McConnell Rejects Trump Proposal: 'No, It Isn't' Time To Change Filibuster Rules

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo



By ALLEGRA KIRKLAND Published MAY 2, 2017 2:58 PM

Tierney Sneed contributed reporting.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Tuesday threw cold water on President Donald Trump’s suggestion that it’s time to change the Senate rules for passing legislation.

“No, it isn’t,” McConnell told reporters flatly. “It would fundamentally change the way the Senate has worked for a very long time,” he added. “We’re not going to do that.”

The President complained on Twitter earlier Tuesday that Republicans needed Democratic votes to reach the 60-vote threshold required to pass a recent short-term federal government spending bill.

Trump proposed either electing more Republican senators in 2018, changing the vote threshold in the Senate to “51%,” presumably meaning 51 votes, or having a “good ‘shutdown’ in September to fix the mess.”

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mitch-mcconnell-cold-water-trump-change-filibuster-rules

[yallerdawg]

1. Wait until what he wants hits the Senate floor.

We know exactly what he will do.

[David__77]

2. I think that eliminating the filibuster would help progressives more in the long term.

The fact is that the Republicans' shit just isn't that popular. Democrats, once back in power, could pass a lot more POPULAR legislation that would be very difficult politically to remove once enacted.

[OnDoutside]

4. I agree with that, and it says a lot that Turtle won't go down that road.

[cstanleytech]

11. Ya what it says is Mitch is scared because he is worried that the Democrats once

will tell him and the other Repugnants to fuck off after the stunt Mitch and the other Repugnants pulled in order to shoehorn Gorsuch into office and you know what? I think thats exactly what the Democrats need to do if they can get the majority in both houses and the Whitehouse.
They need to strike fast if that happens to pass things like major ethics reform and tackle the problem of the wealthy funneling money into "issues" groups to support political candidates not to mention a complete investigation into Comey, the Russian hacks and all the other shit the Repugnants have had their grubby corrupt fingers in.

[OnDoutside]

12. They're pushing Democrats so hard, they might indeed

get a reaction like that but there's no leadership focal point.

[Hortensis]

7. Wobbling democracy, smashed. Our system is SUPPOSED

to require different factions to come up with answers most can accept and implement, even if no one is thrilled.

Our current "system" where the current power indulges their ideology to the max, smashing all they can of the previous administration, then may be replaced by the other side determined to do the same is NOT sustainable. Our republic will fall if we keep this up.

Btw, I suspect McConnell is hardly more concerned with protecting democratic republic principles and processes than our cat is, but he is very concerned about protecting his own power.

[David__77]

10. I don't think there's anything in the constitution about 60 votes required to avert filibuster.

Those are senate rules, I believe, which can be changed. I think it's sustainable for majorities of legislators to make law, on the terms established by the constitution. I'm not advocating for eliminating the filibuster when the Republicans are in charge. I certainly would support it if the Democrats were in charge.

[Hortensis]

13. Well, think what it takes to require the factions

to cooperate to get what they want, David.

[harun]

14. It definitely would help Progressives and Populists.

[comradebillyboy]

3. Mitch is 'King of the Senate' and he's not going

to let Trump ruin his gig. Mitch guards his domain fiercely and he's not going to sacrifice his position for Donald's benefit.

[bronxiteforever]

5. The senate Rs are smart. I give the devil his due.

If the crazies in the freedumb caucus in the house pass unpopular crap that could cause a purity vote for the senate Rs, without the f-buster, they are exposed. Now they can push the blame to the Senate Ds and the need for 60.
Senators do not want to be ruled by the House.

[red dog 1]

6. K&R...Thanks for posting

(Trump "proposed" electing more Republican senators in 2018?)

[Bayard]

8. HA!

Take that, you big orange turd!!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

9. Yeah, like a shutdown .........

will solve all of this country's problems. Though I do not trust Mitch McConnell for as far as I can throw him.

Little Donnie can throw all the twitter tantrums he wants. My youngest granddaughters have more intelligence in their pinky fingers than he does in his entire body.