Could we filibust the 'nuke' option?

[dghll]

Wouldnt that prevent the 51 vote for judges rule?

[unblock]

1. there's no filibuster on rules decisions.

that's the whole point of the nuclear option.

[dghll]

3. thanx. do all (R) support the rule change?

[thefool_wa]

6. Define nuclear option please (nt)

[unblock]

9. see below. it involves republicans lying, surprise surprise

as others have described below, "interpretations" of rules requires only a simple majority. so they will "interpret", i.e., make up, the filibuster rules to say you can't filibuster a judicial nominee. of course the rules say no such thing, but the banana republicans will uphold, by a simple majority, this ludicrous "interpretation" of the rules.

[thefool_wa]

11. Can they do that...

even in the face of historical precedent to the contrary? Wow, and they sling the most mud about "dirty political tricks".

Also, in this instance, does this mean the rule would apply ad infinitum, or just until the Dems get a chance to change it back with another rule interpretation vote?

[NYC Liberal]

2. Nope

[endarkenment]

4. Actually rule changes require 60 votes.

Frist has offered to instead bring about some sort of parliamentary maneuver to avoid the 60 vote requirement. I believe that instead of a rule change they will manage some sort of rule-interpretation change and that somehow will only require 51 votes.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Exactly

The chair will make a ruling, and a Democrat will object. It will than be voted on. The majority then decides.

[PatsFan2004]

8. IIRC, the Repukes will claim that it is unconstitutional to

filibuster under the advise and consent clause of the Constitution. The chair will rule in favor of the Repukes. The DEMS will object and request a vote. The majority rules.

[On the Road]

10. Can Every Republican be Counted on

to vote for an interpretation which is such a bald-faced lie?

I don't think this is a slam-dunk for the GOP.

[PatsFan2004]

12. You are correct about the slam dunk issue. The Repukes have

been waiting for the right nominee, one where the Repukes see an extremely well-qualified candidate with great reviews. The DEMS should avoid filibustering such a candidate like the plague if it allows the Repukes to unify on the nuke option. A divisive candidate like Harriet Miers would not have gotten the 51 votes for the nuke option.

[Sean C.]

7. I remember

Harry Reid filibustered on the Senate floor for eight hours reading from the Senate rule book as Republicans were trying to hold a vote to change the rules of the Senate so as to be able to make cloture a majority vote decision rather than based on a super-majority vote, but I don't know how long that could be sustained here.