Senate Dems weaken GOP power with major filibuster rule change

http://www.foxnews.com ^ | November 21, 2013 • | FoxNews/AP

[Para-Ord.45]

Senate Democrats bowled over Republicans on Thursday to win approval for a highly controversial rule change which would limit the GOP's ability to block nominees.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, moving quickly following days of speculation, used the so-called "nuclear option" to pass the change. Typically, major changes like this take 67 votes, but he did it with just a simple majority.

With Republicans fuming, the change weakens the power of the minority to stall nominations for top positions. Instead of needing 60 votes to break a filibuster, the change means Democrats will now need just 51.

[lentulusgracchus]

With Republicans fuming, the change weakens the power of the minority to stall nominations for top positions. Instead of needing 60 votes to break a filibuster, the change means Democrats will now need just 51.

Nah, just one. Harry, or Obozo. Either one. Whichever is nearer the phone.

[TexasFreeper2009]

because I am GLAD the democrats did this! Now when WE take back the Senate next year, we would have to deal with the filibuster :)

[chris37]

Liberty Amendments step 1.

Should that fail,

That only leaves one other option really.

[TexasFreeper2009]

If I were in charge of the Senate after the next election I would immediately start impeachment proceedings against EVERY left wing judge this commie Senate has approved.

[C. Edmund Wright]

In short answer, what is step one?

[Moonman62]

With McCain, Graham, Collins, Cornyn, etc., the Democrats never had a problem getting 60 votes.

My theory is that McCain and the rest of the Ruling Class gave Reid the green light to do this.

[Dick Bachert]

“OK, here's the deal with my nuclear option thingy:

Because my buddy Barack's transformation of America isn't moving at the rate Mr. Soros, David Axlerod, Valerie Jarrett and his other handlers anticipated, we simply MUST pack the agencies and courts with more dedicated Marxists and libturds before BO's term is up. And although BO's agency heads will be removed should, allah forbid it, the pubbies take the WH in 2016, they will have had 3 years to bring in so many fellow libturds that a new administration will not be able to clean them all out.

But the courts – especially here in DC – are where the REAL action is! Dontcha just love that LIFETIME TENURE thing? We sure as hell do!

Oh...the finger?

Just my way of telling you Tea Party people that if you don't like it...suck on this!!

ROFLMAO!!!”

Most DISrespectfully, Harry “The Grinning Weasel” Reid

[Dragonspirit]

I hope each of our Republican senators who crafted “bipartisan” 11th hour negotiations to not do this when we were in power feel sick. WE TOLD YOU SO! When are they going to wake up and learn that Democrats are fundamentally liars? Republicans, once again, made to live by disadvantaged rules because they always allow Democrats the opportunity to be hypocrites. Hell, they will probably agree to change the rules back when we win.

[mj1234]

“”My theory is that McCain and the rest of the Ruling Class gave Reid the green light to do this. “”

Exactly!!

And they will gladly revert BACK to old Rules when/if
they get to be the majority!!

[chris37]

The Article 5 amending of the constitution by the states which bypasses all of the federal government.

We tell them how it is and how it’s going to be, essentially.

They are our public servants after all.

It is the only civil solution remaining, electing more republicans is useless as they are as much enemies of our freedom as democrats are.

This rule change didn’t consume the GOP’s power, it consumed our power as citizens by rendering our elected reps useless, not that they were ever useful.

Our freedom is being consumed in massive chunks now, we’re going to need to think outside of the box, or we are going to be eaten.

[Lazamataz]

It is over.

BEEN sayin' that.

My only vision, at this point, is what we reform ourselves into once the country collapses outright.

[Mamzelle]

Yep. Is the a Supe ready to quit?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

And when the Repubies take back the Senate, Old Harry will work to get the rule changed back. Or maybe even right before the mid-terms if it looks like the Dems will get their arses handed to them.

[PilotDave]

The repubs should just stop showing up for work. Why bother?

[chris37]

Because their job is to expand government at the cost of our liberty and to make us believe the exact opposite is the case, and they are doing that job every single day.

[1010RD]

Good. Let’s get majorities in both Houses and win the Presidency. We can just use the Commerce Clause as a billy club against statism and appoint pro-Constitution judges one after another.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

If they lose control in 2014, Senate rules reset and the old filibuster rules of 60 votes for cloture make a come back.

So...if The R's take control of the Senate in 2014, it will revert to super majority required to force cloture. Meaning the Dems will not be able to stop a Repub override of their filibusters. Where is the downside except for the current session up until next year's elections?

[lodi90]

Just wait until 2014. They will live to regret they ever did this.

---

That’s the problem right there. You don’t wait until 2014. You inflict pain on the Dems now. Media ads, another push for the Vitter Amendment, etc. The Dems won’t back down until they are in a personally uncomfortable position.

[plain talk]

“This is huge. Why isn’t there 10,000, replies about this, here?”

Because many like me are probably numb from abuse.

[PilotDave]

Well said sir. Like. Thumb up!