ok, the rules MUST CHANGE to prevent ONE demented congresscritter from

[Lerkfish]

shutting down the govt.

there, I said it. No one congress person should wield that much power.

[truebrit71]

1. No shit.

..

[libnnc]

2. It's completely insane.

To hold people's lives hostage over a political stunt like that

:nuke: :kick:

[vi5]

3. Can someone explain how this works?

How can one guy be doing this and getting away with it? I haven't really seen a good explanation yet as to one guy can do this kind of thing?

I mean I know that one senator can put a hold on a nominee for something if the person is from their home state or something like that. But if something has enough votes to pass (majority or supermajority) how can one guy do this? Especially if he's not actually talking or fillibustering (Heaven forbid he be made to actually do that.

[tritsofme]

7. The Senate runs on unanimous consent

The Senate will usually unanimously agree to set aside procedural roadblocks and proceed to a vote on non-controversial legislation like this.

However just one senator can object to unanimous consent, and eventually force the majority leader to file for cloture to end debate. This takes time, it takes two days for a cloture motion to "ripen" and that must be followed by 30 hours of post cloture debate. Reid did not anticipate that this normally non-controversial measure would be subject to procedural warfare by Bunning, and assumed he could move to a vote without objection. So until Reid is able to satisfy Bunning's procedural blocks the Senate cannot move to a vote on the measure.

This was a pretty condensed version written from my mobile, but I hope it helped a bit.

[vi5]

9. It does, thanks.

Ridiculous.

[babylonsister]

4. Agree wholeheartedly. This is nuts. nt

[Ramulux]

5. Seriously, What the fuck is going on?

How is this one guy able to do this, I dont understand. I just read there is going to be a 21% medicare cut that's going to completely fuck over our senior citizens because of this guys bullshit.

[Lerkfish]

6. can somebody rec this thREAD?

thqanks

[HughMoran]

8. This is complete bullshit

I think this is the 2nd time ever I've agreed with you :rolf:

[Lerkfish]

10. kicking my own thread

[RainDog]

11. Too bad we can't abolish the Senate

because, as far as I'm concerned, they're worthless.