that he is worried that the Repugs will lose the Senate in 2018 and it would work against the Repugs.

he did a whip count and may not have enough to get to 51 from his own side to change the rule (with McCain now pretty much out). I.e., you may have folks like Collins & Flake objecting and that's all that's needed to kill it. And even Cruz, who used it to his own benefit, could join them, but Corker & Graham might be the more reliable ones to also object.

And as a note, Collins always likes to swoop in to be one side of a "bipartisan" agreement, which is what Graham apparently attempted to do this time.

Seems each party, when in power, never thinks the other side will ever have it again.

Last edited Sun Jan 21, 2018, 12:19 PM - Edit history (1)

But there are only 50 Republican Senators, with McCain out of the picture for the moment!

There is no way McConnell can change the rules on a filibuster needing 60 votes.

He only has 51 Senators (50 without McCain). Even the Democrats who voted yes on cloture will not vote to change the filibuster rule on legislation. McConnell will never get Flake, Collins, Graham, Sasse and probably many more. Without McCain, McConnell can't even lose one vote.

But, this a great talking point for our side. "The Republicans in the Senate changed the filibuster rules for Gorsich, the Repeal of Obamacare and for the tax scam. If the Republicans wanted pass to the CR and reopen the government, they could just do it. They control everything in the Senate and the rest of government."

Do I remember incorrectly? Or would this just be another case of repubs making up the rules as they go?

there are some restrictions, of course, but basically they could call for the vote on this if they want to.

Bit of a risk, though.

The 60 vote rule to end debate and proceed to a simple majority vote on legislation is more a 'tradition' than a 'rule.'

From wiki:

McConnell, at any time, can rule the filibuster "out of order". Any member can then object to "the ruling of the chair". The ruling then goes to a voice vote. Then a member can call for a roll call. If a majority of the members present and voting uphold the "ruling of the chair", the motion, or bill, is voted on and a simple majority is all that's needed.

McConnell can't get a majority to change the filibuster rule and he already said so today.

If the Senate Democrats were really just holding out for the weekend to ruin the Dotard's 'one year anniversary,' coinciding with the Women's March - a purely partisan political machination - then we'll see the Senate Democrats agree to a CR tonight.

If Senate Democrats truly stand on principle, I bet we get the 'nuclear option' before these effing R's cave.

By the way - find "filibuster" in the US Constitution. Good luck.

Yes, filibuster is a Senate rule that can be changed.

Trump is holding something over McConnell, and he will change his position soon.

Someone set his phone settings to autocorrect EVERY time he types the word "nuclear".
Not everyone knows the meaning of nuclear option in politics.

McConnell just does not want to own the shutdown or control the more crazy, racist members of his caucus on immigration.

As much as I dislike McConnell, he knows that to eliminate the tools that the repubs would need if they become the minority, would be insane. trump is clueless.

If he could just bypass Congress and do the budget by Executive Order, he'd do it.