Frist says he will introduce amendment that will change filibuster rules

I was just watching a Cspan rebroadcast of a news conference the Repub Senate leaders did where they were doing a summary of the Senate session, and what is on the agenda in the future. Frist said he has an amendment that he will bring up at some point in the next session, that would change the rule on filibustering judicial nominations. It would be a progression, first 60 votes would be required for cloture, then every succeeding time a filibuster cloture vote is taken the number goes down that is required to end debate, e.g. 60 - 58- 56- 54- 51, then a simple majority of those voting would end debate.

Frist acknowledged it would take a 2/3rd's majority of the Senate to change the rule, which would be impossible to get in this Senate (virtually all the Dems would vote against) so this is basically just a political ploy to put more pressure on the Dems. Still, it is a good example of how the Repubs, if they can't get their way through the rules, will attempt to change the rules rather than honor them. It is a reflection of the kind of authoritarian extremists that the Repub leadership is composed of today, from the top down.

The Texas Dems were committing Political suicide. And that ain't happening,if anything they seem to be getting more support than ever. Let the Repukes say what they want. It will bite them in the ass in the end. They are on a roll right now, but not in the direction they think!


EDIT: SPELLING

There I said, I feel better.

eom

That's the onLY reason that the Patriot Act and all the other goofball legislation has sailed through.. They have given the presidency unheard of power, and they are re-writing the rules faster than the ink can dry.. The do not intend to ever relinquish power...

Does anyone think that they would want any of these powers in the hands of a Dem administration??

They have gotten a "heads up"... The press is starting to talk about the "republican sweep" and the "republican dominance for a long time to come"

The "news" folks are also already telling us that "it's gonna be a close election"..(wink-wink-nod-nod)

Diebold, ES&S and others are working their little fingers to the bone to get these vote-manufacturing machines in place for 2004..

Calif recall is a "test-run".. We have all heard for months about .."How unpopular Davis is among ALL voters".. This is all just "cover" for what will happen..and a test run for 2004, when polls will be meaningless (again) and gee whiz.. all the repubes will "squeak by" and more power grabs will occur.. Once they have that 2/3 they need, the will change all the rules to ensure their staying power..

and don't forget, they can also count on a number of DINOs to help them out :(

S. Res. 138 (Calendar 180)

To amend rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate relating to the consideration of nominations requiring the advice and consent of the Senate.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:sr138rs.txt.pdf

He might as well propose a national ban on rain on Sunday.

You do not put forward proposals that you cannot possibly win simply to embarrass the other side. It makes you look weak.

It will bite them in the ass when the democratic tidlewave hits in '04.

They've been filibustering these 4 extremely radical judicial nominees, so I don't doubt that they'll filibuster the bill that stops their filibuster of the 4 extremely radical judicial nominees.