TPM: Why the Filibuster Change is Fantastic News for Obama. [View all]

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Not that it's anything we haven't already covered, but it never hurts to re-iterate.

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

Why The Filibuster Change Is Fantastic News For Obama

SAHIL KAPUR – NOVEMBER 22, 2013, 11:30 AM EST

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.

The federal court system is short by dozens of judges, because of long-term right-wing filibustering and refusing to fill empty seats. Furthermore, because the Senate Democrats can push through judges at will, we've just changed flipped the DC Circuit Court from right-wing lunacy to 7-4 majority progressive sanity. Other courts will see similar changes.

Also, Obama can fill lots of empty posts in the Executive Branch, and he can now fire bad-performers without worrying about yet another Senate confirmation fight that's as fun as a root canal.

This is a HUGE victory. Watching the GOP in maximum butthurt has never been sweeter!