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In reply to the discussion: From NewsFlector: How VP Harris can sideline MoscowMitch. [View all]onenote
(42,829 posts)6. This has been brought up before and it isn't going to work.
First problem: Joe Biden spent 36 years in the Senate and 8 years as "President" of the Senate. He is not going to change the way things have been done.
Second problem: Neither Harris nor Biden will want her spending all her time presiding over the Senate.
Third problem: The Constitution states that "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings...."
The presiding officer of the Senate doesn't make rules -- he/she only presides over the application of those rules. The Senate can, and if pushed to do so, pass all kinds of rules that would effectively limit what the presiding officer can do, such as a rule specifying that the presiding officer must recognize the majority leader. And that would be the end of it.
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Not necessarily. There are a bunch of bills that some republicans would not want to have their name
BComplex
Nov 2020
#4
No, they just wouldn't play along. Everything would be blocked in protest, until they manage
tritsofme
Nov 2020
#7
"As Mitch McConnell will gladly tell you, tradition is not written rule." Merrick Garland, anyone?
bucolic_frolic
Nov 2020
#10
The only problem we have is that, until January, Mitch McConnell still runs the Senate.
patphil
Nov 2020
#11
And one that would be invoked in a heartbeat if Biden and Harris tried this harebrained idea.
onenote
Nov 2020
#59
I think we should do this. And even if we don't, it's a major chip to be played in exchange for
TomDaisy
Nov 2020
#12
If they try this, Bitchy Mitchy will change the Senate rules faster than you can say PING MAY
sandensea
Nov 2020
#13
Unless the filibuster is eliminated, floor votes can be blocked even with Harris in charge. Nt
Fiendish Thingy
Nov 2020
#34
If it was so simple why didn't Obama have Biden do this to get Merrick Garland a vote
Buckeyeblue
Nov 2020
#39