Will Harry Reid and the Democrats do away with the possibility of filibusters regarding nominations in the Senate? That is what Reid and his party are threatening. It is an exercise in hypocrisy.
A few years back when the Democrats were in the minority, they were filibustering a big batch of nominations from George Bush. At that point, the Republican majority threatened to do away with the ability to filibuster a nomination. Senator Reid denounced the move as tyrannical and against the rules of the Senate. Reid explained that no change to the rules could be made without a two thirds majority of all senators. The Republicans backed off and made a deal with regard to some of the pending nominations. Of course, that was then. Now, Reid sees no problem with changing the rules with a bare majority vote.
It is a big mistake for the Democrats to change this rule. Sure, they can do it because they have the votes to ram it through even if it is against the rules. Nevertheless, come 2017 there may be a GOP president and majority in the Senate. If the Democrats get rid of the rule now, it will surely come back to bite them then.
A few years back when the Democrats were in the minority, they were filibustering a big batch of nominations from George Bush. At that point, the Republican majority threatened to do away with the ability to filibuster a nomination. Senator Reid denounced the move as tyrannical and against the rules of the Senate. Reid explained that no change to the rules could be made without a two thirds majority of all senators. The Republicans backed off and made a deal with regard to some of the pending nominations. Of course, that was then. Now, Reid sees no problem with changing the rules with a bare majority vote.
It is a big mistake for the Democrats to change this rule. Sure, they can do it because they have the votes to ram it through even if it is against the rules. Nevertheless, come 2017 there may be a GOP president and majority in the Senate. If the Democrats get rid of the rule now, it will surely come back to bite them then.
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