Roadblock Republicans Start Throwing Around the F-Word

Posted by Steve Benen, Washington Monthly at 7:22 AM on November 22, 2008.

The Senate minority Republicans are already talking about filibusters. And lots of 'em.

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In the 110th Congress, the Senate Republican minority, with 49 seats, filibustered more legislation than any Senate minority in congressional history. Can the GOP break its own record in the 111th?

We already know that Republicans aren't shy about throwing around the "f" word. Literally just three days after Barack Obama won the presidential campaign, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the second highest ranking Republican in the chamber, publicly vowed to filibuster any prospective Supreme Court nominee he deemed to be too liberal.

Today, the highest ranking Republican in the chamber speculated about another two years of filibusters.

A feisty Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned Friday that while he looks forward to working with President-elect Barack Obama in the coming months, Republicans will continue to demand that they be given the ability to amend legislation or will filibuster bills as they move through the Senate.

McConnell released a letter signed by the entire GOP Conference to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) calling on him to use a more open process for advancing legislation in the 111th, a clear warning to Reid that Republicans will be looking to stand together over the next two years.

"The 42 Republican Senators represent 157 million Americans. Their voices are entitled to be heard, and the way to be heard in the Senate is an open amendment process," a clearly rejuvenated McConnell told reporters.

Remember when McConnell opposed an open amendment process when Republicans were in the majority? Remember when McConnell used to believe "up or down vote" were the four most important words in the English language?

Good times, good times.

Tagged as: republicans, senate, legislation, filibusters

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Dems respons to filibusters [Report this comment] Posted by: gk13 on Nov 22, 2008 7:57 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] The Dems need Reid or some other Senate leader on the news every, EVERY single night after the Republicans have blocked a bill or threatened to block a bill. Sample speech: The American public has voted for change and for an end to the usual way of doing things in Washington. The Republicans again are creating gridlock that prevents us from (fill in the blank with one) beginning to solve the economic crisis, appointing a Federal judge that is an alternative to right wing activist judges, refusing to accept the American way of compromise ---if the Dems do not do this; they are back to their old problem of seeming like ineffectual wusses that stand for nothing while the Republicans are seen as strong and willing to stand on principle. That's why some folks will vote for the Republicans even if they disagree with them. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] What about the NUCLEAR Option [Report this comment] Posted by: JSquercia on Nov 22, 2008 8:56 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Remember when the Rehuglicans threatened to use the Nuclear option on the Dems and then we got the band of 14 preserving the status quo .This allowed the likes of Alito to become members of the Highest Court . Either that OR make them REALLY Fillibuster and show THAT every Night on the News along with the speech about their OBTRUCTIONIST ways thwarting the Change Americans voted FOR . I seem to remember Daschle and the De3ms portrayed as Obstractions EVERY Day on GOP Talk Radio [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] McConnell had better take a poll. [Report this comment] Posted by: Longdream on Nov 22, 2008 9:55 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] And look over his shoulder before he shoots his mouth off, to see if all his goombahs are in rank behind him. Republicans who are left standing are probably a little nervous about keeping their seats in the coming backlash over the economy. I'm sure they aren't ALL hidebound boneheads who think that going with the extreme religious right is the way to salvage the Party. The words 'Supreme Court Justices who are too liberal' is code for 'no Pro-Choicers'. They had better check to see what their constituency is feeling about this before they take that particular stand. McCain alienated the moderates in his party in a number of ways, and bringing on Palin wasn't the only mistake. The moderates stayed home, to the tune of 1.5% on election day, and that's a Republican voter statistic that might have put John in. Or it may not have. All I'm saying is that this dude had better be speaking to the majority of his Party's constituents before he starts filibustering around. And he'd better check the mood of all the Republican members before he assumes they'll close ranks around every piece of legislation he deems filibuster-worthy. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: McConnell had better take a poll. Posted by: VZEQICVA » RE: McConnell had better take a poll. Posted by: Quannah "Sore Loosers Always..." [Report this comment] Posted by: ~Fiona~ on Nov 22, 2008 10:30 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] ...Preach sunshine and roses until they loose and then their true colors come out... "L O O S E R S ! ! !" [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] OBAMA WAS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE [Report this comment] Posted by: VZEQICVA on Nov 22, 2008 11:09 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] It might be wise for the Republicans to think before they threaten to do anything. Unlike Bush, Obama was elected by a very healthy majority. He has the people behind him. He won't be forced to operate in secret places at 3AM in order to sneak around and get things done. They should also be reminded that many of the votes for Obama came from former Republicans who were just fed up. Much of their backing has been lost and they are about to look very foolish. Thanks, ANNA [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] I agree with the above poster [Report this comment] Posted by: chaoslegs on Nov 22, 2008 1:20 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Dems have to play hardball. Make every fillibuster require a vote, putting the Republicans on record. They should also take the time to discuss the benefits of the proposed legislation, and the likely corporate/industry backed reasons that are behind the Republicans opposition. Also I am kind of curious about these 42 Senators that signed this letter, is one of them the supposed bipartisan Norm Coleman. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Scumbag republicans [Report this comment] Posted by: WhatNow? on Nov 23, 2008 12:20 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] It's sickening how a couple of years ago republicans equated filibustering to treason but now they think it's just fine. If it weren't for all the cruel tyrants of the past you couldn't find people more loathsome than republicans no matter how hard the democrats try to dispel that notion. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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