Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHard right’s gun filibuster crashes and burns
Hard rights gun filibuster crashes and burns
Posted by Greg Sargent on April 11, 2013 at 12:03 pm
After a lot of bluster from a handful of hard right Senators who vowed to block debate of gun legislation, their filibuster was just defeated by a solid margin in the Senate. The vote was 68-31.
This obviously doesnt mean that the next filibuster will be easy to break. But its an encouraging first step.
In a welcome development, a number of Republicans voted to break the filibuster. Among them: John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Tom Coburn, Saxby Chambliss, Johnny Isakson, Pat Toomey, and Lindsey Graham. This is potentially important. It signals that there are at least some Republicans who are uncomfortable with using procedural shenanigans to stymie the debate over gun violence.
Some or even most of these Senators could obviously still filibuster on the motion to end debate. But some of them could conceivably be candidates for supporting the final bill, or perhaps could vote to end debate while opposing the final proposal (which could then pass by simple majority). McCain, for instance, previously cut an ad in support of expanded background checks. Coburn supports the general policy goal but still has concerns about records. Isakson has already said there should be an up or down vote. Toomey obviously already supports the compromise. So perhaps you could see enough Republicans agreeing to give the families something as Obama has put it, the families deserve a vote even if they cant support the final proposal.
Meanwhile, it is simply shameful that two red state Democrats Mark Pryor and Mark Begich voted with the hard right bloc to sustain the filibuster. Again, todays vote was only about whether to debate a proposal supported by nine in 10 Americans. But these two Democrats voted No. Meanwhile, Max Baucus, who voted Yes on moving to debate today, announced this morning that he opposes the proposals. That means we can probably write off three red state Dems (though this could change if more Republicans come out in support of it).
more...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/04/11/hard-rights-gun-filibuster-crashes-and-burns/
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
2 replies, 592 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (3)
ReplyReply to this post
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hard right’s gun filibuster crashes and burns (Original Post)
babylonsister
Apr 2013
OP
TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)1. Blew up in their faces, eh?
Sweet.
Robb
(39,665 posts)2. Remember those names, folks.