Washington (CNN) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, frustrated by Republicans who have been blocking President Barack Obama's nominees, Thursday moved to introduce the so-called nuclear option.
The controversial move is a rules change that could make a partisan environment even more divisive because it would take away a sacrosanct right for any party in the Senate minority–the right to filibuster.
"That's why it's time to get the Senate working again," Reid said. "Not for the good of the current Democratic majority or some future Republican majority, but for the good of the United States of America. It's time to change. It's time to change the Senate before this institution becomes obsolete."
When the GOP is elected for the majority in 2014, they will repeal the filibuster rule before the 2015 inaugurations.Why would republicans want to change it back. The democrats changed it so 51 votes does the dirty deed, right? So if republicans get 51 seats then they will control things and the 49 democrats be damned. With the damn RINOs in the mix it might be sticky sometimes but then after 2016, not so much.
When the GOP is elected for the majority in 2014, they will repeal the filibuster rule before the 2015 inaugurations.
Reid already took care of that. It's a temporary change affecting on the the current congress. If the GOP wins the senate, they would have to go and change the rule again.Makes me want to grease the bottom of his shoes......especially the one that in the grave yet.
I hope the GOP has the balls to invoke the same 'Temporary rule' for the Congressional Session the next time they gain the majority as payback, but I doubt if do.
“As long as I am the Leader, the answer’s no,†he said. “I think we should just forget that. That is a black chapter in the history of the Senate. I hope we never, ever get to that again because I really do believe it will ruin our country.
Reid in 2008 on the nuclear option:Every single one of the biggest libs including rodeowebuma opposed the nuclear option when they were in the minority.
Another fun fact:
The Senate has approved more than 1,500 executive nominations since Obama took office.
Now the DUmmies are going nuts because the Republicans foiled the evil plan by not showing up at the necessary committee meetings in order to prevent there being the required quorum. Have to give it to McConnell on that one, he couldn't can't stop the bastards from changing the filibuster rule, so he served them up a heaping dose of their own rule-playing gamesmanship.
I don't think they are going to use this rule on just judicial nominations.
I don't think they are going to use this rule on just judicial nominations.
Reid already took care of that. It's a temporary change affecting on the the current congress. If the GOP wins the senate, they would have to go and change the rule again.and there's proof the the dems know they can't ever win without rigging the deck.
And right on cue:
Harkin calls for more rule changes
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/191086-harkin-calls-for-more-rule-changes
If it does get repealed, hopefully there will be minimal damage, and that it can be easily repaired.
Ultimately, I don't believe that McConnell, McCain, et.al, are all that unhappy that the Dhimmi'Rats have pulled the trigger on this. After all, assuming our optimism for the 2014 midterms is warranted, they now do not have to go through a very public internacine fight in order to muzzle the Mike Lees, Ted Cruzes and Rand Pauls of the party. All they have to do is carry over Comrade Harry's rules change, nice and quietly, as presently enacted. They don't have to get their spineless little hands dirty at all.
I've seen plenty of innerwebz comments asking the Republican RINO branch if they still think "reaching across the aisle" was a good idea: I'm sure they think it was a great idea, because the pedarast Harry Reid just handed his RINO butt buddies an early Christmas present, and ensured their - continued - slobbering devotion to him and his for years to come.
Walking in the Opposition's Shoes
Published: March 29, 2005
The Senate will return from Easter vacation with nuclear options on its mind. Republicans seem determined to change the rules so Democrats will no longer be able to stop judicial nominations with the threat of a filibuster. If they're acting out of frustration, it's understandable. In the past we've been frustrated when legislators tried to stop important bills from passing by resorting to the same tactic. The filibuster, which allows 41 senators to delay action indefinitely, is a rough instrument that should be used with caution. But its existence goes to the center of the peculiar but effective form of government America cherishes.
Read more... (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/opinion/29tue1.html?_r=0)
Democracy Returns to the Senate
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Published: November 21, 2013
For five years, Senate Republicans have refused to allow confirmation votes on dozens of perfectly qualified candidates nominated by President Obama for government positions. They tried to nullify entire federal agencies by denying them leaders. They abused Senate rules past the point of tolerance or responsibility. And so they were left enraged and threatening revenge on Thursday when a majority did the only logical thing and stripped away their power to block the president’s nominees.
Read more... (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/22/opinion/democracy-returns-to-the-senate.html?_r=0)
NY Times was AGAINST the filibuster ban before it was FOR it...
2005...
...and 2013
The democrats had to do this to counter the gerrymandered senate districts created by the GOP.
New Hampshire has one whole county that doesn't even have a hospital covered by Obamacare. People are going to have to travel 75 miles.