Senate Rule XIV: Here's what it's all about

http://lugar.senate.gov/CRS%20reports/Senate_Rule_XIV_Procedures_for_Placing_Measures_Directly_on_the_Senate_Calendar.pdf

Ok, mind you I found it on Lugar's website, but it's a good explanation. You'll have to go to the second page for an explanation of this lil hidden gem in the senate rule book:

Senators do not use this procedure very often, in large part because of the respect that they have for their committee system and for the contributions that committees make in screening and evaluating the measures that are referred to them. Sometimes, committees have already reported a bill, but owing to changed circumstances, committee leaders may wish to significantly revise the measure they have recommended. In these cases, committee leaders themselves may introduce a new bill that makes these revisions and, through the Rule XIV process, have it placed directly on the calendar.

A measure placed directly on the calendar under Rule XIV is not guaranteed floor consideration. It must be called up for onsideration, either by unanimous consent or by a motion that usually is debatable, like any measure that is placed on the calendar after being reported from committee.

In the 107th Congress, only 41 Senate bills and joint resolutions were placed directly on the Senate Calendar; of these, 10 were ultimately passed by the Senate and 7 became public law.
These procedures apply only to bills and joint resolutions. Paragraph 6 of Rule XIV sets forth a different procedure—known as having a resolution “go over, under the rule” — governing Senate resolutions and House and Senate concurrent resolutions.

**********************************

In a nutshell, if Frist goes Nuclear with the filibuster then Reid is going to force the democratic agenda of Jobs, decent salary, education, benefits to our Veterans, CHEAPER GAS PRICES, action against Corporate Welfare abusers and a host of other progressive causes to at least a floor debate that at least would require all the senators to vote wheter or not to even hear these bills on the floor. Can you imagine the backlash, especially for a repuke up for re-election, when their constituants found out that their senator refuses to support many of these excellent causes!!!

Hats of to Senator Reid for finally standing up to the repukes!!

Most Americans are against the fillibuster. Something like 80% of democrats, 70% of independents and 50% of republicans are against this change of rules. Clearly, everyone is afraid of the abuse of power that this will lead to. Funny, when the dems were in power, I don't remember having such fears. I'll bet even most republicans didn't fear the democrats potential for abusing power. So, why is it that people are more afraid of the GOP?

It could be their hate speech, where they imply that violence against judges is justified or that they should do away with certain courts by stopping the money allocation. Maybe people are afraid that a christian taliban will take over. Maybe its the eroding protections that people see (e.g. the bunkruptcy bill, tort reform and all the other consumer protections). Or the overreaching corporate power and greed that has overtaken our system.

I think its a little of all these things. Most republicans are libertarian and want government off their backs. This group of christo-fascists wants the opposite....they'd just love to regulate your whole personal life, including what goes on in your bedroom. Meanwhile the dems and independents hate that the powerful business elite can rape and pillage the economy and/or environment to their hearts desire, and the GOP will say nothing (worse, they encourage it).

There's plenty to fear from this group. They are not just undoing the new deal, they are undoing the constitution...step by step.

Most Americans are not against the Fillibuster, Which your stats would support. The rule change is to eliminate the fillibuster. that is what people do not want. They do not want Republicans to eliminate the fillibuster because it would then stifle the minority party. There would no longer be debate and there would be very much an abuse of power in effect. None of the Democrats in America of which there are quite a few would have any say in matters. Republicans are making a statement here that they are always correct and Democrats always wrong so Democrats will never need to have a voice.

This could be better than any rumble we've seen in ages. This is the political version of zip guns, switch blades, and bicycle chains. This is the Sharks and The Jets ... or is it the Jets and the Goldfish?


Force the shifty motherfuckers to ACTUALLY TAKE A STAND.

How refreshing!

Go Harry Reid!

This guy gets better every day!