Dems Rally Around Reid’s Scaled Back Filibuster Deal

[Tx4obama]

Dems Rally Around Reid’s Scaled Back Filibuster Deal

Despite strong criticism from progressive supporters of reform, Senate Democrats rallied around the scaled-back filibuster deal negotiated by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Thursday afternoon, broadly agreeing that the changes to the rules were at least a step in the right direction.

After a caucus meeting, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) told reporters that there’s overwhelming support for the agreement among Democrats, despite the protestations of those who wanted more sweeping reforms.

“That’s how this world works. People start aspiring at very high levels, then you get a negotiation, then you reach something called compromise,” he said. “There’s a very positive feeling among the people in our caucus. But the fact that the two leaders have been able to work it out together is great for the Senate.”

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Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) was pleased that the deal looks like the proposal he put forth to avoid enacting further-reaching reforms with 51-votes.

“Look, we just can’t have a situation in the Senate where the majority can decide what the rules are at any time,” Levin told reporters. “Those aren’t rules. … That just becomes like the House of Representatives. So we avoided using a nuclear option which, I guarantee you, would’ve led to a meltdown in the Senate. It would’ve made the gridlock we’ve seen so far look like a Sunday school picnic.”

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Full article here: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/dems-rally-around-reids-scaled-back-filibuster-deal.php

And the new rules change is great news for judicial nominations/confirmations.
Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251280012

[tblue]

1. Okay. We shall see.

[Purveyor]

2. Like we have a fucking option? spit. eom

[LonePirate]

3. Senate Dems are in for a rude wake up call if the Repubs ever regain the majority

The filibuster rules will be purged instantly and Dems will have nothing to show for it.

[Tx4obama]

4. I don't know about that. It was a bi-partisan deal.

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Under the agreement, the minority party will be able to offer two amendments on each bill, a major concession to Republicans. This change is made only as a standing order, not a rules change, and expires at the end of the term.

The new rules will also make it easier for the majority to appoint conferees once a bill has passed, but leaves in place the minority's ability to filibuster that motion once -- meaning that even after the Senate and House have passed a bill, the minority can still mount a filibuster one more time.

Reid won concessions on district court nominations as well. Under the old rules, after a filibuster had been beaten, 30 more hours were required to pass before a nominee could finally be confirmed. That delay threatened to tie the chamber in knots. The new rules will only allow two hours to pass after cloture is invoked before a nominee is confirmed.

The two leaders agreed that they will make some changes in how the Senate carries out filibusters under the existing rules, reminiscent of the handshake agreement last term, which quickly fell apart. First, senators who wish to object or threaten a filibuster must actually come to the floor to do so. And second, the two leaders will make sure that debate time post-cloture is actually used in debate. If senators seeking to slow down business simply put in quorum calls to delay action, the Senate will go live, force votes to produce a quorum, and otherwise work to make sure senators actually show up and debate.

The arrangement between Reid and McConnell means that the majority leader will not resort to his controversial threat, known as the "nuclear option," to change the rules via 51 votes on the first day of the congressional session. Reid may have been able to achieve greater reforms that way, but several members of his own party were uncomfortable with the precedent it would have set. And Reid himself, an institutionalist, wanted a bipartisan deal for the long-term health of the institution. Reid presented McConnell with two offers -- one bipartisan accord consisting of weaker reforms, and a stronger package Reid was willing to ram through on a partisan vote. McConnell chose the bipartisan route.

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Full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/24/harry-reid-mitch-mcconnell-filibuster_n_2541356.html

[ChangeUp106]

5. Come on...

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you really think this deal was done in good faith and would have been put in place had the GOP been in charge?

[pscot]

8. A handshake agreement with McConnell

isn't worth the paper it's written on. The agreed to changes are so minute as to be undetectable in practice. Like the man said, the reformers lose. Again.

[LiberalFighter]

11. 2 Senate Resolutions were passed by vote -Not a handshake agreement.

There may be parts not included that were agreed to by a handshake

[Filibuster Harry]

10. Absolutely. I don't understand. Does anyone really think legislation is going to get through

easier?? At least if they had the talking filibuster the country could see the obstructionist at work.
If they have the lungs to keep talking. This could help our chances in 2014 to control more of the senate.
Now I am not so sure. But the dems are in for a rude awakening. Trust McConnell???

[truebluegreen]

6. What a bunch of crap.

[Cha]

7. Yeah, it wasn't just Harry.. and I'm Rec this so

it can get exposure too. Not just the do away with Harry ones.

Thanks Tx.. I was going to post this somewhere until I saw yours.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. The Democrats will likely be in the minority in 2014. Harry Reid knows this.

[pscot]

12. The Democrats were supposed to be in the minority this year

Reid doesn't have a crystal ball and neither do you.