Why The Filibuster Change Is Fantastic News For Obama

[jenmito]

The Senate's historic "nuclear option" vote Thursday to end the filibuster for executive nominees and most judicial nominees is excellent news for President Barack Obama.

Obama's second-term agenda largely runs through the powerful D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which often has the final word on matters of White House and executive branch authority. That's the strongest tool Obama has to still get things done, because as long as Republicans control the House, his legislative agenda isn't going anywhere. The Senate rules change clears a path for the president to confirm his three stalled nominees to vacancies on the conservative-leaning court, and make it less hostile to his executive actions.

"There will be more judges on the court now who will follow the Constitution and laws as written, rather than reach ideologically-driven results," said Judith Schaeffer, the vice president of the Constitutional Accountability Center, a liberal legal advocacy group. "The President's executive actions and his legislative accomplishments will be in good hands with judges who follow the law."

The D.C. Circuit has been the GOP's most potent weapon against Obama's use of executive power, as it has overturned a slew of his regulations on health care, financial reform, environmental protection, labor rules and recess appointments. Most recently, a three-judge panel on the court struck down Obamacare's contraception mandate.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/filibuster-reform-obama-second-term

[lostincalifornia]

1. It is fantastic news for the country. These thugs, called the republicans time has come to get out

of the way

They have demonstrated they do not want to be part of the solution

[jenmito]

2. I sure hope they don't find another way to block his nominations. n/t

[RC]

3. Don't worry, the Democrats will find another way to keep their spines in the closet.

[jenmito]

4. Kick. n/t