Free Republic

The nomination of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board was just defeated on a cloture vote 52-33. Sen. Ben Nelson (D., Neb.), Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D., Ark.), and Sen. Scott Brown (R., Mass.) all voted against cloture.

Reuters makes it sounds like Sen. Scott Brown is guilty of robbery: Republican Scott Brown's formal arrival in the U.S. Senate on Thursday robbed Democrats of their crucial 60-vote supermajority and set the stage for a bitter November election fight for control of the 100-member chamber.

Republican Scott Brown became the junior senator from Massachusetts today, a week earlier than expected, and two weeks after his upset victory in the Bay State’s January 19 special election. Brown’s swearing-in marks the official end of the Democrats’ super majority by giving the GOP 41 votes in the 100-member Senate — enough to sustain a filibuster. At the Capitol, Brown was joined by his wife, Gail, and sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on the Senate floor, using bibles beloved by his two daughters, Ayla and Arianna, who were not able to attend the ceremony. Biden joked that...

A triumphant Scott Brown arrived to a rock star’s welcome outside the Russell Senate Office Building today to begin the whirlwind swearing-in process. “Hold on. Let me get my certification papers,” said the U.S. Senator-elect as he pulled up in a Cadillac Escalade. He had to leave his trusty old GMC Canyon pickup at home for the flight to the Capitol. “I’m happy to be here,” he told the press swarming around his vehicle. Brown then pulled his certification papers out of the back. When asked what his top priority would be after being sworn in today at 5 p.m.,...

Sen.-elect Scott Brown is expected to be sworn in as the "41st vote" on health care on Thursday, heading down to Washington, D.C., after Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed the certification of election to make him the next U.S. senator. !!!!!!!

In a brief procedure, Governor Deval Patrick and the Governor's Council this morning certified the upset election of Scott P. Brown, clearing the way for the Republican to take the oath of office this evening in Washington. Prior to the vote by the council, Councilor Michael J. Callahan offered a brief prayer for Brown and then councilors voted 6-0 to certify the results from last month's special election. Patrick said as he slammed down a gavel and said, "motion carried. Done.'' Patrick and Secretary of State William Galvin then formally signed paperwork that will be sent to Washington, confirming that...

My personal view would be to remove the filibuster for judicial appointment only. This follows more closely the strict interpretation nof the Constitution and defers to the president to appoint judges as he sees fit. The phrase "elections have consequences" seems to fit here. But the filibuster serves an important role in good government and law making and should not be removed for that.