Why are Repubs still commitee chairs in the Senate

[DLCWIdem]

What needs to be done to take charge of the commitee. An article says it has to do with Schumer/McConnell making a power sharing agreement. What happens if they don't come to an agreement. Can McConnell delay

[Thekaspervote]

1. Dems will chair the mtgs..not sure when that happens, but soon

[getagrip_already]

2. "Power sharing" appears to be one of those arcain senate traditions.....

Where you at least get some gentlemans agreement among the parties on the structure of the senate.

The moscow branch is asking for even numbers of committee members plus one for the party in control. The moscow branch is also asking for a commitment on the filibuister.

The current committee assignments are _3 or +4 for the party in power. The number of members is important since a +1 for the dems means we need 100% dem support to get anything done. It also means more question time for the party in power since all members get equal time to question witnesses.

But I don't see why they just can't say no agreement can be reached and bring it to a floor vote. But I'm sure the traditionalists want appearances to at least be made first.

Moscow is just trying to eat up time.

[Massacure]

4. The equal numbers plus 1 makes sense given the makeup of the Senate

The +3 or 4 makes sense when the Republicans were up 8 seats, but with a 50-50 split equal+1 seems fair.

I support Schumer's stance on the filibuster though.

[StarfishSaver]

7. A lot of this can't be resolved with a floor vote

A 50-50 Senate means 50-50 committees. That can't easily be changed with a simple majority floor vote - and not just because they would never get a simple majority to agree to it. Among other things, without the agreement (that includes making Chuck Schumer Majority Leader), such a measure wouldn't just be sent to the floor. And that's just one reason.

And 50-50 committees with no agreement for Democrats to control what comes out of the committees would allow Republicans to have an enormous amount of power, especially to bottle up pretty much everything in committee, ensuring that virtually nothing would get done in the next few months.

I don't understand why so many people on DU (and elsewhere) are so quick to assume that if they don't understand exactly how all of this works, the default reason must be that Schumer and the Democrats are weak, clueless or are just screwing up. Why are people so resistant to thinking that House and Senate leadership: 1) know WAY more about all of this than we do; and 2) are just as interested in and committed to our best interests as we are; and 3) are taking the actions they know, based on their knowledge and experience, are best likely to advance those interests?

[Timewas]

3. Because

When the r's take over they say fuck you we will do it our way whether you like it or it is good for the country or not when the d's get in power they tell the r's gee what can we do to make you happy

[Beachnutt]

6. Ain't that the truth, Dems need to do whats good for the country

to hell with what the rethugs want.

[StarfishSaver]

5. A lot goes into changing committee makeup and control

There are lots of things that have to be done - appointing/reassigning Committee members, moving offices, changing/assigning staffs, changing IT access, updating websites, etc., It can be done pretty quickly, but takes more than a day.

[DLCWIdem]

9. But Dana Bash just said McConnell is stalling

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. Because Joe Manchin. Nt