Mitch McConnell warns Democrats that overhauling filibuster rules will lead to 'completely scorched
Source: CNN
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gave a stark warning Tuesday about how Republicans would grind the chamber to a halt if Democrats changed the filibuster rules, leading to a "completely scorched earth Senate." The Kentucky Republican defended the 60-vote threshold on the legislative filibuster in a floor speech, cautioning Democrats that if they moved to change the rules of the filibuster, it would not open up an express lane for the Biden administration to push through their agenda. Instead, Republicans would use every rule and option at their disposal to halt the chamber, making the Senate "more like a 100-car pileup, nothing moving."
Majority Whip Dick Durbin told reporters he's not concerned about McConnell's threats to slow the Senate if Democrats change the filibuster because "he has already done that."
McConnell also laid out the conservative agenda Republicans would swiftly move on the next time they take control of Congress and White House, most of which Democrats would vehemently oppose -- like defunding Planned Parenthood. The pendulum would swing both ways, "and it would swing hard," he warned.
McConnell listed some of the legislation his party would move on when they're back in power. "We wouldn't just erase every liberal change that hurt the country -- we'd strengthen America with all kinds of conservative policies with zero, zero input from the other side," he said pointing to how the GOP would move swiftly to defund sanctuary cities and Planned Parenthood, add new protections for the right to life of the unborn, work on concealed carry laws, and a new era of domestic energy production."
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/16/politics/mitch-mcconnell-filibuster-comments/index.html
Durbin is right. McConnell is already doing what he's threatening and has been doing it for over 12 years. If SB1 is passed, no republican will ever win an election again.
DinahMoeHum
(23,373 posts)Trueblue1968
(19,081 posts)PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)elleng
(141,926 posts)Marthe48
(22,736 posts)Too bad there is no reasoning the McPos
burrowowl
(18,494 posts)BComplex
(9,749 posts)Now, if we can get Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to realize the importance of this, we'll have a working legislature again!!
ancianita
(42,907 posts)McConnell's proud claim as grim reaper of Democratic bills is exactly the blowback he's afraid of.
Fuck his feelings.
Hotler
(13,737 posts)Stuart G
(38,726 posts)Docreed2003
(18,709 posts)He's done absolutely nothing but create disruption and obstruction.
Blue Owl
(58,180 posts)
lastlib
(27,566 posts)your other home.
After swimming, proceed with self-fornication. With a pitchfork. An old rusty, manure-crusted, tetanus- and virus-infected pitchfork. Sideways.
apnu
(8,790 posts)Bye Mitch and the GOP!
maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)That's not a state. Even if you throw in American Samoa and all the other Pacific Territories it's still not as big as WY.
PR, sure. It's >3 million.
Gore1FL
(22,848 posts)maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)Am Samoa, N Marianas, and Guam all add up to 282,000. Not a state.
Likewise, USVI should combine w/ PR into a "Caribbia" state.
DC is almost 700K. One could make an argument that it should be part of Maryland, but it's bigger than VT & WY.
Gore1FL
(22,848 posts)Guam as a current population of 167,294. That's twice what Georgia had when it became a state. It's 5/3 of what Maine had. Rhode Island had a population of 68,825 when it became a state.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_historical_population
maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)ahoysrcsm
(1,162 posts)I had no idea the Kingdom of North Sudan was a US territory, lean something new every day.
KPN
(17,145 posts)one of those loads. Maybe you idiots shoulda kept some of your powder dry? But no, you brought all your guns and deployed them. It didnt work, just like the Capitol insurrection didnt work, and now you want to revert back to collegiality. Aint gonna happen. Bite our collective ass crybaby.
forgotmylogin
(7,942 posts)UpInArms
(54,096 posts)Vinca
(53,364 posts)Midnight Writer
(25,148 posts)EarlG
(23,380 posts)when McConnell is Senate Majority Leader, he scorches the earth (see, withholding Merrick Garland's SCOTUS nomination, forcing through Amy Coney-Barrett at the last second, etc. etc.) But when he ISN'T Senate Majority Leader, he tells Democrats to do what he wants, or BY GOD HE'LL SCORCH THE EARTH.
What's the warning here? McConnell is going to use his power to the absolute maximum extent regardless of what Dems do.
Fuck off, Mitch.
Edited to add, this is such a joke. McConnell is basically saying, "Look out Dems -- if ever there is a Republican House, Senate, and White House, we will pass ALL KINDS OF LEGISLATION THAT YOU HATE, and WE WON'T GET YOUR INPUT ON ANY OF IT!"
I mean, if McConnell gets the House, Senate, and White House, this is what he will do anyway, FFS. Regardless of what Dems do now.
SWBTATTReg
(26,057 posts)BunnyMcGee
(479 posts)we will pass ALL KINDS OF LEGISLATION THAT YOU HATE, and WE WON'T GET YOUR INPUT ON ANY OF IT!"
This should spur some votes among the young voters.
liberalmuse
(18,881 posts)The GOP policy has been scorched earth for about a decade now. They don't give a shit about reaching across the aisle. They will run roughshod over the Dems if given the chance regardless making this a weak, weak threat. They are the party that has abused the filibuster in the past, even when the Democrats had the majority in the first year of Pres. Obama's 1st term after Kennedy got sick and the GOP in WI was delaying seating rightfully elected Sen Feingold.
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)I see that was already said but it bears repeating. Over and over.
MontanaMama
(24,616 posts)I'm happy to light the damned match.
bluestarone
(21,212 posts)Can someone explain it? Could he actually do what he's threatening to do? I know the senate is 50-50 (not good) BUT can HE (THEY) stop anything? How can they stop the process? Hell when they are in the majority, seems like we couldn't do much.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)in the case of Biden's cabinet nominations. Simple delaying tactics. Using the the rules to require votes/debate for everything that the rules allow. Always objecting to "without objection" procedural motions.
bluestarone
(21,212 posts)Hell they are doing it anyhow? So would be NOTHING new!
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)take it to 100% annoyance. The problem with that plan is any rule that the majority finds too annoying the majority can change.
bluestarone
(21,212 posts)As long as EVERYONE of us (Dems.) sticks together. I do wish we were stronger. (more in the majority i mean) WE DO have them by the ass IF we stuck together. (after 22 it might be better?)
Deminpenn
(17,299 posts)the Rs have for staying up late, coming to work early and working weekends. My guess is not much.
kysrsoze
(6,411 posts)SunSeeker
(57,592 posts)Fiendish Thingy
(22,066 posts)The Republicans wont have the filibuster and the resulting gridlock to hide behind- everything will be out in the bright sunshine for all to see.
maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)Dems were punished in 2010 because the ginned-up outrage over the ACA's "Socialism" was at the forefront of their minds.
Was the GOP punished in 2018 for the 2017 Trump tax cut? I'd say it was more Trump's offensive existence that motivated liberal voters to take the House.
patphil
(8,733 posts)That business being the scorched earth policy he implemented for all the time he ran the Senate.
A new voting rights act is the best way to prevent this.
maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)Mitch already paved the way.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)bucolic_frolic
(54,068 posts)Don't let Mitch use hypocrisy, whining, condescension, fear to control you. Just don't go there. Say, "Yeah, Mitch, that's great, have a cold one and see you tomorrow!"
Rinse and repeat.
Irish_Dem
(79,889 posts)Remember what your mom taught you.
maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)but McConnell is no Corn Pop.
Irish_Dem
(79,889 posts)I'm good with that.
Botany
(76,421 posts)Like you did with Obama Mitch? When you tried to block everything he was doing in order to make the
American people suffer so President Obama would be a one term President.
Or like your helping to hide that Russia was installing Trump 2016?
Or your ramming through Amy Coney Island Barrett?
Or the phony ass "investigation" into Brett Kavanaugh sexual assaults?
How many right wing assholes did you pack into the Federal courts with Mitch?
Merrick Garland ring a bell?
Or blocking any election/cyber security measures?
Or changing KY law so when your dying ass leaves the senate the seat will stay in GOP hands?
Or your hiring that young asshole who bothered that Native American?
Or your laughing about being a dick to the democrats?
flibbitygiblets
(7,220 posts)steelyboo
(801 posts)I'd point out the fact that when his party had control of the WHOLE GOVT during the Trump administration, they didn't try to "move swiftly to defund sanctuary cities and Planned Parenthood, add new protections for the right to life of the unborn, work on concealed carry laws, and a new era of domestic energy production."
Then I would follow that up with asking "So, even when your party had the means to make these changes, you did nothing? I mean it is like you trot out these garbage issues just to get idiots to vote for you, knowing full well you never intend to carry through on these policies. Say it ain't, Turtle? Say it ain't so!"
infullview
(1,108 posts)wryter2000
(47,940 posts)And for good reason.
However, I think Clyburn's idea is best...exempt voting rights and civil rights from the filibuster instead of getting rid of it entirely. If our voting rights bills pass, the Rs will never be in the majority again.
speak easy
(12,595 posts)Let's play hard ball.
yellowdogintexas
(23,595 posts)Give the majority right to call foul if needed; 3 strikes and filibuster ends.
Stay on topic
no reading from irrelevant books (phone book or Green Eggs and Ham)
no breaks
no sitting down
no food
In other word, adopt the rules used in the Texas State Senate. Wendy Davis stood for 13 hours, wearing a catheter, with no food or breaks, staying on topic the whole time.
Karma13612
(4,919 posts)The GOP will hold up all good legislation now, and enact bad legislation when they are in office just makes me ask:
When are the American people going to wake up and realize this?
Make this speech he gave into a campaign ad for the opposing side.
McConnell is pure evil.
speak easy
(12,595 posts)LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(13,284 posts)everything. When we regain power, we'll destroy everything," is what Moscow Mitch threatens. Of course, they'll use the filibuster on every single item of progressive legislation. Their idea of bipartisanship is that they get everything they want and we don't get anything.
Sounds like the solution is to end the filibuster and pass every progressive law we can, then run against the Repugs on, "The only idea the Republicans have is to take away every single thing you have gained in the past years. They want to hurt you and your family as much as they can. This is their big plan. Everything else is just part of The Big Lie."
jmowreader
(52,906 posts)BTW I met a gun dealer a few months ago (I was buying a non-gun item from him) who told me the only reason we dont have nationwide concealed carry reciprocity is McConnell blocked it when Obama tried to do it.
ananda
(34,453 posts)because I sure don't.
dlk
(13,119 posts)Never mind Moscow Mitch changed the filibuster rules when it suited his purposes. Now, the thought of Democrats removing many of the Republican impediments to voting (especially for people of color) is giving him apoplexy. It would be a shame if he gave himself a stroke.
machoneman
(4,128 posts)Hah! Gee, what ever happened to not picking winners and losers? Or, let the markets decide?
He's pushing coal, oil and gas of course. All a losing battle to far more solar, wind and nuclear power. He's ignoring not only the will of the people but more importantly, the fact that major petroleum companies have been funding wind and solar projects for a long time now. And the DOD has all the services working to use non-petroleum sources as mcuh as possible.
What a loser! BTW, he'll likely die of whatever is ailing him long before he can do shit about our agenda!
ZonkerHarris
(25,577 posts)Let's see how that plays out you fucking asshole.
Jay25
(434 posts)average people. Repubs depend on division and anger to stay in power. Dems have a chance to do something tangible, make life better for people, and repubs know they are finished if that happens.
aeromanKC
(3,820 posts)I see I am not the only one with such sentiment as my first reaction.
SWBTATTReg
(26,057 posts)supreme court nominee, and other actions that he pulled off in our face. F**k off kindly, mr. mcC. Once burned, we'll never listen to the likes of you ever again.
Dave in VA
(2,260 posts)already doing if you don't do what I'm telling you to do?
There's a threat here?
Response to PSPS (Original post)
Tbear This message was self-deleted by its author.
barbtries
(31,135 posts)he is unabashedly so. what a stain.
JohnnyRingo
(20,514 posts)if they were in power and we held up everything they tried to pass?
That said, I'm personally not in favor of repealing the filibuster. It's a useful tool for the minority when not abused, as it is now. Might be better to tell McConnell if he doesn't get his people in line now we will call his bluff, and he isn't going to like it.
PoliWrangler
(158 posts)Sit down Mitch, you have no credibility and certainly no moral high ground.
AverageOldGuy
(3,364 posts)Mitch -- may I call you "Mitch?" -- thank you.
Listen up. From time to time, the situation reaches a point where the shit has to get real. We are at that point. You and the gang of thieves and cutthroats you call a political party have been fucking over the rest of us for 30 years.
We have had enough.
You want scorched?
Bend over while I fire up this blowtorch.
niyad
(129,609 posts)you disgusting, spineless, hate-filled cretins have been doling out for years?
W T F
(1,186 posts)Gee, we're really scared
Politicub
(12,327 posts)He already torched the notion that the senate is a thoughtful, deliberative body.
The GOP does not represent its constituents. They know that reforming gerrymandering will be the end of their surgical assault on the vote and American values.
Texin
(2,834 posts)He doesn't like being the minority leader. I think if the Dems do go ahead and reform the filibuster if not outright demolish it, McConnell may well make good on his retirement talk. He's supposedly been talking to the (Dem) governor of KY and trying to broker a deal, so to speak, to have a(nother) rethug installed. I'm guessing Beshear (IIRC) has told him to fuck off, so now he's trying to hold the Dems in congress hostage again threatening to go scorched earth on them in future when/if he ever gets the reins of power again. Frankly, they need to take him up on his threats. God damn it, he does it anyway and has been over nearly two decades. Burn the filibuster to the ground if they have to and let the devil take the hindmost. With the change in demographics in the US, it's likely he couldn't win again anyway. This is what the rethugs are afraid of. They say it all the time and the work overtime doing everything in their power to strip more and more voting rights away from people along with other civil rights. It's all they can think of and they'll lash themselves to an idiot autocrat like tRump or worse in future if need be to do it.
bucolic_frolic
(54,068 posts)634-5789
(4,625 posts)BumRushDaShow
(165,859 posts)He fucking invented the "completely scorched earth Senate" by sitting on Merritt Garland's nomination for 9 months in 2016, then ramming through the huge tax cuts for the rich in 2017, and finally throwing 400+ bills from the Democratic House after the 2018 election, into his craven turtle cave and left them to die.
IronLionZion
(50,830 posts)he's not fooling anyone
CaptainTruth
(8,050 posts)That would be a total of... Zero... Zero changes, because no liberal change has hurt the country.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)

johnthewoodworker
(694 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,906 posts)So his mission in the short time he has to live is to do as much damage as possible. This is what we are dealing with, folks. Even mass murderers on death row sometimes show remorse. But not Mitch.
maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)Just speculating?
Mr.Bill
(24,906 posts)It's been talked about it here for awhile. Purple hands, IV port in hand, blue lips, signs of serious blood circulation problems. That and he is trying to have laws in Kentucky changes to allow him to literally name his successor, which is odd since he was just elected to a new six-year term.
maxsolomon
(38,206 posts)I was hoping there was new confirmation.
Yeehah
(6,177 posts)His threats should inspire Democrats to end the filibuster and enact positive change for the American people.
modrepub
(3,998 posts)the rest of the Red grifters can figure out how to pay for their own stuff.
Fullduplexxx
(8,604 posts)So you better fkg vote
davsand
(13,444 posts)I doubt the filibuster can be completely eliminated right now. What I do not know, is can that rule be modified back to what it was when it required a Senator to stand and speak the whole time? Pretty sure that hateful turtle can't stand and speak for too long. If the rule can be modified it might be enough to slow his spiteful roll.
I also think statehood for DC and Puerto Rico needs to become a very high priority--like ASAP. While I know the crazy assholes will not embrace it, I'd think that would be a simple majority vote. We got that. Pretty sure that "pity party" would have a difficult time verbalizing why two new states are a bad thing...
Laura
Gore1FL
(22,848 posts)He needs to make new threats, not talk about his old accomplishments.
kacekwl
(8,887 posts)if it wasn't what he's been doing all along. Doesn't he call himself Earth Vader ?
LaMouffette
(2,575 posts)as he tries to right himself.
Like Trump, McConnell has made it all too clear the danger of bestowing too much political power upon one person.
onecaliberal
(36,594 posts)People who hate the government should NEVER be elected to any government position.
BlueJean
(14 posts)and its people, should never be elected to, or hold any government position. EVER.
onecaliberal
(36,594 posts)Ford_Prefect
(8,512 posts)How is the next GOP Senate gonna have credibility when at least 5 of their current number are in federal prison for treason, acts against their oath to protect the constitution and the nation, grievous fraud, along with bribery and extortion? Not to mention double parking in a crossing zone.
oldsoftie
(13,538 posts)WinstonSmith4740
(3,416 posts)Oh, yeah! Fuck you McConnell! What exactly does he think he's been doing for the last 10 years? Helping? I detect a note of panic here. He knows Republicans, under his leadership, have screwed things up royally, and may never win another election if they don't shove through these voter suppression bills.
Empty threats, and I hope Schumer tells him to fuck off. All Schumer has to do is go back to the original filibuster rules. What are the rethugs going to say? They're not going to be satisfied until they put The Constitution through a paper shredder and turn this country into Brazil, where you're either very rich or very poor.
monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)Baltimike
(4,441 posts)regnaD kciN
(27,477 posts)monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)Buckeye_Democrat
(15,491 posts)That could be a very unlikely if voting rights are promoted for everyone.
Efilroft Sul
(4,321 posts)BradAllison
(1,879 posts)He's scared.
bullimiami
(14,073 posts)the only reason he didnt totally kill the filibuster is that they lost the house so it would have done him no good.
he killed the filibuster wherever it suited him to grab power.
jorgevlorgan
(11,098 posts)Ever.
I think.
bullimiami
(14,073 posts)the only reason he didnt totally kill the filibuster is that they lost the house so it would have done him no good.
he killed the filibuster wherever it suited him to grab power.
oh and lucky for us mcconnell has a foot and a half in the grave. later mitch.
DonCoquixote
(13,943 posts)I mean, when you say you would do this the next time you get into power, why shoudl we give you an inch of our power now that we tore it out of your clawed hands?
McConnell listed some of the legislation his party would move on when they're back in power. "We wouldn't just erase every liberal change that hurt the country -- we'd strengthen America with all kinds of conservative policies with zero, zero input from the other side," he said pointing to how the GOP would move swiftly to defund sanctuary cities and Planned Parenthood, add new protections for the right to life of the unborn, work on concealed carry laws, and a new era of domestic energy production."
BaronChocula
(4,042 posts)Fuquethatguy
rambler_american
(926 posts)in both my NH Senators whom I requested do away with the filibuster. Jeanne Shaheen answered me with an explanation of how the filibuster works and what it is used for (Thanks, Jeanne. I had no idea /s) and Maggie Hassan said that she supports keeping the filibuster and working across the aisle (thanks for nothing, Maggie) Both Democrats! I expected better.
Calista241
(5,633 posts)Its not going to lead to a bunch of liberal laws that we want. Manchin and Sinema cant even give us a $15 minimum wage, and thats easier than all the other stuff. Does anyone think theyll support judicial reform, or a public option, or immigration reform, or adding states to the union?
Whats to stop Republicans from splitting up Alabama and Indiana into 5 new states when they have control again? We used the filibuster to save our union in 2017 and 2018.
weissmam
(910 posts)I think Mitch is scared
CousinIT
(12,256 posts)The Wizard
(13,592 posts)of influence is the filibuster
monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)alphafemale
(18,497 posts)How far along are you in your final arrangements?
D23MIURG23
(3,137 posts)Fuck that noise. If we reform voting rights and add new states he'll be dead before they get back into power. Good riddance mitch!
honest.abe
(9,238 posts)He knows changing the filibuster takes away most of his power.
Go for it Dems!
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(132,926 posts)live love laugh
(16,204 posts)DBoon
(24,750 posts)Is Mitch hiding corruption involving a hostile foreign government?