They should all STFU about being "very close to a debt limit deal".

[Nye Bevan]

They have cried "wolf" way too many times. I'm sick of hearing about how "very close" they are. No way will I trust those clowns until it is actually done.

[MSMITH33156]

1. They are doing it to calm the markets

only reason.

[lostincalifornia]

2. absolutely, and foreign investers also

[doc03]

3. That nut job Cruz could make us default single handedly

if he filibusters it. Why the hell didn't Reid change the rules on the filibuster?

[Nye Bevan]

4. I do see the attraction of getting rid of the filibuster, but I am not yet convinced

that this is a good idea. If the Republicans under Bush had operated without the filibuster, Social Security would probably be partially privatized at this point.

[MSMITH33156]

7. He can't filibuster

because 60 votes can break that. What he can do is prevent the bill from going through expedited, and essentially force a default for literally no reason.

There are a few ways around this:

1) There is a new procedure called bipartisan cloture. It is outlined here by FoxNews:

Earlier this year, the Senate slightly tweaked the chamber’s filibuster rules. This is called “bipartisan cloture.” When filing a cloture petition, it’s necessary for the leader to get the signatures of 16 senators. The vote actually requires 60 yeas.

But the structure of the cloture petition is different. The majority and minority leaders must sign the petition and cobble together a bipartisan group of 14 senators from both bodies.

Most cloture petitions have to sit for two nights to “ripen” before the Senate may consider them. But this one only entails one night. Under conventional cloture rules, opponents of stopping debate get 30 hours once cloture is invoked. But under “bipartisan cloture,” the Senate can then skip immediately to the bill or a final vote.

“Bipartisan cloture” is brand new. It’s a byproduct of efforts earlier this year to curb some filibusters. And as a result, it’s never been used.

Deploying “bipartisan cloture” could certainly hasten the process, potentially lopping off a day or two.

And it would be precedent setting.

“Bipartisan cloture” at the front, on the motion to proceed, could shave a lot of time off the process. I am told that they are prepping a scenario for this.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/15/guide-to-senate-and-house-fiscal-negotiations-for-rest-week/

2) They could have the House pass it first. A bill from the House can't be filibustered.

Senate leaders had effectively hit pause on their own negotiations while talks play out on the House side. While Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats blasted Boehner for pursuing a House plan, sources indicated the Senate was willing to wait on the House -- if for no other reason than, procedurally, it would save a lot of time. That's because a measure coming from the House could not be filibustered.

[doc03]

8. I was listening to one of the shows on MSNBC last night and it was

said that Cruz and/or Lee could filibuster and gum up the works.

[MSMITH33156]

9. I just explained

why he can't. He can "gum up the works" meaning he can delay the vote temporarily by refusing to give unanimous consent (which is necessary to fast track a bill). But there are 2 ways around that (which I highlighted). Having the House pass the bill first, OR, getting the new bipartisan cloture.

Procedurally, the Senate would need to move for cloture, which requires 60 votes. This will end the filibuster. But even after that, there are 30 hours given for debate. So that is how Cruz can gum up the works. He can delay it by refusing unanimous consent and then taking 30 hours to read Dr. Seuss again, like he did last time. But he can't actually unilaterally perma-block anything, which is what a filibuster does. The bipartisan filibuster removes that 30 hour time, apparently, although it is new and has never been used before.

[flamingdem]

21. Good info and maybe the reason he won't try it

apart from his sinking popularity.

[alfie]

5. I'm not going to believe anything...

until it is said in the past tense...ie, a done deal.

[Orsino]

6. Yep. As soon as Dems agree, some asshole will insist on moving the goal post.

However, everyone is or should be trying to calm those who would downgrade us. I get that much.

[maddezmom]

11. It sure helps all the federal workers that have been furloughed

And the veterans that have been shutout of their benefits, etc.

BTW, welcome to DU.

[maddezmom]

13. Of course it is, but it is needed.

[maddezmom]

15. Well I prefer gangbusters over crashes

[gopiscrap]

23. Welcome to DU

[Paladin]

17. +1,000,000

Until it's a done deal, I'm not going to indulge in any victory dances. Consider the nature of our enemies.....

[uppityperson]

18. Yup. Just do it and tell us, quit predicting.

[tjwash]

19. Yes, but I have to say...

...that it is pretty funny how the koch-brothers announcing their distancing from the tea-party, and taking that fat block of superpac money with them has caused this sudden change in attitude from boner and the repug majority

[Nye Bevan]

20. The Koch brothers are businessmen.

Realizing that the Tea Party was indeed fully prepared and willing to force a default and destroy the US economy in a bout of petulance must have been quite a sobering experience for them.

[tjwash]

22. Their cute little teaparty experiment morphed into a huge frankenstein on them