General Discussion

xchrom

(108,903 posts) Sun Nov 11, 2012, 08:46 AM Nov 2012

dems, gop fight brewing over curbing filibusters

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SENATE_FILIBUSTER_FIGHT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-11-11-07-42-18

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A brewing and potentially bitter fight over Democratic efforts to curb filibusters is threatening to inflame partisan tensions in the Senate, even as President Barack Obama and Republicans explore whether they can compromise on top tier issues such as debt reduction and taxes.

A potential showdown vote to limit Senate filibusters would not come until January. Democrats are threatening to resort to a seldom-used procedure that could let them change the rules without GOP support, all but inviting Republican retaliation.

That fight is looming as the newly re-elected Obama and GOP leaders prepare to use the lame-duck session of Congress that starts Tuesday to hunt for compromise on the "fiscal cliff" - the nearly $700 billion worth of tax increases and spending cuts next year that automatically begin in January unless lawmakers head them off.

That effort will be contentious enough without added animosity over efforts to weaken the filibuster, a procedural tactic that lets the minority party block bills that lack the support of at least 60 senators. Democrats seem likely to command a 55-45 majority in the new Senate that convenes in January, making 60 a difficult hurdle.

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

dems, gop fight brewing over curbing filibusters (Original Post) xchrom Nov 2012 OP

Note spin: "..contentious enough without added animosity over efforts to weaken the filibuster" Scuba Nov 2012 #1

+1 xchrom Nov 2012 #2

What more could the RepubliKKKans do to clog up the legislative machinery that byeya Nov 2012 #3

There Should Be No Hesitation On The Part Of The Dems To Change The Filibuster Rule In The Senate... global1 Nov 2012 #4

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

1. Note spin: "..contentious enough without added animosity over efforts to weaken the filibuster"

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 08:50 AM

Nov 2012

Yeah, those damn Democrats for trying to weaken the filibuster and being even more contentious.

If the Dems don't ban the filibuster, with or (more likely) without Republican support, they're failing the voters.

xchrom

(108,903 posts)

2. +1

Reply to Scuba (Reply #1)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 08:55 AM

Nov 2012

byeya

(2,842 posts)

3. What more could the RepubliKKKans do to clog up the legislative machinery that

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 09:24 AM

Nov 2012

they haven't already been doing?

Don't even consult with them: Either do away with the filibuster to lower it to 52 or 53.

global1

(25,253 posts)

4. There Should Be No Hesitation On The Part Of The Dems To Change The Filibuster Rule In The Senate...

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 09:34 AM

Nov 2012

It should be modified to put pressure on the Repugs and force compromise versus continuing their stonewalling and gridlock. We the people should show our support for this rule change and let the President and Senator Reid know that we have their back and we are in support of the rule change. We need to arm the President and the Dems with all the ammunition we can to move this country Forward.

We have too much to do to wait until 2014 when we can take back the House. We need to begin the process of taking back the House by assuring that we'll be able to get things done and through the Senate.

I'm going to call Senator Reid's office tomorrow to express my support and I urge all Du'ers here to do the same.

Here's the number: 1-202-224-3542

Know this also - if the shoe was on the other foot and Rmoney won this election - the Repugs would change this filibuster rule without even thinking if they had the chance.

If the Dems and the President get this country back on track and moving Forward again - they should have no problem winning the WH again in 2016. We need to work - and start this work right now - to take back the House in 2014.

Reply to this discussion