Dumb question: how much is left of the filibuster?

[yurbud]

We don't hear about it too much anymore.

Has Mitch nuked it for everything, or are Democrats not doing it because they figure he will simply remove it for whatever they try to block?

Also, should Democrats do away with it if they regain the majority?

[unblock]

1. "the" filibuster is alive and well for non-reconciliation bills.

there are a bunch of limitations for what can count as a reconciliation bill.

unfortunately, tax bills generally qualify, hence today's tax heists by the ultra-rich.

things like changing criminal law, creating new bureaucracies, declaring war, all those things can still be filibustered.


that said, republicans can "go nuclear" at any point and skate by with 50+pence any time they choose.
there doesn't seem to be much of anything holding them back these days.

[onenote]

2. The only change made since 2016 is that SCOTUS nominations can't be filibustered anymore

The filibuster was eliminated for other judicial nominations and executive branch nominations in 2013. The use of a filibuster-proof process as part of the budget "reconciliation" process (which is what the tax bill was considered under) has been around since the 1970s.

[old guy]

3. It's alive as long as it suits the repubs.