2016 Postmortem

DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:12 AM Nov 2012

Dems, GOP fight brewing over curbing filibusters

The showdown over filibusters would not come until January

BY ALAN FRAM, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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.

Frustrated by the GOP’s growing use of filibusters, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering a Senate vote in the new year to limit their use.

read more:
http://www.salon.com/2012/11/11/dems_gop_fight_brewing_over_curbing_filibusters/

8 replies

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Dems, GOP fight brewing over curbing filibusters (Original Post) DonViejo Nov 2012 OP

I fail to see their bitch Angry Dragon Nov 2012 #1

Too bad for the Republicans. AndyA Nov 2012 #2

There Should Be No Hesitation On The Part Of The Dems To Change The Filibuster Rule In The Senate... global1 Nov 2012 #3

We need to get rid if the filibuster completely. nt ladjf Nov 2012 #4

Get rid of it for appointments, weaken it for legislation. nt geek tragedy Nov 2012 #5

Senate Rule changes at the beginning of a term require a majority only. MjolnirTime Nov 2012 #6

They have repeatedly proven untrustworthy Nancy Waterman Nov 2012 #7

The filibuster needs nuked, its the only way anything is going to get done... and-justice-for-all Nov 2012 #8

Angry Dragon

(36,693 posts)

1. I fail to see their bitch

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:19 AM

Nov 2012

They are always yelling they want their country back so all Reid is doing is telling them that if they want to filibuster then they can do it the old fashioned way. Get up and control the floor and talk. Put your mouth where your values are.

Sometimes the old ways are better .............

AndyA

(16,993 posts)

2. Too bad for the Republicans.

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:26 AM

Nov 2012

Americans want to move FORWARD, and the Republicans are impeding our progress.

If they want to filibuster, make them REALLY do it, not just threaten to do it. I don't know why Democrats in the Senate even recognize Republicans after the last two years. They are on record as stating their top priority was to make President Obama a one term president. That pretty much says it all, and their record shows that's exactly what they attempted to do.

How much better would our economy be today, and how much lower would unemployment be, if the GOP had actually done SOMETHING to try to help over the last few years?

global1

(25,253 posts)

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

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:38 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.