Thursday, March 17, 2005
The nuc-u-ler option
Senate Democrats threatened Tuesday to block virtually all business in that chamber if the Republican majority carried out a plan to unilaterally impose rule changes that would ensure confirmation of President Bush's most controversial judicial nominations.
The threat, issued by Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), sharply escalated a partisan disagreement that could put the brakes on an array of legislative business in the upper chamber, where Democrats used the threat of a filibuster to block votes on 10 appellate court nominees last year.
The showdown, which could come as early as next month, looms because Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), reflecting the frustrations among most of his 54 Republican colleagues, has said he might seek to break the logjam over Bush's court appointments by abolishing the use of the filibuster to block nominations. Instead, he would force through a rule that enables a simple majority of 51 to bring nominations to a vote.
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The underpinnings of the controversy are mathematical. The Senate has 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and one independent, James M. Jeffords of Vermont, who usually sides with Democrats. It takes 60 votes to end a filibuster, a time-honored maneuver to prevent a vote. Republicans now are talking about changing the rules so that 51 senators could cut off debate and force a vote.
Although the Senate has confirmed most of Bush's judicial nominees, 10 of his most controversial appointments stalled in the chamber last year, even though it was widely acknowledged that they would have commanded a majority vote for confirmation. They have since been renominated.
I love this quote from Senator Bill Frist:
Republicans reacted heatedly to Reid's letter, issuing a flood of statements denouncing the Democratic threat. "To shut down the Senate would be irresponsible and partisan," Frist said.
Riiight...and so is eliminiting the filibuster, pal. Why are Senate Republicans such whiny babies? Things don't go their way and they want to eradicate an entire constitutional system of checks and balances. One day, they won't have control of the White House and both Houses of Congress and you can bet then they'll use the filibuster as many times as possible. This plan of action by Frist is remarkably short-sighted...or supremely arrogant. Take your pick.
posted by chris at 2:42 PM
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