It's Time To Filibuster..

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I have a question ...


What happens after Dick (The Crook) Cheney uses the nuiclear option to end the filibuster by a mere majority vote rather than a sixty vote super majority?

[tritsofme]

1. Do you mean literally?

A new precedent is set and Scalito is brought up for a vote.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I Know That...

But can the Dems filibuster other bills and make it necessary for Cheney to "live" at the Senate to constantly invoke cloture on even minor bills....

[tritsofme]

4. Cheney doesn't need to be there to invoke cloture

unless the Senate is split 50/50

If they have 51 votes for the nuclear option he really doesn't need to be there for that either.

The plan that would de facto shut down the Senate doesn't need to involve Cheney.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. I'm Confused...

If all it takes is fifty one votes to end a filibuster why does the Constitution say it takes sixty votes to end a filibuster...

[Warren Stupidity]

8. It isn't the constitution.

It is a long standing senate rule. The constitution has nothing to say about it one way or another.

[tritsofme]

10. I should have worded my post better

He doesn't need to be there unless there is a tie.

In terms of invoking cloture, I can envision no scenario which involves the VPOTUS.

His only role in invoking the nuclear option would be to preside over the Senate and rule filibusters of judicial nominees to be "out of line"

As the previous poster said, there is no mention in the Constitution of filibusters, it is just a Senate rule.

[bowens43]

3. What happens?

Alito gets a vote and gets confirmed.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Again... I Know That...

But the Dems can tie up the Senate up in knots after that vote by requiring a super majority for every bill by filbustering everything...

[Warren Stupidity]

7. No the plan is to change the rules

so that filibuster can be ended by a simple majority. There is no need for Cheney at all. The Democratic Party would (I hope) respond by flooding the senate with procedural issues that would prevent any normal business from proceding.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. That's What I Was Looking For...

eom