Harry Reid: Filibuster Reform Will Be Pursued In The Next Congress

[Purveyor]

WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pledged on Wednesday to change the rules of the Senate so that the minority party has fewer tools to obstruct legislative business.

In his first post-election press conference, the Nevada Democrat said he wouldn't go so far as to eliminate the filibuster, which requires 60 votes for the chamber to enter and exit the amendment and debate process. But in remarks meant to preview a more combative approach during the next session, he warned Republicans that obstructionism as a tactic won't be tolerated -- or as technically feasible.

"I want to work together, but I also want everyone to also understand, you cannot push us around. We want to work together," Reid said.

"I do" have plans to change the Senate rules, he added. "I have said so publicly and I continue to feel that way ... I think the rules have been abused, and we are going to work to change them. We will not do away with the filibuster, but we will make the senate a more meaningful place. We are going to make it so we can get things done."

MORE...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/harry-reid-filibuster-reform_n_2088767.html

[Horse with no Name]

1. I hope so Harry

2014 depends on it.

[Robbins]

2. Good work harry

After this and the attacks on Rmoney republicans will hate him.

[lapfog_1]

3. Elections have consequences!!! oh hell ya! - n/t

[Michigan Alum]

4. Let's hope that the Dems now start being more assertive. They received a mandate last night.

[sibelian]

5. Excellent. And not before time.

Well done, Harry.

[seabeyond]

6. i have seen a different reid since after his last election. he needs to be that soft spoken

aggressor of the last couple years.

put up with no shit, reid

[bigtree]

7. knew this

nothing will happen without it

[montanacowboy]

8. It damn well better be

he has got to take care of this as soon as possible

[Melinda]

9. Force the actual filibuster to the floor, ala "Mr Smith Goes to Washington."

Broadcast that act live on CSPAN, and PUT the GOP on public trial.

[demosincebirth]

10. I hope you can do something, Harry, but I'm afraid it'll be like pissing in the wind.

[still_one]

11. Thank you

[riverwalker]

12. yes!!! Finally n/t

[toddwv]

13. Make them actually filibuster.

Imagine the hours and hours of right-wing lunacy that will spill out of their ideologically driven minds in front of the cameras for all to see.

[librechik]

14. Just lower the voting threshold from 60 to 53 & eliminate secret holds by one anonymous senator

That would bring meaningful change. I hope he actually does it this time, though. he said he was going to do this before but chickened out.

We'll never get those assholes to "really" filibuster. That went away many decades ago.

[gkhouston]

19. +1. n/t

[SnoopDog]

15. Reid states that he will keep the filibuster

So, basically, it will still take 60 votes in the Senate to pass any bill...

The Constitution does not state it takes a super majority to pass a bill...

[tkmorris]

20. That's not necessarily true

Those are the current filibuster rules but there is no requirement that they stay that way. The number of votes needed for cloture (avoiding a filibuster) could just as easily be any number, say 55. Furthermore filibusters don't need to be procedural as they are now, requiring only that a party declare it's intent to force a cloture vote. They could make them old school, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington stuff, or any other form they can agree upon.

Having said that, I don't entirely have faith in Reid to actually change this. They had the opportunity to do so before the last session but did not do so despite an obvious need. We'll see if they have learned anything this time.

BTW I am intrigued by our new Senator from Maine, Angus King. He has put filibuster reform at the very top of his to-do list, and more interestingly, he ran as an Independent meaning he could caucus for either side. He is expected to side with the Dems but I think he may just insist on some concessions regarding the filibuster rule to make it official.

[SnoopDog]

21. If you read the article, Reid states that ...

...he will keep the filibuster.

Whether it is 60 votes or 55 or anything over 51 (or 50!) it is still a filibuster/cloture vote.

Further in the article is where Reid says he could remove the initial cloture vote the allows 'debate on the vote'. But after that, it takes cloture to then vote on the bill. This is a step in the right direction but it still takes 60 votes (or if it is changed 52&gt .

[spanone]

16. k&r...

[Canuckistanian]

17. He said he would before

About 6 months ago, I think.

But good that it's finally happening!

[Bandit]

18. Without addressing the fillibuster problem, how can they make any changes

Anything they attempt will be fillibustered...Sometimes I just don't understand their thought process..

[Kurovski]

22. K&R. (nt)