Levin: Filibuster reform more likely after Tuesday's failed Defense vote

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/120329-levin-filibuster-reform-more-likely-after-tuesday-vote


Levin: Filibuster reform more likely after Tuesday's failed Defense vote
By J. Taylor Rushing - 09/22/10 03:58 PM ET


Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin said Tuesday's failed cloture vote on a military policy bill has strengthened Democratic hopes to change the chamber's filibuster rules next year.

Levin said the 56-43 vote on a Defense Department authorization bill should have passed even though Republicans blocked it.

"I don't think a filibuster before has ever prevented the Senate from getting to a defense authorization," Levin said. "These filibusters on motions to proceed cannot be allowed to prevent us from getting our work done."

Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.) held a Rules Committee hearing Wednesday on ideas to change the Senate's filibuster rules. The hearing - the committee's fifth on the topic - featured Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)), who has been pushing for filibuster reform since 1995.

Levin said Tuesday's vote was "a very powerful argument for why we should change the rules."

"I believe in protecting the rights of the minority party, but the problem is that the Republicans have nee using the rules to prevent any debate... That's something I hope we can change one way or another."

[Beetwasher]

1. Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please!!!!

Imagine if they went through with this what could actually be accomplished.

[Marsala]

2. I doubt it will happen before 2012

The Democrats would have to be pretty ballsy to junk the filibuster after losing many seats in the midterms, and they will lose a lot of seats by any estimation. Keeping a majority of 54 in the Senate would be a good result for us right now. And of course, there are enough conservaDems around that we would have trouble finding a mere 50 votes (51 with Biden) after the midterms on most controversial bills.

[unblock]

3. if it happens in January, it's likely that we'll simply have the same struggle to get to 50 votes

as we now have to get to 60.

remember that, in the democratic party, 52 seats does not always a majority make.

and that's if they effectively abolish the filibuster. if they merely reduce it to 55 votes for cloture, then the republican hand will be stronger regardless.

[sadbear]

4. Oh, it will definitely happen

if the republican tea party ever takes back the Senate.

[babylonsister]

5. Huh? Did the baggers ever have the Senate? nt