Harry Reid moves to limit GOP filibusters

[Charles Kozierok]

So he feels his party has the best plan for the country.

There's no precedent I'm aware of, of a senate leader making a comment like that.

If the roles were reversed you'd feel the same way I do. Except I'd feel that way regardless of who made that type of remark.

 

[Ausm]

Poison the well further.

Why should the Republicans try to work with the Democrats when they are labeled as such by the Democratic leadership?

It implies that the Democrats do not want the Republicans and need them.

The Republicans are doing what they feel is best for the country.

If you believe this load of shit, Then I have some swampland to sell you in Florida.

Here is a partial list of Bills they blocked would mind going through and explain to us how it was "great" for America?

http://www.woodcountydemocrats.com/...took-office&catid=53:press-releases&Itemid=96

Tax on Companies that ship jobs overseas- A bill that would have eliminated a tax break that companies get when they ship jobs overseas. Republicans blocked this, allowing companies to keep the tax break they receive when they ship jobs to other countries.

Political Ad disclosure bill- Would have required all donors to political campaigns to reveal themselves. Republicans blocked this, not once but twice.

Subpoena Power for the Committee investigating the BP Oil Spill – Give subpoena power to the independent committee responsible for investigating BP’s roll in the oil spill. Republicans attempted to block this.

The Small Business Jobs Act -would give LOCAL, community banks access to billions of dollars to loan to small businesses. Republicans blocked this, then attempted to block it a second time and failed.

The DREAM Act- Gives immigrant youth who were brought here as children a path to citizenship by earning a college degree or serving the military for 2 years. Republicans blocked this.

Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”- Would have repealed the law that forces gay and lesbian services members to lie about their sexuality and gives the military the right to discharge soldiers based on their sexuality. Republicans blocked this many times and Democrats were finally able to pass it with the support of just 2 Republicans.

From Crooks and Liars - When John McCain led the filibuster of the Defense Appropriations Act yesterday, he blocked far more than the DREAM Act and repeal of DADT. Here are just a few of the other blocked provisions, courtesy of Mother Jones.

No permanent military bases in Afghanistan.
Report identifying hybrid or electric propulsion systems and other fuel-saving technologies for incorporation into tactical motor vehicles.
Protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation.
Improvements to Department of Defense domestic violence programs.
Department of Defense recognition of spouses of members of the Armed Forces.
Department of Defense recognition of children of members of the Armed Forces.
Enhancements to the Troops-to-Teachers Program.
Fiscal year 2011 increase in military basic pay.
Improving aural protection for members of the Armed Forces.
Comprehensive policy on neurocognitive assessment by the military health care system.
Authority to make excess nonlethal supplies available for domestic emergency assistance.
And those were just some of the progressive provisions. On the conservative side, there are these, and more:

Prohibition on the use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Prohibition on the use of funds to modify or construct facilities in the United States to house detainees transferred from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Prohibition on use of funds to give Miranda warnings to Al Qaeda terrorists.
And here’s the bills that Republicans had blocked when we compiled our first list;

Senator Franken’s Anti-Rape Amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill – Makes it so that women raped overseas while working for foreign contractors have the right to have their case heard in an American court instead of having their case mediated by the company they work for. Only Republican men voted against this, but it passed.

Benefits for Homeless Veterans- Would have expanded benefits to homeless veterans and homeless veterans with children. Republicans blocked this.

Affordable Health Care For America Act- Prevents insurance companies from discriminating against you on the basis of “pre-existing conditions”. Requires that insurance companies spend 85 cents of every dollar that you pay on your actual health care. Limits health insurance companies profit margins. Republicans blocked this for months before it finally passed and have vowed to repeal it if they are elected.

Health Care for the 9/11 First Responders who got sick from being at Ground Zero- Would provide billions of dollars in health care to help the 9/11 First Responders who were at Ground Zero on 9/11 and are now sick because of it. Republicans blocked this.

The Jobs Bill- Offsets the payroll tax for 1 year for companies that hire new employees, or people receiving unemployment insurance. Also gives other tax incentives to companies hiring new employees. Republicans attempted to block this.

Wall Street Reform- Puts stricter regulations on the banks, preventing them from becoming “too big to fail”. Curbs reckless spending practices that caused the banking crisis. Republicans attempted to block this.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act- Pumped billions of dollars into state and local Governments to prevent us from sinking into a second Great Depression. Republicans opposed this but now want to take credit for the parts of it that we know are successful.

Oil Spill Liability- Raises the liability on what companies can be made to pay to clean up after an oil spill. Republicans blocked this.

Immigration Reform- Republican suggested comprehensive immigration reform until Obama supported it. Now they’re rabidly opposed to it and even voted against their own legislation. Republicans blocked this.

Unemployment extension bill HR-4213- Would provide additional aid to the millions of Americans still on unemployment who are just trying to support themselves and their families. Republicans blocked this bill for 8 weeks before it finally passed. Republicans blocked this for 8 weeks before it finally passed.

Fair Pay Act of 2009- Also called the Lily Ledbetter bill. Requires that women receive equal compensation to men for doing the same work. Republicans attempted to block this.

The next time someone tells you that the Republicans care about the American people just give them this list of all the bill Republicans wanted to fail.

 

[Brovane]

I think with the Filibuster that they should actually make them talk on the floor of the Senate. So that way if they are going to Filibuster something we can see them being a idiot on the floor of the Senate.

 

[Trell]

The only real change needed in regards to the filibuster is that the party doing it should have to actually DO it and not just say we are going to do it. If the Republicans want to filibuster (or the Democrats) make them get up there and keep talking for however many hours it takes to run out the clock...

 

[K1052]

The largest impact of limiting or prohibiting filibusters will effectively be a cleared way for Presidential appointments. Obama would be free to rebuild everything from his own Cabinet to replacing Ginsburg (and possibly others) on the SC.

 

[blankslate]

I agree completely. I well remember Byrd reading the phone book and looking like a total moron, holding out for yet another multi-billion dollar Robert K.K.K. Byrd federal building to be added to whatever he was filibustering. The filibuster traditionally gives one a chance to make one's case or to look like an idiot, which is half its value. It should be restored to that.

Yeah, we'll get people who act like idiots or we'll get cogent arguments like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=K6pa-QdL4Wo#!

but it would be much better than an obstructionist ass saying "we're invoking the filibuster.... golf anyone?"

 

[EagleKeeper]

Yeah, we'll get people who act like idiots or we'll get cogent arguments like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=K6pa-QdL4Wo#!

but it would be much better than an obstructionist ass saying "we're invoking the filibuster.... golf anyone?"

They used to be able to get work done on the golf course.

"Lackeys" would doe the BS on the floor; the leaders would be at the 19th hole solving the issues.

 

[MovingTarget]

They used to be able to get work done on the golf course.

"Lackeys" would doe the BS on the floor; the leaders would be at the 19th hole solving the issues.

This is true, but I would rather them be forced to work on the floor in front of the CSPAN cameras.

 

[blankslate]

They used to be able to get work done on the golf course.

"Lackeys" would doe the BS on the floor; the leaders would be at the 19th hole solving the issues.

This is true, but I would rather them be forced to work on the floor in front of the CSPAN cameras.

Some traditions deserve to die...

 

[Munky]

And don't forget they're going to take all our guns.

Funny that you mention it - http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/8/gun-ban-back-on-obamas-agenda

 

[fskimospy]

Funny that you mention it - http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/8/gun-ban-back-on-obamas-agenda

Lol. Fever dream editorial from the oh so credible Washington Times. Read up on that treaty.

I bet even after 8 full years of Obama not banning guns, the gun nuts will still think he was just about to do it at any moment. Truly delusional.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Funny that you mention it - http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/8/gun-ban-back-on-obamas-agenda

"The administration line is that the treaty applies only to firearms exports and poses no threat to domestic gun owners.

Read more: EDITORIAL: Gun ban back on Obama's agenda - Washington Times http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/8/gun-ban-back-on-obamas-agenda/#ixzz2BkzCCJCz
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter"
​

 

[blankslate]

"The administration line is that the treaty applies only to firearms exports and poses no threat to domestic gun owners.

Well in Mexico's case it's already pretty much too late... unless we make sure that the only Mexican nationals who get their hands on U.S. made firearms from now on are law enforcement agencies.

Even then... law enforcement in Mexico is just probably going to be outgunned.

 

[Ausm]

Lol. Fever dream editorial from the oh so credible Washington Times. Read up on that treaty.

I bet even after 8 full years of Obama not banning guns, the gun nuts will still think he was just about to do it at any moment. Truly delusional.

That's about 98% of their base.