Schumer will propose a talking filibuster

[brooklynite]

Link to tweet

[WA-03 Democrat]

1. Time to do the right thing

and ask forgiveness if the country survives. Or not

[MontanaMama]

2. Can the minority party filibuster this proposal?

Serious question.

[FBaggins]

5. No... but essentially, yes

The "nuclear" option allows Schumer to create a "carveout" that says that the filibuster rule does not apply to voting rights legislation (or even all legislation), but it does not allow for the creation of an entirely new rule.

Doing that requires a supermajority. That isn't technically a "filibuster" if the minority wants to block the rule. But the effect is the same.

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. Schumer's move is apparently a "Plan B" procedural manoeuvre

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/590099-democrats-ponder-plan-b-strategy-to-circumvent-voting-rights-filibuster

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2022/01/14/chuck-schumers-last-chance-on-voting-rights/

He can force a talking filibuster, and force the GOP to keep all 50 senators on the floor constantly. If more than 4 Republicans leave the floor, Schumer can call for a cloture vote, and Manchin and Sinema can’t stop it. Then they move to an up/down vote on the bills. No nuclear option, no rule change.

Under Rule XIX, each senator can only speak twice, and, if all 50 Dem senators and VP stay on the floor, they can defeat any proposed amendments (which restart the “two times” clock). Once all 50 Republicans have had their turn, debate ends without a cloture vote.

It could take weeks, even a month or more, but it could work.

[nolabear]

14. Do it.

Yeah, weeks. But it’s a power move and we need to show them power. It’s all they understand.

[thatdemguy]

17. Its a nice thought but

It would require all 50 D senators to be there as well. If the pubs started talking and the Democrats left in the middle of the night the pubs could call for a vote and vote it down. It would require serious commitment from both sides either way. The odds of 4 pubs leaving and having every Dem there would be slim. They would all be sleeping in their offices waiting for a vote, would not happen.

[Fiendish Thingy]

20. The senate can go into recess rather than adjourning and pick up debate the next day

A recess keeps the filibuster debate intact as being on the same legislative “day”.

[FBaggins]

23. Not if a single Democrat is missing

An adjournment resets the clock.

And, of course, that means that Manchin has to participate.

[Fiendish Thingy]

25. I said recess instead of adjournment.

The question of Manchin’s participation may be why Schumer has announced he will force a vote on the rule change rather than force a talking filibuster, at least for now.

[FBaggins]

26. And they can't do that if one Democrat is missing

Schumer can’t turn an adjournment into a recess by fiat.

[FBaggins]

19. This has been theoretically possible for years

The problem is that even a month or more is unlikely to work and nothing else gets done during that time.

Upset that Cruz is slowing down nomination votes? Just wait until all senate business is blocked. McConnell’s threat to gum up the works is no longer a threat… we’re doing it to ourselves.

And if there is ANY time during those weeks/months that they have more members available than we do… a motion to adjourn is always in order and cannot be debated. The entire effort is wasted and we have to start over. Or they actually propose an amendment that one Democrat can’t bring themselves to vote against.

[totodeinhere]

3. Interesting. Manchin has in the past signaled that he would support a talking

filibuster. I don't know about Sinema.

[PortTack]

4. Kudos Leader Schumer....jumping thru hoops forwards and backwards to make this happen

working for voters and democracy!!

[Hoyt]

6. Getting tired of all the things they are going to do. Just do it.

[elleng]

8. Enjoy:

[MichMan]

9. I thought the vote was going to be today ?

[LiberatedUSA]

10. They'll give themselves shifts. 8 to 12 hour speaking...

…then back to the end of the line. There is enough R Senators, that one’s shift will have a long enough break to not disrupt one’s life too much. I bet they could keep it up for a very long time. Do your shift then you are done for a few weeks, then back again.

If push comes to shove, they could do it.

[mcar]

13. They couldn't do this

read post 7.

[LiberatedUSA]

15. Ah, I see.

They covered their bases. We will see what happens.

[mcar]

16. Yes. Fingers crossed.

[mcar]

11. I've read that Manchin supports a return to the talking filibuster

This ain't over.

[FBaggins]

21. But not in getting to that rule change with 51 votes

So it’s no different than his support for the voting rights legislation- but without being willing to “go nuclear” to get there

[mcar]

22. Ugh

[budkin]

12. FINALLY

LFG!!!

[budkin]

18. Manchin just shot it down of course

Link to tweet

[manicdem]

24. Problems

I see unforseen problems with requiring a talking filibuster.

Republicans can keep this going on for months which essentially blocks all other legislation in the meantime. If a SCOTUS judge dies or retires, we can't confirm them. Any essential bills, like funding or requirements, would not be passed and Dems would be blamed for it. And should the Repubs somehow gain the house, senate, and presidency in 2024 they will use this against us to pass their bills.

And are we sure we have the 51 votes needed to pass the voting bill?

[TheFarseer]

27. Good

That’s what it should be. You shouldn’t be able to just say you’re filibustering - you should have to actually do it. If you believe in your position so much, get up in front of everyone and explain why you’re right for about 60 hours.