General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFilibuster questions
I know that Reid got rid of the filibuster for judicial appointments because the Republicans were being big time obstructionists, and then McConnell did the same for the SCOTUS under the guise of they did it first.......but if I remember right, the Republicans would have been able to get rid of Obama care with a simple majority, and were able to end debate with a simple majority....and if it wasnt for 3 Republicans the vote would have passed 50/50 with Pence as the tie breaker....my questions are:
1. How was that possible with the filibuster rule
2. Why cant Democrats do the same for legislation (for example DC statehood)
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)On edit: Raw Story has the story posted.
onenote
(42,700 posts)Cabinet nominations, like judicial appointments, no longer can be filibustered.
Which is how so many of Trump's nominees were confirmed despite opposition from 40+ Democrats.
servermsh
(913 posts)If the reconciliation process can be used, only a majority is needed (since a filibuster is not allowed). I assume that is the process Republicans used.
Reconciliation has some limitations, so it can't be used for any kind of bill, but rather for budget-related bills. So it couldn't be used for DC statehood.
Bucky
(53,998 posts)onenote
(42,700 posts)Which gets around the cloture rule. But not every piece of legislation is eligible for consideration under the reconciliation procedure.