ANYTHING in the Senate? Senate Republicans recently sent a letter to Majority leader Reid stating that they will block every piece of legislation from being debated until the Bush tax cuts, and the government appropriations bills, are voted on and passed. It appears the minority party of the Senate is setting the legislative agenda for that body.
Yet, the Constitution is clear that the Senate is to pass bills on a simple majority vote.
So, my question is this: by threatening to filibuster everything that doesn't meet their agenda, are Senate Republicans using the internal "rules" of the Senate to usurp the Constitutional authority granted to the majority party in the Senate? Are they, in practice, violating the Constitution?
Conversely, are Senate Democrats allowing this usurpation of power? By simply bowing to the minority, who have forced cloture vote on a record number of bills, without requiring the Republicans to stage an actual filibuster, have Senate Democrats proved they have no backbone and are not willing to stand on their principles? Why are Senate Democrats so fearful of having a Republican Senator stage an actual filibuster, broadcast live on C-SPAN for all to see?
It appears to me that the Senate is broken. Their internal "rules" have taken precedent over the authorities granted by the Constitution. Bear in mind that while Republicans are in the minority now, that will not always be the case, and in the future when Republicans gain control, Democrats will have the same threat of filibuster.
So actually, I guess I have 3 questions:
Are Senate Republicans, as the minority party, overstepping their Constitutional authority by using the Senate rules on cloture and filibuster to their advantage?
Are Senate Democrats, as the majority party, allowing Republicans to use those rules against them?
And, do the Senate rules regarding filibuster and cloture need to be changed?
All opinions welcomed.
Yet, the Constitution is clear that the Senate is to pass bills on a simple majority vote.
So, my question is this: by threatening to filibuster everything that doesn't meet their agenda, are Senate Republicans using the internal "rules" of the Senate to usurp the Constitutional authority granted to the majority party in the Senate? Are they, in practice, violating the Constitution?
Conversely, are Senate Democrats allowing this usurpation of power? By simply bowing to the minority, who have forced cloture vote on a record number of bills, without requiring the Republicans to stage an actual filibuster, have Senate Democrats proved they have no backbone and are not willing to stand on their principles? Why are Senate Democrats so fearful of having a Republican Senator stage an actual filibuster, broadcast live on C-SPAN for all to see?
It appears to me that the Senate is broken. Their internal "rules" have taken precedent over the authorities granted by the Constitution. Bear in mind that while Republicans are in the minority now, that will not always be the case, and in the future when Republicans gain control, Democrats will have the same threat of filibuster.
So actually, I guess I have 3 questions:
Are Senate Republicans, as the minority party, overstepping their Constitutional authority by using the Senate rules on cloture and filibuster to their advantage?
Are Senate Democrats, as the majority party, allowing Republicans to use those rules against them?
And, do the Senate rules regarding filibuster and cloture need to be changed?
All opinions welcomed.