Top Democrat Floats Nuclear Option Over Judicial Filibusters
Top Democrat Floats Nuclear Option Over Judicial Filibusters
Sahil Kapur
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says the nuclear option for filibuster reform will be on the table if Republicans make good on their threat to block President Obamas nominees to serve on the powerful D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
I think that the rules change will come back on the table if its filibustered, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) told C-SPANs Newsmakers program on Thursday. Because it is one thing if you had somebody who is not qualified. These people are extraordinarily well qualified.
Leahy has so far been soft-spoken about the prospect of changing the Senates filibuster rules by a simple majority vote the so-called nuclear or constitutional option. But he made clear that Democrats want to fill those particular court of appeals seats and accused Republicans of seeking to block Obamas three nominees in order to maintain the courts conservative tilt.
They dont want a balanced court, he said, under questioning from CQ Roll Calls John Gramlich. It is not balanced now and they are trying to keep it unbalanced.
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