Response to yurbud (Reply #3)
Tue Nov 6, 2012, 09:09 PM
Bill USA (4,958 posts)
5. When Reid recently talked about changing the rule to 51 votes to pass. McConnell exploded..
and warned Reid that if the GOP took control of the Senate they could kill legislation passed by Obama administration (such as ObamaCares) and the Dems couldn't do anything to stop them.
The Democrats always have to consider if the GOP did get a majority in the Senate - what destruction the GOP could rain down on the Government with the Democrats not having the filibuster rule with 60 votes to protect needed responsible legislation. The Dems are not keeping the filibuster rule with 60 votes so they can blame Repubs for doing what Repubs do of their own volition - strangle rational legislation which solves problems and fosters progress. The Democrats always have to consider what if the GOPers achieved a majority in the Senate. Then, without the filibuster with 60 votes to break - the GOP would run wild and do enormous damage.
The problem is, with the filibuster the GOP can slow down to a crawl getting anything done. The Democrats are not forcing the GOP to be irresponsible corporate lobbyists. The GOP alone are responsible for their animus towards progress and democracy. The GOP's animosity toward government by THE PEOPLE and FOR THE PEOPLE is the problem. Their use of the filibuster to retard progress and undermine rational, democratic government is frustrating but it is also what makes getting rid of the filibuster risky. If the Corporate Lobbyist Party ever got a majority in the Senate, without the filibuster to enable the Democrats to protect it, they could lay waste to much valuable, sensible legislation.
(emphases my own)
Mitch McConnell attacked Harry Reid on the Senate floor over a threat to change Senate filibuster rules, warning that it could allow the GOP to kill Barack Obama’s health care law with a simple majority if Republicans win control of the Senate.
In a tense, 45-minute exchange Wednesday morning unusual even in today’s polarized Capitol climate, McConnell ambushed Reid, warning that any changes in filibuster rules would lead to a slippery slope that could kill major Democratic priorities if Republicans win control of the Senate.
“Let’s assume we have a new president, and I’m the majority leader next time and we’re operating at 51,” McConnell said, “I wonder how comforting that is to my friends on the other side. How does it make you feel about the security of Obamacare, for example?”
McConnell’s outrage comes as Reid has considered backpedaling on a promise from last year that he wouldn’t change the rules other than through regular order, which requires two-thirds support of the Senate. If Democrats keep the majority, Reid is signaling he’d use arcane procedures to change the rules by 51 votes so senators can no longer filibuster to prevent bills from coming up to the floor for debate. Under Reid’s plan, they‘d still be able to filibuster in any number of circumstances, including to block a final vote on legislation, though he suggested that senators should actually carry out their filibusters on the floor, rather than simply threaten them.
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|Bill USA||Oct 2012||OP|
|Bill USA||Oct 2012||#2|
When Reid recently talked about changing the rule to 51 votes to pass. McConnell exploded..
|Bill USA||Nov 2012||#5|
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