Reid: McConnell Broke His Word, So Nuclear Option Is On The Table

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Reid: McConnell Broke His Word, So Nuclear Option Is On The Table

.....................

“Senator McConnell broke his word,” Reid said. “The Republican leader has failed to live up to his commitments. He’s failed to do what he said he would do — move nominations by regular order except in extraordinary circumstances. I refuse to unilaterally surrender my right to respond to this breach of faith.”

The remarks were Reid’s first in weeks on the issue of nominations and Senate gridlock, a brewing fight that he sidelined last month in order to pass immigration reform through the Senate. McConnell has been regularly arguing for weeks that Reid is breaking his word by threatening to change the rules with the nuclear option after he agreed not to upon passage of the modest rules changes in January which preserved the filibuster.

...............................

“It is a disturbing trend when Republicans are willing to block executive branch nominees even if they have no objection about the qualification of the nominee,” Reid said. “They’re blocking qualified nominees because they refuse to accept the law of the land.”

...............

“Is there anybody out there in America that thinks this body is functioning well?” he said.


Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/07/reid-mcconnell-filibuster-nuclear-option.php?ref=fpa

---

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., set the U.S. Senate on a potentially chamber-altering course for next week, pledging to use his power to change Senate rules to push through President Obama's executive branch nominations despite furious opposition from Republicans...

Reid told reporters he has the 51 votes he will need to change the rules...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/11/senate-reid-mcconnell-nuclear-option-nlrb-cfpb/2509973/

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Talk is cheap, Harry

[deutsey]

15. That was my first thought, too

To paraphrase "Blazing Saddles": he uses his "tongue prettier than a twenty dollar whore."

[WinstonSmith4740]

53. The line that comes to mind for me.

"I didn't get a "har-rumph" outta that guy!"

[corkhead]

89. Hopefully we will see more than a sternly worded rebuke from Harry "Neville Chamberlain" Ried

[BrainMann1]

107. This time do something Harry

[tclark0404]

18. Here here!!

+1

[Bohunk68]

108. It's properly,

Hear! Hear!

[ZRT2209]

32. wonder if Harry wants cheese with his whine

[East Coast Pirate]

33. He means it this time by golly.

[Plucketeer]

87. Right. The pride of searchlight

needs to see it - "the light" that is. Give 'em chuckles, Harry! The GOP certainly wishes THEY ran the senate, but second best is having you "run" it.

[silvershadow]

40. He's let me down time and time again. If he follows through, he might redeem himself. nt

[davidwparker]

43. +1000

So over him.

He's like Chicken Little claiming the sky is falling with this filibuster. Either poop or get off the pot.

[wordpix]

83. "No majority leader wants written on his tombstone..." McConnell's veiled death threat

Calling FBI to investigate...

As bad as Harry's neverending "nuclear option" threats are, this is worse.

[lsewpershad]

2. Do it already for Christ sake.

[razorman]

28. We go through this same dance once every few years. One thing to keep

in mind, though: the existence(or lack) of the filibuster is serious business. If the nuclear option is activated now, it will also apply to any future congress, where Dems are in the Senate minority and will not then have the option to filibuster and block nominations. That WILL happen some day. So, this is not a move to be taken lightly.

[CincyDem]

30. You're assuming Harry NOT going nuclear...

...will mean the rethugs don't initiate it themselves when the shoe is on the othe foot.

Expecting then to respect the traditions of the senate to give dems a voice as minority...yeah...that'll happen

[davidwparker]

44. Not relevant. Whether it is 50 + 1 option (Constitutional) or

the Boo!, Harry Reid. Boo. option, (R's) get what they want anytime. With the Constitutional option, maybe this will give (D's) more of a spine (collectively) when they are in the (super) majority.

[0rganism]

49. how long do you think the filibuster will last if the republicans take over the senate?

I'm putting my money on "up to the first day of the next congress." Odds are fair to excellent that we'll see it happen in January 2015.

It doesn't really matter what the Democrats do, the republicans will do what they want without any regard for precedent. If a procedure weighs them down, they change the procedure and push ahead anyway. It's one of the few ways in which I wish Democrats were more like republicans.

[WinstonSmith4740]

54. Of course.

The filibuster should exist. This last time around, all we wanted was a return to the old filibuster rules...get down on the floor and talk. Just like Wendy just did in Texas, and (help us) Rand Paul did a few months back. The problem is these guys just demand everything meet the 60 vote threshold, and it's done. No "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" drama. Harry has blown two golden opportunities to fix this problem, and he's folded both times. He needs to retire.

[Scuba]

82. The R's will change the rules the minute they're in power.

Regardless of what the D's do now.

[razorman]

103. I don't necessarily think so.

Even when they were in power before, they kept the filibuster. This seems to go for both parties. The one in the majority talks about the "nuclear option", then changes its mind when the power shifts. Harry Reid used to think the filibuster was sacred. Not so much now. Long term, I'm sort of undecided on it, myself.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

50. that was my first thought too.

Geez. I'm tired of the anti-climactic let down every time.

Fucking pukes getting away with murder.....

[dgibby]

3. He needs to stop talking the talk

and start walking the walk. He has only himself to blame for this mess. He should have done this years ago.

[bravenak]

4. He's bluffing again. Nt

[alittlelark]

5. Time to push the red button.

[CincyDem]

6. Yaaaaaawnnnn

Are we back on this again? Harry huffing and puffing is getting old. I hope he doesn't hyperventilate.

[rhett o rick]

7. As Lucy said to Charlie Brown, "I promise, this time I mean it. Go ahead an kick the ball." nm

[awoke_in_2003]

55. yep, Harry is nothing but a gas bag. nt

[Champion Jack]

8. I'll believe it when I see it…

[on point]

9. Deliver already or quit

[obxhead]

10. Fuck you Harry

If you didn't see this coming you're not fit for office.

[ejbr]

98. don't you think that's a bit harsh?

He deserves you being much harsher than that.

[kestrel91316]

11. Hahahaha, Harry is full of s--t, as usual. He won't do a damned thing to change the status quo.

I swear to God that man is on the RNC payroll.

[davidwparker]

45. +1

[JimDandy]

12. The wrong Harry is in charge

of the nuclear option button. This button needs pushing though; Truman's... not so much.

[rhett o rick]

13. Sen Reid exemplifies what is wrong with the Democratic Party.

His goals for obstruction are the same as the Republicans. He and McConnell do this dance to fool the public into believing we still have a democratic republic. Sen Reid's sponsors are the same as McConnell's.

[Dustlawyer]

24. Bingo!

[Wolf Frankula]

14. Then Get Off Your Ass and Do It.

Otherwise you're just another DLC sellout. But we're Democrats. We have to be gentlemanly, bipartisan. You know, to get along , go along.

Bullshit. Time to end the procedural filibuster. The Majority Decides.

Wolf

[Cha]

16. rofl.. McConnell keep

his word. lol However, this is a point.. Harry, gave him more than a chance and now he gets to Shout it out that mitch is a liar.

Hope it freaking resonates for 2014. And, the option gets done.. so they can at least get some of Pres Obama's appointments approved.

[Tx4obama]

17. Judicial nominations will be excluded - change will be only for agency nominees. See excerpt below..

-snip-

The fight over the filibuster in December and January was waged in public, with outside groups and progressive senators such as Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon trying to pressure Reid into action. This time, Reid and Merkley are working together and the outside advocacy has been much quieter, indicating that Reid himself is invested in the outcome.

One key difference this time is that the rules change would not apply to judicial nominees. Senate insiders say that Democrats lack the votes to change the rules for judges, but agency nominees are an easier sell. The president was elected, goes the argument, and has earned the right to choose his own staff, free of a filibuster. If Republicans want to pick the White House staff, then they should win the election and occupy the White House, the argument concludes. Judges, on the other hand, are a separate branch of government and are appointed for life. To underscore their reasoning, Democrats on Thursday released a compilation of video clips of Republicans such as McConnell (below). "I've been a proud guardian of gridlock myself," said McConnell in 2005, "but it never made sense for executive branch appointments." ...

-snip-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/11/harry-reid-nuclear-option_n_3579427.html

[Mr. David]

22. fuck it. Republicans have fucked with us for far too long.

It's to nuke it for ALL cases.

Judicial nominees included.

Minority does not rule, and need to be placed in the corner for extinction and obsolescence.

No more Mr. Nice Guy.

[cascadiance]

86. Reid should say either STOP the filibuster of the nominees to the DC Circuit court...

... or the filibuster rule changes will also include judicial nominees as well, that has had for some time four vacancies to be filled, and an existing narrow majority of Republican nominees on it now.

If the GOP doesn't approve Obama's justices to this court, it should be used as a pretext to also justify including judicial nominees in the newer filibuster rules. And note in this article the GOP trying to in effect use legislation to pack this court too, which goes beyond what even FDR did to try to pack the Supreme Court earlier too. Reid needs to respond to hardball with hardball of his own... Not holding my breath yet though!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/07/nuclear-summer-filibuster-wars.php

...
The D.C. Circuit picks are expected to take longer as they have not faced hearings yet. But the wheels are already in motion. The Judiciary Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for the first of them, Patricia Ann Millett, on Wednesday.

Republicans argue that the three remaining vacancies on the influential court ought not to be filled at all, a notion that Democrats dismiss as ideologically driven and hypocritical. GOP leaders have telegraphed a mass filibuster of the three nominations by introducing legislation to reduce the number of active judges on the D.C. Circuit from 11 to eight, eliminating the three vacancies.

Meanwhile, the White House is doing heavy lifting on Millett’s behalf. A letter signed by six former U.S. solicitors general (three from each party) vouches for Millett’s confirmation, saying her “qualifications and character make her ideally suited for a position on that distinguished Court.” The signatories include conservative heavyweights Paul Clement, Kenneth Starr and Ted Olson — the same lawyers who backed the confirmation of Sri Srinivasan before he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

If Republicans sustain their blockade of the nominees, Reid has threatened to strip away the filibuster for nominations with the so-called nuclear option, by which the majority can change the rules of the body with a bare 51-vote majority. Sources familiar with his thinking say that while the majority leader is fed up with Republican obstruction and is ready to move forward with the nuclear option, it’s not clear he has the votes yet. With 54 Democratic senators, he has little room to spare.
...

[Tx4obama]

99. There are currently only THREE vacancies on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals

Sri Srinivasan was confirmed on May 23, 2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama


The nominees Obama appointed June 4, 2013 to the three remaining vacant seats haven't been filibustered by the Republican 'yet', their nominations are still at the Senate Judiciary Committee level awaiting hearings/committee votes.

[madrchsod]

19. we will see if......

obama is as tired of reid as the rest of the democratic voters are.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

20. Senator Reid is an asshole

And I don't believe a goddamn thing he says. He Harry, instead of talking about it, why don't you just FUCKING DO IT!

[rhett o rick]

95. He is part of the corp-conspiracy. nm

[BlueStreak]

109. A soft leader, I will admit, but the problem is within his caucus

He cannot go forward if he cannot get 49 of the Dems to join him, and until now there have been a bunch of Dems that pee their pants whenever they see their own shadows.

This is only getting movement because the GOP is about ready to roll back 50 years of labor rules if we don't get our people on the NLRB.

Why has it taken 5 years to get that done? Because almost all the Dems from Obama on down are spineless cowards who are unwilling to play hardball on anything. It is not just Harry, although one expects leaders to get out front and make things happen. But where has been the leadership from Obama? Obama cut Harry's legs out from under him on the Sequester thing. So let's make sure we are pointing the finger where it belongs.

[rhett o rick]

110. I would say that most Democratic senators are complicit in lieu of spineless. They

work for the 1%. Many belong to the 1%.

[BlueStreak]

111. There are fine lines between amorality, selfishness, complicity, and fear.

Far too many of today's national Democrats effectively blend all four.

[rhett o rick]

112. I agree. Booz-Allen probably has extensive dossiers on all of them. nm

[Mr. David]

21. Nuke it, and let God sort them out.

That would give Republicans pause....

[FreeBC]

23. Reid is a comedian and I'm sure McConnell is laughing.

[BumRushDaShow]

25. ZZZzzzzzzzz

The undertaker hath speaketh.

[bvar22]

26. Too Late, Harry.

Even IF you keep your word NOW, almost 8 YEARS too late,
you will be risking doing it just in time to hand the implemented power of the Nuclear Option over to the Republican Senate Majority and have the Democratic Party COMPLETELY responsible for this "accomplishment".
Based on the performance of our Democratic "Majority" in the Senate since 2006,
I wouldn't be shocked if this turns out to be our New Reality,
to the crocodile tears of "Gee. Who could have foreseen THIS?"

I can hear the Republicans gloating:
"We didn't want to do this, but the Democrats insisted".

IF you are going to do something like this,
it is BEST done when your party has the Momentum, the WIND at its back,
fresh Popular Mandates, High favorability polls, and enough TIME to get a LONG list of Democratic Policy and Appointments accomplished.
Waiting THIS long, and doing it THIS late in a Presidential Term is inviting DISASTER.


[font size=1]Note: Democrats regained the Senate Majority in the 2006 elections,
and it is unlikely, but NOT impossible, for them to LOSE the Majority in 2014.

[truebluegreen]

38. Disagree. If Harry finally pulls the trigger

and the Senate finally starts functioning--sorta, kinda--that is one of the few things that could help preserve a Democratic majority.

That, and Democrats acting like Democrats--win or lose!--instead of Third Way DLC Republican-lite assh@les.

[bvar22]

46. And ThereIn lies the problem.

" and Democrats acting like Democrats--win or lose!--instead of Third Way DLC Republican-lite assh@les."

That is a gigantic "IF".
What evidence have you seen over that last 25 years that our current "Democratic" Senate would suddenly start behaving in such a manner?

IF I believed that would be the case, I wouldn't be so cynical about the Nuclear Option,
but you have to admit that it is VERY late in the game to be talking about doing this.
There is a possibility that we could lose the Senate Majority in the very near future,
and hand this POWER straight over to the Republicans, courtesy of the Senate Democrats.


...but we will see.
The fact that Reid has waited so late in the game only feeds my well earned cynicism.

[truebluegreen]

63. Of course it is an "IF"

and it is very late in the game. In fact, it is darn near terminal. Drastic measures are required, or defeat is certain...that is, imho, with the brain-dead, true-believer nihilists arrayed against us, if we just keep taking defensive action we will lose.

My humble opinion. But I think we have been taking nothing but defensive actions for decades now, and preserving the filibuster just in case is another--and it will destroy us and our party and our progressive goals.

My opinion. For Dog's sake, we have to fight back! Now, whether the alleged Democratic Party will come along is another thing. Certainly what they have been doing up to now hasn't worked. Maybe the non-functional government problem will finally get through to them...it is an extreme long shot but hoping things will get better on their own is fairy tale territory.

[democrank]

27. The real "disturbing trend"

is Harry Reed threatening to do something, then never doing it. Over and over and over and over and over.

[truebluegreen]

39. Kinda like Obama, drawing lines in the sand,

and stepping over them over and over and over.

Democrats standing up for Democratic principles, that is all I ask.

[NorthCarolina]

29. ROFL...Right Harry, sure thing. You're such a tease. nt

[Phlem]

31. your a fucking skipping record Reid.

bullshit piled on top of bullshit.



-p

[Overseas]

34. K&R but I'm afraid to get excited. I remember last time.

Let's have the compromise option to be the talking filibuster.

[joc46224]

35. Can he invoke it and then revoke it before next elections?

This is probably a dumb question but can't he invoke the nuclear option, get some business done, and then revoke that option and put back the 60 vote filibuster rule?

[Doctor_J]

62. No, but he should have done it in about May 2009

then the American people would see what Democratic governance looks like. If we actually get to enact some laws, we won't NEED to revoke it - we'll have majorities

[TrollBuster9090]

36. Aaaand Lucy's Holding The Football Again.

[polichick]

37. I'll believe it when I see the giant mushroom cloud.

[broadcaster75201]

41. Reid will do nothing. If you believe he will ... I have this bridge ... nt

nt

[rateyes]

42. Harry, you have gone back on your word so many damned times it makes one's head spin.

So, why the hell are you so upset that Mitch McConnell has gone back on his? If you thought he would keep his word, in light of your own record, you are the most gullible man that has ever lived.

You, Mr. Reid, are a dumbfuck!

[ReRe]

47. Harry... you are so far behind times....

K&R

... you bet your sweet bippy America is pissed about your "body" (The Senate) not functioning well. And you are a great part of the reason that it's running that way. McConnell ALWAYS BREAKS HIS WORD.

Harry, you are the one that breaks your word too. You promised you would take care of the problem, and you chose to deal with the liar instead of giving the country what it so needed: A FUNCTIONING SENATE! It's just as much your fault as it is McConnell's. You need to get a spine, stand up straight and be the Democratic MAJORITY leader that you're supposed to be. Forget the old Senate protocol bullshit. These are serious times, and it's time to go out on a limb and do the right effing thing for once in your life. You're old Harry. It's time to break the mold, do the right thing and retire on the top.

This has been going on now for what, 4.5 years now? Do it now or get off the pot, Harry. "It's
time for all good men to come to the aid of their country."

[BillyRibs]

48. Hey Harry!

Piss or get off the pot! this Bluffing B.S. is getting old.

[rdharma]

51. Do it, Harry!

[Owl]

52. An endless joke it seems, unfortunately for us all.

So much opportunity lost... sad.

[Kablooie]

56. Come on! It's not on the table at all. It's just a publicity ploy with no substance at all.

Try something different for a change. Geez.

[Ilsa]

57. Stop talking about it and just fucking do it, Harry. nt

[LaydeeBug]

58. OOOOoooh! Maybe Harry'll send a *strongly worded letter*

That'll show 'em

[Historic NY]

59. Harry pull the pin and run like hell.......enough for the words lets see action

[blackspade]

60. Maybe this ONE time....

Reid will get his head out of his ass.

ROTF!!!!

Not a chance.

[Doctor_J]

61. Yawn. I hate reruns

[OnionPatch]

64. Uh huh

[marshall]

65. Shit or get off the pot!

I'm tired of idle threats.

[MannyGoldstein]

66. Someone owes me a new keyboard

You or Reid.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

67. What I hear from Harry: "blah blah blah blah"

Until you actually do anything, no one respects you, Harry. You've proven what an underhanded insider you are time and time again.

[GeorgeGist]

68. DUers agree!

Harry Reid is no hero.

[toddwv]

69. They've been doing it for how many years now?

I guess I'll believe it once I see it.

[truthisfreedom]

70. When you're in the meme of "people are doing stuff" you do stuff. And Harry Reid will do stuff.

He's been keeping his powder (room) dry. And sometimes saw and flour mills explode.

[yurbud]

71. shut up and push the button. the more you just talk about it, the less anyone believes you

[a kennedy]

72. I hope you're all wrong.....and Harry does push that button.

Come on Harry, do it.

[moose65]

73. I don't know what they're so scared of....

And all this fear-mongering by McConnell about "killing the Senate" is just ridiculous. To me, the average voter out there doesn't give two shits about the Senate rules. Most people don't even know what a filibuster is - all they hear is that "the Senate" failed to pass legislation. They don't hear that it's the Republicans' fault. Most people probably think (as they should) that the majority rules.

[Pab Sungenis]

74. BOHICA

Talk is cheap, Harry. Just do it or STFU.

[Marrah_G]

75. BLAH BLAH BLAH

Sorry Harry, your words mean jack shit.

[wordpix]

76. nothing will change with the repukes as long as they're owned by the likes of the Koch bros.

So DO IT!

Repukes will never negotiate in good faith. They want to get rid of unions, re-segregate schools and eventually get rid of public schools, eliminate all environmental protections, end Medicare/Medicaid, etc. etc.

Koch Bros. Exposed full video:

[Faryn Balyncd]

77. Use your 51 votes, Harry, to adopt the same rules the GOP put in the Texas Senate:

....If you are going to filibuster, you have to:

1. Stand up and keep talking
2. Don't lean on your desk
3. Don't eat
4. Don't even think about straying off subject, defined by whatever whim the majority party desires
5. Don't pee
6. Don't shit


That's the way the GOP runs things when they have a majority.

[Javaman]

78. meh, more of harry's hyperbole.

until someone stops hitting him with the naive stick, I won't believe a thing.

He's "so surprised" turtle boy went back on his word.

the clue phone has been ringing off the hook in harry's office for years and he thinks it's just ringing in his ears from his boxing days.

ugh.

[DCBob]

79. I think this is going to happen.

Too bad it doesnt go all the way and affect all legislation.

[CanonRay]

80. Blah, blah, blather

In the end, Harry won't do shit. Please make me eat my words, Harry.

[wordpix]

81. nothing has changed or will when Harry won't stand up to puppets of the 1%

get some balls, Harry!

[AllyCat]

84. Not on the table...FREAKIN' DO IT!!!

Stop letting these rich thugs hold America hostage. Quit talkin' and make it so.

[ctsnowman]

85. Just do it.

[truebrit71]

88. Yup, sure thing Harry...

He's about as useful as a kickstand on a Jackass...

[BrotherIvan]

90. Amazing that this is something Democrats upon which Democrats can agree

Makes me wonder why all the division about other topics that should be a no-brainer.

And when you're so shady, you have a character in a mob movie, Harry Reid, it's time to hang it up.

[progressoid]

91. OFFS

[on point]

92. Reid: Put up or shut up. And do it for ALL Senate business.

[raindaddy]

93. That Reid is tough as nails!!!

Reid has spent years threatening to stand up on his hind legs and represent the welfare of the people who elected his ass, only curl up on the laps of Republican leadership. There, there Harry, go back to sleep!!!

[byeya]

114. Man mountain Harry "Grunt, Grunt" Reid, absolute ruler of the Senate

barber shop.

[Android3.14]

94. By the looks of it, he really means it this time

I bet the Pugs are quaking in their Guccis.
[IMG][/IMG]

[usaf-vet]

96. Just F***ing do it Harry.

Enough talk. Take back our democratic process.

[ErikJ]

97. Reminds me of Chamberlain waving Hitler's "peace treaty" in 1939 just before Nazis invaded Poland.

[bvar22]

100. The Democratic Party gained the Majority in 2006.

Have you ever wondered WHY the Senate Democrats repeatedly choose a known milquetoast,
conservative Democrat from a Conservative state with a track record of ineffectiveness....

....repeatedly choose this guy to be the "Democratic Senate Majority Leader"?

...repeatedly choose this man to be the Figurehead and Spokesperson of the Senate Democrats?

...repeatedly choose this man to be their "Hammer"?

You just gotta wonder WHY?
The only answers to that question that I can come up with are not very pretty,
but it is safe to conclude that For Some Reason, the Senate Democrats want this mouse leading their "charge".



You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS.[/font]

[markpkessinger]

101. As I said yesterday . . .

You've said that how many times now, Harry? Wake me up when you grow a pair!

[LiberalLovinLug]

102. Pretty pathetic when it seems like the Minority leader is the one in charge

[wordpix]

115. exACTly, and nice graphic

[NRaleighLiberal]

104. he is still not sure if his powder is sufficiently dry....

[life long demo]

105. We've heard it before

I'm not holding my breath.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

106. Shut the fuck up, Reid and fucking do it.

Stop talking about it and just do it, asshole.

[tavernier]

113. Aw, guys, leave Harry alone!

It's not easy for a person to function when they don't have a spine.