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Showing Original Post only (View all)GOP Warns Of Shutdown Over Filibuster [View all]
By MANU RAJU | 11/25/12 1:02 PM EST
A partisan war is brewing that could bring the government to a screeching halt as early as January and no, its not over the fiscal cliff.
Its all about the filibuster.
Democrats are threatening to change filibuster rules, in what will surely prompt a furious GOP revolt that could make those rare moments of bipartisan consensus even harder to come by during the next Congress.
Heres what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering: banning filibusters used to prevent debate from even starting and House-Senate conference committees from ever meeting. He also may make filibusters become actual filibusters to force senators to carry out the nonstop, talkathon sessions.
Republicans are threatening even greater retaliation if Reid uses a move rarely used by Senate majorities: changing the chambers precedent by 51 votes, rather than the usual 67 votes it takes to overhaul the rules.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84195.html#ixzz2DHCFczSA