Audio: Senate GOP Considering Weakening Filibuster to Force Votes (Do it, don't just consider)

Townhall.com ^ | December 17, 2015 | Guy Benson

[Kaslin]

Ever since Harry Reid's Democratic majority blew up decades of precedent to significantly weaken the filibuster in order to grease the skids for President Obama's left-wing judicial and executive appointments, some conservatives have wondered if the GOP would answer in kind upon regaining the majority. On Wednesday's edition of the Hugh Hewitt Show, John Thune -- the third ranking member of Senate Republican leadership -- told Hugh and me that an option is under consideration that would further erode the minority's filibuster tool:

Benson talks w/ Sen. Thune on action to change filibuster rules on appropriations bills
Thune says Senate Republican leadership is weighing the option of changing the Senate rules to prevent Democrats from filibustering motions to proceed to even considering or debating appropriations (i.e., spending) bills. Despite Mitch McConnell's far more productive approach to amendment votes, Harry Reid's Democratic minority has obstructed votes on everything from the Iran deal, to veterans spending, to funding for our troops. In the latter two cases, Democrats were "holding hostage" these appropriations bills (even at agreed-upon levels) as leverage for higher government spending elsewhere. When I pressed Thune on process, he said his hope is that Republicans will rally enough Democratic votes behind this step so that the rule change could be accomplished under regular order. But he did not rule out a Reid-style "nuclear" maneuver, in which the majority effectively breaks the Senate rules to change the rules under a simple majority vote. Thune's office reached out and directed me to this story in The Hill that examined this possibility when it was first floated in October:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is opening the door to changing the filibuster in response to growing pressure from Republicans angered that Democrats have blocked legislation from reaching the White House. McConnell has appointed a special task force to explore changes to the filibuster rule and other procedural hurdles — including whether to eliminate filibusters on motions to proceed to legislation. That's a tactic the minority often uses to shut down a bill before amendments can be considered. McConnell has tapped his close ally, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), and Senate Rules Committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) to form a task force with Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and two other freshmen to weigh various reforms. They hope to implement the changes at the start of next year. "We"re going to take a serious look at whether Senate rules ought to be changed in order to make the Senate work more effectively," Alexander said. "A number of the new senators have come in looking around saying, 'Why are we doing things this way and not that way,' " he added. The other two members of the task force are Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

The "mild-mannered and cooperation-minded" Alexander has become increasingly exasperated with Democrats' escalating obstructionist tactics in recent months.  On one hand, traditionalists warn that chipping away at the legislative filibuster will come back to bite Republicans if Democrats regain the majority under a Democratic president.  On the other, who's to say that Democrats won't simply break the rules again to serve their immediate purposes.  They drew first blood.  What would stop them from going further when it suits their needs?  It's a question of procedural prudence vs. unilateral disarmament.

[Paladin2]

It’s kinda sad for a guy from a place like Murdo.

[Fungi]

Ditto to that. Used to get Christmas cards showing his wife and two daughters after I donated to his campaign to oust that creep Daschle. No more to him, he has been a disappointment.

[Socon-Econ]

Conservatives should stop depending on the filibuster to protect them. The Democrats have shown that they will not observe it when they are in power, so why should conservatives cripple themselves by continuing to observe it when they are running things? In the long run, conservatives will not survive unless they learn to explain their case and to give financially to get it out to the public.

[txrefugee]

Don’t wake McConnell. He’s sleeping in his shell until spring. Reid and Pelosi had no problem pushing Obama Socialism through with 51 votes, but the timid patsies of the GOP are afraid the NYT will not like it.

[Mr. K]

PAYBACK IS A BITCH

[KarlInOhio]

How about forcing a real filibuster like the one Ted Cruz did. If Harry Reid wants to filibuster, I want him on the Senate floor at 3 a.m. reading the phone book. I am tired of the Republicans giving up when the Dems say fili- without even forcing them to say the full of word.

[Lake Living]

Lucy telling Charlie Brown she won’t pull the football away THIS time.

[Postman]

Sad indeed. Best wishes to you and to all of us for a happy, healthy and safe New Year...even those poor souls in Murdo.