Senate Democrats Back Away From Rules Changes To End Minority Delay Tactics

[Purveyor]

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Thursday backed away from rules changes that would have scrapped or vastly limited the filibuster, a long-standing technique that allows just one of the chamber's 100 members to block legislation.

Under Senate rules, which were changed only slightly in the agreement reached between leaders of the Republican minority and the Democrat majority, filibustered legislation can be brought to a vote only if it has the backing of a super majority — 60 of the chamber's 100 members.

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The rules deal accepted in the Senate on Thursday, leaves the minority party with far more power than it has in the House, where procedures allow a united majority party to muscle through its priorities.

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Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid had been under heavy pressure from liberals in the Senate to outlaw the filibuster under the rules of the coming session. Such a change would only have required 51 votes. Democrats currently control 55 votes. Reid had initially said he wanted to ban the filibuster.

MORE...

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/world/senate-democrats-back-away-from-rules-changes-to-end-minority-delay-tactics-1.55990

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Brave Sir Democrats

[fascisthunter]

2. but wasn't it all a great show?!

best acting I have ever seen!

[Purveyor]

3. Carnival 'barkers' and all...

Plus I hear there is a run on 'lipstick'...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. Because they could be in the minority in 2014 given that many represent RED

states!!!!!!

[Purveyor]

5. Michigan included so I guess we just f'n surrender now and get it over with, eh? Perhaps they

will be 'nice to us' post 2014 if we are nice to them now?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

6. Not really. We try hard to do the best we can to save those seats, but the reality is there.

You got Democrats representing the reddest states up for reelection in 2014. We shouldn't be naive about the likely outcome. We got lucky last time with crazy ass Republicans making ridiculous statements about rape and women. I don't think we'll be so lucky in a midterm election.

Call Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer's line. Demand answers for why they opposed filibuster reform.