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The Straight Story

(48,121 posts)
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 07:21 PM Jul 2013

97 senators arrive for rare joint caucus on 'nuclear option'

Nearly every senator returned to Washington Monday evening in time to attend a closed-door joint caucus to discuss filibuster rules.

Ninety-seven senators participated in the mandatory quorum call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) requested ahead of the 6 p.m. caucus in the Old Senate Chamber.

The GOP cloak room said Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) was the only missing Republican, while Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Bob Menendez (N.J.) were the absent Democrats.

Reid has threatened to use the “nuclear option” — changing the Senate rules to allow presidential nominations to proceed with a simple-majority vote instead of a 60-vote super-majority — in order to thwart Republican obstruction on seven of President Obama’s cabinet nominees.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told reporters heading into the joint caucus that lawmakers had agreed to the outlines of a compromise on nominees although a senior Democratic aide disputed the claim.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/311135-nearly-all-senators-return-for-joint-caucus-to-avoid-nuclear-option#ixzz2Z9t1jN9G

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Le Taz Hot

(22,271 posts)
9. Yeah, the Dems lose, at the very least,
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 07:42 PM
Jul 2013

Montana. I've not taken that close a look at the rest yet but I can't see any scenario wherein the Dems gain any seats in 2014.

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
5. Harry is working toward a compromise. Just like the last two on this subject. His compromise
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 07:28 PM
Jul 2013

like the last two will entail that the Republicans can do any-fucking-thing they want.

Comon Harry, make me a liar. Plez

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
6. McConnell said on Sunday to just put the nominees up for a vote. Reid will have accomplished
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 07:36 PM
Jul 2013

What he set out to do on getting the nominees voted on. Before Reid is caused of caving in we must understand if we lose the majority in the Senate we will need this rule in place to halt GOP trash bills.

alarimer

(16,245 posts)
11. They will regret changing it when the R's are in the majority
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 08:07 PM
Jul 2013

I think they will pick up the Senate in 2014 and basically do anything they please if you get rid of the filibuster.

Just make it a real filibuster, where they have to talk on the floor for hours.

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