Dick Durbin: Let GOP filibuster

[sabra]

Source: Politico

Senate Democrats may be ready to actually make Republicans carry out filibusters.

Basking in their political victory over Sen. Jim Bunning’s (R-Ky.) blockade of an extension of unemployment insurance, Democrats say that they may force Republicans to talk endlessly on the floor in the months leading up to November’s elections.

For months, House Democrats – and liberal activists –have implored Senate Democrats to let filibusters unfold over hours on the Senate floor, rather than trying to dispose of Senate business with cloture votes and unanimous consent requests.

Asked Thursday why Senate Democrats don’t force Republicans to carry out filibusters, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said flatly: “We may.”

“When we think the Republicans are being unreasonable – we’re going to consider our options under the rules of the Senate, I think there is a feeling after what we went through with Sen. Bunning’s blockage and unemployment benefits that we need to stand up more and make it clear what this obstruction costs,” Durbin said.




Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33920.html

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Good idea. They're all talk anyway.

Now let them prove it.

[Andy823]

2. It's about time!

They should have been doing this all along. Make them stay on the floor and see just how long they last! How long do you think Bunning would have lasted if they had made hims stay on the floor?

[rfranklin]

3. We've had a year of obstructionism...why wait?

Or are there some sternly wroded warning letters being written?

[tomm2thumbs]

4. Make them shit or get off the pot!

America needs to see them with their pants down anyway - time for the truth to be seen for what it is

[TerribleLarryDingle]

5. I hope they do but doubt they will.

HOPE being the key word.

[KansDem]

6. Hook their jaws up to little generators...

Might as well get some renewable energy out of this!

[HopeHoops]

7. Hey, that's what iPods are for. Show the GOP bastards the same respect they showed Obama.

Hell, screw earbuds - use a nice noise-cancelling stereo headset. Make it REALLY obvious you aren't listening to their blather.

[Plucketeer]

8. Just DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!

Stop saying MAYBE........... and make them put their mouth where their money is.

[harmonicon]

9. they damn well should (nt)

[BonnieJW]

10. I have heard this so many times.

It comes to nothing. I remember once Harry Reid even had custodians bring in folding beds because everyone was going to "pull an all nighter." Nothing.

[SemperEadem]

11. Thank you, Sen. Durbin--that's what many of us say

let them go ahead and filibuster--make them go on the record.

[modeloftime]

15. Yes make them go on record

I couldn't agree with you more.

[Zambero]

12. GOP health care filibuster: A sound byte gold mine?

Let's see, we already have those anti-rape bill "No's", Jim "tough shit" Bunning's anti-unemployed tirade and his 18 sympathizers, the 40 GOP "No" votes on the social security increase for 2010, hours of Michele Bachman footage, etc. I can only imagine what other "precious moments" might be captured when the GOP enagages in a full tilt nega-thon with a stated goal of maintaining the status quo for a broken health care system.

[soarsboard2]

13. Let them show their true colors

a yellow bellied gray elephant .


this is a good idea

[modeloftime]

14. I agree with you

Yes, let them show their true colors. I hate these Repugs...

[SlingBlade]

16. “We may.” ??? They stick your ass in a basement when they

had the power you spineless fucking wimp. We May .... STFU !

Are there NO Democrats left with a spine ?

[DebbieCDC]

17. "We may" my ass -- just do it.

This is a win/win for the Dems.

Why is our party so effing stupid?

[ShortnFiery]

18. No it's not. Nothing but the original Senate Bill will pass.

And knowing Durbin's MO, he'll end up APOLOGIZING for something before this horrific mess is over. :(

[True_Blue]

19. The Dems would get some good ammo for Nov - nt