Reid: Senate Will Reform Filibuster After Finishing Sandy Aid

[ProSense]

Reid: Senate Will Reform Filibuster After Finishing Sandy Aid

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) signaled Tuesday that the Senate will move on to filibuster reform once it finalizes the relief package for victims of superstorm Sandy.

He said on the Senate floor:

Once we complete that vital legislation, the Senate will take action to make this institution that we all love work more effectively. We will consider changes to the United States Senate rules.

Because this matter warrants additional debate, today we will follow the precedents set in 2005 and again in 2011. We will reserve the right of all Senators to propose changes to the Senate rules. And we will explicitly not acquiesce in the carrying over of all the rules from the last Congress. It is my intention that the Senate will recess today, rather than adjourn, to continue the same legislative day, and allow this important rules discussion to continue. I am hopeful the Republican leader and I will reach an agreement that allows the Senate to operate more effectively.

By opting to "recess" rather than "adjourn," Reid would continue the first legislative day of the new session and therefore leave room to reform the filibuster with 51 votes.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/reid-senate-will-reform-filibuster-after-finishing-sandy

Tammy Baldwin Co-Sponsors Filibuster Reform

Freshman Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) signed on to the Merkley-Udall "talking filibuster" proposal Tuesday, characterizing her move as an effort to end partisan gridlock and change the status quo.

Baldwin said in a statement:

"I was elected to put progress ahead of politics and to make sure that Washington works for Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Washington has come to be defined by partisan gridlock. Recently, the threat of filibuster has been used far too often and as a result political obstructionism in the United States Senate is now worse than it has ever been. The people of Wisconsin and our state's progressive tradition deserve better. I will proudly join Senator Tom Udall and Senator Jeff Merkley by co- sponsoring legislation to reform the use of the filibuster in the United States Senate. We face big challenges that demand effective government action and solutions not more of the same standstill that has become the status quo in Washington. The time for reform is now so we can work together to move Wisconsin and America forward."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/tammy-baldwin-co-sponsors-filibuster-reform

Let's do this!

[warrior1]

1. so nothing today?

[bemildred]

2. Interesting stall. nt

[FailureToCommunicate]

3. He must not be sure of the votes...or he is still wavering and is seeking

input?

Harry Reid:
[phone]

Possible holdouts

Baucus Max MT D [phone]
Boxer Barbara CA D [phone]
Feinstein Dianne CA D [phone]
Heitkamp Heidi ND D [phone]
Hirono Mazie HI D [phone]
Leahy Patrick VT D [phone]
Reed Jack RI D [phone]

[alberg]

11. I called all of them today plus my 2 State Senators. You other folks here at DU should do the same.

[valerief]

4. I love the 1 day = 1 month or so. It's so Genesisy. nt

[Duval]

5. Ohhh, I so hope!!! n/t

[Gman]

6. Reid is wary of the "Be Careful Of What You Ask For" rule

Because you just might get it and then be stuck with the new filibuster rule a few years later while in the minority.

If they do change the rule there damn well better be a Democratic Senate for the next 20 years.

[Cleita]

8. It wouldn't make a difference because the Democrats don't take advantage

of the super majority rule like the Republicans do

[alberg]

9. Changing the rule to require a "talking filibuster" is correct even if we are the minority.

This is about preventing the minority party from paralyzing the Senate. A "talking filibuster" preserves the ability of the minority party to hold up legislation if the minority party believes strongly enough that it is worth the fight. What it does prevent is a few extremists from blocking the will of the majority by merely sending an email expressing disapproval.

In the history of the Senate, the "talking filibuster" was the tradition until recent years. We need to go back to it.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

10. I agree completely.

What's the point of being in the majority if you can't get anything done. Seems like the minority is in charge. The "Talking" filibuster does not hard the minority, it just makes them more accountable.

[Smilo]

7. Is this the first backwards step

to having no reform?