Filibuster

Oh those Republicans and their talking points. This morning I heard a GOP strategist on cable news claim that Republicans could not be blamed for the economic situation because the Democrats "control the White House and the Senate."

First, this is stupid. You see a bill must pass both the Senate AND the House before the president can sign it into law. Who controls the House? The Republicans, who have this far done little more in the form of passing bills than naming post offices or affirming already existing law.

Second, this is bullshit. Yes, the Democrats have a Senate majority in the traditional sense of the word, fifty-one percent or more. But the Senate has its own tradition, one that allows 40 Senators to force 60 votes to pass legislation. And this current crop of Republicans is using that tactic on any legislation more meaningful than, say, naming a post office or affirming already existing law.

Earlier this month, Republicans required a cloture vote on Barbara Keenan for the 4th Circuit Court in Richmond. Keenan was subsequently confirmed 99-0.

Richard Burr is part of this perversion of the United States Senate. Like a little boy holding his breath, fingers in his ears, it's the Senate equivalent of nanny-nanny-boo-boo, you can't make me. A temper tantrum at best, obstruction at it toxic worst.

"If you want to filibuster and stop the progress of the country, I think you ought to come to the floor of the U.S. Senate, and bring your 40 friends, and let's bring the cots in there, let's keep the lights on all night, and if all you've got is read the dictionary into the record -- go for it, man -- but let's hear why you think it's important to gum up the works of the country." - Cal Cunnngham

Is it time to end the filibuster?

Hagan: I didn't understand the complexity before how I got there of how you can use this procedure (filibuster) to delay everything. So I think that this year, I'd have to look up the number, we were at about 92 different votes where the Republicans voted no in moving forward any piece of legislation, which is way over anything from a historical perspective.

Go read the rest. Kay is remarkably candid, and pretty darn smooth.

Local members of MoveOn held a rally today to counter the proposed Republican filibuster blocking a vote to withdraw U.S. combat forces out of Iraq by next spring.

The “counter filibuster” rally took place today at the corner of Otis Street and Patton Avenue in front of the Federal Building, where Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has an office.

At issue is a piece of proposed legislation that would require President Bush to begin bringing the troops home within the next 120 days and complete the task by April 2008.

According to a news release from MoveOn, members will read letters from Iraq war veterans and their families that call on Congress to bring the troops home soon.

Looks like our favorite Senator from NC just sent a big fat message to American workers during today's Senate session.

Liddy's message:

If you work for minimum wage, I don't care about you.

Apparently, Liddy and our new Republican Minority don't believe in the upperdownvote. The Party of Greed (as our friend Anglico loves to call them) has filibustered the Minimum Wage vote because it does not include an accompanying tax break.

I'll leave it to Senator Kennedy to ask the obvious:

Why can't we do just one thing for minimum wage workers, no strings attached, no giveaways for the powerful?

Well, Liddy? Liddy....?