Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to introduce legislation to take away the minority’s power to filibuster legislation

democrat-logoLet the games begin! Though, I don’t know how this would even pass the Senate unless they jam this through before Scott Brown is seated. According to The Hill, left wing nut Senator from Iowa Tom Harkin intends in the next few weeks to introduce legislation that would take away the minority’s power to filibuster legislation.

Harkin has wanted to change the filibuster for years, but his move would come in the wake of Republican Scott Brown’s dramatic victory in Massachusetts. Brown’s victory cost Democrats their 60th vote in the Senate, and may have dealt a death blow to their hopes to move a massive healthcare overhaul. It could also limit President Barack Obama’s ability to move other pieces of his agenda forward.

Harkin believes senators in recent years have abused the procedural move.

Harkin’s bill would still allow senators to delay legislation, but ultimately would give the majority the power to move past a filibuster with a simple majority vote.

His staff said the bill would be introduced sometime before the Senate’s current work period ends on Feb. 13.

Democratic leadership aides say Harkin’s bill is unlikely to succeed and that the idea hasn’t been seriously considered in light of Brown’s victory.

“In light of the fact that it takes 67 votes to change the Senate rules, it does not look likely that a rule change would happen anytime soon,” said a senior aide.

The aide noted the rancorous debate in 2005, when Republicans controlled the Senate and considered changing filibuster rules during a fight over judicial nominees. The so-called “nuclear option” was eventually dismissed.

The filibuster has been a long-running controversy in the Senate. In the 20th century, Southern senators used it to block civil rights legislation supported by a majority of the Senate.

More recently, Democrats used the filibuster when they were in the minority, while Republicans criticized the procedural rule. Democrats have increasingly criticized it in this Congress, though Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) are on record supporting its existence.

Harkin argues the filibuster is being used too commonly in today’s Congress.

In a Jan. 4 letter to his colleagues, Harkin noted that filibusters were used just once per Congress in the 1950s, compared to 139 times in the last Congress.

“At issue is a fundamental principle basic to our democracy — rule of the majority as a legislative body,” Harkin wrote. “Elections should have consequences. Yet the Senate’s current rules allow for a minority as small as one to make elections meaningless.”


No TweetBacks yet. (Be the first to Tweet this post)

Related posts:

  1. Hypocrite Harry Reid’s filibuster flip flop Remember back in 2005 when Harry Reid considered the filibuster...
  2. Democrats promise “pain” for GOP if they drag out ObamaCARE debate Who knew all Democrats were Chicago style thugs like Obama?...
  3. Barney Frank: amend the rules of the Senate – God Didn’t Create the Filibuster Don’t you just love how liberals want to change the...
  4. Democrat Tom Harkin – The decision has been made we’re just going to go ahead with a reconciliation ObamaCARE bill Are you ready to rumble? According to National Review: “I...
  5. Senate Democrats seek to kill checks and balances by abolishing filibusters According to Fox News, the progressive liberals in the Senate...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

January 22, 2010 · Filed Under Democrats

Share/Bookmark

Comments

Lets hear your point of view! - A warning to the liberal whiners who seem intent to flood our comment section with profanity. Save your keystrokes. The anti spamming script will just automatically delete your comment. Feel free to disagree with the host on any article posted here, but flame baits, racism, and profanity laced tirades will NOT be tolerated, and will eventually get your IP address banned!




www.e-referrer.com