GOP filibusters the Democrats giving them what they requested

[Thedrin]

I didn't realize until recently they don't have to actually talk to filibuster anymore... they just pre-vote, if you will...

When did that change come in? I remember a newspaper report about an impending filibuster by the Democrats in 2005 saying that portable cots were being prepared.

 

[kochman]

When did that change come in? I remember a newspaper report about an impending filibuster by the Democrats in 2005 saying that portable cots were being prepared.

Not sure, but the Rs were all mad because Reid was talking about bringing it back... how dare they actually be forced to talk it through...

 

[Antilogic]

Must have thought you were referring to something else, never mind.

But yeah, the point of the new filibuster reform measures being put forth by a handful of senators is to force anyone who wants to filibuster to actually stand up and occupy the floor. Much better that way.

EDIT: The current Senate rules on filibustering were originally put in place in 1975. Previously, the rules required 2/3rd to overturn a filibuster, not 3/5ths, but you had to actually stand and talk.

 

[Thedrin]

I can't understand why that rule would be changed at all. You have to have a majority to change it and if you have a majority you want filibusters to be difficult to achieve. Unless an outgoing congress has the ability to pass laws after the election. A party that loses control might make the change then.

 

[kochman]

I can't understand why that rule would be changed at all. You have to have a majority to change it and if you have a majority you want filibusters to be difficult to achieve. Unless an outgoing congress has the ability to pass laws after the election. A party that loses control might make the change then.

Well, technically, filibuster isn't a law... it's a tradition... so you can change it as the leader of the senate.

 

[Antilogic]

The rules are voted on by simple majority (no filibusters) on the first day of the new Congress every two years (there's a special term for this, forgetting it at the moment). Generally, the majority recognizes the possibility they will be in the minority in the future and does not change the filibuster rule.

The outgoing Congress may continue to pass legislation following the November election into January, when they are replaced by the new Congress.