Dueling Filibuster Proposals Leave Reformers Scrambling

[Tx4obama]

Dueling Filibuster Proposals Leave Reformers Scrambling

The two leading champions of weakening the Senate filibuster on Friday criticized a bipartisan proposal that was unveiled in the afternoon with scaled-back reforms, and they pushed for their own package to make more sweeping changes to the rules.

Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tom Udall (D-NM) promptly said the alternate proposal put forth by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Carl Levin (D-MI) is too weak and does nothing to prevent senators from filibustering quietly and escaping public accountability for their obstruction — the centerpiece of the Merkley-Udall “talking filibuster” plan.

The McCain-Levin proposal, unveiled Friday after bipartisan negotiations, would make it easier for the majority leader to bypass motions to proceed and guarantee the minority two amendments on legislation regardless of relevancy, Steven S. Smith, an expert on Congress at Washington University in St. Louis, told TPM. It would also remove obstacles on motions to go to conference and approve minor presidential nominations.

Levin told reporters in the Capitol that the plan “will hopefully overcome the gridlock that has so permeated the U.S. Senate.” He added: “It is a bipartisan proposal.”

The Merkley-Udall proposal, by contrast, essentially eliminates the ability of senators to block debate on legislation and forces senators who want to prevent a vote on a bill to speak ceaselessly on the Senate floor until one side gives in.

-snip-

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/12/dueling-filibuster-proposals.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

Edited to add...

And more info here:
UPDATED: Opponents Of Filibuster Reform Offer Empty Proposal
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/12/28/1379201/opponents-of-filibuster-reform-offer-nothingburger-proposal/

[LiberalFighter]

1. Absolutely thumbs down on the McCain - Levin proposal

To allow amendments to legislation regardless of relevancy is wrong.

[davidpdx]

2. Fuck anything that has McCain's name on it

And fuck you John McCain!

[Cali_Democrat]

6. +1000

[annabanana]

3. How is the McCain-Levin thing "reform"? What is reformational

about it?

Seriously..

Merkley-Udall, on the other hand, will actually unconstipate the Senate.

[Paulie]

4. Levin doesn't need any committee assignments it seems

Enough of this BS. The obstruction HAS TO END!!!!

[xxxsdesdexxx]

5. We need the Udall/Merkely "Talking Filibuster" not the McCain/Levin nonsense.

[jberryhill]

7. Oh yeah.... kill everything with endless amendments

So that we have the requisite conga line of "repeal Obamacare" amendments to the Drywall Mold Remediation Act.