2016 Postmortem

Tx4obama

(36,974 posts) Sun Nov 11, 2012, 06:11 PM Nov 2012

Filibuster Reform: Democrats, GOP Gear Up For Fight

Filibuster Reform: Democrats, GOP Gear Up For Fight

WASHINGTON — 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. Unless a filibuster compromise is reached, the dispute could produce sour partisan feelings that might hinder cooperation on legislation when the new Congress begins work in January.

-snip-

Full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/11/filibuster-reform-democrats-republicans_n_2113285.html

9 replies

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Filibuster Reform: Democrats, GOP Gear Up For Fight (Original Post) Tx4obama Nov 2012 OP

The Republicans did in when they controlled the Senate. WCGreen Nov 2012 #1

Filibuster lsewpershad Nov 2012 #2

Let's cut to the Chase. Wellstone ruled Nov 2012 #3

Fix the filibuster wolfsister77 Nov 2012 #4

McConnell's averaging over 100 filibusters per session is about as extreme as it gets... sorechasm Nov 2012 #5

1. Eliminate the "anonymous" filing ... zbdent Nov 2012 #6

Ok...then, let there be animosity. jaysunb Nov 2012 #7

You lost the Senate election fuckos Ebadlun Nov 2012 #8

You lost the country fuckos truebluegreen Nov 2012 #9

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)

1. The Republicans did in when they controlled the Senate.

Reply to Tx4obama (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 06:21 PM

Nov 2012

Fuck 'em...

We tried co-operating with them, adopting some of their suggestions and still they are obstructionists.

lsewpershad

(2,620 posts)

2. Filibuster

Reply to Tx4obama (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 06:26 PM

Nov 2012

must be changed. We need to stop this bs from stopping action like it did for the last 4 years.

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)

3. Let's cut to the Chase.

Reply to Tx4obama (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 06:45 PM

Nov 2012

Joe Biden and Harry Reid decide how and when the next Senate will be operated. Reid and Biden do not repeat do not have to allow any input from the losing side. There was this idea of compromise in the Senate until we had the Treasonous Meeting on Inauguration Eve by the Repuks 15 lieutenants and the Grover. Now it's a different situation,Reid and Biden are being asked by the progressives to take a stand and impose the Nuclear Option once and for all. Let the chips fall were they fall. Bernie Saunders explained what is at stake here at this time in history. Major public policy and needed rules and Regs are needed and laws enforced.

wolfsister77

(15 posts)

4. Fix the filibuster

Reply to Tx4obama (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 06:47 PM

Nov 2012

They need to fix the filibuster. There has been a record number of uses of it under the Republicans and they have done nothing but obstruct everything. They are abusing it. It should be fixed so the minority can't hold up the will of the people who elected the majority. And those whose main goal are to make Obama a one term President can't abuse it.

sorechasm

(631 posts)

5. McConnell's averaging over 100 filibusters per session is about as extreme as it gets...

Reply to Tx4obama (Original post)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 06:53 PM

Nov 2012

"Changing Senate rules by simple majority, rather than a two-thirds vote, is rarely done and referred to as "the nuclear option" because it is considered an extreme move that can trigger all-out partisan battling."

How much more partisan battling can there be than filibustering every bill before it reaches the Senate floor?

Reid only wants transparency of the filibuster. The public that entrusted him with power on Tuesday expect to know who is blocking these bills. They expect to see arguments on the floor. Who is for the bill and who is against the bill and why.

Providing a voice for the minority party through the filibuster is democracy-in-action. Providing a haven for cowards to block bills behind committee walls is not a filibuster, it's plutocracy.