Posted on 01/23/2018 11:19:07 AM PST by Kaslin
The world's greatest deliberative body has become the world's greatest constipated body, chained to a rule that no longer makes any sense: the Byrd Rule, which requires 60 Senate votes to end a filibuster on budgetary legislation when that legislation would significantly increase the deficit beyond a ten-year horizon. (Otherwise, the reconciliation process allows for a mere majority for passage.)
The so-called "Schumer shutdown" and an endless series of continuing resolutions cry out for ending the legislative filibuster in general on budget matters, where the risk of government shutdown is now ever present. The Democrats claim that the Republicans are to blame because they control the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, but in this case, they don't control the Senate. You need 60 votes to do that.
These are no longer the days when Bill Clinton could work things out with Newt Gingrich and Ronald Reagan could work things out with Tip O'Neill. These are the days when losers hold the winners hostage and where the majority no longer rules.
House Republicans think it's time to nuke the filibuster:
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
They need to get rid of this stupid rule. The reason they hesitate is because they fear they will be in the minority again someday. “Someday” may come, but if the republicans do what is right for the American people they should easily increase their majority in 2018 and unless they get stupid again after that can continue to hold and increase their majority. Go for it! Get rid of that rule NOW, although they may need Mc Cain’s vote to do that and he is still in Arizona and isn’t willing to resign.
Are you serious? That means the poor little Senators would have to work!
I actually agree with this view. Let appropriations pass with simple majorities in the Senate and obviously the House.
The filibuster is so overused today that it’s impossible even to conduct routine business, like paying for the military.
I’m late again.
I’ll go take a nap.
You can be first for two hours.
The author’s comments are precisely why we should keep the present system. There is no doubt that Democrats will take control of the Senate at some point. Giving them majority rule would greatly advance socialism.
We don’t have too few laws, we have too many. The power of the federal government has grown exponentially, largely by the myriad of laws Congress passes. Making it easier to pass more laws is a journey to tyranny. Imagine the chaos of laws passed & repealed within 2 years. The Senate could change hands that often.
Just yesterday we saw the system work as intended, that laws should not pass with a one vote margin, that there should be broad consensus to pass important legislation. The Rats knew they were wrong & they rightly folded.
Keep the 60 vote cloture rule & avoid even more government we don’t need or want. Neither party is a model of common sense & prudence.
That is your opinion to which you are entitled to.
On the other hand if we can increase the Republican Senators to 60 or more than we don't have to worry about it.
So long as the enemies domestic are running around loose, that is a BIG "if!"
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