Biden ponders filibuster reform - "never seen a time when it's become standard operating procedure"

[jefferson_dem]

Biden ponders filibuster reform
Posted: February 4th, 2010 07:04 PM ET

From CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett

Washington (CNN) - Moments after swearing in Sen. Scott Brown, R-Massachusetts, whose presence in the Senate means Democrats no longer have their 60-vote filibuster-proof supermajority, Vice President Joe Biden told reporters he thinks filibusters have been abused in recent years and that the Senate should consider reforms.

"It's a useful tool, it is legitimate. But from my perspective, having served here, elected to the Senate seven times, I've never seen a time when it's become standard operating procedure," Biden said. "You want to get anything done, you have to have a supermajority.

Biden noted that filibusters are not called for in the Constitution and the threshold was changed once before – from 67 votes to 60 votes – when it was "recognized as increasingly difficult" to get bills passed.

Biden, who spoke to reporters as he was leaving the Capitol, insisted his desire for reform is not because he and President Obama occupy the White House and are struggling to pass their legislative agenda.

"Any President in the future, having to move through anything he or she wants, requiring a supermajority, it's not a good way to do business," he said.

Biden said he asked his staff to "scrub" the issue, but said he doesn't have a view as to what a new supermajority should be.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/04/biden-ponders-filibuster-reform/?fbid=LtcZQkX8J5C

[jenmito]

1. Why would anyone unrec this? K&R.

[jefferson_dem]

2. Because they're a troll.

There's no other reason.

[jenmito]

3. Yup. That's why they didn't post anything.

Chicken troll.

[elocs]

10. Probably to get you to use the very 1st response to point it out.

Nice work, they love you. :applause:

[Cha]

14. No, that's just stupid..they did it bc they don't like what VP Biden

had to say.

[elocs]

16. One of the first online rules: "Don't Feed the Trolls!" They get off on the attention. n/t

[mn9driver]

4. Each Senator should get a limit of two filibuster attempts per congress.

That would limit the GOP Senators to a total of 82 cloture filings--a bit more than half of what they filed in the 110th congress, but still more than any other congress before that ever had. If they want to blow them all on health care votes, fine. When their quota is used up, they are done. The Senate cannot function without some kind of rule change. The GOPers have seen to that.

[zbdent]

12. no ... and this applies to #6, also ...

just make them have to do the filibuster the old way ...

make them stand there and talk themselves to death ... with no bathroom breaks ... and nobody being able to leave ...

[Juche]

5. Will there be action?

They talk about the rules being abused, but will anything be done about it?

[rhett o rick]

6. Time to dump the stupid filibuster. nt

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Limit five a year.

[liberalpragmatist]

8. Just get rid of it. I like Harkin's graduated filibuster.

Even the old-style talkathon filibusters were destructive, single-handedly preventing civil rights legislation for decades. Minority should be allowed to delay but not to block. And given that the Senate is already an anti-majoritarian body, I think a supermajority for any legislation is overkill.

I like Harkin's idea of a graduated filibuster, with the threshold dropping from 60 by 3 every week or so, eventually down to 51.

And abolish ALL filibusters on motions to proceed - there's no reason senators should be able to block a debate over starting a debate. Also, get rid of anonymous holds and allow a majority - 51 - to waive unanimous consent. While we're at it, weaken the committee system and make chairmanships rotate among people who have been in office at least 2 years.

[cilla4progress]

9. Ponders?

DO something!

[Clio the Leo]

11. Filibuster reform is SEXXXY!!!!!!

.... what is NOT SEXXXY is filibustering reform. ;) (which is why there's no such thing as a sexy Republican, no, not even that nekkid guy.)

[Cha]

13. Yes, VP Biden..we have some assholes in the Senate

who think they're extra special.

[Jennicut]

15. Either make them filibuster for real or reform it so there is less then 60 needed.

Joe is correct...its not in the Constitution. The majority party can do what they want with it here.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

17. Someone said it best the 60 vote BS, is making the VPs job null and void and that's wrong.