GOP Warns: We'll Shut The Senate Down If You Try To End The Filibuster

The filibuster is, of course, very important, because only the Senate confirms judicial and executive appointments. The GOP's hold of the House blocks most of the worst legislation, but for appointments, we need the filibuster to stop the worst of Obama's nominees.

Harry Reid is thinking of the next 40 years. He hasn't delivered for liberals all that much, but he certainly could pay them off big time if he stacked the court with left wingers. And he'll get that chance, alas.

The GOP's counter to this is to simply stop all business and freeze the government.

Here’s what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering: banning filibusters used to prevent debate from even starting and House-Senate conference committees from ever meeting. He also may make filibusters become actual filibusters — to force senators to carry out the nonstop, talkathon sessions.

Republicans are threatening even greater retaliation if Reid uses a move rarely used by Senate majorities: changing the chamber’s precedent by 51 votes, rather than the usual 67 votes it takes to overhaul the rules.

“I think the backlash will be severe,” Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), the conservative firebrand, said sternly. “If you take away minority rights, which is what you’re doing because you’re an ineffective leader, you’ll destroy the place. And if you destroy the place, we’ll do what we have to do to fight back.”

“It will shut down the Senate,” the incoming Senate GOP whip, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, told POLITICO. “It’s such an abuse of power.”

I don't believe the GOP would shut down anything. We have orgasms, but they have wargasms.

posted by Ace at 01:08 PM

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