Democrats shoot down McConnell's filibuster gambit

[mysteryowl]

Source: The Hill

Democrats are shooting down an effort by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to include protections for the legislative filibuster as part of a Senate power-sharing deal.

"We’re not going to give him what he wishes. If you did that then there would be just unbridled use of it. I mean nothing holding him back," said Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, on Thursday.

McConnell has urged Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to include a preservation of the 60-vote legislative filibuster in any deal they strike on how to organize an evenly split 50-50 Senate, a request that is threatening to drag out their talks and keep much of the Senate in limbo for several more days.

McConnell, according to Durbin, wanted to include in the Senate's rules a guarantee that there would be no effort to pursue the "nuclear option" — changing the rules with a simple majority rather than the higher 60- or 67-vote threshold — during the next two years, or as long as the 50-50 split lasted.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/535197-democrats-shoot-down-mcconnells-filibuster-gambit

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Of course McConnell will take any and all actions to maintain power. I appreciate Schumer standing his ground.

We MUST move past McConnell obstructionism. McConnell broke the senate, this is all on him.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. The reality is

Nothing gets done at 60 or 67 threshold.

Let's not get bamboozled - if there are 100 senators, and 51 vote yes/no - that's a majority.

No 'new' math on this one.

[ADK]

5. But we will want it

Should the Republican’s regain control of the Senate. Be careful of what you wish for.

[JustAnotherGen]

8. We could always go right back

Before the midterm elections.

It's not a wish. I'm a blue state - high state income taxes and property taxes.

The only way we get the SALT Cap lifted? Taking it down to 51 majority.

Let the chips fall where they may.

[kysrsoze]

11. They could undo the whole tax scam bill, including SALT cap via budget measure.

Repubs showed us that trick when they passed it with a simple majority.

But I do agree, no reason to let the 60 vote filibuster rule stand. It only halts any meaningful legislation from being passed.

[Salviati]

32. It has done more harm than good in it's existance.

It's time to consign it to the dustbin of history. If we can't get all of our members to agree, then we must at least keep the threat of eliminating it to prevent the obstructionist mcconnell from abusing it every chance he gets.

[JustAnotherGen]

65. Solid strategy

I keep going back to the fact that it is not in the constitution, and when it was implemented - and why.

[JustAnotherGen]

64. Amen

That entire bill has to go. The SALT cap lift would be immediate help for seniors in income tax levied states. It is too much.

[Barbara2423]

47. Agree

[moose65]

18. True, but...

Part of me thinks that we should let the chips fall. Elections have consequences.

One of the reasons why Republicans propose such crazy laws is because they know they will never pass the Senate because of the filibuster. If the filibuster were gone, they might think twice about those insane bills.

One of the reasons why the people think that Congress can't get anything done is the filibuster. Most people who aren't political junkies like us probably don't even know what a filibuster is. The vast majority of the country thinks that the ones who control Congress should get to enact their agenda.

[SergeStorms]

23. Bingo.

The American people want things done and want them done now. If Democrats fail to get things done we'll have hell to pay in 2022 and forward. That's going to mean leaning on Joe Manchin pretty hard, but c'est la vie.

[DeminPennswoods]

39. There's plenty of economic relief in Biden's plans that will help WVa

Jmho, there will be a lot for Manchin to like in what Biden's proposing. But none of it will get passed if the Rs trot out their deficit/debt canards. Manchin might not be as hard a "no" as we believe.

[SergeStorms]

44. I hope not.

He's already grousing about doing away with the filibuster. Hey, what do I know? They're getting the big bucks and Cadillac health insurance to figure this stuff out.

[DeminPennswoods]

53. About that insurance

As a result of GOP pique over passage of the ACA, all members of Congress are required to buy their insurance on the ACA marketplace. Under normal FEHB, the gov't pays about 75% of the premium of whatever plan you choose. Not sure if there's the same, or any, subsidy for the ACA plans MoCs buy.

But the plans under FEHB are not "cadillac" insurance. There are some very good plans, but they are expensive and some come with conditions like having to be or become a dues-paying member of a federal union.

Here's a good primer on Congressional pay and benefits: https://www.thoughtco.com/salaries-and-benefits-of-congress-members-3322282

[SergeStorms]

61. Thanks for that.

Great information. I guess I still thought they were gouging the taxpayers for their insurance.

[DeminPennswoods]

63. MoCs get the same benefits as regular,

career federal civil servants. Reagan got pensions changed from defined benefit to defined contribution in 1984. Anyone entering a civil service job after that is under the new pension rules called FERS (fed emp retirement sys).

[MarcA]

19. Never fail to use the power you have for what you want

Last edited Fri Jan 22, 2021, 03:55 PM - Edit history (1)

just because someone else may use the same power for something you oppose. Many people
want results, not arcane legislative procedures that result in nothing.

[BComplex]

58. I totally agree. We've been oppressed by minority rule for so many years now, that we're

acting like abused spouses. We need to start calling out absolute crap for what it is.

[Blasphemer]

22. This argument applies to doing *anything* that can be undone

Executive Orders are reversed with a new president. It doesn't mean we shouldn't do what we need to do when we have power. It's just the way of things. Rather than keeping the filibuster, we need to focus even more efforts on maintaining Congress and gaining more power at the state level.

[Shrike47]

34. We've already gone down that road; didn't work. Let's try another one.

[Fiendish Thingy]

36. I disagree- killing the filibuster is good, no matter who holds the majority

Because if the GOP rams through right wing legislation, they will be accountable for their votes come election time.

Other than tax cuts for the rich, Senate Republicans over the past 20 years have governed from a position of obstruction- they haven’t dared to pass much of the harmful, fascist legislation that they thump their chests about on the campaign trail.

GOP strategy has been to let the executive deal with hot button “regulatory” issues, ram through their RWNJ judges, and obstruct the Dems from passing anything that would help the people, and help Dems win re-election and hold majorities.

Without a filibuster to hide behind, we might actually see more bipartisanship.

[WinstonSmith4740]

37. They're not talking about totally eliminating the filibuster.

They just won't let Moscow Mitch use it like he did against Obama. That slime wad convinced Harry Reid (twice) to go down the path he wants Schumer to take, and Reid was dumb enough to trust Mitch to honor a "handshake" deal to not abuse the filibuster. We all know how that worked out. I saw that SOB filibuster his own damn bill once.

What needs to change is the way a filibuster is now held. It's not "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" anymore. All someone has to do is demand 60 votes for passage. Make those crusty old bastards get on the floor and hold it if they want to screw things up.

[getagrip_already]

41. lets be real - they will do it ANYWAY

The only reason the gop didn't do it is they don't have the house. Mcconnel absolutely would have gone there, and surely will when they get the next triple play in their favor.

Don't not do something because the gop will use it against us. They will do it anyway.

[Happy Hoosier]

62. At this point, we MUST take action.

I no longer have any doubt the GOP will kill it anyway the next time they have control, with the way they abused the rules over the last 4 years.

[bronxiteforever]

29. +100 Absolutely. McConnell has given us his past practice

I have yet to see anyone provide evidence that he will not block legislation like he did to President Obama.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Hang firm, Schumer.

Time for the adults to take charge.

[Miguelito Loveless]

3. I just wish they would make it plain to MM

that this is the result of his own treachery with the rules, and he needs to take his medicine.

McConnell nailed his colors to the Orange Mast, despite his recent statements trying to shift blame. That ship has sunk, and the only option McConnell has is take a deep breath before he slips under the waves.

[BComplex]

60. Bingo! We all need to raise that chorus! Call all the dem senators, even if they aren't

your own, and let them know we're behind them doing the SMART thing. It's a new world. We have to quit playing by the old rules.

[KPN]

4. Good. Anything else would be asking for another

cycle of 100-percent GOP obstruction in the Senate, the sequel to Obama Presidency.

Of course, the Rs will play this as Dems over-reaching. Just more of the same old projection same old.

[SunSeeker]

6. Republicans say we overreach no matter what we do.

Fuck those assholes. We are the majority and have the right to act like it.

[KPN]

10. +++

[iluvtennis]

38. ++++

[MontanaMama]

7. Make no mistake.

Moscow Mitch will do anything and everything within his power to shut down Biden’s agenda. He wants nothing more than to take his majority back. That’s all he wants.

[groundloop]

9. Exactly. Moscow Mitch is only concerned about Moscow Mitch.

He'll talk a lot of bullshit about cooperation, but the only game he knows is obstruct obstruct obstruct.

If he wants there to be a filibuster make it the good old fashioned kind where Senators stand for hours on end explaining why they don't want to vote on something instead of just sitting on their ass not letting the Senate vote.

[halfulglas]

12. Just like that we're supposed to forget everything.

We're supposed to forget not only the Supreme Court, but the methodical packing of every available federal judgeship with Federalist Society people, some of whom had never tried a case - all because he could and he had no interest in legislating, only judges. Now we're not only supposed to "share" power, but give him an advantage. It's an advantage because we know he will take it. Because of his glee in taking advantage to appoint the judges, McConnell has to realize his responsibility for the state of the Republican party, because he did literally anything to pack the courts in the manner he did. Yes, McConnell broke the senate, but he also broke the Republican party.

[BarbD]

13. We will not forget. Not ever. Never.

[SergeStorms]

25. Well, you know...

"unity", and all that.

[shotten99]

14. If Harry Reid hadn't had the filibuster, Social Security would be private today

I hate how it's been abused. They should force senators to take the floor and hold it. The way it's done now is not how it was meant to be used.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

46. I agree about making it a real filibuster and not just the threat of one.

Keeping it the way it is makes Moscow Mitch the de facto head of the Senate, and Biden and the Dems will accomplish nothing during next two years.

[bucolic_frolic]

15. Did the filibuster benefit our minority status?

I didn't see it, or hear it. Maybe I missed it.

[moose65]

17. Not really

During Trump's presidency when Republicans controlled both houses, they really didn't propose a lot of legislation. The one new, big thing they did was the tax cut bill, which wasn't subject to the filibuster because it was a budget bill.

They also could have repealed the Affordable Care Act with 51 votes, but didn't make it.

[IronLionZion]

26. Merkley filibustered Gorsuch and failed

Murphy filibuster over gun control that also failed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filibuster_in_the_United_States_Senate

[wiggs]

16. GOP have proven themselves to be craven partisans not interested in governing. they abused

the filibuster in unprecedented ways when in the minority. Would be insane to let them keep their all obstructionist tools.

they have not given any indication they are interested in governing from mainstream policy positions. When was the last time they did anything for the middle class without requiring more for their donors?

[grantcart]

20. This is easily solved by allowing them to filibuster by following the original

rules of filibuster, staying on the floor without bathroom breaks.

The original point of the filibuster was to guarantee every Senator a right to discuss any issue unless 67 Senators voted for cloture.

In the first 150 years it was used once.

[wryter2000]

21. Stand firm, Dems

I get so irked when some pundit on TV says blithely that the Senate needs 60 votes to pass something. End the obstructionism.

[dlk]

24. Yet, McConnell removed the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations

Schumer should stand firm.

[blue-wave]

27. Our country cannot afford any more McConnell obstructionism!!!

America is in dire need of swift, common sense economic policy implementation. And yes, let's include foreign policy, national health and a whole host of other issues that need CPR after four years of Trump. Give the Biden administration what it needs to move forward. Do not let McConnell stand in the way.

We Democrats have control of both houses and the executive. Use that control to bring America back to full health. If we accomplish this, the American people will not soon forget.

[BobTheSubgenius]

28. Wowzers, Mitch!

The opposition isn't falling all over themselves to get the most obstructionist Senate speaker in history a full suite of tools so you can continue to do it, now that you're on the downside of the equation? F you.

Twice.

[Lasher]

30. What's McConnell doing taking part in this discussion?

All we need to do is get 50 Senate Democrats on board. McConnell shouldn't even be in the room when decisions are made.

[sandensea]

33. Well said - that is, after all, how Bithcy Mitchy often conducted business while he had the power

He'd pose in the Senate Office building hallway - with his zombies Thune and Bore-asso always behind him - and announce how "rules changes had been adopted after careful deliberation."

Only to then have to hear from Schumer how "Democrats were never even in the room!"

So McTurtle can't very well complain now.

[Pepsidog]

31. Hold firm Dems.

[bucolic_frolic]

35. Unity's over, Mitch already dissing Biden

Mitch doesn't know right from wrong, he only knows what's right for Mitch

[DENVERPOPS]

40. Yes, and he will continue doing so, non-stop

The other thing is, that I don't believe that Trump was the only RepubliCON Politician Putin was blackmailing.....
Take lindsay as an example, and his overnight 180 on Trump. Did Putin send some 8 x 10 color glossies of Lindsay for Trump to show him?
I have a feeling that there are a whole big bunch of RepubliCON Senators that Putin is holding Kompromat on.......

There is a ton of shit being discovered and disclosed each and every day about things that have gone on and the individuals involved.
And every piece of information seems to be another link of evidence that the insurrection goes all the way up through the chain to the top of "Trump's" so called administration.........

It is frightening, beyond belief, to even think about how close the RepubliCONs came to obliterating Democracy with their Capital insurrection...

[Historic NY]

42. Time to make them bleed....

McConnell has lorder over it but still has accomplished his mission if Schumer can't figure this out then he needs to step aside.

[C Moon]

43. McConnell is a two-faced Trump enabler. Without McConnell, Trump would have been less dangerous.

[paleotn]

45. I told some here the Dems would go there....

but oh, no. They didn't think Schumer and Durbin had it in them. Well....they fucking do. I want to see fucking tire tracks on turtle boy!!!!!

[CanonRay]

48. Mitch is a master at doing nothing

[JDC]

49. This proposal is from a guy who wouldn't give Garland a meeting, let alone a hearing cuz Election Yr

9+ MONTHS before an election.

But 3 WEEKS before the very next election, pushed through Coney Barrett in the fastest SCOTUS confirmation in US History.

I say grind him under heel. No Quarter, No deal.

[monkeyman1]

50. republican party

trump was just a stooge ! mitch is the 1 you have to get gone ! why is this so hard to figure out ?

[DFW]

51. McTurtle: I'm cool with no longer being Majority Leader

As long as I still get to control the Senate‘s agenda, that is.

[dansolo]

52. Change the filibuster rules.

They should keep the legislative filibuster, just don't make it automatic. Make it so it is much more difficult to utilize. That way they can satisfy the traditionalists who may waver about completely elimination aging it, while preventing McConnell from being able to simply block anything and everything.

[Tommymac]

54. Make them stand at the podium for hours - no rest breaks at all.

No yielding the floor to others to prolong it.

No bathroom break, no food break, no rest break. One speaker and one speaker only.

When they can't go anymore then they have to yield to the floor for a vote.

And only one filabuster allowed per bill or nomination.

[zanana1]

55. After the hell he's put us through for four years...

He's lucky he hasn't been impeached.

[UpInArms]

56. Well said:

We MUST move past McConnell obstructionism. McConnell broke the senate, this is all on him

[BComplex]

57. McConnell implemented the nuclear option whenever he saw fit.

What's good for the goose.....

[Billytee]

59. The Grim Reaper can go to hell.

Power sharing deal with Moscow Mitch? You kidding?

We, the people voted in the democrats' agenda.
I don't give a rat's ass what Moscow Mitch wants! The self apointed "grim reaper" is the loser.
He has stood by when Trump put kids in cages with no plans of re-uniting them with their families.
He has stood by when the incompetency in defeating Covid was an obvious failure.
He stood by as the Iran treaty was eliminated.
He stood by when Trump insulted our black and brown citizens.
He welcomed the Trump tax break the was another nail in the "middle class" coffin.
Too angry to list any more.
Democrats won the House, Senate and now the Presidency....they need to act and GOVERN like it!
The RepubliCONS can go to hell and need to lose absolutely EVERYTHING they propose.
We earned this moment in history; they didn't.