nuclear option

13 Stories

UK Uses 'Nuclear Option' to Block Scottish Gender Reform

It creates a 'very, very slippery slope,' says Nicola Sturgeon, who promises legal fight

(Newser) - The UK government has for the first time used the "nuclear option" to block legislation passed by the Scottish parliament, in this case a law that would allow people to self-identify as transgender. The move sets up a court battle over Scotland's right to make its own laws....

Trump Prods Senate to Use Nuclear Option

Welcome to Day 2 of the government shutdown

(Newser) - President Trump came out swinging on the second day of the government shutdown, reports the Washington Post , tweeting Sunday that Senate "Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked," and that "If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on...

Senate Triggers the 'Nuclear Option'
Senate Goes 'Nuclear.'
Now, a Bigger Question
the rundown
Apr 6, 2017 2:02 PM CDT

Senate Goes 'Nuclear.' Now, a Bigger Question

Will the filibuster die for regular legislation, too?

(Newser) - Neither party budged, and now the "nuclear option" has been invoked in the Senate. Republicans on Thursday changed the chamber's rules to break the Democrats' filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, reports the AP . The change, allowing Republicans to end debate with a simple majority instead of...

McConnell: Gorsuch Will Be Confirmed

It's just a question of whether Senate Democrats filibuster, force nuclear option

(Newser) - It's all over but the shouting in the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, Mitch McConnell tells Fox News Sunday . "Judge Gorsuch is going to be confirmed," the Senate majority leader said. His next comments seemed to indicate he wouldn't shy away from the...

Stewart Skewers Hype Over 'Nuclear Option'
 Stewart Skewers Hype 
 Over 'Nuclear Option' 
DAILY SHOW
Nov 22, 2013 9:29 AM CST

Stewart Skewers Hype Over 'Nuclear Option'

In the real world, it's a sensible fix; in DC, it's the 'Hiroshima of voting'

(Newser) - Harry Reid's change of Senate filibuster rules for most presidential nominations has been breathlessly labeled the "nuclear option," but Jon Stewart has a different phrase in mind to describe Reid's figurative pushing of the big red button. "Deciding to allow 'majority rules' to incrementally...

Reid Passes 'Nuclear Option,' Changes Rules on Filibuster

Historic vote means presidential nominees need simple majority

(Newser) - The so-called "nuclear option" just happened: The Senate voted to weaken filibusters and make it all but impossible for Republicans to block confirmation of the president's nominees for judges and other top posts, reports the AP . While the filibuster can't be used on those nominations, it's...

Filibuster Lives: Senate Skirts 'Nuclear Option'

Most Obama picks will go through

(Newser) - The Senate's little version of the Bay of Pigs is over, and this one won't end with nukes, either. After much hemming and hawing and stern pronouncements, both sides reached a deal to avoid a showdown over filibuster rules , meaning Harry Reid won't use the so-called "...

Reid Blasts Senate: It 'Doesn't Work'

Dems look to use nuclear option to (kind of) kill the filibuster

(Newser) - Harry Reid says he's ready—no really, he means it this time—to use the so-called " nuclear option " to reform the filibuster. Reid says that unless Republicans allow him to move forward on a host of Obama administration nominees, he'll use a parliamentary maneuver to change...

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....

Feds: We Won't Nuke Gulf Spill

Nuclear option isn't an option: scientists

(Newser) - The federal government is definitely not considering nuking its way out of the Gulf oil spill crisis, despite some people's belief that it may be the best remaining option, officials said. The Soviet Union has successfully used nuclear blasts to seal off several runaway gas wells, supporters of the nuclear...

Obama Tightens Limits on Use of Nuclear Weapons

Goes beyond Bush to limit nukes to 'primarily' deterring nuclear attack

(Newser) - Barack Obama will announce a new, stricter US nuclear weapons strategy today, declaring that “the fundamental role” of the US nuclear arsenal is to deter nuclear attacks. That’s a much narrower formulation than the US has ever had in the past—George W. Bush reserved the right to...

Bush Blocked Israeli Strike on Iran, OK'd Covert Ops

President refused requests for missiles, but began covert sabotage missions

(Newser) - Washington stopped Israel from bombing Iran last year and told the Jewish state of covert plans to undermine Iran's nuclear ambitions, the New York Times reports. Israel asked President Bush to aid the strike with bunker-busting bombs and a free pass over Iraqi air space, which he refused—but he...

China Threatens to Crash Dollar
China Threatens to Crash Dollar
Aug 8, 2007 5:04 AM CDT

China Threatens to Crash Dollar

(Newser) - The Chinese government is threatening to crash the American dollar by liquidating its $1.33 trillion in foreign reserves if the US dares impose trade sanctions to force a revaluation of yuan, reports the Telegraph. Two Communist Party officials have given interviews in recent days with stern warnings directed at...

13 Stories