Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Go check the numbers. The GOP has set a record. What's the problem anyway? It will work both ways.
I guess the ones introducing new rules are not that concerned that it will affect them as much...no?
great, looking forward to the day that the dems have to blow hot air out their pieholes for days and hours for end without end.
Even this allows them to unreasonably obstruct the will of the people. Make it a simple majority, as the constitution intended, and just call it a day.
the filibuster is/was needed...and still is
watch "mr smith goes to washington' it might open you eyes
just as an FYI:
There are 100 members of the U.S. Senate, and most votes are won by a simple majority. But in the Senate, 60 is the most important number.
It takes 60 votes in the Senate to block a filibuster, or an unlimited debate. Senate rules allow any member or group of senators to speak as long as necessary on an issue. The only way to end the debate is to evoke "cloture," or win a vote of 60 members. Without the 60 votes needed, the filibuster can go on forever.
Senators have effectively used filibusters - or more often, the threat of a filibuster - to change legislation or block a bill from being voted on the Senate floor.
Sen. Strom Thurmond gave the longest filibuster in 1957, when he spoke for more than 24 hours against the Civil Rights Act. Sen. Huey Long would recite Shakespeare and read recipes to pass the time while filibustering in the 1930s.
But the most famous filibuster was conducted by Jimmy Stewart in the classic film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Why Filibuster?
Senators have used filibusters to push for changes in legislation, or to prevent a bill from passing with less than 60 votes. It is often a way for the minority party to yield power and block legislation, even though the majority party chooses what bills will get a vote.
Last edited by workingclasshero; 11-16-2012 at 01:50 PM..
Under the current Senate rules, a rule change to the filibuster could also be filibustered. Futhermore, it would require two-thirds of the Senate to break the filibuster instead of the usual three-fifths. Last time I checked the Senate had 55 Democrats and 45 Republicans. Looks like Reid is 12 votes short of what he needs to change the filibuster rules.
Do not hold your breath.
Actually there is this rare time at the very beginning of the year that allows the Senate to only need a majority to make a change to the rules which would be the only time a filibuster change could be made.
watch "mr smith goes to washington' it might open you eyes
just as an FYI:
There are 100 members of the U.S. Senate, and most votes are won by a simple majority. But in the Senate, 60 is the most important number.
It takes 60 votes in the Senate to block a filibuster, or an unlimited debate. Senate rules allow any member or group of senators to speak as long as necessary on an issue. The only way to end the debate is to evoke "cloture," or win a vote of 60 members. Without the 60 votes needed, the filibuster can go on forever.
Senators have effectively used filibusters - or more often, the threat of a filibuster - to change legislation or block a bill from being voted on the Senate floor.
Sen. Strom Thurmond gave the longest filibuster in 1957, when he spoke for more than 24 hours against the Civil Rights Act. Sen. Huey Long would recite Shakespeare and read recipes to pass the time while filibustering in the 1930s.
But the most famous filibuster was conducted by Jimmy Stewart in the classic film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Why Filibuster?
Senators have used filibusters to push for changes in legislation, or to prevent a bill from passing with less than 60 votes. It is often a way for the minority party to yield power and block legislation, even though the majority party chooses what bills will get a vote.
Under current Senate rules, no one filibusters like they do in that movie, it is all silent filibusters where you can do it from the comfort of your office. The idea is to change the rules back to the original idea where if you want to filibuster something, then you have to take the floor and talk and talk and talk, just like the movie.
Actually there is this rare time at the very beginning of the year that allows the Senate to only need a majority to make a change to the rules which would be the only time a filibuster change could be made.
According to the Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Ballin, 144 U.S. 1 (1892), the court held that changes to Senate rule could only be made on the first day of the session in January or March by a simple majority. However, that rule change can also be filibustered and if the rule change is filibustered it will require a two-thirds majority to break the filibuster and change the rule.
The means Reid still needs twelve Republicans and every Democrat to vote for the rule change. It will never happen.
It's a reform that is long past due, if you are against it you should speak your peace as to why your against it, instead of hiding behind a silent vote. You should explain it and tell everyone why you are for or against it ! Also to prevent the abuse of it certain things should be done mainly you need to stay on topic and discuss the current bill being filibustered and not just read random poems or entire speeches that has nothing to do with what is being discussed.
Hopefully with this going into play during the new year the republicans abuse of the filibuster can finally be put to an end instead of this constant blockade. Now when you call a filibuster you will have to actually BE ON RECORD as being against the bill and will NOW HAVE TO ACTUALLY ARGUE your position as to why you are against it. Good I say now these cry babies who keep throwing a monkey wrench into the works will have to actually stand by their convictions as to why they don't like a specific bill and not only that but now they will be identified as to who is against it.
I would be perfectly happy with making the rules go back to where they once where, and make them talk about their dog, and girl scout cookies for days on end as a real filibuster. Not just say the word and leave like nothing happened.
It's a reform that is long past due, if you are against it you should speak your peace as to why your against it, instead of hiding behind a silent vote. You should explain it and tell everyone why you are for or against it ! Also to prevent the abuse of it certain things should be done mainly you need to stay on topic and discuss the current bill being filibustered and not just read random poems or entire speeches that has nothing to do with what is being discussed.
You should have thought of that before the Democrats changed the filibuster rules in 1975 which reduced the cloture vote from two-thirds to three-fifths and no longer required anyone to speak. Funny how you supported the Democrat filibusters when Bush was President, yet now you are completely opposed to them when Republicans are the minority. Why am I not surprised? Liberal hypocrisy at its finest.
You better get use to it, because the rules for filibusters are not going to change.
You should have thought of that before the Democrats changed the filibuster rules in 1975 which reduced the cloture vote from two-thirds to three-fifths and no longer required anyone to speak. Funny how you supported the Democrat filibusters when Bush was President, yet now you are completely opposed to them when Republicans are the minority. Why am I not surprised? Liberal hypocrisy at its finest.
You better get use to it, because the rules for filibusters are not going to change.
I have never liked the current filibuster rules and it was a very short sighted move from the Democrats in 1975.
Under current Senate rules, no one filibusters like they do in that movie, it is all silent filibusters where you can do it from the comfort of your office. The idea is to change the rules back to the original idea where if you want to filibuster something, then you have to take the floor and talk and talk and talk, just like the movie.
Guess who changed the filibuster rules to begin with in 1975? I will give you a hint, it was not the Republicans. If you do not like it, too damn bad. The rules for filibusters will not be changing anytime soon.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
