Posted on 01/06/2011 2:38:23 AM PST by markomalley
Senate Democrats are so determined to curtail Republican use of the filibuster to block their legislation that they've frozen time — technically speaking — in the hope of hammering out a deal that will prevent what they call an abuse of parliamentary procedure.
On the opening day of the 112th Congress on Wednesday, Senate Democratic leaders used a rare procedural rule that will keep the legislative day open for several days — a move that would allow for rule changes with the approval of a simple majority of the 100-member chamber instead of the usual two-thirds vote.
The tactic only can be used on the first day of a new Congress — hence the value of not declaring the legislative "day" over, regardless of what calendars or the Earth's rotation might say. And with the Senate to be on recess until Jan. 25, the move would buy filibuster-reform supporters time to work out details and woo supporters.
Democrats, who control the Senate with 53 seats, have complained that Republicans unfairly use the filibuster to kill Democratic bills and paralyze the chamber.
Republicans counter that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, typically refuses to allow Republican amendments on bills and that the filibuster is among the only tools available to block Democratic legislation they oppose.
A filibuster — a catchall term for delaying or blocking a majority vote on a bill by lengthy debate or other procedure — takes 60 votes to overcome and to proceed to a final vote. That means that as few as 41 minority members essentially can block legislation. The Senate now includes 47 Republicans.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
The Rats in the Senate won’t do it because first there won’t be any bills to filibuster from the House side unless the filibuster is used by the Rats, Presidential nominees can always be recess appointed and third, in two years when the Senate switches, which is almost a guarantee, the GOP can use the Rats “weapon” against them a lot harder and faster.
Since the Senate is likely to be majority Republican in 2013, with a Republican President and House, the Republicans might well be thinking, “Please, Brer Reid, don’t throw me in dat dare briar patch.”
But to make filibuster reform AT THIS TIME other than an obvious nefarious Democrat mean spirited attempt to cheat themselves more power in order to further shove down our throats legislation and judges the majority of Americans would reject with extreme passion—the reform should not take effect until the 113th Congress.
This is the only way to avoid—I believe—violent national reaction because nobody knows now who the reform would favor then.
They will bend or break any rule to get what they want. Even a day is no longer a day.
today I will submit a rules-reform package that improves the ability of Democrats to pass bills with no Republican input whatever.
It only counts when Democrats need to use it. Now that they are getting a taste of their own urine, they whine like there is an air raid going on or something.
I hope I am mistaken. Somebody please tell me I am wrong.
Actually, I would not mind if the RULE that was enacted by the Dems that allow for the current psuedo-filibuster to go away. There was a time up until Watergate, when any Senator could filibuster but had to do so by physically holding the floor.
However, what I don’t want to see is some kind of majority for every vote type of rule to replace it.
You’re wrong.
The Dream Act died with the 111th Congress.
Reevaluate that comment after a 6-12 month media barrage laying out the Republicans to the idiotic public as 'senior killers,' 'hate children,' 'puppy killers,' etc(1994).
Or the GOP will just capitulate and then conservatives will sit the next election out again.
One needs a lot of work and a whole lot of luck for that statement to come true.
Can’t get that next ‘monthly’ paycheck if the clock is stopped !!!
Dock them all a days pay for every day the clock is stopped!
The Democrats will use every dirty rare procedural rule they can find.
They always have, and the Republicans will just smile and let them get away with it, They always have.
Then they’ll just spin the clock with a 3/8” drill and collect a paycheck an hour.
The Democrats are trying to pretend through a parliamentary sleight of hand, they are still on the “first” day of business. They want the minority party to roll over and Cry Uncle or they will rape them anyway. This is “bipartisanship?”
ROFLMAO!
The Dems will be screaming bloody murder about this as soon as they are in the minority.
This has to be about presidential appointments...particularly judges. I suspect they fear a Scotus opening.
It can’t be about legislation, because the House is Republican and the Senate has that one lone area where it gets to act alone, iirc.
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