Democrats just proved they can get around the filibuster -- when they want to
Link to tweet
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/12/09/debt-ceiling-filibuster-arbitrary/
No paywall
https://archive.ph/VMIiu
The complicated agreement reached in Congress this week to ensure the nation doesn’t default on its debt is a Frankenstein’s monster of arcane legislative procedures. The House-passed bill creates a one-time process in which 10 Republicans will technically agree to limit debate on a resolution to eventually allow Senate Democrats to vote to increase the debt ceiling through a simple majority. Republicans don’t have to vote for a specific debt ceiling bill or increase amount. They are just agreeing to not filibuster the creation of this one-time process.
If all of this sounds gimmicky, it’s because it is. The filibuster has been the subject of significant debate this year, with members of both parties treating it as a hallowed institution. When it comes to the debt ceiling, Republicans have been insistent that Democrats raise the debt ceiling on their own, while refusing until now to allow a simple majority vote. The debt ceiling deal reveals how fundamentally subjective and arbitrary the supposed traditions and customs of the upper chamber are, and it provides the latest example of how the Senate is a broken institution incapable of responsive and logical solutions to our nation’s problems.
The House text of the debt ceiling measure provides for its expedited consideration, short circuits Senate debate and defangs a potential filibuster on the substance of the bill. This is all happening with Mitch McConnell’s buy-in, which is crucial. But it strongly suggests that certain institutional dividing lines aren’t as bright as some members of the world’s most exclusive club have suggested.
With this workaround, Senate Democrats have invited a fair question: If certain filibuster exceptions can be made for the debt ceiling, then why not for the other existential matters pending before Congress? Already, voting rights and democracy reform activists are pointing out the potential hypocrisy. Given the precarious situation at the Supreme Court, abortion rights advocates aren’t likely too far behind, with immigration reform activists likely to try to follow suit. Do these issues not also merit privileged consideration?
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= new reply since forum marked as read
That is reality also.
In 2009 we had the Senate...60 votes with a much less arrogant Rethuglican party...until one Joe Lieberman happened.
With the current Non-Democratic 'Senate Rules' which have NO constitutional basis, the Monied Interests STILL control the Senate.
Thanks to Citizen United these 2 modern Lieberman's have much more Dark Monied funding from RW Billionaires and corporations. Big Oil and Big Pharma in this case.
And other Dark Money is waiting to be thrown about if other 'BIG' 1% Cartels decide it must be so, and they each will most likely have a 'Democratic' Champion.
Hell - we can't even get sane and reasonable Gun Control passed among a school shooting violence and death epidemic that has reached epic proportions because so many Congressional folk on both sides take tribute from the EVIL and murderous NRA.
The Senate is broken. I know what I believe we need to do, but this is not the venue for that discussion.
at will = McConnell’s will
Democrats just proved … McConnell decides what to filibuster? 
