8 Dems Join GOPers To Defend Right To Filibuster Climate Bill

[babylonsister]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/41-senators-defend-the-right-to-filibuster-climate-change.php?ref=fp2

Eight Dem Senators Defend the Right to Filibuster Climate Change
By Elana Schor - March 13, 2009, 11:45AM


When President Obama submitted a budget that predicted passage of a revenue-raising climate change bill, hopes rose that Congress could successfully rein in carbon emissions this year.

But a cap-and-trade climate bill is almost certain to be filibustered by Republicans -- and in a letter delivered to the Senate Budget Committee yesterday, eight Democratic senators joined 25 Republicans to defend the GOP's right to set a 60-vote margin for passing emissions limits.

"We oppose using the budget process to expedite passage of climate legislation," the senators, including eight centrist Democrats, wrote in their missive.

Using the procedure of budget reconciliation, which would allow a climate change measure to become law with 50 votes while preventing filibusters, "would circumvent normal Senate practice and would be inconsistent with the administration's goals of bipartisanship, cooperation, and openness," the 33 senators wrote.

snip//

Late Update: The eight Democratic senators who signed on to the letter are Robert Byrd (WV), Blanche Lincoln (AR), Ben Nelson (NE), Evan Bayh (IN), Mark Pryor (AR), Bob Casey (PA), Carl Levin (MI), and Mary Landrieu (LA).

[villager]

1. which is why I can't be a registered Democrat, despite often voting for them...

That cowardly, blindered streak still runs smack through the "middle" of the party...

[Dinger]

2. Oh Well, They Just Pay The Price In The Next Election, Right?

Sort of pay? Maybe pay? It'll be a cold day in hell they'll pay?

[villager]

3. alas, it will be a warm day in hell, given their cowardice on climate action...

n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Lincoln and Pryor are Democrats in the very red, southern state of Arkansas. They're not my

definition of a Democrat, but then I grew up in Yankee country.

[dana_b]

15. we are all going to pay the price if they don't get off their asses

and accept science instead of worrying about budgets and pleasing their lobbyists.

[David__77]

4. Thiese "centrists" are so annoying.

Robert Byrd (WV), Blanche Lincoln (AR), Ben Nelson (NE), Evan Bayh (IN), Mark Pryor (AR), Bob Casey (PA), Carl Levin (MI), and Mary Landrieu (LA)

Byrd I can see. Casey even. But these others have no political imperative to do such a thing. This is simply proving that they are politically unreliable when it comes right down to it. With the GOP, their "moderates" always fall in line when they can afford to politically. Ours do not. We probably need 65 senators in order to have a working Democratic majority, so it seems.

Isn't this supposed to be the "free market" solution to pollution control?

[Dinger]

5. They're Only "Dems" Because repukes Would Never Support Them,

or would they? That is the question.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. You should understand Lincoln, Nelson, Pryor, and Landrieu. They're all from extremely

conservative places. Don't know about Casey and Levin.

[Teaser]

8. If that's the extent of the opposition

(and I guarantee some of those Dems will come on board for the final bill)

we will win this fight.

[Teaser]

9. 59 - 8 = 51

LET THEM EAT SHIT.

[Johonny]

10. Here's hoping they force a debate at least

So far the Republicans hard nose tactics haven't exactly brought a mass public out cry in support of them. It's time to marginalize them on this issue as well.

[jkshaw]

11. We need a 2009 LBJ-type majority leader

to whip these jerks into shape.

[onenote]

19. can you give an example of how LBJ sucessfully "whipped" Democratic jerks into place?

LBJ was majority leader from 1955 to 1961 (when he resigned the Senate to become VP). His first big challenge was his effort to pass Civil Rights legislation proposed by Eisenhower in 1957. Faced with the prospect of a filibuster led by Southern Democrats did LBJ "whip" them into shape? No. He watered down the bill to the point that, while it passed, it was roundly condemned by progressives as a failure. In 1958, LBJ found himself leading a vastly strengthened Democratic majority in the senate -- growing from a bare majority in 1956 to a 65-35 majority in 1958. But did LBJ try to rectify the flaws in the 1957 bill? Nope.

Real progress in Civil Rights legislation only occured after JFK was assassinated and LBJ became president. In 1964, a filibuster led by southern Demorats was broken and legislation passed. But it was the votes of republicans, worked on by minority leader Dirksen, that provided the margin more than it was any success in twisting arms of recalcitrant Democrats.

[s-cubed]

12. Reid needs to call the bluff of these "filibusters" - whether dem or repub.

Americans are fed up with this kind of nonsense, and the sooner Reid learns that he doesn't really need 60 votes, the better off we are. It's not necessary to employ the nuclear option, it's just necessary to let them filibuster, and feel the fallout.

[anonymous171]

13. This is why conservative democrats are actually worse than republicans.

[ddeclue]

14. Casey and Byrd did it because they are from coal country..

Carl Levin's state makes cars and Mary Landrieu's state drills oil...

I'm not sure I understand Bayh, Pryor, Lincoln or Ben Nelson though...

[goforit]

17. These Senators have narrow minds! they need to re-invent and solicit industries

to come to there state for GREEN initiatives.

But as always they are stuck in mud.

[liskddksil]

16. with Dems like these who needs Republicans

[FLAprogressive]

18. Bayh, Pryor, Landrieu, Nelson, and Lincoln are all dim bulb reactionary twits.

the rest are generally ok.