Posted on 12/11/2013 1:22:28 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Senate Republicans will stage a more than 30-hour talkathon on the Senate floor to protest Democrats’ triggering of the "nuclear option" last month.
The GOP protest, which could extend into the weekend, will throw a wrench in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) hopes of wrapping up legislative business for 2013 as soon as possible.
Republicans will delay a final vote on Cornelia Pillard, one of President Obama’s picks for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, until about 1 a.m. Thursday.
Then, Senate Republicans will hold the floor throughout the night, speaking out against Reid’s use of the nuclear option. Reid invoked the controversial tactic before Thanksgiving to strip Republicans of the power to filibuster judicial and executive branch nominees. The rules change did not affect Supreme Court picks.
“When you blow up the Senate rules, there has to be a consequence,” said a Republican senator.
“We’ll stretch this into the weekend if need be,” said the GOP lawmaker.
A GOP source said that so far 36 senators have signed up for hour-long speaking slots on the Senate floor, which would tie up business until early Friday morning.
The tactic is similar to all-night talk sessions Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) held on the floor to protest the administration’s drone policy and the Affordable Care Act, respectively.
A Senate Democratic leadership aide said the GOP floor protest will not stop the Senate from voting on other nominees Thursday.
"All they're doing is highlighting their own impotence," said the aide. "The Republicans no longer have the tools to delay that they had before."
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) started the extended debate Wednesday afternoon by slamming Pillard’s nomination and decrying the Democrats’ unilateral effort to rewrite Senate procedures.
Republicans are still fuming over the use of the nuclear option, which allowed Democrats to change Senate rules with a simple majority vote. Traditionally, 67 votes are needed to alter the rules.
“What they did on this rules change, the first time in the history of the United States Senate that we changed the rules without 67 votes,” said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). “The ill will that has been inflicted by that action is incalculable.”
Democrats argue they did not rewrite the Senate rules but instead changed the chamber’s precedent, which has the effect of a rules change.
Reid argued the Senate changed its rules 18 times since 1977 before triggering the nuclear option.
Republicans say they will retaliate by forcing Reid to call in his colleagues to a vote on Pillard after midnight.
“I imagine people will want a full and robust debate on this very controversial nominee,” said a Senate GOP leadership aide.
"This is exactly the sort of nominee who had zero chances of confirmation before the nuclear option," said another senior GOP aide.
Reid could alter the schedule by postponing the vote on Pillard until regular business hours on Thursday, a GOP aide noted.
Democrats, who themselves are irate over Republican obstruction, said they will stick to their plan to confirm Pillard as soon as possible, even if it leaves them bleary-eyed.
“We’re voting at 1 a.m. if Republicans keep playing their damn games,” said a Democratic aide.
Yay for protests. So much better than action . . .
What’s the rush? Why not wait another month?
Klingon proverb: Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Seriously?
Yeah, that will have them quaking in their jackboots.
There would be no revenge from McConnell and Bonehead
Nice but TOO LATE!!! It’s the CHRISTMAS season and everyone is BUSY and PARTYING.....they are NOT TUNED IN!!! A WASTE!!! SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE WHEN IT HAPPENED!!!! IDIOTS!
I doubt they have the guts.
to be followed by brandy and cigars with their Good Friends from across the aisle (don’t doubt me)
Senate Republicans protest to allow them to surrender to Democrats in the manner of their choosing.
You forgot pat on the backs, laughing and smiles all around.......Just saying.
That’s what I’m wondering, why didn’t they do this
BEFORE the rats pulled the switch???
Slow thinking is no way to win a dog fight.
How about we all refuse to pay our taxes and teach the treasonous dem bastards the meaning of the word “impotent”.
Too late you morons.
I know, how about planning to do it in 2022 when Ryan’s cuts go into effect.
why protest it? you are just giving them ammo to use against you when we retake the Senate next year and wish to keep the same process.
They’ll be talking to an empty room and no television audience.
The GOP will NOT use the same tactics against the dems.
I guarantee it.
SLOW THINKERS!!!
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