Mitch McConnell's Revenge: GOP Forces All-Night Session After 'Nuclear Option'

[DonViejo]

SAHIL KAPUR – DECEMBER 11, 2013, 6:32 PM EST

Senate Republicans are retaliating against Democrats for changing the filibuster rules via the so-called nuclear option by forcing major delays on nominations.

The Senate voted Tuesday to proceed to the nomination of Nina Pillard to the powerful D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Senate rules provide for up to 30 hours of debate on such a nominee -- unless both sides agree relinquish time. Republicans have said they'll use up all the time, which would delay the vote to 1 A.M. on Thursday morning (or late Wednesday night), according to a Senate Democratic leadership aide.

Pillard was bottled up by a GOP filibuster but her confirmation is inevitable now that non-Supreme Court nominees need just 51 votes. She has the support of at least 51 senators. All Republicans can do is delay the inevitable -- and they are doing just that.

Republicans cannot filibuster because debate time is necessarily limited to 30 hours. They're poised to take turns occupying the floor and speaking until all the time is up.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered a barn-burner of a speech Wednesday afternoon, fuming against the Democrats' decision to "go nuclear," calling it a "power grab." He also made his case against Pillard, labeling her a "liberal ideologue" who "doesn't deserve" a lifetime-tenured seat on the influential D.C. Circuit court.

full article
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mcconnell-s-revenge-gop-forces-all-night-session-in-retaliation-for-nuclear-option

[Swede Atlanta]

1. Gee Mitch......

In a democracy is the concept of majority rule a power grab?

Our founding fathers (unfortunately no sisters at the time) did much to protect the rights of the minority including all states 2 senators regardless of population and enshrining certain rights into the Constitution that could not be undone by legislation.

So they will use whatever methods they have to delay but now they cannot stop them. Isn't this just all window dressing? If the end result will be the same why are they wasting their effort?

Well, if it wears a bunch of them out that they need to go to a nursing home or a funeral home (just kidding) I won't cry a river of tears.

[sheshe2]

2. So Mitch, your unprecedented filibusters were a power grab! We went Nuclear.

Now you're mad someone called you on it and stood up to you.

You now are being childish with your so called revenge. Not a problem. We can take it, can you? WTF Mitch? Your party of No Work has to be there too. Who exactly are you punishing here?

LOL Mitchie, the joke really is on you jokesters.

Great thread, DV, thank you!

[liberal N proud]

3. A whole night of doing what they have done for 5 years

NOTHING!

[BlueToTheBone]

5. oooh. a sleep over with their best friends

What if they don't have a quorum?

[Cha]

6. Poor mitch..

Hey Mitch.. You drooling idiot.. LIBERAL is A GOOD THING!



thanks DV

[TlalocW]

7. Unfortunately for him

There is plenty of video footage of him and other republicans talking to the press and asking for a simple up-or-down vote when it came to nominees they supported, and democrats didn't.

Also, I don't think anyone except the people speaking have to show up so democrats should have a pizza party, go out to eat, or nap in their offices until it's time to vote then go home.

TlalocW

[BlueMTexpat]

8. Mitch is a conservative ideologue

who doesn't deserve a seat in the Senate! May Allison Grimes win in 2014!

[grantcart]

9. Forcing Republicans stay up through the night - wow that will teach us.

[yellowcanine]

10. If Mitch had a chin it probably would have quivered during that speech.

We should take up a collection and buy Mitch a chin.