That legislative body has a ‘super majority’ vote rule that applies to major pieces of legislation…
And objection by a single member, the filibuster , stops the bill cold….
The Republicans under Sen McConnell used cancelled the rule (went nuclear) when they wanted to during 2017 and 2019….
Now that the Democrats have a slim majority in both Houses of Congress?
McConnell is have a shit fit threatening all sorts of things if the Democrats get rid of the procedure…
Something HAS to be changed in that body….
The rules are ARE so onerous that it seems NOTHING can be done on important legislation like on voting rights and immigration….
And even ole ‘ Joe Biden from the Senate seems ready to to be buying in…
As we enter this new Congress with a new president and a new Senate majority (barely), the question for me is how Mitch McConnell and his Republican colleagues will play their hand; if they are willing to work to find compromise and consensus on important initiatives (infrastructure, voting rights or immigration reform, for example), the importance of getting rid of the filibuster diminishes. If, on the other hand, they just say no, the necessity — and likelihood — of filibuster reform would only increase. That is to say, in large measure the outcome is in their hands.
Over to you, Mitch…
…
People close to Biden tell us he’s feeling bullish on what he can accomplish, and is fully prepared to support the dashing of the Senate’s filibuster rule to allow Democrats to pass voting rights and other trophy legislation for his party.
- He loves the growing narrative that he’s bolder and bigger-thinking than President Obama.
- This temptation to go even bigger, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell insists, will create such a fissure between the parties that he compared it this week to “nuclear winter.”
But we’re told Biden won’t hesitate. Just as he passed the $1.9 trillion COVID rescue package with zero Republican votes and zero regrets, his team sees little chance he’s going to be able to rewire the government in his image if he plays by the rules of bringing in at least 10 Republicans….
…
Senate Democrats are eyeing the next phase of the filibuster fight as they plan a series of tests to try to squeeze Republicans and sway their colleagues wary of changing the Senate’s most famous rule.
As the House passes several big policy priorities, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is vowing that he will put the bills on the floor this year, setting up high-profile showdowns on President Biden’s campaign promises.
Democrats say the strategy is two-fold: It will make Republicans go on the record in opposition and could demonstrate to Democrats wary of reforming the legislative filibuster that much of their agenda will be stuck in limbo without reforms….
Note….
I must admit that I AM surprised at Biden’s move to this….
I thought he would NOT embrace anything like this….
Things change….
Biden is NOW thinking and acting like a President not a Senator….
Josh Marshal
his threats are becoming almost absurd at this point. i’m waiting to hear about the metaphorical radiation burns that all Senators will suffer if the filibuster is abolished talkingpointsmemo.com/news/mcconnell… via @TPM