM ET
 
In a shocking development Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered a rarely used procedural option informally called the “nuclear option” to change the Senate rules.

The Democratic leader had become fed up with Republican demands for votes on motions to suspend the rules after the Senate had voted to end a filibuster.

Reid said these motions, which do not need unanimous consent, amount to a second-round filibuster after the Senate has voted to move to final passage of a measure.

The Senate voted 51-48 to back Reid and overturn the Senate precedent. Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.) was the only Democrat to vote against his leader.

The surprise move stunned Republicans, who did not expect Reid to bring heavy artillery to what had been a humdrum knife fight over amendments to China currency legislation.

The Hill (http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/186133-reid-triggers-nuclear-option-to-change-senate-rules-and-prohibit-post-cloture-filibusters)


This will come back to bite Reid.  Now, a fillibuster-proof Senate is 51 votes, and even if the Democratics try to change the Senate rules back after they're swept freom power in the tsunami of 11/6/2012, the new Senate doesn't have to follow those rules. :evillaugh:

The Democratics will reap the whirlwind.
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: zeitgeist on October 06, 2011, 07:22:21 PM
How dissapointed the Gang of 14 must be.  
 Members
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) (no longer serving)
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Mike DeWine (R-OH) (no longer serving)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
John McCain (R-AZ)
Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
John Warner (R-VA) (no longer serving)
Robert Byrd (D-WV) (deceased)
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Joe Lieberman (D-CT) (currently an independent)
Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Ken Salazar (D-CO) (no longer serving)
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: Chris_ on October 06, 2011, 07:33:44 PM
My stepfather was seated next to Olympia Snowe at a local fundraising dinner recently.  I wondered if he had made someone unhappy.
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: Splashdown on October 06, 2011, 10:18:34 PM
Thank God we have the House. We'd be screwed.
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: sybilll on October 07, 2011, 12:19:58 AM
But, doesn't this mean in 2013 when we have the majority, we can kill ObamaCare (provided the SCOTUS doesn't kill it first) with 51 votes? I'm a relative noob on procedural issues, so hellllllllp. 
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: BlueStateSaint on October 07, 2011, 05:21:08 AM
But, doesn't this mean in 2013 when we have the majority, we can kill ObamaCare (provided the SCOTUS doesn't kill it first) with 51 votes? I'm a relative noob on procedural issues, so hellllllllp. 

Yes, it does. :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: Janice on October 07, 2011, 05:41:00 AM
Yes it does, but we know how repukes will scurry to change the rules back ... to be 'fair'. Including the ones that just voted with Reid. You watch, this is how it usually works. They do the same thing when they have the chair leaderships.
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: formerlurker on October 07, 2011, 05:48:01 AM
Quote
McConnell had threatened such a motion to force a vote on the original version of President Obama’s jobs package, which many Democrats don’t like because it would limit tax deductions for families earning over $250,000. The jobs package would have been considered as an amendment.

McConnell wanted to embarrass the president by demonstrating how few Democrats are willing to support his jobs plan as first drafted. (Senate Democrats have since rewritten the jobs package to pay for its stimulus provisions with a 5.6 surtax on income over $1 million.)

Reid pulls out the big guns to protect the Messiah.   Silly Reid, the sting from the slap you are getting in January 2013 (when the Messiah is long gone on the speaking tour junket) is going to sting like hell and linger. 

Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: DLR Pyro on October 07, 2011, 10:31:25 AM
a desperate act by a desperate party.
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on October 07, 2011, 10:54:49 AM
Yes, it does. :evillaugh:

Well, it means it would get through the Senate, but the President would still veto it if God forbid Obama was re-elected in spite of himself.  Having enough GOP votes to override a veto will never happen, it would have to involve enough Democrats jumping ship and signing on for it too, which is not completely impossible, just unlikely.
Title: Re: Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters
Post by: Splashdown on October 07, 2011, 01:33:20 PM
Wait...Reid enacted this so as NOT to vote on Obama's "jobs" bill????
 :lmao: