Posted on 10/08/2011 10:55:58 AM PDT by Kaslin
On Thursday night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered the so-called nuclear option — unilaterally changing Senate rules by a simple majority vote to stop the minority from forcing votes on uncomfortable amendments. It’s the same tactic the majority would use to undercut the minority’s ability to filibuster. And that’s why it’s called “nuclear” — it dramatically alters the balance of power between the majority and minority. It is not a step to be taken lightly.
What great matter drove Reid to push the nuclear button? Apparently Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) was threatening to force a vote on the original version of President Obama’s jobs bill, to show how few Democrats were willing to support it. In other words, Reid invoked the nuclear option to avoid a political embarrassment for his party
Recall that in 2005, Republicans contemplated invoking the nuclear option over a matter of substance — to stop Democrats from using filibusters to delay judicial confirmations. Before that crisis was defused, one Democratic senator railed against the GOP plan as an attempt to trample the rights of the minority, calling it a violation of “the constitutional principles of checks and balances” and declaring, “If there were ever an example of an abuse of power, this is it. The filibuster is the last check we have against the abuse of power in Washington.”
The senator’s name? Harry Reid.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Harry Reid could be the MOST VILE Senator Except for Shumer, Durbin, Boxer, Stabenow, Kerry, just to name a few!!
The GOPer Goobers need to remember this. What goes around, comes around. Next time, DON’T HESITATE. Push the button.
Of course, it isn't! What else would you expect from that mental midget, Harry Reid?!
Recall that in 2005, Republicans contemplated invoking the nuclear option over a matter of substance -- to stop Democrats from using filibusters to delay judicial confirmations. Before that crisis was defused, one Democratic senator railed against the GOP plan as an attempt to trample the rights of the minority, calling it a violation of "the constitutional principles of checks and balances" and declaring, "If there were ever an example of an abuse of power, this is it. The filibuster is the last check we have against the abuse of power in Washington." The senator's name? Harry Reid.
The GOP Majority Leader will be easily cajoled into changing the rule back as the first order of business.
-PJ
I think the general rule is:
1. Liberals are allowed to do whatever the heck they want, whatever will help the liberal cause, at any given time. If it means waiving long standing rules of parliamentary procedures in Congress, so be it. It’s all good as long as done to support a liberal cause.
2. Liberals hold the conservatives strictly to the rules of parliamentary procedure. Liberals raise hell if the conservatives would ever consider taking such actions in support of conservative causes.
One of the biggest mistakes ever made was making Senatorial elections into direct elections. The original design with state legislatures appointing them was MUCH MUCH better. Right now the Senate is just another House of Representatives, only with different rules and procedures. Stupid....
They don’t have the f****** guts. I’m sick of them all.
I remember when the Repubs considered this in the early 2000’s and realized it was a stupid thing to do.
And we have this POS in the Senate because of a bunch of illiterate and probably illegal Hotel Workers in Las Vegas and Reno. That’s his base, the Union Workers (SEIU) in the Hotel Industry. He gets 90% something percent of these voters and that’s enough for him to win the election. I cannot believe this man (if you want to call him that) is elected time and again. He’s the very sort of person who is destroying the country. I absolutely despise the man. He’s wrong on just about everything. Harry Reid is an absolutely despicable person.
they better do this nuke option to repeal deathcare, first day of the new session.
“In other words, trampling the rights of the minority when you are poised to become the minority isn’t particularly smart.”
The plan is to tell the Democrat base “you’ve GOT to keep us in the majority - there’s no more filibuster!”
You read it here first.
It's only fair that Harry regret something, as I know a lot of us regret Harry.
Doubtfull....unless some Republicans grow a backbone. I hope Republicans can take the Senate in 2012 and get a good Majority leader like DeMint! But we will probably get a Rino leader that wants to make nice with the Democrats like my own Discrace Sen. Lindsey Graham
I can’t help to think this is part of a larger strategy that Reid has started to ram home the Marxist agenda before January 20, 2013.
Thank you for posting this. It makes be truly sick to read this and understand the kind of “jerk” that the head of the Senate really is.
bump for future reference
Harry Reid is a nuclear blunder.
I think you’re right.
Assume nobama and the Senate Dems loose next November. That means, just like 2010, they’ll have two months of lame duckism to rain destruction down on the US. And now that the “simple majority rules,” it will be even easier.
To say nothing of the mischief they’ve got planned from now till then.
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