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NEWS ABOUT: filibuster

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Reid May Go 'Nuclear' to Reform Filibuster

Senate leader considers changing rules for nominations in July

(Newser) - Those who think abuse of the filibuster has gotten out of hand in DC should keep an eye on three upcoming Obama nominations, reports Greg Sargent at the Washington Post . If Republicans use the tactic to block the president's picks to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the labor... More »

GOP Senators Boycott Vote on New EPA Chief

Democrats accuse them of obstructionism

(Newser) - Republicans on the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee refused to show up yesterday for a vote to confirm President Obama's nominee to head the EPA , complaining that Gina McCarthy hadn't responded to their inquiries. "We're not asking to amend any bedrock environmental laws,"... More »

McConnell: I'll Filibuster Gun Control Bill

Plus, Senate Dems are scrambling to decide on which bill to push

(Newser) - A gun control bill—though it's not clear which one—is expected to hit the Senate floor this week , and the latest Republican to threaten it is Mitch McConnell. The minority leader joins a group of GOP colleagues, now numbering 13, who intend to filibuster any gun bill that... More »

Sens. Paul, Cruz: We'll Filibuster Gun Control

Republicans deliver warning to Harry Reid

(Newser) - If Harry Reid goes forward with a possible gun-control measure, he'll face a filibuster, say three Republican senators. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and Mike Lee have penned a letter to the Senate majority leader, saying, "We will oppose the motion to proceed to any legislation that will serve... More »

Rand Paul: 'This Debate Isn't Over'

Senator says his filibuster just the start of pressure over drone strategy

(Newser) - Rand Paul recounts his 13-hour filibuster in the Washington Post today, writing that while he didn't set out to speak that long ("I would've worn more comfortable shoes"), he's not going to shut up about US drone strategy now. "This debate isn’t over,... More »

Rand Paul 'Seriously' Considers 2016 Run

Seeks broader Republican appeal

(Newser) - On the heels of his 13-hour filibuster , Sen. Rand Paul says he's "seriously" considering running for president in 2016, Politico reports. "I think our party needs something new, fresh, and different," the Tea Party favorite says. Republicans "have to figure out how to appeal to... More »

McCain, Graham Slam Paul's 'Ridiculous' Filibuster

Republican senators call it a cheap political stunt

(Newser) - Rand Paul may be winning praise for his Senate filibuster , but two of his Republican colleagues hated it. John McCain and Lindsey Graham took to the Senate floor themselves today to criticize the talk-a-thon, with McCain calling it "ridiculous" and Graham arguing that it "cheapened" the debate on... More »

Rand Paul: I Thought About Using a Catheter

Ultimately decided against it, filibustering senator jokes

(Newser) - Rand Paul's obviously not that committed to fighting the White House policy on drone strikes against Americans on US soil ... because if he was, he could have used a catheter yesterday, and could thus still be filibustering away . "I did think about it," the senator joked to... More »

Rand Paul Shows Senate How It's Done

Kentucky senator used filibuster for principle, not partisanship

(Newser) - Rand Paul's old-fashioned talking filibuster may not derail John Brennan's nomination, but pundits are almost universally praising the Kentucky senator's moxie. Here's what people are saying:
  • "It became clear as the Kentucky Republican talked (and talked) that he was creating a major moment for a
... More »

13 Hours Later, Rand Paul's Filibuster Ends

He ended it with a joke

(AP) - Rand Paul made it nearly 13 hours: The Republican senator/Tea Party favorite ended his old-style filibuster shortly after midnight today, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would continue to oppose confirmation of John Brennan's nomination to be CIA director. Paul's performance, which centered on questions about... More »

Rand Paul Staging Old-School Filibuster

Senator holds up vote on CIA nominee over drone strategy

(Newser) - It's possible the Senate will get a chance to confirm John Brennan as the next CIA chief tomorrow—unless Rand Paul's voice holds out. The Kentucky Republican began a genuine filibuster about 11:45am today, reports USA Today . That is, he's not taking advantage of the modern... More »

Hagel Nomination Clears Filibuster

Senate will vote to confirm in a matter of hours

(Newser) - The Senate has voted 71-27 to end debate on Chuck Hagel's nomination for secretary of Defense, paving the way for his all-but-guaranteed confirmation later this afternoon. Republicans had been filibustering Hagel's nomination, with the last vote to end debate on Feb. 14 falling just short of the 60-vote... More »

Chuck Hagel Confirmation No Sure Thing: Hill Insiders

Reid looks to head off filibuster threat

(Newser) - The Obama administration has voiced confidence that Chuck Hagel will be confirmed as defense secretary, but congressional sources aren't so sure, they tell CNN . After declaring he wouldn't support a filibuster , John McCain now appears to be waffling on the issue: Before committing, he wants to know more... More »

McCain: Let's Not Filibuster Chuck Hagel

Defense nominee nears confirmation

(Newser) - John McCain wasn't easy on Chuck Hagel during the defense secretary nominee's confirmation hearing—but it looks as though he and other Republicans are letting up. (After all, the two were friends before falling out.) McCain says he opposes a filibuster of Hagel's confirmation and will... More »

This Is Supposed to Be Filibuster Reform?!

Ezra Klein sits down with Harry Reid, and isn't impressed by his answers

(Newser) - Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell have struck a deal on filibuster reform. "The deal is this: the filibuster will not be reformed," quips Ezra Klein in the Washington Post . Reid's deal doesn't do away with the 60-vote threshold to pass bills, nor does it go particularly... More »

Reid, McConnell Close to Deal on Filibuster

But don't expect a return to actually having to talk to do it

(Newser) - Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell are close to a deal to tweak the filibuster, in an agreement that will likely disappoint proponents of a major overhaul, but save Reid the hand-wringing that would come if he used the so-called " nuclear option " to reform the rules without GOP cooperation.... More »

Filibuster Fight Heads to Court

House Dems sue over 'accident of history'

(Newser) - The battle over the Senate filibuster is moving beyond Capitol Hill gridlock and into the courtroom: While Harry Reid fights the procedural tactic in the Senate, four House Democrats have taken the matter to the federal courts. They're joined in their lawsuit by Common Cause, a nonpartisan reform organization.... More »

Let's Banish the Filibuster

It's now just an obstruction, not a voice for minority party: Ezra Klein

(Newser) - With the election behind us, it's time to get rid of the power to filibuster in the Senate, writes Ezra Klein at Bloomberg View . What was once a rare legislative move is now abused on a regular basis—it's become "simply a rule that the minority party... More »

Bill to Lower Student Loan Rates Fails in Senate

GOP blocks measure; parties can't agree how to pay for it

(Newser) - Hope your federal student loans are paid off, kids, because Washington appears deadlocked over legislation that would prevent their rates from doubling this July. A Senate bill to do so failed in a 52-45 vote along party lines today, failing to get the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster,... More »

Democracy Is Dead, Welcome to 'Vetocracy'

Thomas Friedman says special interests rule because government can't act

(Newser) - The US isn't a democracy anymore. It's a "vetocracy," with a system designed to prevent anyone from doing much of anything, Thomas Friedman argues in the New York Times . The constitution's system of checks and balances "assumes—indeed requires—a certain minimum level of... More »

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