U.S. Senate - "Nuclear Option"?

[Foil]

Looks like the majority are moving to use the "nuclear option" in the Senate.

Personally, I think this move sets a bad precedent for majority power. Any thoughts...?

[Will Robinson]

They hardly follow any rules anymore.
Even the ones they created to get around the spirit of the rules. If it ends up in their own way later they ignore it.

To quote a former Senator and Secretary of State when she was asked a question she didn't want to answer by a Congressional committee looking into her actions when she was Secretary, she shouted:
"What does it matter!!"

That is the standard contemptuous reaction the ruling class has when faced with bothersome rules.

[woodchip]

The Dems will scream and cry when the Repub. gain power and use the option, then forget they were the ones that set it in motion.

[Heretic]

Isn't that how they got the ACA passed also?

[CUDA]

ya that's how you usually do things, when things aren't going your way you changes the rules so they do. My Grand-kids do the same thing when they are playing games and it gets too difficult for them.

[CobGobbler]

Meh, all they have to do is change the rule back right before the election in 2016.

Good, glad they did this.

Half the nominees filibustered in the history of the United States were blocked by Republicans during the Obama administration; of 23 district court nominees filibustered in U.S. history, 20 were Obama's nominees; and even judges that have broad bipartisan support have had to wait nearly 100 days longer, on average, than President George W. Bush's nominees.

Considering this extends to executive and judicial nominees, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Not legislation you morons. Better get used to it.

[Spidey]

From the Wiki page Foil posted.

“The nuclear option has arisen in reaction to the frequent use of Senate rules by a minority of Senators to block consideration of a nominee for an Executive Branch or judicial position (or less frequently, a bill or resolution).”

Hummm, so the Democrats actually did have the power to block the Republican filibusters during the ACA debate.

That was for slick…sorry Foil…back to your topic.

[CobGobbler]

Stack the courts Dems. Do it now and get it done.

[Tunnelcat]

The Dems should be careful, they've created a monster. Things done to benefit one party will someday return to bite that party in the a$$.

[callmeslick]

Isn't that how they got the ACA passed also?

no, that happened when the late Arlen Specter changed from Republican to Dem affiliation.

[woodchip]

Stack the courts Dems. Do it now and get it done.

And when your employer drops your coverage or makes you a part time employee, I wonder if you'll still be so Rah Rah.

[callmeslick]

Stack the courts Dems. Do it now and get it done.

And when your employer drops your coverage or makes you a part time employee, I wonder if you'll still be so Rah Rah.

what does THAT pantload of nonsense have to do with Federal Court appointees?

[Tunnelcat]

Yeah, I didn't think Republicans liked that liberal idea of suing someone to right a wrong.