The Filibuster

Late compromise preserves minority party's voice

May 24, 2005

TReason (sic) has returned to the U.S. Senate, where late Monday a bipartisan compromise averted a potential shutdown of government.

Fourteen Democrats and Republicans defused Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist's so-called nuclear option, which would have considerably damaged the institution of the Senate and the ability for government to function, as Arizona Republican John McCain said in announcing the agreement. It allows floor votes on three of President George W. Bush's 10 blocked nominees; Democrats agreed not to stymie future nominees to the Supreme Court or federal courts of appeal except for "extraordinary circumstances" and Republicans agreed to preserve the filibuster.

The filibuster is the minority party's last line of defense when one party controls the government to the extent the Republicans do now, preventing what has long been called the "tyranny of the majority."

With lifetime appointments, federal judges generally remain in office long after the presidents who nominated them. Before he leaves the White House, Bush may well be able to nominate one or more members of the U.S. Supreme Court, and if you don't think that court has an impact on everyday lives, consider the Miranda warning or the angst of Michigan school districts about next year's sports schedules for boys and girls.

http://www.freep.com/voices/editorials/esenate24e_20050524.htm

interesting typo there, italics mine.

dp