Reid triggers ‘nuclear option’ to change rules, stop repeat filibusters - "Harry Reid Cracks Down.."

[jefferson_dem]

Go Harry! 'Bout fucking time. :applause:

Drama on the Senate floor. Turtle-head McConnell is absolutely apoplectic... A thing of beauty. LIVE VIDEO: http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN2/

Reid triggers ‘nuclear option’ to change rules, stop repeat filibusters
By Alexander Bolton - 10/06/11 07:01 PM ET

In a shocking development Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered a rarely used procedural option informally called the “nuclear option” to change the Senate rules.

The Democratic leader had become fed up with Republican demands for votes on motions to suspend the rules after the Senate had voted to end a filibuster.

Reid said these motions, which do not need unanimous consent, amount to a second-round filibuster after the Senate has voted to move to final passage of a measure.

The surprise move stunned Republicans, who did not expect Reid to bring heavy artillery to what had been a humdrum knife fight over amendments to China currency legislation.

Reid appealed a ruling from the chair that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) does not need unanimous consent to force a vote on a motion to suspend the rules to consider amendments after cloture has already been approved.

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http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/186133-reid-triggers-nuclear-option-to-change-senate-rules-and-prohibit-post-cloture-filibusters

Harry Reid Cracks Down in Floor Showdown With Mitch McConnell
By Steven T. Dennis
Roll Call Staff
Oct. 6, 2011, 7:54 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put the hammer down against the GOP today, setting a new precedent that clamps down on procedural motions after cloture has been reached.

The Nevada Democrat warned that allowing unchecked motions to suspend the rules could lead to unending debate, even after 60 Senators have voted to invoke cloture. However, the presiding officer at the time, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), ruled that such motions are not dilatory — a term of art meaning that they are intended to delay. In a convoluted power play, Reid moved that the ruling of the chair be sustained — a simple-majority vote that he wanted to lose and did, 48-51.

The power move by Reid appeared similar to a proposed “nuclear option” of changing the rules with a simple majority, but would keep the filibuster and the 60-vote threshold.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned that Reid was changing the precedents of the Senate simply to avoid voting on several motions to suspend the rules sought by the GOP

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http://www.rollcall.com/news/harry_reid_cracks_down_floor_showdown_mitch_mcconnell-209303-1.html

[Donnachaidh]

1. Mazel Tov Harry! That spine transplant took, eh?

:bounce: :bounce:

[red dog 1]

2. Nuclear Option or Nuclear Reaction?

Does this mean that Harry Reid has balls after all?

[Lil Missy]

3. YAY!!!!!

[Supersedeas]

4. this was long overdue

[Honeycombe8]

5. Well, it's ABOUT TIME!!!! Maybe they're all listening to OWS & taking a cue? nt