Why was the rule changed on January 20, 2009?

[Scuba]

Why is the minority party now allowed to prevent bills from even coming up for a vote? I don't recall this happening under Bush when he got tax breaks for Big Oil and the wealthiest Americans, a liberty stealing "Patriot Act" and EVERYTHING ELSE HE WANTED!!!!

[PCIntern]

1. Because.

[WeDidIt]

2. The rule was not changed

The difference is, the minority party is lockstep whereas the Democrats were not when they were in the minority.

[piratefish08]

3. a minority in lockstep is STILL a minority. and we on the left STILL can not get our shit together.

[WeDidIt]

4. True enough

but if 41 Senators are in lockstep, everything stops.

[valerief]

6. That's because we're not all left. We have some righties who call themselves lefties.

There are no lefties who call themselves righties.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. No rule was changed.