Reid goes NUCLEAR!!!
Last edited Thu Nov 21, 2013, 01:49 PM - Edit history (2)
Source: NY Times, C-Span
Landmark Senate Vote Limits Filibusters
By JEREMY W. PETERS
Published: November 21, 2013
WASHINGTON The Senate voted on Thursday to eliminate the use of the filibuster against most presidential nominees, a move that will break the Republican blockade of President Obamas picks to cabinet posts and the federal judiciary. The change is the most fundamental shift in the way the Senate functions in more than a generation.
The vote was one that members of both parties had threatened for the better part of a decade, but had always stopped short of carrying out. This time, with little left of the bipartisan spirit that helped seal compromises on filibuster rule changes in the past, there was no last-minute deal to be struck.
The vote was 52 to 48.
Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, set the change in motion on Thursday with a series of procedural steps.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/22/us/politics/reid-sets-in-motion-steps-to-limit-use-of-filibuster.html?hp&_r=0
Happening now on the floor of the Senate, Reid is proposing to change the Senate rules to approve Executive Branch nominations by a simple majority!
More to come, I'm sure...
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)ancianita
(36,160 posts)mimi85
(1,805 posts)rurallib
(62,465 posts)ancianita
(36,160 posts)TRY NOT BREAKING YOUR SENATE TRADITION AGREEMENTS WITH THE LEADER, ASSHOLE!
mountain grammy
(26,659 posts)dotymed
(5,610 posts)Finally.
durablend
(7,465 posts)"DEMOCRATS TAKING OVER THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY!!!! DESPERATE POWER GRAB!!!!! IMPEACH!!!!!!"
heaven05
(18,124 posts)will this really help?
wryter2000
(46,099 posts)Give 'em hell, Harry!
dlwickham
(3,316 posts)baldguy
(36,649 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)but I guess he has his reasons. I just don't understand them.
chillfactor
(7,584 posts)he did not have them until now...too many bull-headed Democrats!
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,077 posts)...eom.
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)But ol Mitch kinda forced the issue. similar to the illegal Abortion bans around the country. Republicans like to provoke people and this happens. But we have no choice. Nothings getting done because of the Obstructionists. Which did NOT originate with Harry Reid who created this quasi rule during Bush. He did not abuse it. Republicans have done it at all times of the day.
longship
(40,416 posts)Voting away the filibuster cuts both ways and there were enough Dems who would not do it that bringing to the floor would have failed. Preserving the existing filibuster rules would help the Democrats if there's a GOP president and GOP majority in the senate.
I know it doesn't make sense with the GOP's abuse of the filibuster, but there ya go.
upaloopa
(11,417 posts)What assurances do we have the repubs would keep the filibuster if we did what they did?
longship
(40,416 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)longship
(40,416 posts)There are a few -- all that were needed -- who did not want to reform filibuster. Feinstein, Boxer, and enough that they did not have a majority, until now. It took Reid pulling the caucus together by not going total nuclear that brought along Feinstein and the few others who were hold outs.
Still, they did not get Levin and two others.
If you don't have the votes you don't pull the trigger. It's simple as that.
You don't think that's the reason? Fine. I would be interested in reading what you think the reason was.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)fair minded Republicans would return the favor when they get in power is shear lunacy.
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)"Preserving the existing filibuster rules would help the Democrats if there's a GOP president and GOP majority in the senate." We've got to do something to stop their obstruction.
longship
(40,416 posts)But I was just responding with an explanation of why it took so long. If Reid doesn't have the votes, he cannot pull the trigger. That did not happen until this week. Apparently.
Hosnon
(7,800 posts)I'm sure Reid wanted to have no other option - wanted it to be clear in the history books that they didn't change the rules for politics, but to protect the Senate.
Baitball Blogger
(46,769 posts)Finally.
beerandjesus
(1,301 posts)ancianita
(36,160 posts)beerandjesus
(1,301 posts)...and I'd heard about three brazen lies already.
Nice to see Pat Leahy presiding!
Orrex
(63,234 posts)Asshat.
George II
(67,782 posts)PFunk
(876 posts)ABOUT FUCKING TIME!!!!
(should have done it months ago but better late than never)
Scuba
(53,475 posts)ancianita
(36,160 posts)He's blathering about 'advise and consent' as if there's some 'objective standard,' as if the Republicans have been 'very, very fair to this president,' 'take a time out, stop trying to jam us...how many times have we been threatened, my colleagues...we're not interested in having a gun put to our head any longer..."
FUCK YOU AND YOUR AGREEMENT BREAKING, ASSHOLE!
Greybnk48
(10,177 posts)redwitch
(14,950 posts)northoftheborder
(7,575 posts)....don't think he would have tried this.
Hope it works...
november3rd
(1,113 posts)McConnell had the weasels to stand there and complain that Republicans had "acted nothing but reasonably" and had approved 99% of the President's nominees!
I blame the media.
barbtries
(28,815 posts)i can't even listen to NPR anymore when they're talking politics.
ancianita
(36,160 posts)barbtries
(28,815 posts)the nation. i don't even get why really. i mean how do they sleep and all that. is greed that commonplace really?
ancianita
(36,160 posts)barbtries
(28,815 posts)in this lucky-to-have-a-job culture, people will do a lot and put up with a lot just to stay employed. i can't claim the high ground in that respect.
ancianita
(36,160 posts)retaliation. I wish they'd bring back The Fairness Doctrine, at least, if big money's going to control media.
Blue Owl
(50,532 posts)GO. FUCK. YOURSELVES.
SpankMe
(2,970 posts)...if the Dems were being as obstructionist as the Repubs are now.
GoneFishin
(5,217 posts)nxylas
(6,440 posts)It seems as if the main thing stopping it from happening sooner is the fear by Democrats that it could be used against them if Republicans regained control of the Senate. As if the Republicans wouldn't just change the rule themselves if they thought it would be to their advantage.
sufrommich
(22,871 posts)packman
(16,296 posts)bring it up the next 40 some days like the Repukes did in the House with trying to destroy Obamacare. I love hardball politics sometime.
MynameisBlarney
(2,979 posts)But I seem to recall hearing this from Reid quite a few times and nothing happened.
George II
(67,782 posts)LuvNewcastle
(16,860 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)now we can get something done...
Gothmog
(145,667 posts)beerandjesus
(1,301 posts)....they must need the time to go call their corporate owners and ask them what to do!
maddogesq
(1,245 posts)They are now onto putting for the Millet nom.
Pass the popcorn...munch, munch.
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Senate-Debate-on-Judicial-Nominations-and-Filibuster-Rules-Changes/10737442773-1/
Botany
(70,614 posts)ffr
(22,674 posts)Open them up!
AAO
(3,300 posts)But I'm crossing fingers and toes!
Blus4u
(608 posts)Many threads on DU relate the disdain for Dems cowering to the bullying and not fighting back....
what is the old saying "THE BEST DEFENSE IS A STRONG OFFENSE"......it looks like maybe our case of dyslexia might be over!!
Peace
brooklynite
(94,792 posts)This should be the last straw before the rules vote happens
tick, tick, tick
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)9:05 AM and the Millett vote is 57 to 43 to Advance! Yee-Haw!
Kiss THAT Mr. Turtle!
Sugarcoated
(7,734 posts)It's a big step towards stopping Republican's from continuing to hurt the country and everyone in it!
Half-Century Man
(5,279 posts)do it ,do it, do it, do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
valerief
(53,235 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,097 posts)Glad you finally woke up, Harry!
BumRushDaShow
(129,662 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)chillfactor
(7,584 posts)to change fillibuster rules for certain nominees
Ganja Ninja
(15,953 posts)Thank You Senator Reid.
rug
(82,333 posts)lillypaddle
(9,581 posts)Just sent Senator Reid a note of thanks. Please do the same!
George II
(67,782 posts)TroglodyteScholar
(5,477 posts)Only applies to non-SC noms.
Hubert Flottz
(37,726 posts)I'm proud of you!
rdharma
(6,057 posts)...... are in for a BIG surprise!
elleng
(131,202 posts)Time for a
nolabear
(41,999 posts)TheDonkey
(8,911 posts)Proud of Reid and the Democrats that finally stood up to the GOP's terrorism by abusing the filibuster out of a strategy to deny Obama any political victory. This is a huge blow to that horrible strategy. Now lets get these vacancies filled ASAP!
grandpamike1
(193 posts)I love the fact that right wing, obstructionist Repubs heads will be exploding. Since Obama has become President, all they have done is stop everything by filibustering at every chance they have. Will this come back to bite the Dems in the future, maybe, but they were never going to do anything that would help this country anyhow, so, let's get all of the cabinet and judgeships filled immediately.
RoccoR5955
(12,471 posts)SHRED
(28,136 posts)Please.
George II
(67,782 posts)sheshe2
(83,963 posts)Yes!
Thank you Harry Reed and Senate Dems~
The Second Stone
(2,900 posts)and this is a wonderful start. Now if we can get it applied to all legislation.
go west young man
(4,856 posts)It's about time.
reflection
(6,286 posts)I realize the shoe will be on the other foot some day, but damn, I'm still pissed at the Republicans for dragging the chamber down to a lower level. The filibuster had worth and a purpose, but these guys wielded it so incessantly and arbitrarily that the whole process became a joke. Reid had no choice, unless he wanted to squander Obama's second term. I support him on this wholeheartedly, but wish it hadn't come to this.
Uncle Joe
(58,459 posts)Thanks for the thread, George II.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,304 posts)You abuse a process too long and it turns against you.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)republicans owe 'the people' & President Obama a couple more years in office to make-up for all their obstruction.
Finally! about time! Work to be done!
ancianita
(36,160 posts)Kingofalldems
(38,496 posts)klook
(12,171 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)Really, Turtle Man?
Anyway, Hooray!!!
Response to George II (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)and fuck you, Mitch McConnel, you insult to innocent turtles and tortoises everywhere.
marble falls
(57,355 posts)legacy. Now we owe it to him to at least give him the House. 2014 is more important than 2016.
Major Hogwash
(17,656 posts)The executive nominees are the ones that head the departments that run the federal government.
So, in effect, the Rethuglicans in the Senate were shutting down the government by filibustering the people who were nominated to run those departments of the federal government.
The Rethuglicans in the Senate acted like WE Democrats were in the minority of the Senate.
They were wrong!!!
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)Fiendish Thingy
(15,686 posts)As it applies only to nominees- legislation can apparently still be filibustered
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)LibGranny
(711 posts)Cha
(297,810 posts)thanks George II
Solly Mack
(90,792 posts)mother earth
(6,002 posts)K & R
BigDemVoter
(4,157 posts)The only thing I'm nervous about is that those assholes may use it to their advantage the next time they get another loser like GWB in office.
Nonetheless, it's about damned time!!!
Raffi Ella
(4,465 posts)Way to go Harry.
wordpix
(18,652 posts)Better late than never. Of course, this does not prevent filibusters of legislation or SCOTUS nominees, but it's a start.
beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)but with more wars to be fought in coming months with budget and debt limit raising...keep pressure on the GOP hacks.
standing tall against them is the ONLY way
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)who, upon reaching his breaking point, nips into the Senate cloakroom, rips off his milquetoast disguise and re-emerges as SUPER LEADER, ready to battle to the death with the Evil Republican Empire.
Incitatus
(5,317 posts)On your balls dropping.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)JEFF9K
(1,935 posts)neverforget
(9,437 posts)did what he threatened to do! No sternly worded letter but a nuke! About damn time!
defacto7
(13,485 posts)Keep it rolling...
BootinUp
(47,201 posts)HurricaneWarning
(220 posts)I've never been so proud. With these Republicans nuclear was the only way to get something done!
Android3.14
(5,402 posts)I believe it.
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)including Supreme Court. Lifetime appoints too. Very good move.
http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/judicial.cfm
nirvana555
(448 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)Should have made filibusters actual talking filibusters. Cruz did one for 30 something hours, and came out looking like a putz
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)Lasher
(27,641 posts)It's about time. Now let's see if Obama comes up with liberal nominees.
SnakeEyes
(1,407 posts)We are going to have to change it back if the Republicans manage to gain control of the Senate. Then we will have to hope they don't go nuclear too.
fasttense
(17,301 posts)Democrats have NEVER used the filibuster as viciously and extensively as RepubliCONS. Dems threatened to filibuster but then compromise. So, no they need not change it back. The RepubliCONS have gotten just about every single nominee they have ever really wanted. Look at Thomas, Scalia, Robert, Alito and Bolton, to name just a few.
SnakeEyes
(1,407 posts)Whether the Republicans nearly always get what they want or not, we all know they want MUCH more and would do so without a filibuster in place. Democrats will have to restore the old filibuster rules if the Republicans regain the House and hope they dont go nuclear.
Festivito
(13,452 posts)Our democracy was never supposed to be bought out by a complete-sellout party. Now we're stuck there.
The filibuster was supposed to be for an individual that might have some knowledge about a candidate that should not be shared publicly, but needed to be discussed privately if at all. One person filibustering let it be known that something is awry.
Instead of a way of stopping an issue, now, it's a way of stopping a party and even stopping a presidency by a paid-for gang.
It seems we lost our Constitutional way some number of years ago.
I hope we enjoy today's run with a few of today's appointees.
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Senators Paul and Cruz will find another soap box, the Kochs will see to that. And blackballing is fine for frats but do we really need it in the US Senate?
Festivito
(13,452 posts)My second paragraph in my previous post should have answered your question.