Eliminating the Filibuster.

[Laelth]

It is my sincere hope that Democrats will regain control of the Senate early next year. When that happens, I hope we will be able to forward a lot of new, liberal legislation to President Biden’s desk for his signature. In order for this to happen, the filibuster must be eliminated. It’s just a Senate rule. It can easily be changed if and when a majority of Senators agrees to change it.

If this hypothetical Democratic Senate tries to eliminate the filibuster in 2021, the Republicans, naturally, will raise holy hell. This is how I would respond to their objections (and this is the point of this thread).

If our esteemed, Republican colleagues are so fond of the filibuster, they will be welcome to restore it as soon as they re-take control of the Senate. If they do not restore it when they have the power to do so, it will merely prove our point—that the filibuster has outlived its usefulness and no longer serves the best interests of the American people.

What do you think?



-Laelth

[vlyons]

1. Elections have consequences

Otherwise GOP senators can go eat a bug

[mr_lebowski]

2. Our getting rid of the filibuster resulted in the US getting stuck Boofin' Brett

I look at getting rid of it as one of those 'be careful what you wish for' things.

And yes I know it was the GOP that got rid of the SCOTUS one, but Harry started the trend.

In fact our courts are being stacked w/white wingers now directly because Harry got rid of the filibuster to clear the way for Obama's judges.

[Laelth]

5. If we eliminated it, would they later restore it?

If not, doesn’t that prove that it has outlived its usefulness, for better or for worse?



-Laelth

[jimfields33]

3. We did that with judges and we'll pay for it for 40 years.

Are we sure this is a good idea?

[Laelth]

4. I don't see how we can get anything done if we don't.

Here’s the thing. Other than Court appointments, there’s very little that the Republicans can do that we can’t UNDO when we next control government. The laws we pass, on the other hand, are nearly impossible to undo. The Republicans controlled government for two years, and they couldn’t get rid of the ACA—because the American people like its provisions. So long as we make good laws that have the support of the people, our laws will stay on the books. Theirs can easily be repealed.

Just a thought.

-Laelth

[jimfields33]

6. The republicans can sue to stop every bill we put up

And with the judiciary, they may win at least some of them. Also suing can put the bill on hold for years. I know worst case but still.

[marble falls]

8. And vice versa.

[marble falls]

9. And it was Bush's Congress that did it. You're right - it was a terrible idea.

[AncientGeezer]

14. Senator Reid pushed that through during POTUS Obama.

[Amishman]

13. exactly, it is a short sighted idiotic idea

The senate is biased in its structure and favors the republicans. long term the republicans will probably hold the senate more frequently than we do. I don't think we want to be the ones removing a major procedural check, if anything we should be working to entrench it in a way that restores it for judicial nominees and makes it impossible to lower.

[marble falls]

7. Getting rid of the filibuster is a bad idea ...

It has its place.

[Laelth]

11. If we eliminated it, would the Republicans resore it given the chance?

If not, doesn’t that prove that it has outlived its usefulness?



-Laelth

[marble falls]

12. The filibuster as it now is helps the minority party negotiate fairer agreements.

Din't you ever see Mr Smith Goes to Washington with Jimmy Steward?

The filibuster has really changed in form over the years. I think taking the filibuster out of judicial appointments has really screwed Democrats.

One thing I'd get rid of is the "threatened filibuster" rule that says that threatening a filibuster can delay final votes. If you're going to filibuster you get up there with a jug of water and a Depends and a book or whatever filibuster.