On Filibuster Reform, Advocates Claim Momentum Need only two more Senators

[UCmeNdc]

The Senate postponed debate on reforming the filibuster Thursday, as advocates cited the support of 48 senators for eliminating the silent filibuster using the so-called constitutional option, a measure that requires 50 votes plus that of the vice president.

During a briefing on Capitol Hill, Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) updated reporters on their joint effort, which is also being shepherded by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).

The remaining seven within the Democratic caucus who have yet to sign on are Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a source familiar with the whip count told The Huffington Post.







http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/03/filibuster-reform-senate_n_2405008.html



Need to pressure the two CA Senators to sign on!

Then pressure Reid to get the vote going!

[Rowdyboy]

1. Not surprised by conservatives Pryor/Baucus or institutionalists like Leahy/Levin/Feinstein but

but Reed and especially Barbara Boxer really disappoint me. I expect more of them and as is usual in the Democratic party I'm being let down.

What else is new.....

[octoberlib]

2. I got this email from Daily Kos

From: Chris Bowers, Daily Kos
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Subject: Filibuster reform: Dramatic Update

Chris, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has sent an ultimatum to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, giving McConnell until Thursday to agree to a watered down filibuster reform package. The idea is that Reid and McConnell would jointly pass a few small-bore reforms with overwhelming bipartisan support.However, if McConnell does not agree to the watered down package of reforms, then Sen. Reid has threatened to pass a much stronger filibuster reform package, and to do so with only 51 Democratic votes. Further, according to the Washington Post, this stronger package would include one of our two primary demands—flipping the burden on filibusters to the minority party.

[davidpdx]

6. The ultimatum is an empty threat if he doesn't have 50 senators

Maybe Reid has a card up his sleeve and is waiting to pull it out at the last minute. That's the only thing I can think of.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

3. Why isn't the Obama Administration making this priority #1?

[xxxsdesdexxx]

4. I wish he would comment on the importance of the "talking" filibuster.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

5. He doesn't because he likes it the way it is.

It's a centrist fiscal conservative thing.

[jeff47]

9. Because they don't run the senate

Plus, Obama being for it would turn it from a relatively small procedural change into Satan seizing control over the republic, as far as the Republicans are concerned.

[davidpdx]

7. Thanks for the update

I'm sorry to hear we haven't had anyone budge yet. Pryor and Bacus are hard no's which leaves 5.

As I said up thread in another response is the only thing I can think of is maybe Feinstein and Boxer are sitting on the fence on purpose to watch the Republicans hang themselves by saying they won't agree to anything and then Reid pulls out his pair of A's and lays his cards down. If that the case it allows most of the others to save face and vote against it or go with the no vote option.

[trueblue2007]

8. reform now

[budkin]

10. Sounds like reform is pretty much dead at this point

Kind of predictable but it still sucks.

[cascadiance]

11. This article is from two weeks ago, not today...

Unfortunately, the lobbyists flexed their muscles enough to stop this effort to "free" the Senate from obstruction.

People should call Boxer's and Leahy's office and ask WHY we should trust them anymore when they claim to be "progressive" Democrats in the Senate, when they didn't become the two senators that could have had this pass. Ask their offices WHY we should trust them any more if they can't be on the right side of this fundamental vote to set things on the right track for progressive and people-centered leadership in the future.