2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumFilibuster Reform: Senate Plan From Carl Levin, John McCain A Gift To Republicans
A filibuster reform counterproposal put forward by Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and six other senators includes a provision that would be a boon to Republicans hoping to tack controversial amendments on to legislation headed for passage.
Debate over the future of the filibuster could begin as early as Thursday, sources close to the situation said, though Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) can postpone it to later in January. The Levin-McCain approach is in competition with a plan put forward by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), which would still allow the minority to filibuster legislation but would require them to do so by actually speaking on the floor. Merkley told the Washington Post's Greg Sargent that if the Levin-McCain proposal comes to the floor, he'll vote against it and would press others to do the same.
Merkley's plan has enough votes to pass..............
The Levin-McCain approach could also have a surprising consequence: Instead of tipping the balance of power toward the majority, it will leave in place the silent filibuster, which requires 60 votes to override, but would allow amendments to be adopted by a simple majority vote.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/filibuster-senate-levin-mccain-reform_n_2397198.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)giving this gift to the republicans. After the past four years with record stonewalling. It just amazes me.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)Cosmocat
(14,543 posts)Only democrats ...