Organizing resolutions for the 111th Congress were passed today.
In a stunning move Harry Reid, actually wins one for the Dems!
In a totally predictable asshole move, Sen Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attempted to prevent the Dems from reaping some ass kicking elections gains. Since the Dems won 59 seats this past election, it entitles them to a 3 seat majority on most Committees.
This apportionment is very important, since every bill on the Senate Floor must go through at least one committee. The most effective way for the Republicans to kill a Democratic agenda, would be to foul up the committee process, probably with the willing assistance of Senate Blue Dogs.
Republicans threatened to filibuster this resolution, but Sen. Harry Reid, standing firm, was prepared to force the Republicans to actually filibuster it. The Republicans then folded, allowing the Dems to keep their three seat majority.
Anyone who "hopes" that the Dems will enact an agenda that will alleviate the suffering of our nation, this move is a good first step. It could signal a harsher stance the Democrats are willing to take against the Republicans, which is always a nice bonus in our post-partisan times.
And since I believe that you attract more flies with honey, than you do with vinegar, I am taking this opportunity to applaud the action of Sen. Harry Reid, and reward good behavior.
More like this, please.
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b-b-b-but... vinegar is good for you!
and the stoopid flies just get stuck in the honey and drown and who wants flies in anything really? but yeah, department of the happy dance indeed. thanks for pointing it out.
this means we have enough muscle to pass single payer now, right?
Not sure this is really relevant
Yes, it looks like the R's folded on this after Reid said he'd actually hold a filibuster drill. However, based on a 2 year track record of actual legislating I think it's quite clear that the R's know it only takes one of their party to block legislation. For 2 years anytime filibuster came up Reid folded, and the R's know it very well.
So, ISTM that having 3 D's on most comtes is not quite as strong a position as it should be.
At least it can come to the floor
Now what will happen there is anyone's guess. Reid "may" be more willing to force actual filibusters, since the media is looking at Dems more favorably now.
If this had happened the way McConnell wanted it to happen, anything that came to the floor would be severely compromised.
Plus, it's nice to see him show some backbone, and I hope that by talking about it nicely, we can encourage more of it.
He who will not reason is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and he who dares not is a slave.
- Sir William Drummond