Senate Republicans open door to weakening the filibuster

[saturnsring]

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is opening the door to changing the filibuster in response to growing pressure from Republicans angered that Democrats have blocked legislation from reaching the White House.

McConnell has appointed a special task force to explore changes to the filibuster rule and other procedural hurdles — including whether to eliminate filibusters on motions to proceed to legislation. That’s a tactic the minority often uses to shut down a bill before amendments can be considered

McConnell has tapped his close ally, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), and Senate Rules Committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) to form a task force with Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and two other freshmen to weigh various reforms. They hope to implement the changes at the start of next year.

“We’re going to take a serious look at whether Senate rules ought to be changed in order to make the Senate work more effectively,” Alexander said.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/256631-senate-gop-opens-door-to-weakening-the-filibuster

[edhopper]

1. That'll come back to haunt them

when the Dems take the Senate in 2016.

[Xipe Totec]

3. And they still need 60 votes to override a presidential veto.

[davekriss]

8. 67 votes, actually

But that only comes into play if the POTUS vetos a bill. Obama certainly won't veto TPP.

[Vinca]

2. I imagine Dems wouldn't filibuster so much if Republicans hadn't.

It seemed every time Harry Reid brought something to the floor they filibustered it. It began on the day Obama took office and ended when they got the majority in the Senate. What goes around comes around.

[saturnsring]

4. remember the turtle said , our top priority is making sure obama is a one term president\

they used the filibuster like a battle axe and now that theyre getting it they don't like it. the gop is totally a party of children

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

6. "the gop is totally a party of children"

I'm sorry. I think you afford them entirely too much credit, and I'm offended on behalf of actual children.

[saturnsring]

7. my apologies to them

[yeoman6987]

5. Democratic senators filibustered a bunch of bush stuff I hope.

They all do when the party is opposite of the president.

[edhopper]

9. He's tired of Dem filibusters??

[img][/img]