Entry: Reid shuts down Senate. Wednesday, May 18, 2005



This was fast.  Harry Reid has already refused to give consent for the continuation of Senate business, which means the Senate is virtually shut down.  No committees can meet, which means the Senate is pretty much deadlocked until the Democrats finally stop their temper tantrum.

There is more to this than Democratic obstruction.  When the minority party is able to stop progress in the Senate based on one issue, there is a need for Senate reform.  The Senate rules allow too much power to be placed into the hands of a few, and considering the minority party consists of a group that will do anything they possibly can in order to seize power, the rules are totally being abused.  When the intentions of the Senate sessions in the past are being exploited, it's time to change the rules; not just the judicial filibuster, but a number of them as well.

There are simply too many ways to block legislation, block nominees, and circumvent committees.  If you don't like legislation, you can place a hold on it.  If you don't like a nominee that comes from your state, you can place a blue card on them.  Why should a senator be able to hold up Senate business in any manner? 

When the Republicans shut down the government in the 90's, politicial analysts stated they would pay at the ballot box, and they did.  Will the Democrats pay for shutting down the Senate?  It's possible.

   2 comments

Expert
May 19, 2005   09:05 PM PDT
 
Actually Steve, that wasn't the last time a filibuster was tried, as a filibuster was used to attempt to block Bush's prescription drug bill. Of course, it didn't work.
Steverino
May 19, 2005   08:25 PM PDT
 
No, the Democrats won't pay. Two reasons:

1. All government employees will still be getting their checks, all offices will be open, all National Parks operating, and all Social Security payments will be made. People won't care if the Senate isn't working, they just want to see the money and services.

2. The mainstream media will paint this as Republicans refusing to compromise, and the Republicans will be the bad guys.

Look at the questions asked in polls: fillibusters are said to be used to prevent "controversial" issues from being passed. The pollsters conveniently omit the fact that the last time a fillibuster was tried, it was to block the Civil Rights Act.

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