General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRepublicans still control the Senate. Here's why.
CNN
Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer may have the title of Senate Majority Leader but at the moment the Republicans still technically have control. That could be problematic for getting Biden's Cabinet picks through Congress.
***
Even though Harris can break ties in Democrats' favor, the party can't take full control of the Senate until a power-sharing agreement is worked out between the two sides. A power-sharing agreement will spell out the number of seats that each caucus will have on Senate committees. Until an agreement is in place, the Senate operates under the rules of the last Congress when the GOP controlled the Senate majority and held the committee chairmanships.
What's holding up the deal? A power-sharing agreement is under discussion between Schumer and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, but the two have hit a snag over McConnell's demands that Schumer promise to save the filibuster and not move forward with efforts to gut the potent stall tactic on legislation.
McConnell argues that preserving a supermajority vote to pass legislation is a unique and important characteristic of the Senate, which the Founders believed should be a body where compromise between the parties would be needed to balance the strict majority-driven rule of the House of Representatives.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/president-joe-biden-news-01-22-20/index.html
mitch96
(13,821 posts)Call your Senators and ask them to pressure Schumer to get rid of filibuster.
former9thward
(31,805 posts)Last session. R's had the majority and kept the legislation filibuster for the minority Ds.
Ferrets are Cool
(21,063 posts)We, for once, must act like repugs and run things like we OWN the place.
Wicked Blue
(5,767 posts)Autumn
(44,762 posts)Beachnutt
(7,189 posts)with the gop, stop pussy footing around with them and play hardball.
LonePirate
(13,386 posts)Its first use was in 1837.
Bluethroughu
(5,096 posts)Bluethroughu
(5,096 posts)Customarily done, not written into law. After an insurrection provoked and aided by Congressional members of the opposing political party, I think polite customs are Not the priority.
Kaleva
(36,147 posts)It wouldn't make much sense for Congress to pass legislation on how the House and Senate conduct their business.
Bluethroughu
(5,096 posts)The GOP do whatever they want when it benefits them.
We have a Supreme Court Justice that a was appointment by McConnell, gave her the only two years she's spent on the bench. Customary rules went out the door with that cram job.
Kaleva
(36,147 posts)I trust Schumer and the other Dem senators to get through this.
Bluethroughu
(5,096 posts)Pressure to end filibuster, and create legislation that would make Biden equal to or greater than FDR.
After this insurrection Democrats have the opportunity to be "The People's Party" for the next generation. Our Country needs this now.
RAB910
(3,445 posts)randr
(12,408 posts)Let the cult vote them down and we take control in 2 more years.
I have already waited 4 years for the opportunity.
NCDem47
(2,238 posts)We were feed a line during the Georgia election that the balance of the Senate hung in the balance and if we won it, the Ds would control Congress and the WH. We won it, but now we are waking up to a revised narrative that its "shared power" in the Senate?
Frustrated.
Turin_C3PO
(13,650 posts)advantage in that Kamala Harris can break a 50-50 tie. Other than that, power is shared. Thats what was always on the table. Whoever told you otherwise was wrong.
NCDem47
(2,238 posts)But I'm not going crazy. There WAS an oversimplification presented in the MSM for sound bite purposes that Ds controled the Senate with Georgia wins. Right or wrong, that was a prevailing message point/headline.
Turin_C3PO
(13,650 posts)the Senates agenda. But Repubs will still have some committee power. At least thats the way I understand it.
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)Unless we give it up.
Numbers do not lie, unlike some politicians.
Turin_C3PO
(13,650 posts)And I think we should get rid of the filibuster but unfortunately I think there will be a few Dems who will oppose getting rid of it.
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)stillcool
(32,626 posts)but no one would read it anyway.
Kaleva
(36,147 posts)world wide wally
(21,719 posts)Now play by the rules.
wiggs
(7,788 posts)if..fish..had..wings
(652 posts)I have power, fuck you.